Pasadena council approves package of ordinances and resolutions; three councilmembers vote against EDC appointments amid transparency concerns

The City of Pasadena City Council on Feb. 18 unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions that included equipment purchases, maintenance contracts, public-safety agreements, street-reconstruction grant applications and annual grant applications for police and parks programs. Several council members recorded opposing votes on appointments to advisory boards, citing lack of transparency around a recent convention-center project.

Among the ordinances adopted were authorization for the purchase of a FEMA Type 1 mobile emergency command trailer; a $71,380.80 annual maintenance contract with Aviate Incorporated for the city phone and answering system; a fence replacement contract through an interlocal with Kim Nill & Associates, LLC; a radio service agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. totaling $69,755.57; and an asphalt purchase order of $499,970 with R.B. Everett & Company. The council also approved a parks-and-recreation grant acceptance for up to $1,500,000 and a variety of smaller contracts and program agreements.

Key resolutions the council approved included accepting donations to the Madison Joy Senior Center; authorizing a citywide electric-power contract to begin after the current contract expires in May 2025; accepting in-kind materials from Branch Construction Group for the police driving track in exchange for dump-site access; applying for a Governor's Office victim-assistance grant of $85,857.19; applying for a U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for $5,108,412 for reconstruction of surface streets in flood-prone areas; and accepting a 30-foot drainage easement for maintenance of a public drainage system.

Appointments and recorded opposition

Resolution 20 25 36 would appoint Rick Lord, Marilyn Wilkins, Ernesto Paredes, Angela West, Afrin Aaron and Elaine Dominic to the board of directors of the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation for two-year terms (2025'027). Council members Ornaudu Ibarra, Manuel Guerrero and Pat (as recorded) voted no on that resolution; the motion otherwise carried.

Resolution 20 25 37 appointing Gary Williams, Bob Cooper, Linwood Monroe, Gerald Land and Bill Besdick to the Building Standards Commission (with Don Harrison and Bruce Lehman named as alternates) drew two recorded no votes, by Manuel Guerrero and Pat. Several council members who voted no cited ongoing transparency and accountability concerns tied to a previously approved convention-center financing plan; other council members defended the appointees and said the EDC had made assurances during earlier proceedings.

Votes and procedural notes

Most routine minutes, progress payments and personnel changes were approved by voice vote during the meeting. Where roll-call negative votes were recorded, the city secretary noted the names: on Resolution 20 25 36 (EDC appointments) the recorded no votes were Ibarra, Guerrero and Pat; on Resolution 20 25 37 (Building Standards Commission) the recorded no votes were Guerrero and Pat. The council did not take separate roll-call tallies for each ordinance listed; multiple ordinances and resolutions were approved by voice vote following motions and seconds.

Why it matters: the EDC and building-standards appointments come as council members debate oversight and transparency following a $96 million convention-center project that some council members say proceeded without sufficient feasibility analysis. The council's approvals authorize contracts and grant applications that can affect city operations, capital projects and grant-funded street reconstruction.

Ending: The council passed the listed ordinances and resolutions and recorded opposition on the appointments; it adjourned the meeting afterward. No additional hearings or committee referrals on the appointments were scheduled during the session.