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Pasadena council extends battery-storage moratorium, approves sidewalk and paving contracts and controller severance benefit
Summary
At a Jan. 6 special meeting, the Pasadena City Council read and approved first readings for an extension of a commercial moratorium on battery energy storage system permits, awarded two public-works contracts, upheld an employee termination on appeal, approved personnel changes and authorized a severance benefit for the new city controller.
The Pasadena City Council on Jan. 6, 2025, voted to extend a commercial moratorium on issuance of permits for battery energy storage system facilities, approved contracts for sidewalk and paving projects, upheld a termination on appeal, and approved a severance benefit for the newly hired city controller, Lindsay Casconamy.
The council called a public hearing on the proposed extension of the moratorium on permits for the placement and installation of battery energy storage system facilities (ordinance read as "Ordinance 2025-1"). No members of the public signed up to speak during the public hearing, and the council proceeded to act on the ordinance on first reading.
Councilmembers also read and approved two infrastructure contract ordinances on first reading: an award to Brook Concrete Concrete Incorporated for the 2025 Annual Sidewalk Improvements Project (CIP S-143) and an award to D and W Contractors Incorporated for the 2025 Annual Paving and Drainage Improvements Project (CIP D-063 / S-142). The transcript’s reading of the Brook Concrete appropriation included inconsistent dollar figures (see clarifying details); the D and W contract amount was read as $4,130,649 to be paid from the general CIP fund balance, athletics operating budget and the general fund balance.
Separately, the council conducted a roll-call vote on a suspension/appeal board recommendation and voted to uphold the termination of Tamara Fernshaw. The meeting record shows a motion and second and that the ruling to uphold the termination carried on the roll call.
The council also approved a motion described as "personnel changes" and later approved Ordinance 2025-4, which was read to authorize an additional severance and health insurance benefit for the newly hired city controller, Lindsay Casconamy. Ordinance 2025-4, as read, authorizes 90 days of compensation and health insurance coverage for the final day of employment if the controller is separated by the city council without cause. Councilmembers welcomed Casconamy following the vote.
Most items were handled with brief motion/second and "all in favor" votes on first reading; the public hearing on the battery storage moratorium drew no public comment. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
Votes at a glance - Personnel changes: motion passed (mover: Pat Van Howe; second: Mr. Dow). Vote: passed (recorded as "motion passed" in meeting). Notes: the transcript does not specify the personnel changes’ details. - Appeal: Ruling of the suspension/appeal board to uphold termination of Tamara Fernshaw — motion carried on roll call (mover: Mr. Barr; second: Shane Biden per transcript). Outcome: ruling upheld termination. - Ordinance 2025-1 (first reading): extension of commercial moratorium on permits for battery energy storage system facilities — read and motioned; council voted "Aye" on first reading. Public hearing: no commenters signed up. - Ordinance 2025-2 (first reading): contract with Brook Concrete Concrete Incorporated for 2025 Annual Sidewalk Improvements (CIP S-143) — read and motioned; council voted "Aye" on first reading. Appropriation amount unclear in the transcript (see clarifying details). - Ordinance 2025-3 (first reading / contract award): contract with D and W Contractors Incorporated for 2025 Annual Paving and Drainage Improvements (CIP D-063 / S-142) — appropriation read as $4,130,649 from the general CIP fund balance, athletics operating budget, and the general fund balance; council voted "Aye" on first reading. - Ordinance 2025-4 (first reading): additional severance and health insurance benefit for new city controller Lindsay Casconamy (90 days compensation and health insurance if separated without cause) — read, motioned, and approved on first reading.
No substantive debate or public comment on the moratorium was recorded in the transcript. Several routine motions and votes were handled by voice vote or roll call as noted in the minutes. The council adjourned after the items were completed.
Ending: The special meeting adjourned; the transcript records the council saying, "This meeting's adjourned. God bless. See you tomorrow."
