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Council fails to appoint two EDC nominees after members raise concerns about outreach and lack of interviews
Summary
A motion to appoint two nominees to the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation board was taken off the table but then failed on a roll-call after council members criticized the appointment process, absence of interviews and potential connections; several councilmembers urged procedural changes.
Councilmembers debated appointments to the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on June 2, and a motion to appoint two nominees failed after extended discussion about process and transparency.
The item under consideration — Resolution 202692 — would have appointed Leslie Henosa and Andre Wyn to the EDC board for two-year terms (2026–2028). Councilmember Estrada moved to take the resolution off the table; the council approved that motion on a roll call and the resolution was reread for consideration.
During discussion Councilwoman Vanhal said she had researched candidate connections and requested better outreach and a balance of experience on the board, noting that "there are three openings expected next year and there will probably be changes in the procedures before that." Vanhal said the application was lengthy and that the Economic Development director had reviewed seven applications before forwarding two candidates to the mayor.
Councilman Heredia asked that nominees be considered individually and said he could not support appointments that had not been preceded by interviews. "I am requesting that these nominees be considered separately so that council may vote on each candidate individually rather than as a group," he said.
Other councilmembers and the mayor noted that the city charter vests appointment authority with the mayor and that applications were open, and some members said the process can be improved in future cycles. After the ensuing roll-call vote on the appointments, the motion to appoint the two nominees failed and the appointments were not adopted.
The transcript records extended council debate about outreach, candidate background and whether the council should interview nominees before confirmation. The council did not adopt the appointments during the June 2 meeting; the transcript does not show an immediate next step such as deferral to a future meeting or a staff directive to change process.
