Pasadena City Council: Housing, Community Advocacy, and Governance Reforms

The Westgate project (File Photo – Pasadena Housing Department)

At the December 16 Pasadena City Council meeting, issues of housing, community advocacy, and governance reforms were front and center.

By Nicholas Perez

Community residents speaking during the public comment section of the meeting, including Danny Bakewell Sr. and Jr., made appeals to the Council to renew the lease for Fair Oaks Renaissance Plaza, a vital space for Northwest Pasadena. Bakewell Sr. emphasized the Plaza’s historical significance to the community, pointing out that road improvements were manageable and highlighting the area’s role in the City’s growth. Bakewell Jr. referenced emails about lease negotiations and called on the City to act in good faith. Rene Gonzalez stressed the Plaza’s accessibility for low-income families and urged the Council to preserve the location for the benefit of the community.

Speaker Brandon Lamar said the City should prioritize maintaining long-standing relationships with community partners over corporate interests. Pastor Kerwin Manning also supported the Fair Oaks location, highlighting its alignment with housing justice efforts. Another citizen criticized the Council for bypassing public input and urged it to engage with residents before making decisions that directly affect the community. Additionally, a local resident raised concerns about homelessness, calling for more comprehensive and affordable housing solutions to address the root causes of the issue.

The housing concerns raised by residents were addressed later in the session by items on the agenda, with the Council approving amendments to the 2019 and 2024 Annual Action Plans which reallocate unused HOME-ARPA funds and unspent Community Development Block Grant funds to support housing and community development initiatives. These changes will be sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval. The Council also addressed police accountability by approving a $175,000 contract with OIR Group LLC for independent police auditor services. This move followed recommendations from the Community Police Oversight Commission.

In addition, the Council took steps toward improving governance by directing the city attorney to draft ordinances requiring training for advisory bodies and establishing term limits for commissioners. These reforms aim to promote transparency and operational efficiency in City government.

Note
The Council Chambers will be closed for renovations. The next Council meeting on January 13, 2025, will take place at the Robinson Park Recreation Center's multipurpose room.