Air quality graphic from AQMD (Photo – screenshot. 2/4/2025)
At its February 3, 2025 meeting, the Pasadena City Council discussed a range of topics, including recovery efforts after the Eaton Fire and windstorm, debris removal, air quality monitoring, hazardous waste management, and community safety.
By Nicolas Perez
An expert from the South Coast AQMD provided details on a two-stage air monitoring process. Stage one involves real-time surveys for toxic metals and volatile organic compounds, while stage two will deploy temporary monitoring stations in areas identified through mobile assessments. Councilmember Rick Cole sought clarification on data sharing, and after some initial ambiguity, the expert confirmed that the monitoring results would be made public. Councilmember Gene Masuda inquired about the timeline for the surveys, with the expert noting that the Altadena/210 freeway area had been covered and that Pasadena’s Districts 1 and 4 would be monitored over a four-week period during the second phase.
The council also considered a motion to assess the safety and habitability of local homes, addressing post-disaster living conditions. The Director of Public Health, Miguel Márquez, stressed the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) and dampening techniques to minimize airborne particulates during cleanup.
160 truckloads per day
The Public Works Director, Greg de Vinck, reported strong cleanup efforts, with over 100 laborers and 52 pieces of heavy equipment clearing debris. The city is managing more than 160 truckloads of debris per day, ensuring each street gets at least one pass by Wednesday. Preparations are also underway for an upcoming storm, with coordinated efforts between the fire department and city services.
Meanwhile, the Planning Director announced that phase one of the hazard assessment—covering reconnaissance and preliminary evaluations—has been completed. However, hazardous waste removal on Pasadena parcels remains pending. Phase two, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will focus on private property debris removal and is expected to take up to a year.
Public Comments
Public comments raised concerns about hazardous waste cleanup priorities, shelter conditions, and support for displaced residents. Several speakers called for clearer communication and accountability in the recovery process.
The first speaker questioned who would receive priority for hazardous waste cleanup, prompting the mayor to admit that no clear answer had yet been determined. The second and third speakers raised concerns about shelter conditions at the Pasadena Convention Center—one speaker criticized the impending Friday deadline for residents to vacate, while another warned that survivors would be left with nowhere to go, with predatory landlords taking advantage of the chaos.
A cleanup company representative (speaker four) raised concerns about toxic material exposure and urged more testing. The fifth speaker, a displaced Altadena resident and dialysis patient, expressed frustration with the lack of communication and support at the shelter. The sixth speaker, also at the shelter, described troubling scenes of homeless individuals exploiting available resources, compounded by unsanitary conditions, including drug use and unsanitary facilities.
Further criticism came from the seventh speaker, who criticized the disorganization of the council session and demanded that issues like underground wiring be properly added to the agenda. The eighth speaker, joining virtually, warned that non-compliant housing could worsen homelessness. The ninth speaker, via Zoom, argued it was unacceptable for residents to be forced onto the streets (read the City’s statement). The tenth speaker accused the mayor of neglecting displaced residents, pointing to the formation of encampments in the shelter as a sign of systemic failure.
The eleventh and twelfth speakers, both via Zoom, criticized the shelter’s closure without a viable alternative, warning it would deepen the homelessness crisis. The thirteenth speaker, proudly noting the community’s resilience, urged the council to prioritize Assembly Bill 392, aimed at reducing police killings. The fourteenth speaker raised concerns about identity misuse and the complexities of relief paperwork, while the fifteenth speaker voiced support for amending the Fuller Seminary plan and canceling the development agreement.
Transparency and community safety
As the meeting concluded, city officials reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and community safety, promising further updates on recovery efforts. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as the city works to to restore normalcy and address the pressing concerns raised during the session.
Leave a Reply