Goat grazing (File Photo – livermorelarpd)
The Pasadena City Council met on Monday, November 3, 2025, tackling a full agenda that ranged from updates to the state building code to an $84,500 donation for wildfire mitigation in the Arroyo Seco.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
The meeting began with a closed session at 5:00 pm and opened publicly at 6:00 pm.
Residents Call on Pasadena to Divest from Israel
Though not on the official agenda, public comment was dominated by community members urging Pasadena to divest from companies tied to Israel. Several speakers shared deeply personal accounts of friends and family affected by the violence in Gaza, recounting loss and hardship in vivid detail.
A smaller group of residents voiced the opposite view, urging the city to stay neutral on the international issue and resist political pressure from pro-Palestinian advocates.
Environmental Stewardship in the Arroyo
One of the evening’s most warmly received items was the acceptance of an $84,500 donation from the One Arroyo Foundation to support goat grazing and the removal of non-native vegetation in the Arroyo Seco. Coupled with a new sponsorship agreement with the California Conservation Corps, the initiative is part of Pasadena’s ongoing efforts to reduce fire risk and protect native habitats in an eco-friendly way.
Everyday Infrastructure, Quietly Upgraded
In less headline-grabbing, but no less important business, the Council approved a contract with Toter LLC to supply roughly 7,000 automated garbage bins, capped at $375,000. City officials noted that updating aging waste bins will improve collection efficiency and help prevent overflowing trash in residential areas.
Routine minutes and claims were also received and filed.
Building Codes and Future Growth
A public hearing addressed Pasadena’s adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, a comprehensive set of regulations that will shape future development across the city. Rather than vote immediately, the Council continued the hearing to November 10 to allow for additional staff input and public comment.
Two other ordinances were adopted: one updating City Council committee procedures under Title 2, and another modernizing bicycle regulations under Title 10. The bike rules now define electric bicycles, remove outdated registration requirements, and clarify riding rules—making Pasadena a more bike-friendly city.
Behind Closed Doors
Earlier, the Council met privately to discuss ongoing litigation and property negotiations, including matters involving 78 North Marengo Avenue and The Regents of the University of California v. City of Pasadena. No reportable actions were taken, indicating discussions are still underway.
The Council will reconvene on November 10, 2025, when the building code adoption is expected to return for final consideration.
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