Pasadena City Council Meeting; April 6, 2026 (Photo – Screengrab)
The Pasadena City Council on Monday debated how far it can go in responding to federal immigration enforcement while also confronting major funding gaps in its long-term infrastructure budget.
By Andrew Sweet
City Zoning Ordinances
After a staff presentation, the Council reviewed zoning-based approaches that could potentially limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the city. The discussion centered on the extent of the City’s legal authority.
The City Manager and City Attorney advised allowing court action to take priority, cautioning against overstepping federal jurisdiction.
“We don’t have authority to regulate federal activity on private property,” City Attorney Michele Bagneris said.
Councilmember Rick Cole, District 3, pushed back, arguing the City still has a responsibility to act.
“We have the constitutional power to protect the health and safety of our residents,” Cole said. “While that may sometimes conflict with or overlap federal authority, we have our own authority.”
Cole also called for exploring citations for potential violations tied to enforcement activity.
The Pasadena Police Department said it would begin activating body-worn cameras to document incidents involving federal agents. However, several public commenters questioned the department’s role in federal enforcement, particularly around information sharing.
The Chief of Police responded that officers only request identification in the course of standard incidents.
Councilmember Gene Masuda, District 4, said the issue was personal, noting his grandparents were held in Japanese internment camps during World War II. He drew parallels to the targeting of specific communities.
The Council voted 7–0 to refer the issue to the Homeless, Housing and Planning Committee for further review. Councilmember Steve Madison, District 6, was present for part of the meeting but left before the vote.
Budget Workshop
The Council also resumed discussions on its Capital Improvement Program (CIP), where officials acknowledged significant gaps between funding goals and available resources.
The workshop followed up on five priorities established in December 2025, including fire facility upgrades, road and safety improvements, housing investment, climate initiatives, and economic development.
But some councilmembers expressed frustration with the current plan.
Cole called the proposed CIP budget “disappointing,” saying he is “seeking… measurable results and not just rhetoric.” He pointed to deferred road repairs and questioned investment priorities, including a $200 million renovation of the City Library.
Public commenters focused heavily on the City’s climate goals, arguing the budget falls short of its commitments.
“Meeting carbon-free goals was a high priority in the City Council’s December 2025 budget workshop,” one commenter said. “But unfunded electric system projects result in a gap of $392 million.”
Others criticized Pasadena Water and Power for prioritizing a planned $33 million headquarters building over solar investments on municipal properties.
As the Council explored ways to close funding gaps, members discussed potential revenue options, including parcel taxes, commercial vacancy taxes, and a possible half-cent sales tax increase.
Councilmember Tyron Hampton, District 1, suggested partnering with the Pasadena Unified School District to align spending on shared priorities like bike safety near campuses.
PUSD has more than $1.4 billion in bond funding, which Hampton said could potentially support infrastructure improvements. Mayor Victor Gordo added that City Manager Miguel Márquez is already in discussions with the district’s superintendent.
“We have to recognize maintenance costs as we go, because it’s always going to be needed, and we want to make sure that we are maintaining the infrastructure properly,” Gordo said.
A public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program is scheduled for April 13.
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