Pasadena City Council Meeting, September 29, 2025 (Photo – Screengrab, Pasadena Media)
The Pasadena City Council faced pressure from anti-genocide protesters, considered a proposal to update the Fire Department, and felt heat from the President of the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee.
By Andrew Sweet
Mayor Victor Gordo formally opened the City Council meeting by recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Pasadena Senior Women’s Basketball team, based at the Pasadena Senior Center, was also congratulated for winning Bronze in a national competition. The team endorsed their short film It’s Our Ball, which they intend to submit to the 2026 Academy Awards. The film will premiere at several festivals throughout 2025.
Pasadena4Palestine
The grassroots anti-genocide group Pasadena4Palestine rallied protesters to raise signs during the Council meeting. Speakers urged the Council to divest from pro-Israeli companies, citing Chevron, Boeing, and Caterpillar. Randy Heyn-Lamb, a lead organizer, expressed hope that Pasadena would shift its alliances to greener, safer companies.
“We strive to have Pasadena City Council divest from companies or funds who are benefiting from the apartheid of Israel and the genocide going on in Gaza,” Heyn-Lamb stated.
Speakers also urged the Council to revisit the Fire and Police Retirement System pensions, which they claimed are profiting from the conflict in Gaza. After one speaker expressed alternative views on the listed companies, protesters quickly shut her down.
Pasadena Fire Department
Fire Chief Chad Augustin led a presentation advocating for updated equipment and improved response times for the Pasadena Fire Department. Titled the “10-Year Operational and Organizational Plan,” the proposal emphasized Pasadena’s aging population and the increasing demand for emergency services. The Department suggested building a ninth fire station within the next 5–10 years and relocating its headquarters closer to the Rose Bowl.
Concerns over the Eaton Fires sparked further discussion. Augustin recommended consulting the Forestry Advisory Committee on weed abatement and brush clearance, an effort estimated to cost around $11 million annually.
Councilmember Madison of District 6 raised concerns about where to locate a new training facility. Councilmembers discussed revisiting Measures I and J with PUSD and the possibility of repurposing Jefferson Elementary School.
Pasadena Sister Cities
Lena Kennedy, President of the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee, advocated for establishing a sister city relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico. Councilmember Steve Madison, while expressing support for the idea, questioned potential political motivations and raised concerns about recent changes to the committee’s bylaws. The Council agreed on the need to review the committee’s voting procedures and existing policies.
Kennedy publicly criticized Madison’s comments, citing his lack of engagement and the way he treated her. Tensions rose in the chamber over internal conflicts, particularly Commission Chair Renee Gonzalez’s strongly worded letters and a perceived lack of involvement from certain councilmembers.
The decision on Guanajuato’s sister city status was postponed to a future meeting.
The next Pasadena Council meeting will be held on October 6, 2025.
> Watch the full Pasadena Council Meeting on Sept. 29, 2025, at this link.
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