A Message from the City Manager
Welcome to the City of Pasadena City Manager’s weekly newsletter. Whether you are a long-time resident, a newcomer, a student, a business, or a commuter who works in our City, we hope that this will prove to be a great resource for you.
This newsletter is one of many different ways for you to stay connected and informed. City happenings are highlighted on our home page, along with meeting calendars and special event notifications/full press releases. We welcome, encourage, and appreciate your involvement, and feedback. The office of the City Manager and the employees of the City are proud and here to serve and assist you.
The upcoming Labor Day weekend is sometimes known as the “unofficial end of summer.” It’s a time when the school year has just begun or is about to begin, and when the weather starts to cool just a little bit. For some, it is a chance to get in a last minute vacation, relax for the long weekend, or take advantage of Labor Day shopping deals. But it is also important to reflect on the true meaning of Labor Day.
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September. It honors and recognizes the American Labor Movement and the many contributions laborers have made to the development of our country. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a common day be set aside to celebrate labor and all of its achievements. Many states throughout the nation had already been celebrating laborers and their achievements, but on different days. A national “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first Labor Day parade in New York City. It became an official federal holiday in 1894.
As you enjoy this weekend, please take the time to recognize the many contributions workers have made throughout history to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being. As John F. Kennedy once said, “The history of the United States is in vital respects the history of labor. Free men and women, working for a better life for themselves and their children, settled a continent, built a society, and created and diffused an abundance hitherto unknown to history.”
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
IN THIS ISSUE ...
- Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) Updates
- Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
- Opening of Interim Housing Project for Homeless Transition Age Youth at 2322 E. Foothill Boulevard
- Upcoming Full Street Closures
- Pasadena Water and Power Invites the Public to the First Optimized Strategic Plan Meeting on Clean Energy Strategy
- Infrastructure Improvement Updates - Automatic Transfer Switch Installation for City Hall
- Monthly Activity Reports from the Planning & Community Development Department
- 2024 Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 Gang Violence Outreach and Violence Interruption Services Update
- Legal Advertisements and Public Notices
Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) Updates
In partnership with the Pasadena Fire Department, Huntington Health, and Union Station Homeless Services, the Pasadena Public Health Department’s (“PPHD’s”) Pasadena Outreach Response Team (“PORT”) provides field-based case management and housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness in Pasadena. Manuel Carmona, Acting Director of Public Health, explained that PORT continues to make significant strides in addressing the needs of the unhoused community, demonstrating how building trust and facilitating access to essential services can lead to stable, sustainable housing for the most vulnerable residents in the community. As of August 26, 2024, PORT has 90 active enrolled participants.
In FY 2024, PORT achieved several notable accomplishments including:
- Responded to over 1,100 field incidents involving people experiencing homelessness, including 445 diverted 9-1-1 dispatch calls.
- Completed nearly 250 field-based screenings and biopsychosocial assessments for various service needs.
- Provided over 500 referrals for unhoused individuals not currently enrolled in PORT.
- Provided enrolled participants help navigating important systems including advocating for access for and direct transportation services to medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment services.
- Placed 42 participants in stable housing, including 29 in permanent supportive housing.
Additionally, with funding from a California Department of Housing and Community Development grant administered by the City of Pasadena Housing Department, PORT began implementation of the Encampment Resolution Fund (“ERF”) program. Working with the Housing Department and Union Station Homeless Services, PORT cleared encampments on CalTrans-owned or -managed properties and placed individuals in temporary shelter sites, primarily local motels. While in temporary shelter sites, participants are provided intensive case management services and housing navigation. To date, 35 participants have been enrolled into the program, with 13 housed and another 13 ready for housing.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
On Thursday, August 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved the Pfizer and Moderna updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older, including those who are fully vaccinated, receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines remain the most effective preventive measure residents can take to protect against serious illness.
Most people can get no-cost updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines through their private health insurance and Medicare or Medi-Cal health insurance plan. Adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all vaccine costs can get no-cost updated COVID-19 vaccines at community health centers and federally qualified health centers. Children under the age of 18 may also be eligible to get a free COVID-19 vaccine through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program. Community members with health insurance are encouraged to contact their physician or local pharmacy to request the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Insured community members can receive their COVID-19 vaccines at Albertsons, Pavilions or VONS located in Pasadena and can schedule their vaccine appointment by visiting the Albertsons pharmacy website or VONS pharmacy website.
For those without insurance, Los Angeles County vaccination sites will have the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine by October. Call the Public Health Info Line at (833) 540-0473 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to confirm availability. Find a Los Angeles County vaccination site that accepts uninsured or underinsured individuals by visiting the County of Los Angeles Vaccination Sites website.
The State of California is planning to offer local health jurisdictions a limited supply of updated COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured or underinsured individuals through the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults Programs. Vaccine shipments have yet to be scheduled and there is no current timeline for their delivery. Uninsured or underinsured residents interested in a COVID-19 vaccine through the Pasadena Public Health Department are encouraged to contact the Department to confirm availability and their eligibility to receive the vaccine.
Receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine provides residents with the best protection from current strains in circulation. It is especially important that residents at higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, such as residents who are 65 years or older or pregnant individuals, get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Visit the CDC COVID-19 vaccination website for updates on COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations.
Opening of Interim Housing Project for Homeless Transition Age Youth at 2322 E. Foothill Boulevard
William K. Huang, Director of Housing, reported a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of an interim housing project for homeless transition age youth (“TAY”) was held on August 7, 2024. The project, developed by local nonprofit Heritage Housing Partners (“HHP”), is located at 2322 E. Foothill Blvd., and provides six (6) units of interim affordable housing for homeless TAY students attending Pasadena City College (“PCC”). Although the project is small it breaks new ground as PCC will pay the rent for the student/residents. The hope is that other community colleges will follow PCC’s lead to do the same for their homeless students. The City assisted HHP with project development financing totaling $2,329,500. Other project funders included Pasadena Community Foundation, California Community Foundation, and Pasadena City College. HHP partnered with First Place For Youth, a nonprofit that works with the foster youth population, to operate the project and to provide supportive social services for the TAY residents.
The critical need for TAY housing is well-documented:
A RAND report published on August 13, 2024 found that “Transition age youth, ages 18 to 25 years old, represent an important population of focus because resolving homelessness at an early age may prevent chronic homelessness and the consequences of living unsheltered, such as earlier mortality and increased morbidity…the foster care system puts an individual at greater risk of experiencing homelessness.”
According to a recent UCLA study “State of Crisis: Dismantling Student Homelessness in California:”…it is estimated that one (1) in five (5) California Community College students experience homelessness or are housing insecure. Community colleges have the highest rates of homelessness and housing insecurity across California’s three public systems of post-secondary education. Critical interventions for youth experiencing homelessness include early and immediate access to emergency shelter beds, along with a clear pathway to long-term housing that will end their homelessness and allow them access to resources such as employment and education support. Currently, there are not enough housing opportunities that are affordable to students and growing housing insecurity among college students stemming from high rents poses serious barriers to educational achievement.”
To further address this critical need, HHP is developing a second project located adjacently at 2318 E. Foothill Blvd. This project will consist of 9 units for homeless TAY, PCC students and is currently in the predevelopment phase. Development funding assistance includes City, County, and federal monies.
Upcoming Full Street Closures: Fair Oaks Avenue - Congress Street to Bellefontaine Street and Fillmore Street - Fair Oaks Avenue to Edmonson Alley
To safely facilitate the construction of Huntington Hospital’s new 4-story medical office building located at 786 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Kris Markarian, Acting Director of Public Works, reported intermittent and long-term street and sidewalk closures will occur along Fair Oaks Avenue, Fillmore Street, and a portion of Edmondson Alley.
On September 3, 2024, from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. during the overnight hours only, Fair Oaks Avenue will experience a full street closure between Congress Street to Bellefontaine Street.
The Fillmore Avenue long-term full street closure will begin on September 3, 2024, and continue through June 3, 2026, between Fair Oaks Avenue to Edmondson Alley and the west half of Edmondson Alley south of Fillmore Avenue.
The public sidewalk on the west side of Fair Oaks Avenue and on the north side of Fillmore Street will remain open. Edmondson Alley north of Fillmore Avenue will remain open; the alley south of Fillmore Avenue will be open to northbound traffic only. All properties affected by the closures along Fair Oaks Avenue and along Fillmore Avenue have been notified. Changeable message signs in both directions are placed in advance to alert the public about the closures. This project is under the control of Huntington Health, and the hospital will coordinate internally to avoid any impact on emergency services.
The full street closure of Fair Oaks Avenue, for one night only, will close Fair Oaks to all traffic between Congress Street and Bellefontaine Street. Vehicle detour routes include St John Avenue, Pasadena Avenue, Raymond Avenue, California Boulevard, Glenarm Street, and Bellefontaine Street.
The full street closure of Fillmore Street will close Fillmore to all traffic between Fair Oaks Avenue and Edmondson Alley for approximately nine months. No driveways or lot access will be affected by this long-term closure. Vehicle detour routes include California Boulevard, Fair Oaks Avenue, Raymond Avenue, and Glenarm Street. Attached is the road closure notice sent out by Huntington Hospital.
Temporary Road Closures/Detours
Pasadena Water and Power Invites the Public to the First Optimized Strategic Plan Meeting on Clean Energy Strategy
David Reyes, Interim General Manager of Water and Power, announced that Pasadena’s pathway to carbon-free electricity will be charted through a comprehensive Optimized Strategic Plan (“OSP”), which will be discussed at Pasadena Water and Power’s (“PWP”) first virtual meeting on Thursday, September 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Community members can attend the meeting by going to PWPweb.com/OSP or calling (669) 444-9171 and using the webinar ID 878 4401 2192 at the designated meeting time.
The OSP is a roadmap that will define the key actions and future decision points to help best position PWP to achieve the City’s goal to source all electricity from carbon-free sources by the end of 2030 while maintaining reliability and limiting cost impacts to customers. The OSP will consider how new generation resources, infrastructure investments and customer programs can facilitate the transition to Pasadena’s carbon-free goal.
Infrastructure Improvement Updates - Automatic Transfer Switch Installation for City Hall
On Friday, September 6, Pasadena Water and Power (“PWP”) will start a construction project on the south side of City Hall to install equipment that will enhance the building’s power reliability. Specifically stated by David Reyes, Interim General Manager of Water and Power, crews will install an Automatic Transfer Switch (“ATS”). In the event of a power outage on the power distribution circuit feeding City Hall, the ATS will automatically switch to another circuit to keep power flowing to the building.
During construction, crews will trench on Union Street between Euclid Avenue and Garfield Avenue and install the ATS on a concrete pad adjacent to City Hall. Construction will last four weeks and will affect traffic flow on Union Street.
The first 10 days will involve work in the street, where temporary traffic control measures will occur on Union St. between Los Robles Ave. and Marengo Ave. An individual lane closure will have the maximum impact at any time during work in the street. During the final three weeks of the project, crews will close a small section of the sidewalk. During this time, pedestrians will be directed to cross on the south side of Union St. between Euclid Ave. and Garfield Ave.
For details on Pasadena Water and Power construction projects, visit PWPweb.com/Construction.
Monthly Activity Reports from the Planning & Community Development Department
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Community Development, submitted the monthly activity reports for July 2024. The reports include Planning, Code Compliance, and Building and Safety/Permit Center.
Planning:
- New Zoning Cases – Fourteen current planning (zoning) projects were submitted in July 2024.
- Ongoing Zoning Cases: Major Construction – Defined as a nonresidential project, or a nonresidential portion of a mixed-use project, that exceeds 25,000 square feet of gross floor area. None at this time.
- Community Planning Active Cases - Master Plans and Zoning Code Amendments in process.
- Design & Historic Preservation applications.
Code Compliance:
222 new cases were opened, 363 inspections were completed, and 209 cases were closed. There were 98 Presale certificates issued and 513 rental units inspected.
Building and Safety/Permit Center:
847 building and subtrade permits were issued with a valuation of $12,035,884; 26 ADU permits were issued; and 3,655 building inspections were completed.
Reports can also be found on the following link:
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/monthly-activity-reports/
2024 Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 Gang Violence Outreach and Violence Interruption Services Update
Between 2019 and 2021, the Pasadena community experienced a rise in gang violence leading to a 125% increase in confirmed shootings. In response to this crisis, the City of Pasadena contracted with Ricky Pickens and his Gang Outreach and Violence and Interruption Services (“GOVIS”) team, to provide gang outreach and violence interruption services in January 2021. Since that time, the GOVIS team has helped reduce the incidence of violence in the Pasadena community. Manuel Carmona, Acting Director of Public Health, and the Pasadena Public Health Department (“PPHD”) is submitting this update on the GOVIS team for the period January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.
Since January 2021, the GOVIS team has coordinated violence interruption services focusing on reducing incidents of gang violence; particularly retaliatory shootings, using a team of gang interventionists. In summer 2022, the City completed a competitive bidding process and City Council authorized a contract to conduct violence interruption services for two years with an option for the city to extend for one year. The contract was originally administered by the Office of the City Manager but was transferred to PPHD in October 2022. In May 2023, the City increased the number of interventionists from four to six members.
The team delivers services using a tailored approach focused on conducting mediation, addressing rumors that can lead to conflict, engaging key influencers, drawing on respected third parties, and working with community-based organizations. Each team member maintains a confidential journal documenting their activities and they summarize their work on data collection sheets submitted monthly to PPHD. Staff analyzes the data sheets to identify trends, assess alignment with police data, and update strategies as needed.
The primary activities of the team are mediating conflicts and conducting outreach to those directly involved or affiliated with gangs in Pasadena. The team refers individuals to local nonprofits and other agencies, to support those interested in accessing resources and services. The data collection sheet defines mediation and outreach as follows:
Mediation: Speaking directly to gang-impacted or gang-involved individuals to understand root causes of violence with the intention of reducing or ending interpersonal conflicts when the individual presents a direct issue, problem, or concern with another individual.
Outreach: Speaking directly to gang-impacted or gang-involved individuals to develop a relationship and/or learn more about community conditions and immediate needs of the individual. May include connecting the individual to resources.
In 2024, the team recorded 1,512 hours of service in Quarter 1 and 1,665 hours of service in Quarter 2. Both quarters were less than the 1,881 service hours the team reported in Quarter 4 of 2023. The amount of time conducting outreach activities increased over the period from 1,351 hours in Quarter 1 to 1,463 hours in Quarter 2. Similarly, the amount of time conducting mediation activities increased over the period from 161 hours in Quarter 1 to 202 hours in Quarter 2. These trends reflect adjustments in the team’s strategy to align with changing conditions in the community. When tensions and the potential for conflict are reduced, the team spends more time conducting outreach with a focus on connecting residents to services.
PPHD staff also evaluate the amount of time delivering services in-person and by phone. The team delivered services by phone 44% of the time in Quarter 1 and 41% of the time in Quarter 2. Services delivered by phone during these periods were more than the 38% of services delivered by phone in Quarter 4 of 2023. Conducting outreach and mediation services by phone is expected given it is the easier and more expedient way to reach individuals, especially when an incident occurs. In certain circumstances, some individuals prefer not to meet in-person. While the team has a strong Pasadena presence, knowing who to contact is far more important than how the team contacts them.
The team made 151 referrals to community partners during Quarter 1, the majority were for job training, substance use treatment, and housing programs. In Quarter 2, the number of referrals to community partners dropped to 77, with the vast majority (68%) for job training programs. Referrals fluctuate significantly, reflecting the needs of the residents the team engages. In July 2024, PPHD staff provided the team with training on several PPHD programs including Women, Infants, & Children (“WIC”), Medi-Cal Enrollment Services, Pasadena Outreach Response Team (“PORT”), Black Infant Health, and administering Narcan.
Measuring the full impact of the team is a challenge since there is no practical way to measure what was prevented from occurring. PPHD staff continue to review best practices for measuring impact that may be useful to local efforts. The most immediate outcome that can be measured is the number of gang-related or possibly gang-related shootings, as reported by the Pasadena Police Department. PPHD staff use this data as an indicator for the work of the team but acknowledge that reductions in community violence are the result of many factors, including broader city efforts beyond the GOVIS team.
The number of gang-related or possibly gang-related shootings dropped from 11 in the first six months of Calendar Year 2023 to 2 in the first six months of Calendar Year 2024, an 82% year-over-year decrease. PPHD staff continue to monitor data for confirmed shootings to assess if any changes in strategy are needed.
The work of the team supplements the City’s broader violence prevention efforts. The California Violence Intervention & Prevention (“CalVIP”) Grant supports family-based therapy and access for youth 10-24 years of age to community-based services in the areas of educational support, life skills training, job training, substance use treatment, and mental health support.
Legal Advertisements and Public Notices
The webpage for posting public notices and advertisements has been updated with this week’s submissions set for publication. The information can be accessed from the City Clerk's webpage at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-notices/. If you require additional detailed information on these legal advertisements and public notices, please contact Sandra Robles, Senior Assistant City Clerk, at (626) 744-7398.