City Council Could Endorse Measure H, Strengthen Water Conservation, Clarify Parking Meter Regulations on Monday

Pasadena’s City Council is likely on Monday to follow the advice of its Legislative Policy Committee and formally endorse Measure H, Los Angeles County’s Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness, which will be on the March 7 ballot.

In an Agenda Report for Monday’s City Council meeting, the Legislative Policy Committee said Measure H “has the potential to provide funding for supportive services for homeless individuals/families in Los Angeles County, including the City of Pasadena, and supports and promotes the quality of life and the local economy.”

“Support for this ballot measure is in accordance with the Pasadena Continuum of Care system, General Plan Housing Element, Five-Year Consolidated Plan, and Five-Year Public Housing Authority Plan,” the report said.

Measure H intends to levy a special one-fourth cent countywide sales tax for 10 years, in order to generate ongoing revenue that can be used to prevent and combat homelessness and fund the County’s Homeless Initiative Plan.

Explaining the impact of Measure H, Pasadena Housing and Career Services Director William Huang said there is “potential but unknown economic impact” due to a higher sales tax rate on all taxable purchases if the measure is passed by voters.

“Passage of the measure is estimated to raise approximately $355 million per year county-wide for each of the 10 years the tax will be levied,” Huang said. “The City will benefit from the regional impact, and may be eligible to receive a portion of the funds for local services through a competitive process.”

In another decision, the City Council is set to consider a recommendation from Pasadena Water and Power to amend Title 13, Chapter 13.10 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, known as the City of Pasadena Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Supply Shortage Plans Ordinance.

The recommended amendments are expected to strengthen Pasadena’s water conservation efforts, but will not change the City’s current Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Plan. Under Level 2, landscape irrigation is limited to one day per week during cool months from November through March, and two days per week from April through October.

The City Council is also expected to approve on second reading the ordinance that will amend the City’s Second Dwelling Unit Regulations in the City’s Zoning Code.

This amendment is necessary to bring the regulations into compliance with recent changes to state law, the City Attorney’s office earlier said. Newly adopted state standards on accessory dwelling units became effective on January 1.

Up for first reading during the meeting are proposed amendments in the Municipal Code that will establish a two-member quorum among City Council committees, amendments to the official Zoning Map that will affect the designation of areas located in the Colorado Hill Planned Development, and amendments that will clarify parking meter operations in the City.

The City Council meeting starts with a closed session at 5:30 p.m., and proceeds to the open meeting at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Council Chamber Room S249 at City Hall.

For the full agenda, click here.