Council Takes a Hard Look at the Pasadena Center Operating Company

The City Council took a hard look Monday at the Pasadena Center Operating Company, the organization which operates the city’s visitors bureau and convention center, reviewing its purpose and reevaluating some of its practices.

The PCOC, as it is known, recently became embroiled in Council discussions when Councilmember John Kennedy complained he was unable to nominate a candidate to sit on its board.

“I would look forward to any further discussion in ensuring we have the right mix. It is my desire to see each councilmember have the right to nominate an individual from ones own district,” Kennedy said.

The PCOC manages the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, charged with the responsibility of improving the local economy by adding value for customers, residents, workers and businesses within Pasadena.

Pasadena has three operating companies that oversee specialized parts of the city that require more specific expertise and closer attention than the Council can contribute on a regular basis, although the Council is the ultimate authority.

At the Council’s direction, City Manager Michael Beck will review the Pasadena Center Operating Company’s procedures with Chief Executive Officer Michael Ross to determine if a new nominating system needs to be set in place and if the commission is currently operating efficiently under the system established in 1973.

“To me it’s not so much the issue appointing or nominating, but the issue of representation. The PCOC is different than any other commission, it’s the only commission where it actually represents investors,” Councilmember Victor Gordo said. “ We have to be very careful about skewing the balance that we’ve managed to strike over the years.”

The Rose Bowl Operating Company recently underwent a similar process that resulted in a restatement of purpose for the commission that focuses the board more specifically as the overseers of two economic assets with a business plan for the stadium and the golf course.

For the first time the 15-member Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC) has a lingering question of who should be eligible for nomination for the four board spots currently designated for major hotels. When the Courtyard by Marriot recently came to Old Town on Fair Oaks Avenue, the hotel became the fifth major hotel with more than 250 rooms in Pasadena.

“The Marriott Courtyard hotel is qualified under the current ordinance to sit on the commission. The Sheraton has been terminated, so there is a question of how to respond,” Mayor Bill Bogaard said.

Ray Serafin, manager of the Sheraton, recently stepped down from his role on the PCOC.

Bogaard also mentioned the six planned hotels scattered throughout the city that could make several more hotels eligible for the four seats. Beck said he will consider increasing the amount of hotel seats or having a rotation system that would be fair to all stakeholders.

The Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau markets the City of Pasadena to increase visits from tourist, business travelers and conventions that generate overnight lodging, restaurant and shopping revenues.

Currently the Mayor nominates 8 people who are recommended by other council members including one member of the City Council. Council member Steve Madison sits on the commission. The major hotels in the city have four slots, the Tournament of Roses has one slot, the City Manager has a spot reserved and the final spot is for a property owner.

Beck will return to the Council with the scope of the investigative project for additional clarity before “taking a peek” at what the PCOC’s role is in the City of Pasadena.

The Pasadena Community Access Corporation that oversees the cable communications in the City will likely also be reviewed after the PCOC.