Councilwoman Says Measure A Must Be Repealed or Overturned in Order to Campaign Against 710 Freeway Tunnel “Disaster”

Councilmember Margaret McAustin on Tuesday agreed with Mayor Terry Tornek that the City cannot actively campaign against the building of a tunnel under West Pasadena to complete the 710 Freeway without first repealing a 2001 measure passed by Pasadena voters.

Tornek announced earlier this week he intends to lead a movement asking Pasadenans to repeal 15-year-old Measure A, which advocates for completion of the 710 freeway.

“To date we’ve been able to expend funds advocating alternatives to the tunnel, but if we were to actively campaign against the tunnel using City funds, we would have to be in concert with the voters, so I agree we would have to repeal Measure A or maybe take a new vote overriding it,” McAustin said in an email.

City Attorney Michele Bagneris agrees with McAustin that Measure A legally prevents the city from fighting the 710 tunnel.

McAustin pointed out that although Measure A is the ‘Official Position” of the City, in the last vote taken at the Council, all of the Councilmembers opposed the Tunnel.

However, she said, “we cannot commit significant City dollars to fund an effort directly contrary to Measure A.”

“I think most residents today are squarely against the Tunnel, and when the facts about it are known, it’s really impossible to support it,” McAustin continued. “The tunnel would be a disaster for Pasadena, and consistent with my statement to my constituents in 2013, I will oppose the Tunnel. I will spend my energies working to Preserve Pasadena, not ruin it.”

On Monday, Mayor Tornek said the city must urgently prepare a measure to repeal Measure while simultaneously readying for an “ambush” in November by forces in favor of building the tunnel extension.

The new repeal measure requires immediate action, said Mayor Tornek, because it will need to be ready in July to qualify for the November ballot.

Measure A is the 2001 initiative ordinance that positions the City in favor of completing the “missing link” gap in the 710 Freeway connecting its current terminus at Valley Boulevard in Alhambra with the 210 Foothill Freeway in Pasadena.

“Apparently the Mayor has some information to share with us about this ‘Ambush’ he is expecting after the November election,” McAustin said.

Tornek reportedly plans to agendize City Council consideration and a vote on the repeal of Measure A in June.