Immigration Issues May Take Spotlight at Council on Monday, But Other Issues Abound

Immigration issues and the direction Pasadena is taking with regards to how the City should relate and cooperate with federal authorities (if at all) will go to the City Council Monday, March 27, during its regular weekly meeting.

First, the Council’s Legislative Policy Committee will report out for approval Monday the City’s Federal and State Legislative Platforms for calendar year 2017, which includes amending the immigration policy to include the City’s support for federal legislation that would protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. DACA protects children who were brought into the country at a young age and are pursuing education.

Following that, the office of the City Manager will seek from the City Council consideration of a Pasadena policy regarding immigration issues. City Manager Steve Mermell and staff are expected to present the implications background on how the City has handled immigration issues in the past, and current data that will help City Council members decide on the best way a new immigration policy should be formulated.

Also on Monday, the City Council will conduct two public hearings: one about the recommendation to adopt a 20 percent water conservation target and implement a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Plan, and another one about the planned submission of a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

On March 14, the Council’s Municipal Services Committee discussed and approved the recommended water conservation target and implementation of a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Plan by April 1.

Under a Level 1 Plan, watering of lawn, landscape or other vegetated areas will be limited to three days per week from April 1 through October 31, and no more than one day per week from November 1 through March 31.

Pasadena has been operating under a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Plan since June 1, 2015.

Additionally, the Council will consider approval of a journal voucher with a net increase of $2,569,044 amending 18 projects in
the Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Improvement Program Budget.

On the Consent Calendar, authorization to enter into a contract with Onyx Architects for design of Desiderio and Victory parks restrooms for an amount not to exceed $126,210.

Monday’s City Council meeting opens with a closed session at 5:30 p.m. and proceeds to the public meeting at 6:30 p.m. The public hearings are estimated to be around 7 p.m.

The City Council meets at the Council Chamber Room S249 at the Pasadena City Hall.