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Pasadena Expands Battle Against Zika Virus Threat

Published on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 | 5:34 am
 
Pasadena Public Health Department Director Michael Johnson explains the resolution to join the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

In an effort to help combat the ongoing threat of the mosquito-borne Zika virus to Pasadena and neighboring cities, the City Council voted 6-2 Monday evening to transfer the City’s vector control services from the Pasadena Public Health Department to the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The transfer will require the city to be annexed to the District, and will also result in the establishment of a property tax benefit assessment on all Pasadena property owners of approximately $1 a month per property.

The city was provided with three voting options—to continue its own Pasadena Public Health limited vector control service, expanding services by Pasadena Public Health to provide a full and complete scope of vector control service equal to that of other local vector districts, or join the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District “to provide a full and complete scope of vector control services,” according to a Pasadena Public Health staff report.

The Pasadena Public Health had previously recommended that the City Council join the District for the provision of vector control services at a September 26 meeting. In its agenda report to the council that evening, the Pasadena Health department said it cannot provide the proper training, equipment or supplies to wipe out the necessary amount of adult mosquitoes needed to combat airborne diseases such as Zika and West Nile, nor can they keep track of their breeding patterns. The Health Department does not currently have even one full-time employee dedicated to working on mosquito abatement.

“It would be in the best interest of public health to actually engage with an organization that has the full scope and capacity to do a broader service,” Pasadena Public Health Director Michael Johnson reported to the Council in his staff report.

At that time, however, the resolution failed to pass, following concerns about costs and services from Council members Andy Wilson and Victor Gordo.

Council member Gordo had also questioned the ability of the City to “detach” from the Vector Control District, should they not receive the level of service necessary or find other “cheaper” agencies to work on mosquito abatement.

“The important question is whether or not they will provide the level of service that we demand and deserve in Pasadena,” Gordo said in September.

Though the annexation would involve a $10-12 yearly tax on residents, it would provide a tenfold increase in resources, according to City Manager Steve Mermell.

Council member John Kennedy voiced concerns Monday evening that not enough public outreach had been done for the community, calling the yearly fee a “tax,” and arguing that a tax would require a vote. Johnson explained that the fee was not a tax, and that the decision to join the Vector Control District would take about a year to implement, and that the District would handle the outreach.

“This is just the beginning of the implementation,” said Johnson.

The City of Pasadena would also conduct a “robust public information campaign,” said City Manager Steve Mermell. Mermell added, “We are already behind in vector control. This is to the City’s benefit.”

Kennedy continued to voice concerns, adding that there was no “imminent threat” to the City, and that “property rights” are important, “second only to personal rights.”

Johnson disagreed with Kennedy’s assessment, explaining that while there are no current cases of Zika reported in the City, the disease can be borne by travelers, thus making it, in his opinion, “an imminent threat.”

Mayor Terry Tornek agreed with Johnson, saying “I do believe this is an imminent threat. We may have only just dodged a bullet so far.”

Councilmembers Kennedy and Tyron Hampton voted against the resolution.

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