Residents Sound Off on Controversial War Memorial, Affordable Housing at Council Meeting

The debate is over as to how Pasadena will honor its fallen soldiers who fought in the war on terror. By a 6-0 vote, the City Council approved a controversial statue placement in the small Defenders Park near the Colorado Street Bridge during Monday night’s Council meeting.

The Council’s four-hour-long meeting covered a range of issues, from raising water rates and the need for more affordable housing to the “Enduring Heroes” war memorial.

Supporters of the Enduring Heroes Memorial project asked the Council’s permission to place an 8 foot high sculpture in Defenders Park. California has lost 720 soldiers in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — six were from Pasadena. This project has been more than a year in the making.

Members of the Gold Star families — an organization created by families who lost a loved one in the Iraq war — came to show their support. Veterans, family members of the servicemen to be honored, neighbors and art preservationists weighed in. Those against it argued the privately-funded statue shouldn’t be on city property.

“I think we made a mistake,” said Councilmember Margaret McAustin.

McAustin said the project should have been subject to the city’s current policy on memorials not the policy in place when the initial request was made. Mayor Terry Tornek disagreed, saying the families followed the process that was in place.

“It’s great the families took the initiative to do this… they’ve waited long enough,” Tornek said.

Councilmember Steve Madison argued the city should welcome the statue as a gift to the city.

The memorial was approved with all council members voting yes—with the exception of McAustin, who abstained.

Several agenda items required a presentation to the council before a vote was called.

The City’s Water and Power Department gave a presentation on some of the upgrades needed at the Murrary Resevoir site. The good news is Pasadena residents are conserving water, but that conservation is impacting City revenue.

“We’re going to pay more for less…this is the new normal,” Councilmember McAustin said.

According to Pasadena Water and Power officials, $50 to $60 million dollars in revenue is generated annually from PWP. Despite a proposed 10% rate increase, they said most customers won’t see a significant increase on their bill.

One of the more lively discussion was around fair housing in the city. About a half a dozen speakers, armed with signs supporting the creation of a housing commission, offered comments to the Council on the need for affordable housing.

Councilmember John Kennedy spoke about his humble beginnings in a 800 square foot Pasadena home. Kennedy related how 12 people in his household all used one bathroom.

“I invite my colleagues to consider creating a housing commission to address a very serious problem in our community,” Kennedy said.

“I think those pushing for a housing commission are missing the boat,” said McAustin. “I think it would be foolish not to take advantage of [the City’s planning department] expertise and knowledge. I support the staff recommendation.”

Members of the audience told the Council they believe that as many as 26,000 residents are trying to get housing vouchers. Some speakers expressed a desire to own a home in the city but the lack of affordable housing is making that difficult, saying the waiting list to get an affordable housing voucher is so long that applicants must wait for five to 10 years.

The Council amended the recommendation of the committee — asking them to also begin looking into the process of creating a housing commission.

Several residents also addressed concern to the Council about a perceived loophole in the Tenant Protection Ordinance. The current city ordinance says landlords must pay a tenant’s relocation and displacement fees if their unit is being demolished, has been condemned or it’s being permanently removed from the rental market.

Housing advocates said in the four years the ordinance has been in place 46 households have received relocation funds. The average payment was about $3,600. The advocates argued landlords are bypassing the relocation payouts by converting their tenants to month-to-month rentals and eliminating leases — which makes the tenants ineligible for those funds.

The Council decided to take a closer look at the Tenant Protection Ordinance.

Monday’s four hour meeting began with a proclamation declaring October as Pedestrian Safety Month.