‘Amazing Feeling’ as Felicia Williams Takes Seat on Pasadena City Council

Pasadena native Felicia Williams is not new to city government, having served on various commissions since 2006, most recently as chair of the Planning Commission.

But Monday still marked a special day for Williams, as she was sworn in as the new City Councilmember from District 2, succeeding Margaret McAustin, the 13-year incumbent who did not seek reelection.

“It is an amazing feeling after so many years of planning, to finally fulfill my goals and take my seat on the City Council,’’ Williams said on the steps of City Hall shortly after she took the oath of office from City Clerk Mark Jomsky.

COVID-19 protocols limited the usual inauguration day crowd to a handful of dignitaries and family members, socially distanced near the podium – plus a group of cars parked nearby, with supporters honking their horns as a soundtrack.

Williams – a graduate of Stanford (B.A., urban studies/public policy); UCLA (M.A., urban planning); and Michigan (MBA, finance) — was sworn in Monday along with new Mayor Victor Gordo and re-elected council incumbents Tyron Hampton, Gene Masuda and Steve Madison.

Williams’ brief remarks following her swearing-in elicited several serenades of car horns from her supporters, who sent her to City Hall in March without the need for a November runoff.

She becomes the third African-American member of the eight-member City Council and the second Asian-American – but still the only woman on Pasadena’s highest governing body.

“Thanks to the voters who have put their trust in me, to my family and friends and supporters, some of whom you hear honking here,’’ Williams said with a smile as she gestured toward to cacophony.

“But I can’t do this alone. So, I look forward to working with a great team of councilmembers to create the policy of the people, and talented staff to implement that policy.’’

With the COVID-19 pandemic dominating all aspects of city life – most recently, with a state mandate again limiting restaurants to takeout and delivery only — Williams said her No. 1 priority “is to safely reopen the city with practical rules that apply to everyone.’’

“Whether you are a small business or a big business, a house of worship, a school or a fitness studio, we should have the same rules so everyone’s on an equal playing field,’’ Williams said.

“During this time of uncertainty, the very least the government can do is to provide some certainty to our businesses so that they can plan, get people back to work, and this will also help us stabilize our city budget so we can continue to provide much-needed services to our residents.’’

Looking beyond COVID, she said, her top priority is “to enhance our social services and our job opportunities so that everyone has an equal chance of having a great quality of life in our city.’’

“No. 2,’’ she added, is “addressing our housing needs based on what is specific to Pasadena, based on our particular needs. And lastly, returning Pasadena to a leading role in environmental stewardship.’’

“Above all,’’ she said, “I am committed to respecting different points of view and bringing consensus to the city. The only way that we can address these very big problems is together as a community and as a region. So, I hope to see you there at the table with me.’’

Williams’ first official vote as a councilmember came shortly after the outdoor swearing-in ceremonies ended and the new council gathered (some members inside City Hall, some remotely) to finish Reorganization Day business.

She joined her new council colleagues in voting “yes” to the appointment of Councilmember Andy Wilson as vice mayor. Wilson, who will serve two years in the city’s No. 2 role, was approved unanimously.

Williams’ next votes – the next of many – will come on Monday, when the council is scheduled to meet for its last meeting of the year.