Council to Discuss Reopening Businesses in Special Meeting Thursday

The City Council will meet on Thursday at 5 p.m. to discuss reopening local businesses.

The meeting will happen on the same day Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce guidelines to allow some low risk businesses to reopen.

The meeting will occur after Council’s EDTECH Committee reconvenes at 3:15 p.m. for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic forced city officials to shut down committees and commissions of the City Council.

In the EDTECT meeting, the committee will discuss reopening the city.

Chair Victor Gordo told Pasadena Now that there is a very delicate balance between the health and safety of residents and the very real economic tidal wave that has landed throughout the country.

“Anything we do has to protect residents and their health,” Gordo told Pasadena Now on Wednesday. “Tomorrow, the EDTECH Committee will begin that discussion and that debate together with our health department, planning department, police department, city attorney, transportation and all other relevant city departments.

The virus could also come up at the Public Safety Committee

“The issue of Coronavirus is all about public safety and figuring out a way to keep our residents and deliver critical services to keep the city running and figuring out a way for us to pay all of our bills.”

The council had an informal discussion on reopening businesses on Monday. On Tuesday, City Spokesperson Lisa Derderian said the city’s plans will coincide with the county and city meeting.

And, Pasadena Now has learned that the Public Safety Committee could meet next week.

The City Council on Monday voted to reopen committees and commissions.

Gordo and several other councilmen have been pushing for meetings as the city moves to a recovery stage while still responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Planning Commission and the Hearing Officer have held meetings over the past week.

“It’s important that we get it right and protect the safety and welfare of our residents. But also take reasonable steps to reopen the local economy where it is safe to do so.”