Councilman Gordo Calls for Special City Council Meeting

Councilman Victor Gordo told Pasadena Now he has asked City Manager Steve Mermell to schedule an emergency/special meeting of the City Council on Tuesday.

According to Gordo, several subject would be discussed at the meeting, including the status of virus in Pasadena and LA County, impacts of school closures and city coordination with PUSD, impacts to our local business community and the people who work for local businesses, impacts of daily changes to state law being enacted by the governor and consideration of an eviction moratorium for those that can establish loss of income due to the crisis.

“Matters are moving so quickly nationally and locally, that I believe it is important for the City Council to be up to speed so we can respond to constituents questions and concerns, including concerns about an eviction moratorium and the spread of the virus,” Gordo said.

If the meeting is called, it comes at a time when parents are dealing with school closures and local renters are calling for a moratorium on evictions.

It is not known if Mayor Terry Tornek or District 3 Councilman John Kennedy will attend the meeting. Tornek and Kennedy are visiting the city’s African sister city, Dakar-Plateau, Senegal.

The delegation was scheduled to return on Thursday.

It only takes five members to establish a quorum of the council.

On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for all seniors 65 and older to self-quarantine and remain at home.

According to District 7 Councilman Andy Wilson, the city will announce Monday any formal steps that will be taken based on these state actions.

So far, there is only one case of an infected Pasadena resident. Huntington Hospital is treating parients for the virus. However those patients are not from Pasadena.

Huntington Hospital and Kaiser Permanente are both developing drive-thru testing centers and are eager for those capabilities to become available as soon as possible.

Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton called for a meeting last week before the city canceled all non-essential events in the city.

“I strongly believe an emergency meeting is necessary,” Hampton said. “This has now moved beyond a health emergency. We are facing an economic emergency as well. It is important that the city residents and businesses owners are protected. We will need to talk Housing and business, an eviction moratorium, suspending all utility shut-offs for non-payment, eliminating late fees, providing free parking in business districts.”

Hampton also called for a report from the PUSD.

“As you may know I’ve been talking to The superintendent as well as the director of technology. Technology is going to play a big role in our children’s education now more than ever.”