Guest Opinion | District 2 Councilmember Felicia Williams: Fighting for the Future of Pasadena

I have made your votes count!

I was humbled to receive the District 2 vote in 2020 and have worked hard over the last four years to be responsive to the different needs of the district and city, and vote for progress on major issues like the pandemic, supporting small business, smart growth and development, and expanding social services.

 I want to let you know that your vote for me counted, and now here are the votes that I have made for you to ensure your voice is heard at City Hall:

• More than 1,700 new affordable housing units produced since 2020. Three of those projects are in District 2 with 116 new units serving mixed-income families and foster youth.
• Converted 618 luxury housing units to workforce housing by approving the purchase of the units by a State housing trust.
• Approved 485,000 square feet of new medical office projects while incorporating strong design standards, good jobs, local hire, and transportation improvements to benefit the community.
• Approved four Specific Plans guiding future development in the city focused on commercial corridors to protect our neighborhoods.
• Voted to approve funding to expand the city’s homeless outreach teams, implement a new bad weather shelter, provide motel vouchers, allow safe parking at churches, and offer services to help clear encampments.
• Voted to invest $6 million along with County match to purchase former Kaiser clinic site for outpatient mental health/substance abuse treatment and supportive housing.
• Approved one new historic district, 8 landmark buildings, and one historic monument in addition to funding a citywide historic resources survey to preserve our character and history.
• Voted to defend the city’s SB9 accessory dwelling unit ordinance against State intrusion to protect our historic neighborhoods – and we won!
• Voted to approve the relinquishment of the 710 freeway stub from Caltrans along with a $2 million federal grant for future planning.
• Voted to declare a Climate Emergency which goes beyond focusing on electricity to address the larger portion of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, solid waste, and buildings while pursuing funding to reduce the financial burden on our residents and customers.
• Hired a new City Manager who, in turn, hired a new Police Chief and four new Department heads while providing continuous service to our residents during the vacancies.
• Appointed members to the newly-created Community Police Oversight Commission and Pasadena Rental Housing Board; approved formation of Rent Stabilization Department and first year budget.
• Worked with city departments to respond to more than 10,000 requests for assistance with nuisances, code enforcement, graffiti, public safety, street/sidewalk repairs, speeding, parking, trees, social services, trash, and coyotes (Ok, not a Council vote, but definitely a vote for YOUR quality of life which is the #1 job of a Councilmember!)

I am proud of my record – these votes are not political, they are votes that affect your everyday lives, families, homes, and businesses. These votes were informed by my 18 years of service to the city as a Commissioner and on non-profit boards which has allowed me to solicit various points of view to make informed decisions.

With the March 5th primary election quickly approaching, I want to underscore my commitment to District 2 and the city to keep fighting for a future in Pasadena that shows progress while being thoughtful, balanced, and responsive. That is what this election is about, to keep moving forward with a balanced approach or to change direction to a more extreme and politically-driven City Council.

I found it ironic that on the same day Pasadena Now published the article about the heated District 2 race, they also had an article entitled “20 years later: Nice Girls STILL Don’t Get the Corner Office” about Dr. Frankel’s guide for professional women. Well, nice girls don’t get to stay on City Council either, not without a fight. And in this fight, your vote for me will be a win for the future of Pasadena!

Felicia Williams is District 2 Councilmember and candidate for re-election on March 5th.