Monday Morning Bullpen: Council to Honor Kennedy on Monday

After an unscheduled week off as the City reeled from the death of Councilmember John Kennedy, the council returns on Monday with a full consent calendar and two important items.

By now, we all know what happened, Kennedy died on July 21. 

He was reelected to represent District 3 for four more years in June. The City Council is in the very early stages of the replacement process. 

Interestingly, the City Council will still be getting the new City Manager Miguel Márquez up to speed as they begin mentoring the appointed District 3 representative.

Stay tuned, more on that as things develop. 

First up is the RBOC’s five year initiatives. You can say what you want to, but the Rose Bowl has to be in the black financially either through its own initiatives or the city’s assistance.

Let’s hope the former makes some money. 

There are some good ideas there. Check out the staff report. 

The second item is the electrification ordinance.

The ordinance requires the electrification of certain categories of newly-constructed buildings in an effort to further advance the City’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

According to the City’s Climate Action Plan, as of 2009, approximately 47% of community-wide GHG emissions are from residential and commercial energy use, with residential energy use totaling 16% and commercial energy use totaling 31%. Pasadena cannot meet its climate goals without shifting away from natural gas use. State policies and lower prices of renewable energy mean that substituting natural gas with electricity is one of the quickest, safest, and least expensive pathways to eliminating GHG emissions from buildings.

But the one I expect some noise on is in the consent calendar.

That’s the grant funds that will allow the police to get more license plate readers.

It’s not the technology that should be questioned, it’s the application. As far as the grant funds, that’s going to happen. Yes, the police are going to buy more ALPRs. Technology is here to stay folks. 

Expect the City Council to honor Kennedy. Of course, the electeds will adjourn in John J.’s honor, but I expect every Councilmember to take the time to remember Kennedy on Monday.

Of course the tribute is well deserved.