Summary
This summary covers the Pasadena City Council meeting held on September 1, 2026.
Key Personnel & Recognitions
* Service Awards: The council recognized four employees for significant tenure: Sarah Benavidas (25 years), Renee Gerve (25 years), Tammy Leu (30 years), and Officer Jason Shirley (35 years).
Leadership Appointments: Sarah Benavidas was appointed as the new Director of Public Works.
Retirements: The council formally recognized the service of Police Chief Michael Jackson and Fire Chief Lanny Armstrong as they move into retirement.
Policy & Legislative Actions
* 2027 Fiscal Budget: Council approved the FY2027 annual budget (effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sept 30, 2027). While approved, some council members expressed concerns regarding the removal of cost-of-living adjustments and specific training expenditure allocations.
Property Tax Rate: The council voted to approve the property tax rate for the 2026 tax year. A final vote is scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Film & Media Ordinance: An ordinance establishing film production guidelines was amended to ensure the city handles resident notifications directly (rather than relying on film companies) to ensure transparency and include HOA involvement.
Infrastructure & Equipment: Multiple contracts were approved for:
* Water meter installations.
* A new power source system for the Police Department ($272,757).
* Sports field lighting at Gardener Baseball Field.
* Infrastructure development for Preston Park (Phase 1).
Public Testimony & Community Concerns
* Senior Tax Exemptions: A resident requested that the city consider making senior property tax exemptions “stackable” with homestead exemptions to provide more financial relief to elderly residents, noting that neighboring cities like Deer Park already use this model.
Entertainment District: Representatives from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) clarified that the current initiative regarding the 163-acre entertainment district area is strictly for master planning (a 4-5 month process), not an immediate move to construction.
Public Safety: A resident highlighted the success of “Coffee with a Cop” events in fostering trust between law enforcement and the immigrant community and urged the council to prioritize competitive police salaries in the budget.
Municipal Court: A resident raised concerns regarding the length of time taken to issue warrants for “no-show” municipal court cases.
Alleged Mismanagement: A resident alleged that a former council member received improper payments, urging the council to reclaim those funds for the city budget.
Announcements & Safety Reminders
* Severe Weather: The Mayor and council repeatedly urged residents to monitor official city channels for weather alerts due to an active flood watch.
Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo: Organizers reported that the event provides an estimated $17 million economic impact annually. They are currently adding 1,400 seats to the stadium and highlighted that over $700,000 in scholarships was returned to local youth last year.
Job Fair: The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a community-wide job fair on September 23rd at Jackson Intermediate.