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Mountain View News Saturday, February 24, 2024 

Fire Leaves 
Pasadena 
Hyatt Hotel 
in the Dark


City Manager makes Major 
Appointments at City Hall

 
The Hyatt Place Hotel in 
Pasadena lost power and was 
evacuated early Wednesday 
morning after a fire broke 
out in an underground utility 
vault – parts of the area 
around Green Street and the 
Paseo also saw power outages.

 The fire, first reported at 2:40 
a.m., was quickly extinguished 
and contained to the vault.

 On arrival at the Hotel, 399 E. 
Green St., firefighters said they 
found smoke from the parking 
structure, power out in the 
area, and an active alarm.

 There were no reports of 
injuries according to officials. 

Power was restored to the area 
later that morning. 

 Pasadena City Manager 
Miguel Márquez announced 
last week that he has appointed 
Assistant City Manager David 
Reyes (pictured left) as Pasadena 
Water and Power’s Acting 
General Manager. Márquez also 
appointed Finance Director 
Matthew Hawkesworth 
(pictured right) to serve as 
Acting Assistant City Manager. 
Both appointments came 
during the city’s recruitment 
process for a new PWP General 
Manager

 Reyes serves as an Assistant 
City Manager (ACM) whose 
portfolio includes oversight of 
PWP. In this capacity, Reyes has 
worked closely with General 
Manager Sidney Jackson on 
various PWP priorities and 
projects. His appointment to 
the Acting General Manager 
assignment will allow these 
important priorities and 
projects to move forward 
without interruption. Reyes 
joined the City of Pasadena 
in 2012 as the Planning and 
Community Development 
Department’s Zoning 
Administrator. In 2013, he was 
promoted to Deputy Director 
and in 2016 served as the 
Department Director. In 2023, 
Reyes was appointed Assistant 
City Manager after serving in 
that role as Interim ACM for 
nine months. Reyes has more 
than 20 years of experience 
in the public sector. Prior to 
joining the City of Pasadena, he 
worked in a range of positions 
for the planning departments 
at the cities of Malibu, Santa 
Monica and Beverly Hills. He 
holds a bachelor’s degree in 
urban studies and planning 
from California State University, 
Northridge.

 “David has worked very closely 
with Sidney over the course of 
the last year on major policy 
initiatives, staffing, capital 
improvement and infrastructure 
projects,” Márquez said. “I am 
confident that his knowledge, 
experience, energy, and 
leadership skills will keep the 
Department of Water and 
Power moving forward while we 
initiate a recruitment process 
for a new General Manager.”

 Matthew Hawkesworth, the 
City’s Director of Finance, will 
be appointed Acting Assistant 
City Manager during Reyes’s 
time at the Department of 
Water and Power. He will 
maintain his position as Finance 
Director, which he has held 
since 2015, and will assume 
additional responsibilities 
within the City Manager’s Office 
to ensure continued progress 
on numerous City projects. 
Hawkesworth previously served 
as the Assistant City Manager 
for City of Rosemead for eight 
years where he oversaw the 
Finance, Human Resources, 
Public Works, Technology and 
Risk Management departments. 
Previously, he was the Finance 
Director/Treasurer for the City 
of Claremont for three years and 
worked in a variety of positions 
for the City of El Monte for nine 
years.

 “I am confident these acting 
appointments will keep 
our momentum strong and 
continue the great work already 
in progress,” Márquez said.

 Márquez recently announced 
the departure of (PWP) General 
Manager Sidney Jackson.

City to Replace Water Mains along Fair Oaks

 

 Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) announced Thursday 
that they will be replacing two, 
90-year-old water mains along 
Fair Oaks Avenue as part of a 
major water infrastructure 
upgrade beginning in March. 
The project will span from 
Washington Boulevard 
to Montana Street along 
Fair Oaks Avenue. When 
completed, the upgrades 
will enhance water service 
reliability for the area they 
said.

 According to officials, to 
minimize impacts on area 
residents and businesses, 
construction efforts will be 
contained to approximately 
one block at a time. At least 
one driving lane will always 
remain accessible in both 
directions. At least one driving 
lane will always remain 
accessible in both directions. 
During construction, crews 
will use a variety of heavy 
equipment, including 
excavators, backhoes, loaders, 
and construction trucks, 
which may cause some noise 
and dust in the area. Traffic 
signs and delineators will be 
used to minimize the impact 
of traffic flow along Fair Oaks 
Avenue.

 “Pasadena Water and Power 
is committed to our goal 
of reliably providing high 
quality water,” says Assistant 
General Manager of Water 
Stacie Takeguchi. “The Fair 
Oaks water main replacement 
project will benefit the 
community in this capacity 
for years to come.”

 During the project, businesses 
and residents located 
between Montana Street and 
Washington Blvd may be 
impacted. Construction will 
intermittently affect water 
service. Notices of any water 
interruption will be given at 
least 48 hours in advance and 
special efforts will be taken to 
keep any other inconveniences 
to a minimum. The work 
will occur Monday through 
Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 For more information, please 
visit PWP’s website, which 
will be updated regularly 
as the project progresses, at 
PWPweb.com/FairOaks or 
call PWP Water Distribution 
at (626) 744-4456.

Pasadena to 
Enforce Dog 
Leash Laws

 With an increase of 
community reports of off-
leash dogs at Pasadena 
parks, city officials are 
reminding the public to 
leash dogs at all times while 
visiting city parks, with the 
exception of Alice’s Dog 
Park in Viña Vieja Park and 
Playhouse Village Dog Park 
which are designated off-
leash areas.

 Pasadena Municipal Code 
(PMC) 6.12.010 prohibits 
off-leash dogs in City parks 
outside of designated off-
leash areas. Those who 
violate the code are subject 
to citation, which may 
result in a fine up to $500.

 To ensure the safety of all 
park visitors, the City of 
Pasadena will begin issuing 
citations to dog owners 
with dogs off-leash starting 
Thursday, Feb. 22. Pasadena 
Humane will enforce leash 
requirements and continue 
to provide the community 
with education on dog-
leashing.

 “Our focus is to ensure 
that public spaces remain 
safe for all park visitors,” 
said Pasadena Public 
Health Department Deputy 
Director, Manuel Carmona. 
“Because ongoing efforts to 
educate park visitors about 
leash requirements have 
not been effective, we are 
transitioning to stricter 
enforcement to protect the 
public.”

 Leashing dogs reduces 
the risk for dog attacks on 
other dogs and humans, 
and lowers the risk of other 
accidents, such as dogs 
being hit by passing cars.

 Pasadena park visitors 
who witness unleashed 
dogs outside of designated 
off-leash areas can report 
their concerns to Pasadena 
Humane at (626) 792-7151 
ext. 102.

 For more information, 
visit: cityofpasadena.net/
parks-and-rec/park-rules.

Art, History 
& Places 
Community 
Gathering

 City officials are inviting the 
public to attend an upcoming 
community gathering “Local 
Treasures: Art, History & 
Places” on Saturday, March 
16 at ArtCenter College of 
Design. This event is a joint 
effort between the Historic 
Places Pasadena: Completing 
Our Story Project, the 
Robinson Park Recreation 
Center Public Art Project, and 
ArtCenter College of Design. 

 “As part of the Citywide 
Historic Resource Survey, this 
event is a great opportunity for 
residents to learn more about 
Pasadena’s history, engage 
with the city’s public art and 
historic preservation programs 
and experience some of 
ArtCenter’s programs,” said 
Jennifer Paige, Director of 
Planning and Community 
Development.

 Attendees will be able to 
view displays showcasing 
Pasadena’s history and 
development and speak with 
local researchers and artists 
who are looking to hear 
from the public in this effort 
to document and recognize 
historic resources. 

 In addition, ArtCenter 
will offer opportunities to 
view historic materials of its 
Pasadena campuses, learn 
tips to preserve your family 
photos, experience hands-
on printing at ArtCenter’s 
Archetype Press, managed by 
the Hoffmitz Milken Center 
for Typography, and learn 
about ArtCenter’s Extension 
(“ACX”) programs for youth 
including viewing student 
artwork and entering a raffle f 
or one free ACX Kids or Teens 
class (value $500). 

 The event, will take place 
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 ArtCenter College of Design 
is located 950 S. Raymond 
Ave.

Senior Center Partners with 
MUSE/IQUE for next ArtNight

 The Pasadena Senior Center 
recently anounced they have 
been selected as a host venue for 
this spring’s City of Pasadena’s 
ArtNight Friday, March 8 
from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This 
marks the first year that PSC 
is participating in ArtNight, 
joining the Art Center College 
of Design, the Jackie Robinson 
Community Center, the Armory 
Center for the Arts, and local 
museums.

 According to officials, for the 
event, the Senior Center will 
team up with MUSE/IQUE, 
the celebrated music non-profit 
organization, to offer live music, 
photography and watercolor 
exhibits, facility tours, a food 
truck and other activities during 
the evening.

 With a theme celebrating 
MUSE/IQUE’s 2024 season, 
‘Make Some Noise,’ ArtNight at 
the Pasadena Senior Center will 
feature two musical performers, 
the DC6 Singers and Rachel 
Gonzalez, who will rotate 
each half hour throughout the 
evening at the Senior Center’s 
Scott Pavilion.

 The DC6 Singers, a Los Angeles-
based collective of dynamic, 
energetic and professional 
singers will perform their 
unique blend of a capella, gospel 
and Motown hits, including 
their fresh take on classic and 
current standards ranging from 
Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder 
to Adele and Bruno Mars.

 Also performing is singer-
songwriter Rachel Gonzalez, 
a Los Angeles native, who 
offers soul driven melodies & 
intentionally honest storytelling, 
accompanied by her acoustic 
guitar.

 ArtNight Pasadena is a free 
evening of art, music and 
entertainment as Pasadena’s 
most prominent arts and 
cultural institutions, who 
partner with the city for the 
event. For a city of fewer than 
140,000 residents, Pasadena has 
a significant number per capita 
of museums, art schools, music 
conservatories, live theaters, 
galleries, concert halls and 
dance performance venues.

 “We are honored and excited to 
have the Pasadena Senior Center 
participate as a host venue for 
the spring Pasadena ArtNight,” 
stated Pasadena Senior Center 
executive director Akila Gibbs. 
“We invite everyone to come to 
the Center to enjoy an evening 
of live music, art exhibits and 
wonderful food, and see all that 
we offer to older persons in the 
community.”

 Visitors to the Senior Center 
on ArtNight will also have the 
opportunity to view special 
photography and watercolor 
exhibits with works created by 
PSC members. What’s more, The 
‘Tropic Truck’ food truck will be 
on hand at the Pasadena Senior 
Center that evening, offering a 
variety of ‘Cali-Carribean’ grilled 
seafood and meats to guests. The 
city will offer free hop-on/hop-
off shuttles between ArtNight 
locations that evening as well.

 Pasadena Senior Center is a 
donor-supported nonprofit 
with events and activities for 
anyone 50 and older THe center 
operates without any local, state 
or federal funding.

 Pasadena Senior Center is locaed 
85 E. Holly St. To learn more, 
visit: pasadenaseniorcenter.org 
or call 626-795-4331. 

Portantino Honors Pasadena 
Village with Senate Resolution

 State Senator Anthony Portantino joined community leaders 
last week, including Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo in honoring 
Pasadena Village for serving aging adults and creating a vibrant 
community for those wishing to live independently. The Senate 
Resolution was presented to Pasadena Village Board President Sue 
Kujawa during a ceremony at Pasadena City Hall.

 “On National Village Day [Feb. 16], I wanted to take the 
opportunity to honor a wonderful organization whose mission is to 
assist and support aging adults,” stated Senator Portantino. “With 
this recognition, we celebrate over two decades of positive impact 
on the aging experience right here in Pasadena. It is inspiring to see 
these supportive human connections firsthand and I am proud to 
see the Village Movement continue to thrive in the 25th District.” 
Pasadena Village is a nonprofit organization that was launched 
in 2012. It is a membership organization of adults over 55 whose 
mission is to foster vital independent living in a spirit of mutual 
support, enrichment, and inclusiveness. Pasadena Village is part of 
Village Movement California.


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