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Mountain Views News Saturday, November 16, 2024

Mayor Gordo 
set for Holiday 

Tree Lighting


Tournament of Roses Adds 
Third Day to Float Viewing


Pasadena Library Measure PL set to Pass 

 Join Pasadena Mayor 
Victor Gordo for the 
Mayor’s Annual Holiday 
Tree Lighting Ceremony 
on Friday, Dec. 6 at 
Pasadena City Hall. Bring 
family and friends to this 
free celebration featuring 
local singers and dancers, 
crafts for kids provided 
by Armory Center for the 
Arts, light refreshments 
by Starbucks, and a special 
appearance by jolly ol’ Santa 
Claus. Have your camera 
handy to capture some 
festive holiday moments 
at several photo stops 
available throughout the 
event courtesy of Pasadena 
Management Association 
and Oh! Snaptastic! Photo 
Booth by Girl Squad Media.

 Mayor Gordo will light the 
City’s official tree at 6 p.m., 
so come early for parking 
and a prime viewing spot at 
City Hall. Free parking will 
be available at the Central 
Library Parking Lot on 
a first-come, first-served 
basis.

 If you have the means, 
please help the Pasadena 
Fire Department give local 
underserved children 
and teens a holiday to 
remember. Pasadena 
firefighters will be at the 
tree lighting ceremony 
collecting donations of 
new, unwrapped toys, 
sports equipment and gift 
cards for the annual Spark 
of Love Toy Drive.

 Live entertainment 
throughout the night will 
feature performances by 
Afterschool Adventures 
Cheer & Dance, Norma 
Coombs Choir, Rosebud 
Academy Choir, W.O.W.! 
On the Move, Outspoken 
Dance Company and 
Elements Dance Space

 The tree lighting will 
take place from 5 p.m. to 
7 p.m. Pasadena City Hall 
is located 100 N. Garfield 
Ave. 

 Pasadena city officials 
announced Tuesday that the 
vote count for Measure PL 
was showing Pasadena voters 
supporting the Measure at 
72.23% leading the way to 
successful passage.

 “Pasadena’s Central Library 
is a landmark and a lifeline 
for our community, offering 
educational, cultural, and 
historical value,” said Pasadena 
Mayor Victor Gordo. “With 
Measure PL, we’re investing in its 
future and ensuring it remains 
a safe and welcoming place 
for generations to come. The 
voters’ overwhelming support 
for this measure is a powerful 
reflection of the community’s 
commitment to preserving and 
strengthening our libraries, 
which play an essential role in 
fostering learning, connection, 
and opportunity for all.”

 Measure PL will provide funding 
to make the necessary earthquake 
retrofit and repairs to reopen the 
historic Central Library. The 
planned improvements will both 
preserve the historic elements 
and modernize the building to 
serve the community for the 
next century and beyond.

 “Our residents have shown 
their commitment to preserving 
and strengthening a cornerstone 
of our city,” said Pasadena City 
Manager Miguel Márquez. 
“Measure PL allows us to 
safeguard the Central Library, 
honoring its historic roots while 
equipping it to serve Pasadena’s 
youth and all generations, 
providing a gateway to future 
opportunities and lifelong 
learning.”

 By securing funding for 
the project the timeline for 
reopening Central Library 
will stay on track. Bidding, 
construction documents, and 
contract award are anticipated to 
be completed by the summer of 
2025. Construction is projected 
to commence following contract 
award and have a duration of 
30 – 36 months. We anticipate 
reopening Central Library to the 
community in 2028.

 “We are grateful to our 
residents who appreciate the 
value, history, and opportunity 
that Central Library represents,” 
said Tim McDonald, Pasadena 
Library Director. “Central 
Library is not just a building; it’s 
a hub of learning that provides 
free access to resources for all 
members of the community. We 
are committed to reopening this 
vital institution and protecting 
it for the next 100 years and 
beyond,” said McDonald.

 To learn more about the Central 
Library Earthquake Retrofit and 
Building Repairs project visit 
CityOfPasadena.net/Library/
Central-Library-Earthquake-
Retrofit/.

 The Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses officials announced 
Tuesday that they are adding 
an additional day of Floatfest, 
post parade float viewing, three 
full days of up-close magic as 
fans immerse themselves in the 
artistry of the Rose Parade’s one-
of-a-kind floral masterpieces. 

 Floatfest will run from Jan. 1 
through Jan. 3, giving visitors 
even more time to experience 
the beauty, creativity and 
intricate details up close and 
celebrate the hard work and 
dedication of float builders and 
volunteers.

 The event includes live 
entertainment, food trucks, 
video wall, and a beer and wine 
garden with a full-service bar.

Floatfest is Located Sierra Madre 
and Washington Boulevards, 
Pasadena.

Tickets for Floatfest are available 
online at sharpseating.com.

 Admission: $25 (Free for 
children 5 and under.)

Tickets sold online only. No 
cash or credit sales onsite.

Early booking is encouraged.

Jan. 1, 2025: 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
(ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m., last 
entry at 4 p.m.)

Jan. 2, 2025: 7 – 9 a.m. (reserved 
for seniors and people with 
mobility disabilities)

Jan. 2, 2025: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
(ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m., last 
entry at 4 p.m.)

Jan. 3, 2025: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
(ticket sales end at 2:30 p.m., last 
entry at 3 p.m.)

 Shuttles from two Pasadena 
locations are included with the 
purchase of Floatfest tickets; 
street parking near the event is 
extremely limited.

 For more information visit: 
tournamentofroses.com.

One-Day 
Watering 
Schedule 
Now in Effect

 Interim General Manager 
of Water and Power, David 
Reyes, announced Thursday 
that Pasadena’s one-day 
outdoor watering schedule 
is now in effect through 
March 31, in accordance with 
the City’s existing Level 2 
Water Supply Shortage Plan. 
Outdoor watering is limited 
to one day a week. Even-
numbered addresses may 
water on Mondays, while 
odd-numbered addresses 
may water on Tuesdays. All 
watering must be done before 
9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m., 
with exceptions for hand-
watering, tree maintenance, 
and other water conserving 
methods, such as low flow 
drip-type irrigation systems.

 For more information, 
visit PWPweb.com/
WateringSchedule.

Pasadena Seeks Member 
for Rental Housing Board

 City officials announced that 
applications are being sought 
from qualified residents for 
an Alternate Tenant Member 
position on the Pasadena Rental 
Housing Board (“PRHB”). 
Applications close on Monday, 
Dec. and can be submitted at 
the Office of the City Clerk, 
100 N. Garfield Avenue, Room 
S228, or online at Pasadena’s 
Commission Vacancies 
webpage. This vacancy is due 
to a recent resignation, and the 
appointed member will serve 
until May 24, 2027. Applicants 
must reside in Pasadena and 
have no recent ownership or 
management ties to rental 
properties in Los Angeles 
County.

 The PRHB’s role includes 
setting rent adjustments, 
managing a rental registry, and 
enforcing housing regulations 
under Pasadena’s Charter 
Article XVIII. Alternate 
members attend meetings and 
participate in discussions but 
can only vote when a regular 
member is unavailable. To 
apply, candidates need 25 
signatures from residents in 
their Council District and must 
submit a declaration of financial 
interests. The position offers 
paid attendance up to 20 hours 
weekly at 2.5 times Pasadena’s 
minimum wage.

City of Pasadena Highlights 
Allowable Rent Increases

Colorado 
Street Bridge 
Barrier Update

 The City of Pasadena’s Rent 
Stabilization Department 
announced Tuesday that they 
are committed to keeping 
both tenants and landlords 
informed about recent changes 
in allowable rent increases 
and registration requirements. 
The department has released 
essential tips and guidelines 
on the rent increase limit, 
eligibility requirements, and the 
Annual General Adjustment 
(AGA) under the new Pasadena 
Fair and Equitable Charter 
Amendment.

Key Points for Tenants and 
Landlords

- Allowable Rent Increase: 
The maximum allowable rent 
increase is capped at 3.0% for 
existing tenancies, effective from 
October 1, 2024, to September 
30, 2025. This adjustment, 
known as the Annual General 
Adjustment (AGA), can only be 
applied once every 12 months. 
Rent increases exceeding this 
limit are not permitted for 
eligible rental units.

- Eligibility: Not all rental 
units fall under this 3.0% 
cap. The following units are 
excluded: Units constructed 
after 1995 ;Single-family 
homes temporarily rented for 
no more than 12 months in 
any 36-month period; Low-
income housing tax credit units 
owned by non-profits;Units 
owned by government entities, 
where exempted by regulations 
and Units with shared spaces 
like bathrooms or kitchens in 
primary residences.

- Registration Requirement: 
To implement a rent increase, 
landlords must register their 
rental units with the City of 
Pasadena and pay the Rental 
Housing Fee. Failure to do so 
means landlords are ineligible 
to impose any rent increase on 
their units.

- Notice Requirements: 
Landlords must provide tenants 
with a 30-day written notice 
before any rent increase. This 
notice should include a General 
Notice about the Charter Article 
XVIII to ensure transparency.

- No Banking Policy: The 
department emphasizes a 
no-banking policy, which 
means landlords cannot save 
or accumulate unused rent 
increases to apply in future 
years. If a rent increase is not 
taken by September 30, 2025, it 
cannot be imposed later.

 Detailed guidelines, FAQs, 
and additional information are 
available at: dcba.lacounty.gov.

 For additional questions 
or assistance with rent 
stabilization policies, please 
contact the Rent Stabilization 
Department at (626) 744-7999 
or email RentStabilization@
CityOfPasadena.net.

 
Pasadena Heritage staff 
gave an update Thursday on 
the design of a permanent 
vertical barrier to replace 
the temporary chain link on 
the historic Colorado Street 
Bridge. 

 Pasadena Heritage staff and 
former staff members are part 
of a stakeholders group that 
consults periodically with the 
Public Works Department 
and the architectural team 
led by Apex Architects. At 
the most recent meeting in 
late October, a variety of 
options were narrowed to two 
concepts - one using pickets 
similar to the existing fence 
from 1994 but taller, and one 
using a metal mesh fabric. 
Both options would serve 
as an effective deterrent, be 
very difficult to surmount, 
and both would comply 
with the Secretary of the 
Interior’s Standards, assuring 
compatibility with the historic 
bridge. 

 “Our understanding is that 
these two concepts will return 
to city commissions and the 
city council for review in the 
coming months,” Pasadena 
Heritage staff said. 

 Sample panels of both 
options will be constructed 
so the public can see what the 
actual materials look like they 
said.

Free Oil Filter Exchange Event

 
Bring your used oil filter and get 
a new oil filter to O’Reilly Auto 
Parts 1860 E Colorado Blvd 
for free Saturday November 
23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
Exchange up to two used filters 
per household, with a maximum 
cost of $15 each, not including 
sales tax. Free oil recycling 
kits will also be provided to 
attendees. While supplies last. 
Residents are encouraged to 
bring their used oil to the event 
as well. Oil filter exchange events 
help protect the environment by 
promoting proper recycling of 
used oil and oil filters and are 
made possible by a grant from 
the California Department 
of Resources Recycling and 
Recovery (CalRecycle). If you 
would like your used oil picked 
up directly from your home, 
please schedule an appointment 
by contacting the Pasadena City 
Service Center at (626) 744-
7311. Visit CityofPasadena.net/
UsedOil to view a list of certified 
oil and oil filter collection 
centers located in Pasadena.

Pasadena 
One City, 
One Story

Selections

 
Next year marks the 23rd 
anniversary of the One City, 
One Story community-
reading program, . This 
annual program was created 
to bring the community 
together in a common 
conversation. A 19-member 
selection committee made up 
of community volunteers has 
worked for many months to 
come up with these finalists, all 
thought-provoking nominees. 
The library will be announcing 
the 2025 One City, One Story 
selections online on Thursday, 
December 19 at 4:00 p.m. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com