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Mountain Views News Saturday, February 1, 2025

New Director 
of Pasadena 
Public Health


Pasadena Settles Lawsuit 
over Arroyo Water Project

 


 A settlement agreement with 
the City of Pasadena over the 
Arroyo Seco Water Reuse project 
Environmental Impact Report 
was announced Tuesday by the 
lawsuit’s petitioner, in pro per, 
Clara Solis. The lawsuit claimed 
that the previously approved 
Mitigated Negative Declaration 
(MND) for the project was not 
sufficient to address multiple 
issues and required a full 
Environmental Impact Report. 
The Pasadena City Council 
revoked the project’s MND 
Monday evening as part of the 
settlement agreement.

 According to Solis, who 
was advised by attorney Amy 
Minteer and supported by the 
grassroots activist group Save 
San Pascual Park, brought the 
lawsuit when she found that 
Pasadena and South Pasadena 
plans to divert 20 million gallons 
of water annually to the South 
Pasadena golf course from 
the Arroyo Seco. The project 
requires that Los Angeles cede 
part of San Pascual Park land to 
South Pasadena in perpetuity. 
The project also requires cutting 
down over 150 mature trees, 
including protected oak and 
sycamores, which Solis claims 
would have a significant impact 
to the health of the environment, 
wildlife, and local community 
for years to come.

 “This project was an example 
of environmental injustice,” 
Solis said. “Pasadena was 
helping South Pasadena to get 
free water in perpetuity for 
their golf course at the expense 
of the environment and local 
residents. Additionally, this 
land historically was part of 
the Gabrieleno Kizh Tribal 
Nation, who were left out of the 
planning process.”

 She continued, “For decades, 
local children and Los Angeles 
residents who live in the San 
Pascual neighborhood near the 
110 Freeway have been able 
to access nature at this small 
forest, which has existed since 
before the Arroyo Seco was 
channelized. LA residents must 
have a voice in the access to 
water and what happens to their 
park.”

 Solis, along with Save San 
Pascual Park, began community 
outreach and received over 
1,000 signatures from local 
residents in opposition of the 
project.

 Pasadena City Manager 
Miguel Márquez 
announced Monday that 
he had selected Manuel 
Carmona to be the next 
Director of Public Health 
with the City of Pasadena 
effective immediately. 
Carmona will oversee a 
department with 115 full-
time employees and an 
annual budget of $21.1 
million.

 Márquez said that 
Carmona brings nearly 
two decades of diverse 
experience in public health 
and municipal operations, 
including ten years as a 
leader within the Pasadena 
Public Health Department 
(PPHD), making him 
uniquely qualified to lead 
PPHD into the future.

 “Manuel Carmona is 
an outstanding leader 
for our Public Health 
Department,” Márquez 
said. “He brings a wealth of 
experience, having played 
a pivotal role in the recent 
wildfire response and 
advancing vital community 
programs. Manuel is a 
strategic thinker with a 
deep commitment to health 
equity, collaboration, and 
innovation. I am confident 
he will engage with both 
our community and his 
team to develop creative 
and impactful solutions for 
the City of Pasadena.”

 Carmona first joined 
the PPHD in 2014 as a 
Management Analyst, 
where he managed the 
Administration and 
Finance Division. Prior to 
his time in Pasadena, he 
worked in cities of varying 
sizes in a wide range of 
municipal operations, 
including human resources, 
economic development, 
code enforcement, and 
parks and recreation.

 “Public health services are 
essential for identifying, 
understanding, and 
addressing population 
health needs,” Carmona 
said. “I am honored and 
grateful for the trust the 
City Manager has in me 
to lead the department. 
I am excited to continue 
leading the talented and 
mission-driven staff of 
over 100 Pasadena Public 
Health Department 
employees who work 
tirelessly to protect and 
advance equitable health 
outcomes for the Pasadena 
community.”

 Carmona has a Master 
of Public Health degree 
from the University of 
Washington and a Master 
of Public Administration 
from the University of 
Southern California. 
He earned a Bachelor of 
Science in Community 
& Regional Development 
from the University of 
California, Davis.

Barger Honors Eaton Fire Community Heroes

 Los Angeles County Board 
of Supervisors Chair Kathryn 
Barger recognized Tuesday the 
extraordinary contributions 
of community partners who 
provided vital support during 
the Eaton Fire. Three weeks 
after the wildfire’s devastation, 
a special presentation hosted by 
Barger at the start of last weeks 
Board of Supervisors meeting 
highlighted the selfless efforts 
of several key organizations and 
individuals.

 “It’s been three weeks since 
the Eaton Fire swept through 
Altadena, causing devastation 
and the displacement for 
thousands of residents,” Barger 
said. “While we’ve witnessed 
unimaginable grief and loss, 
we’ve also seen the very best 
of our community. Countless 
organizations, businesses, 
nonprofits, and residents 
have stepped up to help when 
Altadena needed it most. Today 
is about honoring their efforts.”

The following individuals and 
organizations were recognized 
by Chair Barger: 

AltaMed, despite significant 
losses, mobilized staff to provide 
health services and essential 
supplies. Sadly, AltaMed’s clinic 
on Washington Boulevard in 
Pasadena was destroyed by the 
Eaton Fire. Yet AltaMed has 
not stopped providing care 
to residents, with over 215 of 
their full-time staff members 
responding to the emergency. 
AltaMed is also offering services 
at the Pasadena Convention 
Center and has given away 
medications, hygiene items, 
food and medical equipment.

The Altadena Rotary Club 
raised significant funds for 
community recovery. Although 
13 of their members lost their 
homes, the club is still firmly 
committed to connecting 
residents to support. In the wake 
of the Eaton Fire, they’ve raised 
more than $200,000 to help 
Altadena community members. 
As a small club of 40 members, 
they are getting these funds into 
the hands of those who need help 
in their rebuilding process–and 
are actively working with the San 
Marino Rotary Club to provide 
thousands of dollars’ worth of 
supplies and gift cards that will 
be given away at a special event 
on February 8, at the Altadena 
Grocery Outlet.

Edgar McGregor’s timely social 
media updates proved crucial 
for public safety. Mr. McGregor 
runs the Altadena Weather and 
Climate Facebook Page. Before 
the Eaton Fire even started, 
he was warning residents to 
be prepared for wildfires in 
anticipation of dry and windy 
conditions. Right after the 
wildfire erupted, he shared 
an impassioned video urging 
residents to evacuate.

Pasadena Humane sheltered 
and cared for hundreds of 
animals. As residents evacuated, 
pets of all sizes were displaced. 
Pasadena Humane took in more 
than 900 animals to their shelter, 
and also deployed individuals 
into the field to help feed animals 
left sheltering in place. Pasadena 
Humane team members also 
lovingly took care of many 
animals who suffered injuries 
during the Eaton Fire and are 
nursing them back to health. 
They are still currently caring for 
500 animals and have been able 
to successfully reunite hundreds 
of pets with their families. The 
organization was represented 
by Chief Program Officer Chris 
Ramon.

Since the American Red Cross 
first began responding to the 
wildfires, the organization has 
delivered over $12 million in aid 
into the hands of survivors who 
have lost everything. Currently 
housing more than 400 people in 
shelters and connecting them to 
long term housing, the American 
Red Cross also has more than 
500 trained responders assigned 
to wildfire support.

Kaiser Permanente delivered 
extensive medical care and 
support, including a Wildfire 
Resource Hub at its regional 
corporate headquarters on 
Walnut Street in Pasadena. 
Kaiser helped residents staying 
at a local evacuation center, 
offering medical equipment, 
prescription medication, and 
care. Over 425 staff members 
have volunteered at the Pasadena 
Evacuation Center, delivering 
over 8,300 hours of care.

Pasadena City College opened 
its campus to wildfire survivors 
at large, creating a Disaster 
Recovery Center and offering 
crucial services. The college’s 
response began the first 
night of the fire, serving as a 
temporary shelter for residents 
who couldn’t return home–
including 670 students and 100 
employees who were displaced. 
The campus is now open to allow 
the community at large to access 
services and support.

The Rose Bowl Stadium served 
as a vital command post for 
first responders. Just a week 
after hosting 90,000 fans for 
its annual game on New Year’s 
Day, the stadium transformed 
into a staging ground for first 
responders around the world. 
Serving as a command post 
meant over 5,000 first responders 
were on the Rose Bowl’s grounds 
on any given day. Deployed from 
12 states and three countries, 
first responders had access to 
trailers with sleeping quarters, 
showers, laundry, medical 
care, peer counseling and two 
kitchens serving thousands of 
meals a day. 

Santa Anita Park served as one 
of two base camps for the state’s 
Watershed and Debris Flow 
Task Force, which is currently 
conducting the largest watershed 
mission in California. State and 
local agencies, environmental 
experts, engineers, and 
emergency management teams 
are on site working together 
to develop plans tailored to 
communities impacted by the 
Eaton Fire.

 “My most heartfelt thanks 
to everyone who jumped into 
action at our time of greatest 
need,” Barger said. “This is just 
a snapshot of the generous 
and selfless work that’s been 
happening in service to the 
Altadena community.”

FEMA 
Assistance 
Now at 
Library 
Branches

 Pasadena Public Library 
announced Thursday that it 
has coordinated with FEMA 
for representatives to meet 
with Eaton Fire impacted 
residents at several library 
branches. The response 
from residents has been 
very positive. As a result, 
FEMA staff is expanding the 
number of days that they will 
be offering their services at 
the library branches. FEMA 
staff are available to assist 
with registering for FEMA 
assistance and answering 
questions.

The following libraries will 
host FEMA representatives:

Hastings Branch Library

3325 East Orange Grove Blvd.

Fridays, Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 & 
Monday, Feb. 10

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Santa Catalina Branch Library

999 East Washington Blvd.

Friday, Jan. 31, Saturday, Feb. 
1, Thursday, Feb. 6 & Tuesday, 
Feb. 11

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

La Pintoresca Branch Library

1355 North Raymond Ave.

Monday, Feb. 3 & Friday, Feb. 
7

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lamanda Park Branch 
Library

140 South Altadena Dr.

Mondays, Feb. 3 & 10 and 
Thursdays, Feb. 6 & 13

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 Community members are 
not required to visit one of 
these locations to apply for 
assistance. Any impacted 
individuals may apply 
for disaster assistance by 
visiting Disaster Assistance.
gov.

 The City of Pasadena is 
committed to supporting 
residents impacted by the 
Eaton Fire as they navigate 
the recovery process. Our 
priority is the safety and well-
being of our community. Visit 
CityofPasadena.net/Eaton-
Fire/ for the latest safety 
information, resources, and 
response efforts related to 
the Eaton Fire.

PWP Grand Ave. Water Main 
Replacement Project Resumes

 Interim General Manager of 
Water and Power, David Reyes, 
announced Thursday that the 
Pasadena Department of Water 
and Power has resumed the 
Grand Avenue Water Main 
Replacement Project, which 
will replace a 90-year-old water 
main along Grand Avenue. 
Temporary lane closures will 
occur intermittently, and detour 
signs will be posted during 
construction. Businesses in 
the area will remain open and 
accessible. Crews will provide 
notice of any water service 
interruptions at least 48 hours 
in advance.

 The project will continue 
south along Grand Avenue, 
one block at a time, until 
California Boulevard. Special 
efforts will be taken to minimize 
inconvenience for residents and 
customers.

 For more details on the 
Grand Avenue Water Main 
Replacement Project, including 
regular updates and contact 
information, visit PWPweb.
com/GrandAvenue. For 
complete details on active and 
recently completed projects, visit 
PWPweb.com/Construction.

Green Waste Drop Off 
Extended until February 7

 

 Pasadena residents can dispose 
of their green waste (ie: grass 
clippings, leaves, branches) at 
Hahamongna Watershed Park 
(4550 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, 
CA 91103). The location hours 
are Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. 
to 3 p.m., and Closed Sundays. 
The site has been extended until 
Friday, February 7.

 No trash or burn material will 
be accepted. Contractors will be 
turned away.

To access Hahamongna 
Watershed Park:

• Exit the 210 on Berkshire/Oak 
Grove

• Turn left onto Oak Grove Dr.

• Turn right onto Foothill Blvd.

• Follow signage for Green 
Waste Drop Off.


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