Pasadena Now sent questions to incumbents and candidates in the competitive City Council races and the mayoral race. Their responses were edited for clarity and grammar.
Justin Jones has twice been appointed to the District 3 seat left vacant by the tragic death of John J. Kennedy.
Long before he was appointed, Jones was involved in the City. He served as an intern in the Rose Program at Pasadena Water and Power and an engineering intern for the Pasadena Public Works Department. Jones is also a graduate of the Pasadena Neighborhood Leadership Institute.
Councilmember Jones is a Licensed Civil Engineer and an Associate Civil Engineer with the Los Angeles County Public Works. In addition, he is also the former chair of the Pasadena Environmental Advisory Commission and was the former chair of the Pasadena Human Relations Commission. He is also a Pasadena Water and Power Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group member for their Power Integrated Resource Plan.
Pasadena Now: What’s your vision for Pasadena over the next four years?
Justin Jones: I want to maximize the quality of life for all by creating a safe environment, employment opportunities, reliable city services, and accessible cultural activities. I want Pasadena to be a place where prosperity is shared by all, where residents are inspired to engage in community service, and where we leverage and act as responsible stewards of our resources – natural like the Arroyo, man-made like the Rose Parade, cultural institutions, an airport we co-own. I want residents’ tax dollars to be used wisely and responsibly. I want to maximize public health and leverage our Health Department (Pasadena is one of only three cities in California with a health department). I want our city to be environmentally responsible as we leverage our Department of Water and Power (Pasadena is one of a limited number of cities in California with its own water and power department) to secure and ensure reliable sources of power (carbon free) and water (clean).
What are the greatest challenges facing Pasadena right now?
The greatest challenges that face Pasadena now are the unhoused population, public safety issues, infrastructure (for example, the Sunset Reservoir), and environmental issues, such as sourcing/accessing water. The steps I have taken to address these challenges include: numerous votes for funding for increased funding for affordable housing subsidies, vouchers, emergency shelter services, and support for the Pasadena Rental Housing Board; numerous votes in favor of increasing funding for gang violence prevention and park safety; supported the commitment for Pasadena to source its power from 100% carbon-free sources by 2030; and leveraged my professional background as a Civil Engineer to address the need for retrofitting the Sunset Reservoir, which supplies 25% of Pasadena’s water.
How can we help our unhoused neighbors?
This complex problem requires a multi-pronged set of solutions. The solutions include mental health outpatient services, such as those to be provided at the facility at Lake and Villa that I supported; safe parking allowed in additional areas: and more resources for PORT and HOPE. Our approach and solutions should be rooted in an understanding of the various causes of homelessness, such as financial; mental health; substance abuse, and solutions customized to each cause. We can streamline the permitting process for ADUs.
How can we secure more local hiring on projects?
The City should provide greater incentives for developers to hire locals and the City must track and enforce the local hire commitments that developers make. Additionally, the City should continue to maintain and update a database of qualified local workers. For city-owned projects, the City can withhold funds until the completion of a project to incentivize developers to keep their commitments.
What do you think the City should do with the 710 stub?
The 710 Stub should be developed in accordance with the wishes of the community. The City Council established the Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group to provide community input and work with the city staff and outside consultants. The consultants have provided detailed plans for obtaining extensive community input via numerous traditional and nontraditional methods. There are multiple stakeholders whose input is vital to a successful project: residents; those displaced by the original freeway construction, businesses, community groups, and government – municipal, regional, state, and federal. With that input and detailed, methodical analysis, I am confident that we will have a project that reflects the community’s wishes and values. Ultimately, I would like to see a pedestrian-friendly, carbon-neutral “public space” with a complementary mix of uses that includes affordable housing, experiential retail, office/workspace geared towards high tech and biotech, open space, and some cultural elements.
What issue would you like to see on the ballot on charter reform?
I am in favor of giving voters the chance and choice to decide if they want term limits to increase the likelihood of periodic new voices and perspectives.
Why should the voters choose you?
My top priority and unwavering commitment is to serve the residents of District 3. I make myself accessible to residents and I have talked to over 1,000 residents of District 3 to ensure that I understand the issues, concerns, and aspirations of residents in each neighborhood of District 3. My Civil Engineering background enables me to address the increasingly complex infrastructure-related issues of sourcing carbon-free power and ensuring adequate clean water supplies. Overall, I have the experience to understand and anticipate issues, the ability to work effectively and efficiently to solve the issues, and the skills to communicate the issues and proposed solutions.
Define local leadership?
Local leadership begins with listening and talking to the residents you represent and serving them by addressing their concerns and interests. Local leadership also includes working with the business community to maximize career/job opportunities for local residents and supporting nonprofits and community groups who provide needed social services that government cannot always provide.
What’s your message to the voters?
It is my honor to serve you. I pledge to continue to work tirelessly to address the issues and concerns you relay to me through numerous conversations. I am the most experienced and best-qualified candidate. Those traits enable me to effectively advocate for District 3 residents. I humbly request your vote to allow me to continue to serve you.
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