City Council Committees to Hold Final Meetings of Year

Two City Council Committees will hold their final two committee meetings of the year on Thursday when the Municipal Services and Legislative Policy committees meet. 

The Legislative Policy Committee will convene a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers to take up a series of governance, ethics and legislative policy matters, including proposed changes to campaign rules, City Council procedures, and the city’s investment policies. 

Committee Chair Steve Madison has requested revisions to the  City’s Fair Campaign Practices Agreement. 

The proposed changes would address campaign materials, expand the definition of campaign messaging, and adjust the timing requirements for notifying political opponents about advertisements and mailers during election season.

The committee will also consider revised protocols and procedures governing City Council meetings, with the goal of forwarding recommendations to the full City Council. The discussion follows previous council retreats focused on meeting efficiency, public participation, and council operations. 

Another major item involves a discussion of Pasadena’s investment policy, specifically whether and how the city should incorporate ethical, environmental, social, and governance — or ESG — considerations into its financial decision-making. Staff reports outline current state law requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and examples of how other jurisdictions have handled socially responsible investing. 

On the legislative front, the committee will review and discuss Senate Bill 684, known as the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would require major fossil fuel companies to contribute to climate mitigation and disaster recovery efforts. 

The committee will also consider changing its regular meeting start time. 

Information-only briefings are scheduled from the city’s state and federal legislative advocates, who will provide updates on pending legislation, advocacy positions, and recent activity in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The meeting will conclude with a review of recent agendas from city boards and commissions.

The Municipal Services Committee will consider a major step toward adjusting city electric rates and to receive briefings on utility infrastructure issues. 

The meeting, set for 5 p.m. at the City Yards, Training Room, 233 W. Mountain Ave., Room 210 will include deliberations on a recommendation to set a public hearing date for proposed electric rate adjustments. Committee members are being asked to select Feb. 9 for the hearing and to direct the City Attorney’s Office to prepare an ordinance amending Pasadena Water and Power’s electric rate schedule. 

According to the agenda report, the proposed rate changes are the result of a comprehensive electric rate study conducted by Pasadena Water and Power in partnership with an outside consultant. 

The study examined long-term operating costs, infrastructure investment needs, reliability requirements, and the city’s goal of transitioning to carbon-free electricity by 2030. 

If approved by the City Council following the public hearing, the new rates would take effect in March. 

Public comment will be taken on agenda items, both in person and remotely, before the committee adjourns. 

The Municipal Services Committee, chaired by Councilmember Justin Jones, includes Councilmembers Rick Cole, Tyron Hampton and Jason Lyon.