The City Council will not meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, because of Election Day, as local voters head to the polls to decide contested races for the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education and Pasadena City College Board of Trustees, along with ballot measures affecting education funding and public services.
The cancellation comes as Councilmembers conclude three consecutive days of closed-session interviews Monday in their search for the city’s next city manager.
The election includes three contested seats on the Pasadena Unified school board and three contested seats on the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees.
In the Pasadena Unified races, incumbent Kimberly Kenne faces Felita Kealing in District 1, while incumbent Michelle Richardson Bailey faces Veronica Elias in District 3.
In District 7, Dennis J. McNamara and Cynthia Torres are competing for the seat being vacated by Yarma Velázquez, who is not seeking reelection.
Incumbent Patrice Marshall McKenzie is unopposed in District 5 and will be appointed to another four-year term without appearing on the ballot.
The school board contests come as Pasadena Unified continues to grapple with declining enrollment, financial pressures, school consolidation discussions and recovery from the Eaton Fire.
In the Pasadena City College races, Geoff Baum faces Francis Pollara in Trustee Area 1, incumbent Steve Gibson faces David Coher in Area 3 and incumbent Kristine Kwong faces Jennifer Thompson in Area 5.
The community college district faces questions about its finances, student enrollment, workforce development and oversight of major construction projects.
Voters will also decide Measure UP, which would authorize the Pasadena Area Community College District to issue approximately $485 million in bonds for campus improvements, repairs and career education facilities.
The proposal follows the district’s successful 2022 bond measure, which authorized $565 million for facilities modernization. The new measure would provide additional financing for infrastructure improvements and educational facilities.
Measure UP requires 55% voter approval. According to ballot information, the measure would levy an estimated $9 per $100,000 of assessed property value to repay the bonds without increasing the existing bond tax rate.
Pasadena voters will also decide Measure PFD, which would establish an annual parcel tax of 19 cents per square foot of improved property for 14 years to support fire protection and emergency response services. The proposal includes exemptions for qualifying low-income seniors.
Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Los Angeles County voters may cast their ballots at any county vote center.
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