Pasadena Rental Housing Board to Consider Changes to Public Comment Procedures

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board (PRHB) on Thursday will discuss proposed amendments to its rules of conduct during its regular meeting. The changes would modify procedures for public comment during Board meetings, aligning them with practices used by the Pasadena City Council.

Under the proposed amendments, public comment on items not on the agenda would be limited to 20 minutes at the beginning of meetings. Each speaker would have three minutes to address the Board, with any remaining comments heard at the end of the meeting.

The changes aim to streamline meetings and ensure sufficient time for Board deliberation. Speakers would have one opportunity to comment on all consent agenda items and action items, respectively, for three minutes each.

Karen M. Tiedemann and Nazanin Salehi of Goldfarb & Lipman LLP, counsel to the Board, recommended the changes, advising the Board to adopt them to conform with City Council procedures for boards, commissions, and committees.

The proposed amendments would modify Chapter 3 of the PRHB Regulations, which govern the Board’s rules of conduct. The Board previously adopted these rules on Sept. 13, 2023, and amended them twice this year, most recently on July 24, to refine ad hoc committee formation processes.

The PRHB was established following the passage of Measure H, a City Charter amendment approved by voters on Nov. 8, 2022. The amendment, which took effect on Dec. 22, 2022, imposed rent control and just-cause eviction protections in the city.

The Board has authority to establish rules and regulations for administering and enforcing the City Charter amendment. It consists of seven members, with six members, at least four of whom must be tenants, constituting a quorum for conducting business.

The proposed changes also address procedures for appeal hearings. For consent agenda items, action items, and appeal hearings, there will be one opportunity for public comment for those wishing to speak on multiple items.

The Chair, in consultation with the Board, may limit or expand the three-minute speaking time if reasonable under the circumstances. The proposed changes are not expected to have a fiscal impact on the Board’s budget or the Rent Stabilization Department.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall.