The Pasadena Chamber monitors legislation at all levels that ma impact our membership, the local economy or individual members.

We communicate positions the Board of Directors takes on measures so the membership can be aware of our position.

If you have legislation, regulations or issues you would like the Board to consider, or need help with a regulartory body or process, please let us know.

Here is what the Chamber has observed:

Pasadena City Council

Everyone (at least it seems as if everyone) is waiting to hear what Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard decides about running for a fifth term. Council Member Terry Tornek declared his candidacy for mayor months ago and has been walking neighborhoods and raising money to support his candidacy.

The Pasadena City Council takes some time off in July and August for vacations.

On July 14th, the City Council approved a contract extension with Inter-Con Security for parking enforcement and an extension with MOdern parking for garage management. The Council also approved a contract extension with city electrical workers union IBEW through June, 2016. The Council also approved a mandatory dog spay and neuter ordinance requiring all but some show dogs to be neutered in Pasadena.

On July 21st, the City Council approved $1.16 million in fuding to install fibre optic cable for intelligent transportation projects along Fair Oaks and Hill avenues and Foothill and Sierra Madre Boulevards. At the meeting, the City Council also admitted the General Plan update will not be completed by the end of 2014 as planned.

On July 28th, the Pasadena City Council approved the hiring of an internal audit manager to examine city practices, contracts and funds. The City Council also appreved a request from the Police Department to destroy internal affairs investigation and non-hired personnel background files from 1991 through 2008. The City Coucncil also declared a water shortage and determined that a 20% reduction in water use would be appropriate for the City. restrictions on water use for vegitation and other uses was put in place.

On August 11th, the Pasadena City Council approved a loan agreement with Heritage Housing Partners to develop an eight unit home ownership affordable housing project at 1661 N. Fair Oaks Avenue. The Council also heard a report on the city's investments and approved an investment policy for future city funds.

Gold Line Construction Authority

Last week, the Construction Authority received notice that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the second of two requests for noise mitigation at future at-grade crossings between Pasadena and Azusa. The request was to install shrouds around the gate bells to direct the noise down to the intersection, and the ability to silence the bells once all crossings gates are in the horizontal position, for crossings adjacent to residential areas. Earlier this year, the CPUC approved these measures for five at-grade crossings within the non-shared corridor; the second request was for the nearly four miles of shared corridor with freight. We are very pleased that the CPUC agreed to allow the Authority to install these measures within the shared corridor, where many Azusa residents live directly adjacent to the crossings. It has been our experience that these simple measures provide a large quality of life benefit for the neighborhood.

Additionally last week, a set of three traction power substations are being installed at the Operations Campus. These buildings will provide the power for not only the 24-acre, 84-car capacity yard area; but also the three story main operations and maintenance building, and section of the mainline that runs just south of the Campus. As shown below, the first of four large structures needed for the three substations was placed yesterday. Also below is a recent shot of the main building. The Campus is on schedule to be turned over to Metro in Spring 2015.

Los Angeles County

In August, the Board of Supervisors considered a proposal to construct and operate a solar electric generating facility in the Antelope Valley.

The Supervisors considered a $1 million proposal would begin process to implement permanent supportive housing efforts for homeless youth transitioning out of dependency.

Supervisor Antonovich recommended an ordinance to repeal the 2007 interim administrative system of governance and revert back to the original structure governed by the Chief Administrative Officer.

Supervisor Knabe requested a report on components to support small businesses in the county.

US Congress

After gaining little support from the majority party in the House of Representatives for her initiative, Congresswoman Judy Chu has petitioned President Obama to use his executive powers to declare the San Gabriel Mountains a National Monument. The designation would require financial and staff support of the area from federal resources. It could also restrict some uses and, some cities and local; water districts fear, restrict the ability to use runoff anf groundwater.

Metropolitan Water District

The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) last week announced the overwhelming success of the district's turf removal rebate program. Southern California residents and businesses have rallied behind the district’s conservation incentives, jumping at the chance to remove turf and save water during this historic drought. In the month of July, MWD reported an increase in residential rebates totaling 2.5 million square feet of turf removal and an increase in business rebates to 4.7 million square feet of turf, compared to just 22,000 square feet in January.

Chamber Legislative and Goeernment Affairs Committee:

The committee did not meetin in July or August. The California Legislature is finishing up the session and will consider several bills the Chamber has taken positions on, including these:

Oppose AB 1897 - AB 1897 makes a business liable for the failure temporary agencies to provide workers’ compensation insurance, or comply with wage, hour and occupational health and safety laws. This could negatively impact almost every industry, and result in the loss of jobs including construction, agriculture, telecommunications, hospitals, restaurants, newspapers, trucking and transportation, retailers, food processors, and banks, among others.

Oppose AB 2416 - Liens - Laborers & Employees. The Pasadena Chamber Board is concerned this would create a dangerous and unfair precedent in the wage and hour arena by allowing employees to file liens on an employer's real or personal property, or property where work was performed, based upon alleged yet unproven wage claims. AB 2416 transfers responsibility for wages to the consumer of a contractor’s services, rather than have that responsibility lie with the contractor who is directly responsible for hiring and wages.

Oppose AB 1522 related to sick time accrual.The Pasadena Chamber Board found that the bill does not address the fact many businesses employ salaried workers whose hours are not currently tracked and that it presumes that business that do not comply are retaliating against their employees. Further, the reporting requirements and extensive record keeping required under the bill are onerous and burdensome on small businesses.

Tbhe Chamber communicates our positions to our legislators, Assembly and Senate Committees and the office of Governor Brown.