The City Clerk’s Office issued the Notice of Election for the March 10, 2015, Primary Nominating Election for the City Council and the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).  The official nomination period for candidates is open from Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, through Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. 

Eligible Pasadena voters will cast their ballots next year to elect local representatives to four-year terms for Pasadena Mayor and City Council Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6 and for PUSD Board of Education members representing District Seats 2, 4 and 6.

For election information, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/election or call the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 744-4124.  The City’s election web page will be updated regularly as candidates file nomination papers.

Candidates for the City Council and PUSD elections are encouraged to attend one of the informational workshops held by the City Clerk at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014.  Both workshops will be held in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228.  Candidates will learn about the nomination filing process and local election laws and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The City is in need of poll workers and accessible polling locations for the consolidated City and PUSD primary election on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, and for the general municipal election on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.  Poll workers and polling sites are critical components of the election process.  Contact the City Clerk’s office at (626) 744-4124 to sign up as a poll worker or to host a polling site.  Your assistance as a poll worker is especially needed if you speak Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese or Spanish.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the March 10, 2015, and April 21, 2015, elections.

City of Pasadena

The Pasadena City Council continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship. On Oct. 20, 214, the Council adopted a Zero Waste Strategic Plan, which sets the goal of achieving Zero Waste to area landfills by 2040 through the implementation of a series of initiatives and programs that will be developed collaboratively with community stakeholders.

At a minimum, the plan calls for Pasadena to achieve no less than an 87-percent waste diversion rate by 2040.  The Zero Waste Strategic Plan is a framework of initiatives and programs designed to move the community toward Zero Waste. Meeting the goal of Zero Waste will be a community-wide effort.  Residents, businesses (especially food service businesses), and other community stakeholders will be invited to participate in upcoming Zero Waste initiative and program development by helping to help create the best possible programs to maximize diversion and minimize waste generation in Pasadena.

Examples of Zero Waste initiatives and programs that the City and its community partners will be exploring include diversion programs for food scraps, compostable materials and other organic items, as well as possible product and disposal bans. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/PublicWorks/Zero_Waste_Pasadena_2040/ to read the Zero Waste Strategic Plan and for announcements on how to get involved in Zero Waste initiative and program development.

The Pasadena City Council also adjusted the thresholds and measurements for CEQA as it relates to transportation impacts. The new measures relate to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Trips (VT) per Capita Measures and CEQA Thresholds. They also support the Bicycle, Transit and Pedestrian Proximity Measures and CEQA Thresholds. Per the State of California Auto Level of Service (LOS) and Street Segment Analysis will no longer have CEQA Thresholds and direct staff to develop a process by which LOS and Street Segment analysis would be applied to large development projects for purposes of applying standard conditions of approval to address identified effects.

The Council also approved the plans for the former Desiderio Army installation and included public restrooms in the park portion of the project.

The Council also approved a mandatory spay and neuter program for all dogs and cats withing the City limits, with some exceptions for breeders and owners of show animals.

County of Los Angeles

After the failure of Measure P which would have provided money for county park improvements and maintenance, the Board of Supervisors requested a study of future park needs and costs.

The Supervisors also heard a report on the finances of the County Health Department. They also approved a funding plan for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art east campus replacement building project. The Environmental Impact Report for the clean up behind Devils Gate Dam was approved.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory was honored in celebration of the NASA Mars Curiosity Rover’s two-year anniversary on the Red Planet.

The supervisors also considered a $500,000 proposal that would fund the proposed John Muir High School Soccer Field Improvements Project in Pasadena. 

Friend of the Pasadena Chamber Kent Shockneck was recognized on his retirement after more than 35 years in local broadcasting.