After some back and forth Pasadena city council approved what by many residents and those in the community as a stunning move to approve their own salary increases.
The increase from what previously more than what a lot of people in Pasadena earn, is now almost doubled. Including allowances for home offices and childcare.
In the face of a budget shortfalls and increasing costs, the timing of those could not have been any worse. And that all council members approved their own salary increases speaks volumes about what is wrong with the city and the way it operates. Like the editorial in Colorado Blvd.net writes It’s the elite of Pasadena giving themselves a raise.
The only council member voting against this was Steve Madison district 6.
The council meeting spent time discussing ways to make it appear that the increase was not as much as it really is… this is shocking.
The committee meet over seven meetings and for several hours.
It does not go into effect until 2026-2027. Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
What’s the impact on the budget.
There are still a lot of questions… in particular regarding security and how the money is allowed to be spent. And reimbursed.
Pasadena standing to lose millions in revenue is now faced with another setback and blow with UCLA looking to leave the Rose Bowl for Sofi Stadium. Sofi a much more modern and centrally located stadium would potential increase attendance to UCLA games.
Has Pasadena now become a litigious city looking to sue and not find ways to work things out with a partner like UCLA? It certainly will leave lasting damage in a relationship if your alleged business partner is getting sued.
UCLA has been at the Rose Bowl for 40 years.
Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael Beck was a past Pasadena city manager.
Pasadena Speed Feedback Signs and Pasadena Transportation Department Procedures
Recently Pasadena Department of Transportation decided to stop collecting the data from numerous speed feedback signs around the city.
There are over 50 but not all of them collect data.
There are also many that do not work.
What was the reason for Pasadena DOT Director for no longer having staff collect the data?
Was it taking too long?
Was the data evidence of a larger issue?
Was DOT staff not capable of collecting the data?
Based on my interaction with DOT it is a combination of the above. Most mostly DOT not wanting to collect the data because the effort and time it takes. Which is absolutely ridiculous and should be investigated further.
I have a public records request for all documents related to the speed feedback signs, because even if DOT refuses to collect the data, they need to make sure the signs are operational.
Of course DOT has moved on to the next shiny object. Which is a hydrogen fueling station and several hydrogen powered buses at a cost of over $130Million.
If DOT cannot manage 50 speed feedback signs, why would anyone think they can manage a potential very dangerous and complicated process. Are they putting neighbors at risk with this project? Who on staff is knowledgeable on how hydrogen fueling works? Or is DOT relying on consultants and contractors to do the work and have an easy point the finger when things go wrong?
We just an experience with the new GM design facility where a prototype EV vehicle caught fire and cause a five alarm fire pulling in resources from around the region costing tax payers millions.
Will the city see this money back? Probably not.
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Los Angeles, enjoy an unforgettable night at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. Hundreds of drones dance across the sky, perfectly in sync with live classical music. Arrive early to enjoy food and drinks before the spectacle begins.
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Speculation that Tesla is about to reveal a new model that is the new entry level and lower priced version of the existing Model Y and could potential be named the Model 2, and could be compatible with Tesla’s RoboTaxi service is about to be revealed on October 7, 2025.
Details are light, but we expect the new EV to be priced somewhere between the low end at $25k to the $35k on the higher end for the new entry level model starting price.
There will certainly be add-ons upgrades that will take the price up.
While the Model Y starting price is higher, now that the $7500 EV Tax credit has ended, prices on EV’s are fluctuating with some manufacturers doing dealer buy outs to secure the EV credit, and then pass that onto consumers on a limited inventory.
While other manufactures are lowering the prices by $7500 and more, to make up the difference.
While we are seeing Tesla pre-owned slate of vehicles prices tick up a little, it’s not significant. With many 2022 Model Y’s with no down, and 10,000 miles per year leases still in the $400 range per month for 2 years. This is not much different than we saw a month ago.
For a three year old vehicle this is not a bad price. And tempting if you are in for the short run and don’t want to get caught with technology that is changing quickly and prices punctuations. Perhaps as time progresses some EV tax credits could come back, but probably not for a few years.
Manufactures will have to find ways to lower their costs, and pass that onto consumers to compete.
Pasadena is getting sued over Measure H and the out of control Rent Stabilization and Rental Housing Board departments. Making rulings and implementing punitive ordinances and policies to punish landlords and force many property owners out of business and out of Pasadena.
Read more here
These departments and boards need greater oversight and the city manager and others with the city need to pay closer attention and keep an eye on what they are doing or further litigation will be filed.