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.

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.

There is a lot of speculation as to what will happen now that the EV Tax Credits end on Sept 30, 2025.
Many believe sales will drop significantly and some believe there will be a dip. One thing for is there will be a drop.
How much is anyone’s guess.
Auto companies have seen a spike in EV sales, especially in the past few weeks. In California and Texas as the leading states with sales of EV’s.
There are numerous new EV’s coming to market in the near future with prices being very competitive, we imagine that this could make up for the difference of the EV Tax Credit eliminated by the Trump Administration Big Beautiful Bill of 2025.
We know that Tesla has a new model in the works.
Slate the auto company backed by Jeff Bezos, as well.
New models from Mazda, Nissan, all aim to be very price competitive.
As well as some outliers that are working on new vehicles like the Aptera.
Kia and Hyundai are certain to be working and retooling for lower priced vehicles.

One thing for certain that is buying an EV is not recommended due to some very costly failures that can occur, with the Nissan Leaf the OBC on board charger failure can run around $2,000 to repair. The PCS power conversion system on a Tesla Modem can run around $3,000. This are significant failures that EV’s have and these are not to mention battery issues and that you have to have the ability to charge the vehicle otherwise it’s not very useful and frustrating.
I think we will see a dip in sales after the 30th, and a lot of people who purchased EV’s who are now going to realize that what they bought is not what they imagined and will be trying to offload these vehicles for less than what they paid and well below any tax credits included.

Walking + October + Pasadena = Walktober! A month full of events and discovery on foot in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif.— The City of Pasadena Department of Transportation (DOT) in partnership with Day One and the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition (PasCSC)invite all of Pasadena to get out and WALK in October! Walktober is celebrating its 8th year in the City of Pasadena, established by the PasCSC. For Walktober 2025, the City contracted with local Pasadena non-profit Day One, supported by PasCSC, to fund, organize and staff free walking-themed public events in October.

Walktober is an annual, international promotion to encourage walking. Here in Pasadena, the City, Day One, and PasCSC have partnered with local organizations and community members to put together a month-long calendar of walks, tours, and community events.

Walktober events are designed to show the many reasons and ways you can enjoy walking—whether it’s for daily exercise, mental well-being, meeting new people, learning about the city, or simply commuting to work or school. Our goal is to inspire the Pasadena community with a variety of fun and exciting events that highlight the city’s rich history, cultural amenities, and natural beauty.

DOT encourages participants to walk, bike or utilize transit to connect to the events. More information on Pasadena Transit, including schedules and trip planning tools, can be found at PasadenaTransit.net, information about Metro bus and rail can be found at Metro.net, and information about Foothill Transit can be found at FoothillTransit.org.

Highlights include:

Pasadena Audubon Bird Walk & Sit at the Gamble House – Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m. Location: The Gamble House Bookstore at 4 Westmoreland Pl.

Lamanda Park: Past and Present with Councilmember Gene Masuda – Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. Location: Rosebud Coffee at 2302 E. Colorado Blvd.

New Public Art & Architecture Walk – Sunday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. Location: Pacific Asia Museum parking lot at 46 N. Los Robles Ave.

Cruising Colorado: Route 66 & Old Pasadena’s Car Scene – Sunday, Oct. 5, 5 p.m. Location: Provided with registration

Arroyo Terrace Neighborhood Guided Walk – Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. Location: The Gamble House Bookstore at 4 Westmoreland Pl.

North Lake Neighborhood Discovery Tour with Vice Mayor Jess Rivas – Saturday, Oct. 11, 12 p.m. Location: the Carnegie Observatories Library at 813 Santa Barbara St.

Let’s Branch Out! (a two-library tour) – Saturday, Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. Location: Santa Catalina Branch Library at 999 E. Washington Blvd.

Discover East Washington Village with Councilmember Rick Cole – Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. Location: The Market Pasadena at 1511 E. Washington Blvd.

Walking History of Arroyo Advocacy and Activism – Sunday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. Location: Arroyo Terrace Gate to Brookside Park

Hidden Secrets of Old Pasadena – Sunday, Oct. 19, 5 p.m. Location: Provided with registration

Playhouse Village Tour – Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. Location: Provided with registration

Caltech Modern Campus Tour with Councilmember Jason Lyon – Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m. Location: Chen Neuroscience Research Building on California Institute of Technology Campus near Del Mar Blvd. at Wilson Ave.

Wilson Avenue Greenway Walk – Sunday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. Location: McDonald Park at 1000 E. Mountain St.

Eaton Wash Stormwater Garden Project Tour – Sunday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m. Location: Eaton Blanche Park at 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd.

Event Details:

Exact start and end times subject to change. Details on the walks as well as a calendar can be found at WalktoberPasadena.org as well as on Instagram, @CityOfPasadena, @Day1do, @PasadenaCSC. #WalktoberPasadena

About the organizers:

City of Pasadena Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation is committed to achieving the safe, efficient and convenient movement of people and goods within Pasadena, while concurrently ensuring a balance between land use and transportation to maintain a livable community where you can easily travel in the City by walking and biking. Learn more at CityOfPasadena.net/Transportation/

Day One

Day One has over 35 years of experience in working alongside residents, young people, elected officials, and other stakeholders to strengthen and build healthy, vibrant communities by advancing public health, advocating for public policies, meaningfully engaging youth, and igniting community-level and behavioral change. Learn more at GoDayOne.org

Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition

The Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition (PasCSC) is an all-volunteer community advocacy group dedicated to promoting Complete Streets projects and policies in Pasadena. Their belief that everyone should be able to live and move safely in our city inspires them to work for cleaner, healthier, sustainable, and more inclusive transportation and planning solutions. Learn more atPasadenaCSC.org