Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Photo by Erin Lee Staff Photographer The City Council voted to approve two concept designs for pocket parks at Berkshire Ave. and Grevelia St. at its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18. In addition to the designs, the action included the approval of a memorial tree, bench, and plaque dedicated to Dr. […]
City council approves all-way stop sign at Meridian and Oak
Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Photo by Erin Lee Staff Photographer The City Council voted to approve a resolution to install an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Meridian Ave and Oak St. at its meeting on Wednesday, July 21. This resolution was part of a larger movement to implement all-way stop signs at three […]
City Council denies approval of ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers
Story by Veronica KoutskyStaff Writer Photo courtesy of William KellyContributor The City Council voted not to approve an ordinance that would phase out the city-wide use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers at its meeting on Wednesday, Jul. 7. The ordinance would replace the gasoline-powered leaf blowers with quieter and emissions-free electric machines as a part of […]
City Council stands by Moffatt Street extension project despite widespread community opposition
Story by Zoe Schlaak Associate Sports Editor Photo courtesy of Planet Home Living Contributor The City Council unanimously reapproved the Moffatt Street extension project after a reconsideration of its previous approval at a special meeting on Tuesday, April 20, despite continued community opposition. The extension was originally brought to the Council in October 2020, but due […]
City Council approves $3 per hour hero pay for grocery and drug store workers
Story by Sofia Alva Associate News Editor Photo by Sophie Yeung Staff Photographer The City Council unanimously adopted a 60-day ordinance to establish hero pay for grocery and drug store workers at its meeting on Wednesday, April 21. The ordinance requires that all major grocery and drug stores in South Pasadena increase their employees’ pay by $3 […]
City Council retracts City Manager post from Chris Jordan following widespread community opposition
Story by Katie Hohman Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The City Council yielded to resident criticisms of the possible appointment of Christopher Jordan to the position of City Manager, and decided to rescind his employment agreement that was pending approval, at a special closed session meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 20. Per a press release, […]
City Council gives green light for $3 per hour hero pay ordinance
Story by Zoe Schlaak Associate Sports Editor Photo by Sophie Yeung Staff Photographer The City Council unanimously approved the creation of an emergency ordinance requiring large grocery companies to temporarily increase their employees’ wages by $3 per hour, at its meeting on Wednesday, Apr. 8. This “hero pay” ordinance will compensate grocery workers for the dangerous and […]
City Council sponsors state bill to prioritize local residents in selling of Caltrans properties
Story by Zoe Schlaak Associate Sports Editor Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor The City Council approved the sponsorship of the Senate Bill (SB) 381, aimed to prioritize former owners’ and current occupants’ of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) homes opportunities to buy those properties, at its meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 17. State Senator Anthony Portantino […]
Junior Ava Dunville educates elementary schoolers about local government and activism in Gold Award project
Story by Kahlen Miao Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer Junior Ava Dunville encourages civic engagement among third through fifth graders in weekly 30-minute Zoom workshops for her Girl Scouts Gold Award project that began on Monday, Mar. 1. Dunville begins each of her presentations with an icebreaker before going into a deeper dive on […]
Residents rally behind $5 essential worker hazard pay
Story by Noah Kuhn & Lilian Zhu News Editor & Associate Webmaster Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor Nearly 150 community members signed onto a public comment advocating for a 120-day, extra $5 an hour essential worker hazard pay in South Pasadena at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 3. The leaders of the workers’ rights activism […]
City Council approves primary permit for Moffatt Street development despite community opposition
Story by Zoe SchlaakStaff Writer Photo courtesy of Planet Home LivingContributor The City Council unanimously approved a Hillside Development permit for the Moffatt Street extension project at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17, laying the groundwork for the construction of seven properties at the border of South Pasadena and El Sereno. Community members strongly opposed the […]
City Council passes permanent eviction protection ordinance after months of prolonged moratorium
Story by Zoe SchlaakStaff Writer Photo by Noah KuhnNews Editor The City Council unanimously approved a permanent renters protection ordinance that requires landlords to obtain a permit before evicting tenants for remodeling at its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 20. The permanent ordinance follows months of a prolonged moratorium and advocacy from the South Pasadena Tenants Union (SPTU). […]
City Council extends eviction moratorium four months amidst public misunderstanding
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff Writer The South Pasadena City Council further extended its eviction moratorium, which prevents renters from eviction due to substantial remodel without a permit, another four months at its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The extension is intended to allow for more community outreach and time for the Planning Commission before […]
City Council postpones decisions on housing
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Planet Home Living Contributor The City Council further delayed making a decision on two major housing projects: a renters urgency ordinance that would strengthen eviction protections, and construction of a private road into El Sereno for luxury developments, at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The community heavily […]
City Council districts spark cries of local gerrymandering
Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo courtesy of South Pasadena City Clerk Contributor Residents voiced concern that South Pasadena’s irregular council districting reflects a larger pattern of corruption inside City Hall following the first election with the districts. The tenure of City Council members Richard Schneider, Michael Cacciotti, Diana Mahmud, and Bob Joe have troubled […]
Community calls on City Council to launch investigation into SPPD
Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer Local activist groups Care First South Pasadena, Black Lives Matter (BLM) South Pasadena, the Anti Racism Committee, and the South Pasadena Tenants Union are calling on the City Council to commission a third-party investigation into the SPPD due to alleged bias against women, people of […]