City Hall Scoop

As more people get vaccinated and we move towards herd immunity, the LA County Department of Health Services reminds residents that it is still important to get tested. Get tested if you have symptoms, if you have been asked to by a public health official, or if you think you have been exposed. 

In the video above, learn about pop-up COVID-19 testing sites open in community spaces like parks, churches and grocery stores. By knowing if you have COVID-19, you can help stop the spread by isolating yourself immediately and protect yourself and others. Find testing locations by calling 211 or visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/. For other community resources visit www.covidhelpla.org.

Appointments are currently not needed and you are able to register on-site at LA County and City of LA testing sites. Appointments can still be made and can help reduce wait times. View our FAQs for more information on COVID-19 testing in LA County.

4/23/2021

The South Pasadena City Council will host a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to introduce City Manager candidate Armine Chaparyan. 

The community is invited to meet Ms. Chaparyan during the virtual forum as she presents her experience and interest in serving in the City’s top administrative post. “Appointment of a City Manager is the most important decision the City Council will make,” said Mayor Mahmud. Community input was a key feature of the recruitment process, which included 4 stakeholder panels consisting of more than 30 residents, former elected officials, business and community leaders. 

Ms. Chaparyan has 15 years of experience in municipal government and holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Public Administration Masters from the University of Southern California. Ms. Chaparyan has worked for the cities of Ontario, Santa Clarita, and most recently San Gabriel.

If you are interested in hearing from the candidate on specific topic areas, please email cmoffice@southpasadenaca.gov. There will also be an opportunity for questions at the end of the forum, time permitting.

The virtual meeting will be conducted over ZOOM and broadcast live on the City Council meeting webpage. Registration is not required to participate in the live forum. Click here to join: https://zoom.us/j/98134318679?pwd=Njhqam13TWwrUzE2d0owRjF6Zlhqdz09

Following the community forum, it is expected that an employment agreement will be presented for consideration at the regular May 5, 2021 City Council meeting. 

4/22/2021

In our little town, it’s easy to get around without using your car. Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing to walk, bike, or scoot instead. Let NREC Commissioner, Michael Siegel, show you how it’s done! Join him as he runs some errands and spends the day park-hopping with his family in tow.

4/22/21

This Earth Day, we’re introducing the New South Pasadena Tree Guide, comprehensive guide to choosing the right tree for your project! Find everything you need to decide which tree to plant for your type of project including growth rate, spacing, and tolerances (drought, heat, etc.). This guide was created in partnership with the South Pasadena Public Works Department and the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission as part of the South Pasadena Green Action Plan. Check it out at www.southpasadenaca.gov/treeguide.

4/22/21

In 1970, the first #EarthDay was celebrated across the country. In 2021, we are celebrating with just as much passion and excitement for saving the Earth and fighting climate change. If everyone in California makes an effort to save energy, it will have a huge impact. Join the movement: https://www.energyupgradeca.org/the-movement/

4/22/21

Happy Earth Day from the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission! We asked our commissioners what they think makes our sustainable City so inspiring. Here’s a snippet of what they had to say:

“…In 2020, the City made some important updates and additions to the South Pasadena Tree Guide.  Whether you are adding a tree to your landscape or parkway, or a developer planting multiple trees, the tree list is a very valuable resource for everyone…”  -Chair Amy Jones

“One of the things I love most about our city is the tree canopy. It is what makes South Pasadena such a beautiful and wonderful place to live…” -Vice Chair Madeline Di Giorgi

“South Pasadena has accomplished what many other cities have yet to do, which is to largely rebuild our water system…” -Commissioner Bill Kelly

“I am proud of the many positive things that South Pasadena does for the environment, but my favorite one is the farmer’s market. It makes me feel good to be able to buy nearly all of my fruits and vegetables just a few minutes’ walk away…” -Commissioner Rona Bortz

“One of the things that I love about our city is its walkability and access to the train. Since moving here I’ve been able to reduce my dependence on my car, cut down my fossil fuel use, and have a better quality of life by getting outside more by foot and bike…” -Commissioner Michelle Hammond

“I am proud to be a resident in South Pasadena, and am especially appreciative that we have officially adopted the Climate Action Plan to ready our community to be resilient and sustainable…” -Commissioner Michael Siegel

“As Earth Day approaches, I’m inspired by the work to implement “complete streets” and new bike lanes within South Pasadena. Complete streets provide safe mobility for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists…” -Commissioner Casey Law

To read on, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov/environmentalprograms.

4/22/21

LA Regional COVID Fund
Round 2 Coming Soon!

Through Keep Our Shops on the Block, the LA Regional COVID Fund will award $10,000 grants to personal care and retail businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted beginning April 26 through May 2, 2021.Recordings from informational webinars are available in English and Spanish. 

Learn More

4/22/21

Children can transmit COVID-19 just like anyone else can. That’s why it’s so important for young people 16 and 17 to get a Covid vaccine, even if you’re healthy.

Teens 16 and older can now be vaccinated at any site that administers Pfizer vaccines to help keep them and their families, schools, sports teams, and communities safe. That includes many of our County and City-run mass vaccination sites and hundreds of pharmacies, community vaccination events, and health clinics, including those affiliated with major health systems like Kaiser, UCLA Health, and federally qualified health clinics.

We are asking young people 16 and 17 years old to come to their vaccination appointment with a legal guardian who can give consent, just as we do when we give other pediatric vaccines.

Visit VaccinateLACounty.com for more information and to make an appointment.

4/22/21

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health posted the following updated reopening protocols on their website.

1. Libraries
2. Movie Theaters
3. Restaurants
4. Breweries, Wineries, and Craft Distilleries
5. Bars

4/20/21

The City of South Pasadena would like your feedback regarding priorities for the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget. A community budget engagement program was developed by staff to facilitate a dialogue between residents and the City to better understand community priorities for future spending.

Due to the health crisis and social distancing guidelines, the City has created a fully digital community budget engagement program.

• Learn more about the City’s Budget
  The platform includes a brief presentation on City revenue sources and an overview of operating costs.
• Provide input on priorities through survey

The online survey allows residents to provide input on specific City services and programs. 

The City will be collecting responses to the survey from April 15, 2021 through April 30, 2021. This input is requested prior to the City preparing the FY 2022 budget to allow for earlier input into the City’s budget development. Input received will be presented with a draft operational budget to the Finance Commission and the City Council at public meetings in May. The City Council is slated to adopt a final budget by June 30, 2021.

The Budget serves as a “blueprint” for providing City services and as a working financial plan for the fiscal year.  It reflects City policies, goals, and priorities and provides an overall plan for allocating City resources to a variety of programs and services.  If you would like to participate in the budget process, please visit our website or submit your comment to: budget@southpasadenaca.gov or via voicemail (626) 403-7309.

4/19/21