City Hall Scoop

Suicide is the tenth most common cause of death in the U.S. Often it’s related to serious depression, alcohol or substance abuse, or a major stressful event.  Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention. 

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:

• Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
• Children and teens
• People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
• People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
• Depression

Hotlines – 24/7 hotlines are available to provide support and information for general mental health concerns and specific issues.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-8255 – The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

Here are some resources to help you and your family navigate the challenges. 

• LifeCare – many resources and guidance for mental health. 
• CDC’s “Manage Anxiety and Stress”page provides what stress can look like and tips to manage that stress.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a guide for parents and caregivers to help families cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Mental Health America has compiled a range of resources and information on their “Mental Health and COVID-19” page.

9/10/2020

When this year’s Cruz’n for Roses Hot Rod and Classic Car Show, slated for Sunday, September 20, was cancelled due to the coronavirus, members of the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee creatively came up with a way to hold the popular event. Deadline to Submit Cars is Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Called off physically on account of the coronavirus, a popular car show in South Pasadena will continue for the 16^th consecutive year on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by going virtual.

When the announcement came earlier this year that the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena has been cancelled, members of South Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Committee began looking ahead to the next one with new fundraising efforts to pay for the city float.

No live event? No problem they said, creatively coming up with the idea of hosting the car show, usually held along the business district on Mission Street. In unique fashion, this year’s event showcasing photos of classic vehicles will be live streamed on Facebook.

Taking part is easy. Simply take a picture of your car, describe it in 250 words or less and submit with a $25 donation to the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee to SPTOR.org. Deadline to submit a registration is September 15. All entries receive a commemorative t-shirt. Additional t-shirts are available for $18 apiece or two for $30. For an entry form for the 2020 Virtual South Pasadena Hot Rod and Classic Car Show or to make a donation to the city float click here.  

9/10/2020

The relief crew that was sent up to Central California last week was released from the incident and returned to the city last Thursday night.  All of our “single resource “ assignments were also released from up north and returned safely to the city on Friday. On Saturday afternoon Engine 81 with four personnel were dispatched to the “El Dorado” incident in Yucaipa.  They are assigned to Structure Protection and are teamed up with four other engines from Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia and Sierra Madre.

There is a new fire, the “Bobcat” Fire, threatening Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Arcadia. South Pasadena Crews are on standby and maybe positioned to assist if needed.

There have been no injuries to any of our firefighters and the moral remains high!

Paul Riddle
Fire Chief

9/9/2020

The #2020Census is a simple survey that you will fill out about yourself and everyone who is living in your home as of April 1, 2020. Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year. The deadline to fill out the U.S. Census has been moved up by four weeks, to Sept. 30. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the self-response period was shortened to allow enough time to review data before Dec. 31, the Bureau’s statutory deadline. 

9/9/2020

LA County’s Department of Public Health is urging county residents to pay attention to their immediate environment and take precautions to safeguard their health. These precautions are particularly important for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, smoke from the Bobcat Fire burning in the region has caused unhealthy air quality in the following areas: East San Gabriel Valley, West San Gabriel Valley, South San Gabriel Valley, Pomona-Walnut Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Central Los Angeles Area, Southeast LA County, and South Central LA County. Day Camps that are in session in smoke-impacted areas are advised to suspend outside recreational activities such as hiking or picnics until conditions improve.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases, and water vapor. Small particles are the primary health concern. They can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches, and illness (i.e., bronchitis). In people with sensitive conditions, they can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain.

Avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and limit any physical exertions outside or inside. The L.A. Department of Public Health recommended the following safety measures:

• Keep windows and door closed.
• Avoid using air conditioning units that have no recirculating option and only take air from outside.
• Check air conditioning filters and replace them as needed.
• Use indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters.
• Visit a public cooling center if a home does not have air conditioning and it’s too hot to keep the door and windows closed.
• Avoid using candles and vacuums.
• Clean dusty surfaces indoors with a damp cloth.
• Do not smoke.
• Contact a doctor, go to an urgent care center or dial 911 if experiencing symptoms of a lung or heart condition that could be related to smoke exposure. Symptoms could include severe coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue and lightheadedness.
• Avoid leaving pets outside, especially at night. Dogs and cats that display respiratory distress should be taken to an animal hospital. Symptoms include an inability to catch their breath. They may be less noticeable in cats than in dogs.

9/9/2020

On Tuesday, September 1^st  all deployed South Pasadena fire personnel that were assigned on fires up north were released. They arrived back in district and are back in-service protecting the City. This comes just in time as southern California is expecting temperatures to top 100 degrees with expected winds in certain areas.

The crews returned back tired but with no reported injuries or any damage to fire apparatus. During their deployment the crews were assigned to 7 different fires and traveled over 1,000 miles.

Paul Riddle
Fire Chief

9/8/2020

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has informed SCE that rotating outages are no longer expected at this time. Customers may experience other weather-related or unplanned repair outages not related to CAISO rotating outages.

To learn more about CAISO’s system alerts, warnings and emergencies, please visit  www.CAISO.com or download the ISO Today application.  

Additional information and FAQs are available at  www.sce.com/rotatingoutage.

9/8/2020

We want to provide you an update on the status of our system given the extreme heat conditions across the state, causing outages in many of our communities.

·       Our system has been stressed by record heat across the entirety of our service area over the holiday weekend, currently affecting around 36,000 of our customers as of 10 a.m. Monday.

·       We had a record weekend peak demand for electricity twice this weekend (Saturday then Sunday), despite extensive conservation efforts.

·       We understand that with the extreme heat, the pandemic and the holiday, these outages could not have come at a worse time for our customers. 

·       We are doing everything we can to call in more repair crews, and reach all of our customers, however the scope of these outages is an enormous challenge, and we are asking for patience from all of our customers.

·       SCE may be canceling any planned maintenance outages for Monday and Tuesday unless it is critical to help free up resources to help focus on restoration of power.

·       All possible steps have been taken to avoid power interruptions to “essential-use” customers—hospitals, police and fire departments, and vital government services. 

·       Power lines may be down. Always consider those lines energized. Stay away and call 911.

·       Customers can report or inquire about outages at 800-611-1911 and get the latest information at sce.com/outages. They can also stay informed by visiting sce.com/staysafe, twitter.com/sce and facebook.com/sce.

9/7/2020

The Mayor and City Council invite qualified residents from the City to submit applications to fill the temporary Regional Housing Needs Assessment Ad Hoc Committee (Committee). The Committee will be comprised of two Planning Commissioners and a minimum of two residents to advise the City Council and staff on matters related to the City’s RHNA allocation appeal. This Committee is anticipated to be an “ad hoc,” temporary committee which will not be subject to the Brown Act, as it will be engaged as a resource for staff acting in an operational capacity, with recommendations ultimately being provided to the City Council for consideration and action at a public meeting. 

During the Stay at Home Order issued by the Governor, and to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all, the South Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department is offering the Application Packet for interested parties to be downloaded from the City’s website at https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/government/departments/planning-and-building/2021-housing-element-update. Interested parties may also request the Application Packet via e-mail. If hard copies are desired, appointments must be made during available office hours (with a 24-hour advanced notice).  

Applications should be submitted via email. Please note, that additional written information after the deadline will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.  

It is anticipated that Committee meetings will primarily occur virtually, using online meeting applications such as Zoom or GotoMeeting. For any in-person meetings related to the Committee, mask/face coverings are required for staff and all members. You will need to contact the Planning and Community Development Department when you arrive for a scheduled appointment so that you can be met at the front door of City Hall. Your temperature will be taken at that time. A 6-foot physical distancing is required during any meeting or appointment. 

Questions pertaining to this process should be directed to:
Margaret Lin, Manager of Long Range Planning and Economic Development (626) 403-7236 or 
mlin@southpasadenaca.gov

To be eligible to be appointed to the Committee, you:

•    Must be a resident and registered voter; and

•    Must meet all minimum requirements.

Please note that:

•    This is not a legislative body, and therefore is not subject to the Brown Act.

•    The Committee is temporary and the term of the Committee will expire once the RHNA appeal 
period has concluded.

•    Verification of voter registration will be confirmed upon submittal of your application.

•    Once an application is filed with the City, all information contained therein (except for 
telephone number(s), email(s), and other personal contact information) becomes a public record.

•    There are no application filing fees.

09/04/2020

In honor of the Labor Day holiday, City offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2020. We will resume service Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

Both the South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments will have staff available to assist the public. For non-emergency assistance, you may contact the Police Department at (626) 403-7270, while the Fire Department can be reached at (626) 403-7300.

9/4/2020