City Hall Scoop

South Pasadena News and Updates

The Housing Rights Center will be holding a series of Housing Rights Workshops via Zoom for landlords and tenants this Friday, June 26, 2020. 

10 AM  – 11 AM – Housing Rights Workshop for Landlords RSVP HERE

1 PM – 2 PM – Housing Rights Workshop for Tenants RSVP HERE

4 PM – 5 PM – Housing Rights Workshop (Spanish) RSVP HERE

These workshops will cover new COVID-19 Tenant Protections, AB 1482 (CA’s new rent stabilization law), Fair Housing Laws on the Federal & State Level, evictions, security deposits, repairs, and a plethora of other common landlord-tenant questions.  

6/24/2020

After months of staying at home, you’ve probably grown to appreciate your backyard more than ever. Why not show it some love by giving it a California native upgrade? We’ve got a webinar for that! Prior to Covid-19 stay-at-home orders, City Staff was working with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to host native plant and turf replacement workshops in South Pasadena. Due to the pandemic, the workshops were no longer available and could not be scheduled. Luckily, MWD has since transformed both landscape classes to engaging and informative webinars. The free classes are open to all and provide information on building healthy living soil, capturing rainwater, selecting local climate appropriate plants, using highly efficient irrigation, ways to remove turf, and water conservation recommendations. The classes are live so you can ask the expert presenter any questions you may have. There are many classes through the end of August. For more information and to sign up for the classes, visit: https://greengardensgroup.com/turf-transformation/. Ready to transform your backyard? Make sure to check www.socalwatersmart.com and www.southpasadenaca.gov/rebates to learn about rebates your project may qualify for including turf replacement, weather-based irrigation controllers, trees, water-efficient plants, and drip irrigation conversion.

Shahid Abbas
Director of Public Works

6/24/2020

People often ask how they can minimize the risk of fire deaths in their home. The easy and very simple answer to this question is: Obtain a smoke detector. If you have a properly functioning smoke detector in your home or apartment, your chances of dying in a fire may be reduced by 50%. In almost 40% of all the reported fires, smoke detectors sounded and provided the first warning of a fire.

  • Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home.
  • Test the alarm monthly by pushing the test button.
  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries are designed to work for 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire alarm.
  • Fore smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm “chirps,” replace the battery right away.
  • Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound and understands the warning of a smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

In half of the fires in which smoke alarms did not operate, the batteries had been removed or disconnected.

For videos, fact sheets, and more go to nfpa.org/safety tips or contact South Pasadena Fire Department at 626-403-7300.

6/23/2020

Want to have a say in how the City plans to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the next few years? The City of South Pasadena is moving along with the development of its Climate Action Plan (CAP) and is looking for your input on the proposed strategies and actions to be included in the plan. The City would like to ensure this process is as collaborative and inclusive as possible. We encourage all community members to view the CAP GHG Reduction Plays and Moves Presentation and to complete the survey to provide your thoughts on the quality and importance of the measures proposed.

The presentation and survey can be viewed on the CAP website (www.southpasadenacap.rinconconsultants.com) where you can also find a complete list of all the preliminary plays (strategies) and moves (actions). The survey will be available until June 25, 2020 and all comments will be considered when composing the draft CAP. Your feedback is an integral part in creating a successful plan for our City!

Shahid Abbas
Director of Public Works

6/22/2020

Juneteenth, or June 19th, is the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the holiday established to commemorate the ending of slavery in America. On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln two and a half years prior. Many theories have circulated to explain the over two year delay in the emancipation of Texan slaves after Lincoln’s Executive Order. According to Juneteenth.com, one story holds that the first messenger to deliver the news of freedom was murdered, while another story states that the news was deliberately withheld by slaveowners in the interest of maintaining a free labor force. 

In celebration of Juneteenth, the South Pasadena Public Library is highlighting some resources from the Library of Congress as well as our own collections. For those interested in conducting research on the topic of American slavery, the Library of Congress has compiled an outstanding online research guide. We also recommend their rare audio interviews with former slaves, titled Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories. For those interested in print books, SPPL has several titles relevant to Juneteenth and narratives of slavery in America. Customers can use Library Takeout, a no-contact check-out/pick-up service to access library materials. For those who prefer ebooks, browse the Overdrive collections curated by the Library to explore the Black Lives Matter Movement for adults and teens.

Picture Books

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson

Juvenile Fiction

Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi 

Juvenile Nonfiction

Free at Last!: Stories and Songs of Emancipation by Doreen Rappaport and Shane W. Evans

Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Drew Nelson

Adult Nonfiction

100 Amazing Facts About the Negro by Henry Louis Gates Jr. 

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

The Strange Career of William Ellis: the Texas Slave Who Became a Mexican Millionaire by Karl Jacoby

They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Cathy Billings
Library Director

6/19/2020

Thanks to the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena and Girl Scout Troops 2321 and 1964 who have donated face masks and cards for our Seniors in celebration of this year’s Father’s day. Over 100 masks with unique patterns and designs were fabricated to have seniors wear their masks more comfortably. Cards were individually written to include messages of support and inspiration to connect our South Pasadena seniors and youth members during these difficult times.

We appreciate your efforts in making seniors feel remembered and loved during this time.

Shelia Pautsch
Community Services Director

6/19/2020

Thursday June 18, 2020 Governor Newsom ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public or high-risk settings, including when shopping, taking public transit or seeking medical care. All South Pasadena residents and visitors must follow the guidelines and wear a face covering in public. Please click here to view the Health Order, including the list of exemptions

6/19/2020

Los Angeles County is moving forward in its Roadmap to Recovery by reopening additional personal and recreational services to residents including nail salons, bars and casinos. Effective Friday June 19, 2020 South Pasadena nail salons and spas are allowed to reopen with safeguards.

Although overall case counts are increasing as testing becomes more widespread and there is more community transmission, the County continues to see steady decreases in the rate of COVID-19 infections and virus-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) announced that the Health Officer Order will be modified to include infection control and distancing requirements for re-opening the following sectors on Friday, June 19:

  • Nail salons
  • Cosmetology services
  • Spas offering aesthetic and massage services
  • Tattoo and piercing shops
  • Tanning salons
  • Casinos, card rooms and satellite wagering sites
  • Bar and wineries not anchored to food services

Los Angeles County remains in Phase 3 of the State’s Resilience Roadmap.

Residents must continue to practice physical distancing, wear cloth face coverings and follow Public Health directives.

6/19/2020

In March, the City Council adopted an Emergency Resolution that suspended requirements for overnight parking permits in response to the national pandemic. This week council adopted Emergency Resolution 7657 to reinstate enforcement of overnight parking restrictions beginning July 6th, 2020.

The City of South Pasadena wishes to alert residents that South Pasadena Municipal Code 19.58(a) states, “It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park a motor vehicle on any public street or in any city-owned parking lot for a period of time longer than 30 minutes between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day, unless in accordance with an all-night parking permit issued in accordance with this division.”

During the first week of enforcement, violators will receive a warning instead of an actual citation. After this one-week grace period, vehicles parked on City streets overnight will be cited for violations of SPMC 19.58(a), unless they properly display valid Temporary or Annual Permits.

Temporary and Annual Permits can be purchased at the Police Department or online at: 

https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/government/departments/police/e-policing-resources/parking-permits

Questions regarding overnight parking regulations should be directed to 626-403-7235.

6/19/2020

South Pasadena residents will soon have another grocery store, bringing more options for shopping and more local job opportunities. The Grocery Outlet is making quick work of transforming the former Big Lots property on the corner of Huntington Drive and Fremont Avenue, with hopes of opening in October 2020.  The building interior is currently being remodeled; and on June 4th, the City’s Design Review Board approved signage and façade changes to the building including new paint, addition of window graphics, and an improved main entrance.  

Grocery Outlet first started in 1946 by Jim Read selling military surplus at deep discount prices. The third generation of the Read Family continues the family legacy with a total of 358 stores across the nation. Grocery Outlet offers national brand products at super low prices in every department – up to 70% off of retail prices compared to other stores, making them the nation’s largest extreme value retailer. 

During this time when it has become clear how vital grocery stores are to a community, we want to thank the essential workers that are keeping us fed and well-supplied, and welcome Grocery Outlet to town!

Joanna Hankamer
Planning and Community Development Director

6/18/2020