City Hall Scoop

City Resumes Overnight Parking Enforcement July 6th

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June 10, 2020

In March, the City Council adopted an Emergency Resolution that suspended requirements for overnight parking permits in response to the national pandemic. The Council is scheduled to update the Emergency Resolution next week 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

6/10/2020

Reminder Clean Power Alliance Assistance Available

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June 10, 2020

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is here to help our customers during COVID-19. The Clean Power Alliance is the electricity provider for South Pasadena and Southern California Edison (SCE) continues to be responsible for transmission and delivery of electricity, sending customer bills, and maintaining the electric grid infrastructure in the city. Residential and small business customers adversely affected by COVID-19 are eligible for bill credits by signing up for financial assistance programs and payment plans. You may be eligible for a $25 to $50 bill credit to your account. CPA Board at it’s last meeting awarded an additional one million dollars to the program. Please note that this assistance is only available on a first come, first serve basis, as funds are limited.

6/10/2020

You are at Home, so Let’s Talk About Housing!

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June 10, 2020

On Tuesday, June 2nd, the City held its second interactive 2021 Housing Element Community Workshop with approximately 25 participants on Zoom and several more watching the broadcast live on the City’s cable network. The first workshop was held on Saturday, May 30^th, with approximately 30 participants.

During both interactive workshops, the City’s consultant, Amy Sinsheimer (PlaceWorks), provided an overview of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, implications for the City, an introduction to the sites analysis, housing tools, and next step; followed by a Q&A session, during which PlaceWorks and City Staff responded to several questions submitted by participants through Zoom’s Chat function and email. All questions and comments submitted by participants, whether able to be answered during the meeting or not, will be posted online in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.

Missed the workshops? There are still several ways you can participate:

Check out the recordings of the two workshops and the FAQs on the City’s Housing Element webpage – https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/government/departments/planning-and-building/2021-housing-element-update

Submit questions or comments by sending an email to HousingElement@SouthPasadenaCA.gov

Take the 2021 Housing Element Survey, located here https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5576037/South-Pasadena-Housing-Element-Update-Pre-Workshop-Survey

And be on the lookout for future workshops and opportunities to participate as we continue the Housing Element update process.

Joanna Hankamer
Planning and Community Development Director

6/10/20

Explore Black Lives Matter Movement with Library ebook and eAudiobook Collections

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June 9, 2020

The South Pasadena Public Library has curated a list of nonfiction and fiction titles to begin exploring the voices and experiences of black people in the United States from classics to recent publications, focusing on examining racial inequality and injustice from those facing it directly.

As a public library, part of our mission is to provide the public with the opportunity to explore the world, examine their own experiences, and widen their perspectives. We recognize that it can be difficult to know where to start exploring complex topics, so we curated this list of titles in the hope that it can assist people in their lifelong learning journeys. Please click here to Explore the Black Lives Matter Movement: eBook and eAudiobook Collection online.

Cathy Billings
Library Director

6/9/2020

The South Pasadena Police Department assists with the SPHS “Drive-by” Graduation

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June 8, 2020

On Wednesday, June 3, from 6-8 pm, our on-duty patrol team assisted the high school with traffic control. The “Drive-by” graduation consisted of vehicles entering from Diamond and exiting onto Fremont. As the cars passed the High School, the graduates would receive their diplomas through the window of their car.

Joe Ortiz
Police Chief

6/8/2020

South Pasadena Police Changes Policies on Use of Force

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June 8, 2020

Effective immediately, the Carotid Restraint Control Hold is no longer an authorized use of force for the South Pasadena Police Department. In reviewing the Department’s policies regarding use of the controversial carotid hold, the Chief of Police has determined that it should no longer be an authorized use of force and that it will be removed from the current policy in its entirety.

Also known as a sleeper hold, the Carotid Hold is a method of rendering a person unconscious by restricting the flow of blood to the brain by compressing the sides of the neck where the carotid arteries are located.

On Friday Governor Newsom directed the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) to stop providing training in the use of the hold and signaled his intention to sign a bill (AB 1196) which is intended to ban the use entirely.

South Pasadena joins other local agencies in the elimination of this technique in response to community concerns.

Joe Ortiz
Police Chief

6/8/2020

Library Book Drops Open For Returns Monday, June 8th

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June 5, 2020

The Library is pleased to announce that the exterior book drops will be open for returns beginning at 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 8^th. The 18,000 items currently checked out have due dates extended to July 1, but we encourage customers to begin bringing their items back now so that we can manage the volume of returns more efficiently. All items will undergo a minimum 72 hour quarantine before they are re-shelved. We will launch “Library Takeout”, our no-contact check-out/pick-up service, on Monday, June 15, and look forward to announcing the details about that program next week. To control the spread of COVID-19, the library building remains closed to the public as required by the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. You can reach library staff at library@southpasadenaca.gov or 626-403-7330.

Cathy Billings
Library Director

6/5/2020

Festival of Art

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June 5, 2020

This year a Festival of Art will be displayed along Mission and Fair Oaks for the 4^th of July. The theme of the artwork is “Better Together – Six Feet Apart”. The overall theme can encompass many things such as thanking first responders or health care workers, volunteers, graduate’s, how your family has been brought together by the pandemic or 4^th of July. This year’s artwork is a family affair as one poster per family will be accepted. Poster board pick up starts Monday, June 8 through Tuesday, June 9^th from 9:00 am to 12 noon the Orange Grove Recreation Center. Please click here for additional information.

Shelia Pautsch
Community Services Director

6/5/2020

COUNTY AND STATE-RUN COVID-19 TESTING SITES ARE ALL OPEN

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June 5, 2020

LA County and State run testing sites are all open. Residents can make an appointment by visiting the County COVID-19 testing website. Same day appointments are available at State operated OptumServe sites.

“We are committed to ensuring that testing is widely available to people who need them,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. “Through our collaborative work with community clinics and other healthcare providers we are working to meet the needs of the community and provide seamless care for patients.”

For the latest information on COVID-19 testing sites or to make an appointment, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.

6/5/2020

Public Safety Update: No Countywide Curfew Today

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June 4, 2020

LA County does not plan to issue a countywide curfew order tonight. South Pasadena residents and businesses are no longer under a curfew but we do want to remind people to wear face coverings in public and social distance.

LA County continues to support the right of residents to take part in peaceful demonstrations. We also remain committed to ensuring the safety and protection of life and property, in collaboration with countywide municipal and law enforcement partners, by responding nimbly to the changing landscape.

For those demonstrating, please:

Follow the guidance of your local city and law enforcement agency; and
Follow guidance from the Department of Public Health, including wearing cloth face coverings and observing safe physical distancing.

For more information, visit lacounty.gov/emergency.

To receive emergency notifications, sign up for Alert LA County.

6/4/2020