City Council Considers Changes to Measure H ‘Cleanup’ Charter – Pasadena Now

The City Council will consider an amendment to the historic Fair and Equitable Housing Charter amendment on Monday.

The potential Charter amendment would clarify the wording of the law.

The amendment would move text that makes violation of the provision punishable as an offense from a section on administrative sanctions to the section on criminal sanctions.

Second, the amendment removes the text that states that anyone who violates the article will be prosecuted and replaces it with “may” at the discretion of the city attorney’s office.

On June 17, the City Council considered proposed revisions to Article XVIII of the City Charter, originally enacted in December 2022. The amendments were presented by the interim director of the Rent Stabilization Department and an outside attorney to the council during a regular council meeting.

The council, in a unanimous decision, approved six amendments proposed by the Rental Housing Commission, as well as three additional proposals from city staff. Those recommendations, which are expected to be included on the Nov. 5 general municipal election ballot, include adjustments to the process for recalling commission members, which now requires a two-thirds majority vote.

However, the Council deferred action on changes suggested by Pasadena Housing Providers (PHP), as stated in a letter dated June 13.

The PHP’s recommendations to amend sanctions and enforcement mechanisms, among others, under Article XVIII were presented but have not been acted upon pending further deliberations by the Rental Housing Commission.

At its June 26 session, the Council considered the proposals, which attracted extensive public input but ultimately failed to garner majority support among Council members for immediate adoption.

Staff proposed an alternative approach to resolve the ambiguities and advocated for changes consistent with Pasadena’s municipal code on criminal prosecution practices.

The Council approved staff-recommended changes to clarify administrative and criminal penalties for violations of Article XVIII.

Pending final approval by the city council, these amendments could be included in the next municipal election.

All actions must be submitted by August 9 to the Los Angeles County Recorder/Clerk’s Office.