Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 2.05 City Council

This chapter shall be known as the "City Council's organization ordinance."

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

All powers of the city shall be vested in the city council subject to the provisions of the Charter and to the Constitution of the state. The city council is empowered to carry into effect the provisions of the Charter, to execute the powers vested in the city, and to perform all duties and obligations imposed upon the city by state law.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

There shall be a mayor and vice mayor of the city council elected as provided in Section 406 of the Charter.

(Ord. 6820 § 42, 2000: Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council and shall act as chief executive of the city in performing all acts required to be performed by the chief executive of the city under the terms of general laws of the state. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the Governor of the state for military purposes.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The vice mayor, in the absence of the mayor or his inability to act, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the mayor.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The city council shall hold regular meetings each Monday at the hour of 5:00 p.m. in Room S249 of the City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, in the city of Pasadena, unless otherwise canceled by the city clerk in consultation with the mayor and the city manager. When any Monday falls on a legal holiday, the regular meeting shall be canceled.

(Ord. No. 7432, § 1, 9-9-2024; Ord. 7097 § 1, 2007: Ord. 6979 § 1, 2004: Ord. 6583 § 1, 1994: Ord. 6490 § 1, 1992; Ord. 6323 § 1, 1989; Ord. 6300 §§ 1, 3, 1988; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

Special meetings may be held on any day upon call and notice in accordance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

Any regular or special meeting may be adjourned from time to time and to any day, and at such adjourned meeting any proceedings or business may be had or done which could be had or done at the original meeting, unless inconsistent with the posting requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act. The motion to adjourn shall specify the time and place where such adjourned meeting shall convene.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. All regular, special and adjourned meetings of the city council shall be open to the public except as provided by law.

B. No member of the council, employee of the city or any other person present during a closed session of the city council shall disclose to any person the content or substance of any discussion which took place during the closed session unless the council shall authorize the disclosure of such information by such person by majority vote.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

Pursuant to the power granted to the city council by Section 504 of the Charter of the city, the following procedure is established to compel the attendance before it of witnesses and the production of papers in any matter under investigation or proceeding pending before the council:

A. The city council of the city shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and other evidence at any of its meetings and for that purpose may issue subpoenas or attachments in any investigation or proceeding pending before it. Such subpoenas or attachments shall be signed by its mayor or vice mayor, as the case may be, attested to and imprinted with the seal of the city by the city clerk and served and executed by any officer or person authorized by law to serve subpoenas and other processes.

B. The form of subpoena or attachment issued by the mayor or vice mayor to compel attendance of witnesses before any meeting of the city council or the production of books, papers and other evidence shall be similar in form to that used in civil cases pending in the Superior Court of the state, in and for the county of Los Angeles.

C. Any person compelled by a city council subpoena to attend any meeting of the city council and there testify in any matter of inquiry or investigation pending before it, shall receive the same fees as a witness in a civil case in said Superior Court.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The city attorney, city clerk, city manager and the city prosecutor shall be appointed and may be removed by the city council at its pleasure. Such officers shall be responsible to and perform their duties under the direction of the council. The appointment or removal of the city manager is subject to the provisions of the Charter.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The standards of conduct expected at proceedings of the city council are as follows:

1. To understand fully the role and scope of responsibility of the city council;

2. To perform responsibilities in a manner that is efficient, courteous, responsive and impartial, providing fair and uniform treatment of all persons and actions coming before the city council;

3. To seek, in making decisions, the overall public good;

4. To ensure equal treatment of all persons and issues without unlawful discrimination because of race, age, religious creed, sex, national origin, or political affiliation;

5. To establish effective, courteous and cooperative working relations with fellow members of the council, the city staff, members of advisory bodies, and the public;

6. To serve as a communicator between the community and the city, and to facilitate the expression of citizen views;

7. To avoid participation in any official decision which could materially affect the member's personal financial interest, and to disclose possible conflicts of interest and refrain from voting or attempting to influence the vote on any such matter;

8. To avoid any action which could be construed by an objective person to create the appearance of:

a. Giving preferential treatment to any person or group,

b. Impeding governmental responsiveness or efficiency;

9. To observe such further rules for the conduct of its proceedings as the city council shall adopt by resolution.

B. Violations of the standards of conduct set forth in subsection A of this section shall be enforced as follows:

1. For a violation that results in the passing of a motion to censure, non-Charter or nonstatutory benefits which accrue to said member's office, as are specified in the motion to censure, shall be withheld from the offending member for a period of one year;

2. For any second or subsequent violation that results in the passing of a motion to censure, non-Charter or nonstatutory benefits which accrue to said member's office, as are specified in the motion to censure, shall be withheld from the offending member for the balance of the member's term.

C. For purposes of this section, "motion to censure" means a motion of the city council to condemn one of its members for repeated violations of one or more of the standards of conduct set forth in subsection A of this section, which motion shall specify which of the non-Charter and nonstatutory benefits which accrue to the member's office are to be withheld. A motion of censure shall not be in order to:

1. Inhibit or punish a member for the courteous expression of his or her opinions upon issues affecting the city or its citizens; or

2. Inhibit or punish a member for his or her courteous expression of points of view not shared by a majority of the city council.

D. The city council shall, by resolution, adopt such further rules, as are necessary, for the conduct of its proceedings.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6503 § 1, 1992: Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The police chief may be ex officio sergeant-at-arms of the city council. He/she shall carry out all orders and instructions given him/her by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum in the meeting room of the city council. Any person who persistently interrupts the proceedings of the council, or refuses to keep quiet or take his seat when ordered to do so by the presiding officer, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon instructions of the presiding officer, it shall be the duty of any peace officer present to place such person under arrest and cause him/her to be prosecuted under the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

After each meeting of the city council, the city clerk shall furnish to each member thereof the minutes of the meeting. The minutes shall be prepared in as concise a format as possible to reflect the actions of the council. The minutes may be approved without reading at any subsequent meeting upon common consent or motion adopted by the council. All minutes shall be authenticated by the signature of the presiding officer and attested by the city clerk.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The mayor or a member of the city council of the city may select one full-time or one three-quarters time or two part-time city council district liaisons as he/she deems necessary to assist in carrying out the duties of his/her office.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987; Ord. No. 7269, § 1, 10-19-2015)

A. There is created a standing committee of the city council known as the council finance committee. The finance committee shall:

1. Review fiscal matters, as well as other related matters which the committee chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review;

2. Perform the functions of an audit committee (with respect to independent audits and internal audits relating to all city agencies and operations) as recognized by prevailing auditing practices; and

3. Be responsible for liaison with citizen advisory bodies which deal with fiscal matters.

B. The finance committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The finance committee shall, at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter, establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. At least three (3) times each year, the committee shall convene as an audit committee. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The finance committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7459, § 1, 11-3-2025; Ord. No. 7452, § 1, 7-21-2025; Ord. 6870, § 2, 2001; Ord. 6820, § 45, 2000; Ord. 6792, § 1, 1999; Ord. 6737, § 1, 1997; Ord. 6229, § 2, 1987)

A. There is created a standing committee of the city council known as the council economic development and technology committee. The committee shall:

1. Review matters which relate to economic development within the city, the various enterprise and entrepreneurial activities of the city, and technology and telecommunication proposals for city operations and for other operations in the community, as well as other related matters which the committee chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review.

2. Be a liaison with citizen advisory bodies which deal with such economic development matters, and enterprise or entrepreneurial activities.

B. The economic development and technology committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The economic development and technology committee shall, at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter, establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The economic development and technology committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7462, § 1, 12-15-2025; Ord. No. 7459, § 2, 11-3-2025; Ord. No. 7452, § 2, 7-21-2025; Ord. 7130, § 1, 2008; Ord. 6870, § 3, 2001; Ord. 6820, § 45, 2000; Ord. 6792, § 2, 1999; Ord. 6737, § 2, 1997; Ord. 6590, § 2, 1994; Ord. 6454, § 1, 1991; Ord. 6229, § 2, 1987)

A. There is created a standing committee of the city council known as the council legislative policy committee. The committee shall:

1. Review legislation and administrative rulings pending before local, state and federal legislative bodies on issues which affect the city, review grants to fund new services and projects not currently provided by the city, not previously approved by the city council, or that commit new city resources, and review priorities for state and federal funding, as well as other related matters which the committee chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review.

2. Make recommendations to the city council regarding such matters, setting forth arguments both in support and in opposition, and monitor the progress of funding and grant requests.

3. Follow-up on those legislative matters if the city has taken a position, including how city's elected or appointed representatives voted in response to city's position.

B. The legislative policy committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The legislative policy committee shall establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The legislative policy committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7459, § 3, 11-3-2025; Ord. No. 7452, § 3, 7-21-2025; Ord. 6870, § 4, 2001; Ord. 6820, § 45, 2000; Ord. 6792, § 3, 1999; Ord. 6737, § 3, 1997; Ord. 6229, § 2, 1987)

A. There is created a standing committee of the city council known as the council public safety committee. The public safety committee shall review matters relating to public safety, including police and fire services and crime prevention programs, as well as other related matters which the committee, chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review.

B. The public safety committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The public safety committee shall, at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter, establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The public safety committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7459, § 4, 11-3-2025; Ord. No. 7452, § 4, 7-21-2025; Ord. 6870, § 4, 2001; Ord. 6792, § 4, 1999; Ord. 6737, § 4, 1997; Ord. 6590, § 1, 1994)

A. There is created s standing committee of the city council known as the council municipal services committee. The municipal services committee shall review electric, water and sanitation services offered by the city, as well as other related matters which the committee chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review.

B. The municipal services committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The municipal services committee shall, at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter, establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The municipal services committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7459, § 5, 11-3-2025; Ord. No. 7452, § 5, 7-21-2025; Ord. 7143, § 1, 2008)

A. There is created a standing committee of the city council known as the council housing, homelessness, and planning committee. The housing, homelessness, and planning committee shall:

1. Review matters which relate to housing and homelessness, land use and transportation planning issues, as well as other related matters which the committee chair, city council or city council appointees determine are within the scope of the committee's review;

2. Be a liaison with citizen advisory bodies which deal with housing, homelessness, and planning issues, including the Planning, Human Services, and Transportation Advisory Commissions.

B. The housing, homelessness, and planning committee shall be composed of up to four (4) members of the city council appointed by the mayor. If four (4) members are appointed, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. If three (3) members are appointed, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the committee shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members.

C. The housing, homelessness, and planning committee shall, at its first meeting and from time to time thereafter, establish a regular meeting schedule, including time and place, and may hold such other meetings as it deems necessary or advisable. All of its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act or applicable successor statutes.

D. The housing, homelessness, and planning committee shall have minutes maintained of its meetings. The minutes shall be distributed to the city council.

(Ord. No. 7462, § 2, 12-15-2025)

A. Commencing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section the stipend paid to members of the city council shall be $1,000 per calendar month. The monthly stipend paid to the mayor shall be $1,500 per calendar month. The compensation specified in this section shall not be reduced for non-attendance at meetings of the city council, but this provision shall not be construed to prohibit the city council from imposing sanctions upon any member thereof for non-attendance as provided in the City Charter. Except for the health and welfare benefits and allowances provided in this code, the stipend specified in this section shall be the exclusive compensation payable to the mayor and members of the city council by the city of Pasadena or by any agencies and instrumentalities of the city of Pasadena; however, nothing herein shall be construed to limit the amount of compensation payable to the mayor or members of the city council for services provided to other public agencies which are not instrumentalities of the city of Pasadena under the rules and regulations of those agencies.

B. Beginning on July 1, 2000 and until the city council shall empanel a committee on city councilmembers' compensation as provided in Section 405 of the City Charter, the stipend established in this section shall increase annually on each July 1st by the same percentage as the increase for the 12-month period beginning December 1st and ending November 30th in the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside area (CPI). However, no annual increase in the stipend of the mayor or the members of the city council shall exceed 5 percent for any fiscal year regardless of any higher increase in the CPI. Should the CPI decrease in the applicable 12-month period, the stipend shall remain unchanged.

C. Section 2.10.050 of the Pasadena Municipal Code relating to compensation of members of the community development commission is repealed.

(Ord. 6783 § 1, 1999)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 7226, § 1, adopted Nov. 19, 2012, suspended implementation of the scheduled July 1, 2012 consumer price increase to the stipends of the mayor and members of the city council set forth in section 2.05.210B of the Pasadena Municipal Code until Dec. 31, 2012.

A. The mayor and members of the city council shall be eligible for the following benefits and allowances:

1. The mayor and each member of the city council shall be eligible to participate in the city's health and welfare benefits, as defined in Government Code Section 53200(d), on the same terms and under the same provisions as apply to executive management employees of the city, except that the mayor and councilmembers are not eligible for car allowances or personal development allowance.

2. The mayor and each member of the city council shall be allowed a one-time reimbursement of up to $5,000.00 for the purchase of computer equipment for the councilmember.

3. Each member of the city council shall be eligible for a monthly general expense reimbursement allowance of up to $300.00 for the general expenses of office including child care expenses; a monthly telecommunications expense reimbursement allowance of up to $150.00 for telecommunications and internet related expenses and a one time allowance of up to $300.00 for the purchase of cellular telephone equipment.

4. The mayor shall be eligible for a monthly general expense reimbursement allowance of up to $500.00 for the general expenses of office including child care expenses, a monthly telecommunications expense reimbursement allowance of up to $300.00 for telecommunications and internet related expenses and a one time allowance of up to $300.00 for the purchase of cellular telephone equipment.

5. In addition, a member of the council may incur office expenses to perform his/her duties and be reimbursed therefor in a total amount per calendar month as established by the council, by resolution. Request for reimbursement for such expenses incurred by a member of the city council shall be submitted upon voucher forms provided by the director of finance and shall be processed for payment on a semimonthly, monthly or quarterly basis at the election of the council member.

(Ord. 6784 § 1, 1999; Ord. No. 7269, § 2, 10-19-2015)