The South Pasadena City Council has scheduled a series of three back-to-back meetings for this Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a closed session on legal matters, followed by votes on city reappointments and funding, and concluding with a joint session regarding state housing legislation.
All meetings will take place in person at the Amedee O. “Dick” Richards Jr. Council Chambers at 1424 Mission Street.
5:30 PM: Closed Session
The evening commences with a Special Closed City Council Meeting. The Council will meet to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation. The agenda notes one potential case involving significant exposure to litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2).
Public comment for this session will be taken at the beginning of the meeting before the Council retreats into closed session. Any reportable action taken will be announced by the City Attorney during the subsequent open session.
6:00 PM: Special City Council Meeting
Following the closed session, the Council will convene a Special City Council Meeting to address administrative items.
Street Maintenance Funding The Council will consider a request from Mayor Pro Tem Omari Ferguson to allocate $4,000 from his District 1 Discretionary Fund to the City’s Street Maintenance Program. If approved, the funds would be transferred to the “Street Maintenance Program – Contract Services” account. The agenda states this expenditure must serve a valid public purpose and be used “exclusively to benefit the general public.”
Commission Reappointments
The Council is recommended to reappoint four residents to full terms on city commissions, ending December 31, 2028:
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Kristen Carlblom and Jeremy Ding to the Cultural Heritage Commission.
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James Martin to the Planning Commission.
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Deloris Piazza to the Public Art Commission.
6:01 PM: Joint Meeting on Housing Legislation
Immediately following the 6:00 p.m. session, the City Council will hold a Special Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission.
The primary agenda item is an overview and discussion of Senate Bill 79 (Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act). The City Council and Planning Commissioners—including Chair Lisa Padilla and Vice Chair Amitabh Barhakur—will receive a report on the legislation and provide direction to staff.
Meeting Agenda Overview
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Meeting 1: Special Closed Session (5:30 PM)
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Public Comment
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Conference with Legal Counsel: Anticipated Litigation (Significant Exposure, 1 case).
Meeting 2: Special City Council Meeting (6:00 PM)
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Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes per speaker for agendized items).
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Consideration of Reappointments:
• Kristen Carlblom (Cultural Heritage)
• Jeremy Ding (Cultural Heritage)
• James Martin (Planning Commission)
• Deloris Piazza (Public Art Commission) -
Consideration of Discretionary Fund Request:
• Approval of $4,000 allocation from Mayor Pro Tem Ferguson to support the Street Maintenance Program.
Meeting 3: Special Joint Meeting with Planning Commission (6:01 PM)
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Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes per speaker for agendized items).
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Overview and Discussion of Senate Bill 79:
• Presentation on the “Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act.”
• Council and Commission discussion and direction.
Public Participation
The City of South Pasadena encourages public participation. Meetings can be attended in person or viewed remotely.
• In-Person: Council Chambers, 1424 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
• Zoom: Meeting ID: 825 9999 2830.
• Phone: +1-669-900-6833 (Enter Meeting ID above).
• Live Stream: http://www.spectrumstream.com/streaming/south_pasadena/live.cfm
Written public comments must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting via email to [email protected].
