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pasadenaindependent.com
Thursday, December 15, 2016 - December 21, 2016
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COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 20, NO. 50
Council Members Question City’s Ability to Do Business Locally Final Meeting of the Year Begins With Debate, Concludes With Unity Over Robinson Park Project
BY GUS HERRERA
T
he Pasadena City Council’s final regular meeting of 2016 began with spirited debate, which once again concerned the city’s ability (or inability) to do business with local vendors, but concluded with a united sense of enthusiasm over the newlyapproved and long-awaited Robinson Park renovation project. As has been a common theme in recent past, a handful of items from the evening’s consent calendar, specifically related to contract awards, were pulled for further discussion. Whereas this defense of local businesses is usually championed by Council Member Tyron Hampton, this time Council Member John Kennedy also voiced his concerns. Firstly, Kennedy took
issue with Item 1, which approved the purchase of seven heavy duty trucks from the Covina-based business Reynolds Buick Inc. Out of all the companies who bid for the contract, the only Pasadena-based entity was “nonresponsive,” according to city staff’s report. “The reason I pull this is an ongoing story. I’m trying to figure out if the council is doing all that it can, from a public policy perspective, to assist our local businesses to have a real opportunity to do business with the City of Pasadena,” said Kennedy. City Manager Steve Mermell defended the city’s bid process, which is councilapproved under the Pasadena Municipal Code. Furthermore, he revealed that, although miniscule, the city does award a preference for micro-businesses and local businesses under the current system. Mermell also warned
The Robinson Park renovation project, which has been in the city’s books for over a decade, passed “unanimously and with glee,” according to Mayor Tornek. – Photo by Terry Miller
against the potential consequences of overly-favoring local businesses, claiming that, in response, neighboring cities can erect barriers against Pasadena businesses. Council Member Victor Gordo also defended the city’s current process, “the low-bid process is to protect the city. Dealerships in town are able to compete openly with everyone else. I’m not seeing what the issue is.” Similar to Mermell, Gordo also cited the potential drawbacks of tinkering with the process, “I’m leery of treating the local economy as if it wasn’t part of a regional economy … if the City of Los Angeles were to start doing the same thing and preventing our local businesses, like Parsons and others … ultimately it’s the city that pays.” Kennedy was not satisfied, “tinkering is what we do, that’s why people elect SEE PAGE 13
Operation Polar Wind Brings Joy to Young Patients at Huntington Hospital Santa arrives via helicopter Wednesday The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section and the Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) conducted their 11th annual Christmas Toy Drive at the Pediatrics Ward of Huntington Memorial Hospital. Pasadena Police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez, escorted Santa Claus and his flight
suit clad “elves” as they arrived bearing gifts and holiday cheer in their own special rotor-equipped sleigh. After visiting the hospital, the flight crews conducted a ground based mission where children impacted by domestic violence visited the North Pole (Police He-
liport). This event was held in conjunction with Peace Over Violence. Peace Over Violence is an organization committed to serving domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in our community. “We are so apSEE PAGE 13
The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section and the Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) pose with Santa. - Photo by Terry Miller