[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6221143,"mediaKeyId","3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683","parentId",3614735,"title","NREC revives plastics‑reduction ad hoc; commissioners volunteer for outreach to local businesses","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",1675000,"endMs",2036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683&start=1675&end=2036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683/thumbnail_1675000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221143/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/NREC-revives-plasticsreduction-ad-hoc-commissioners-volunteer-for-outreach-to-local-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221143-664a55305514403970e358efda567e5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200573&Signature=HuRnNA8VZyxBWNMFoRk4FEZwaMszJuMyFNrxUkEBaKCOy5IaTfxKuyUF0IBwBdcAPpq2K-efB4I6VgyWVyi-6XT6HpybyND424DBv5hjj68PH89YAtDbeXqYalLnMmdYrfaUPWohmYa2JxZruFrCOa4QEf97EQB9DIS6D9XxOfBccaXjXRegzL7E4c7-Bpo1SFK40rX68GrCxzdtteadmS5LmKJNSQm4fPy3vev8QNZpovWf8sADIwEzR6YuHP1zrav-iTOtKfQNkBQfT2b1F9BnNxb~~9ePKLMlflR5U4oPyHnY7L4Peqr75~q8l6UARymIuFL67PxGGC~jjI2G1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of South Pasadena, California","date","2025-05-28T19:43:17Z","article","Logan (presenter) told the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on May 27 that the plastics reduction ad hoc, formed to advance goals in the city’s Green Action Plan, is restarting after two commissioners’ terms expired and a winter storm delayed activity. The ad hoc will focus on outreach to businesses and programs to reduce single‑use plastics.

Logan said the ad hoc’s recent work included a survey of local businesses to gauge awareness of plastic‑use rules and practices, and that staff and commissioners plan occasional, volunteer meetings to pursue next steps. “It’s completely voluntary,” Logan said of committee participation.

Two commissioners volunteered during the meeting to join Commissioner Davila Bork on the ad hoc. Commissioners described the ad hoc as an informal working group that can meet independently and request staff time for coordination, business contacts or to share findings with the full commission.

A public commenter urged the ad hoc to coordinate with the city’s business community and the farmers market to reduce bag use, noting that other cities’ farmers markets use paper bags. The commenter recommended outreach specifically to market organizers and local merchants.

Staff said the survey and past findings are available to the new volunteers and that the ad hoc will return updates to the commission when it has proposals or findings to share.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natural Resources & Environmental Commission - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Logan (presenter) told the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on May 27 that the plastics reduction ad hoc, formed to advance goals in the city’s Green Action Plan, is restarting after two commissioners’ terms expired and a winter storm delayed activity.","taxTitle","South Pasadena City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221152,"South Pasadena to add three‑bin curbside recycling under SB 1383; Prop 218 hearing set for July 16",735,146000,881000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683&start=146&end=881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6221152/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-to-add-threebin-curbside-recycling-under-SB-1383-Prop-218-hearing-set-for-July-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221152-b2eee551769959006d10e05c2ee902af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200573&Signature=PBQ6bn8h8KD-U3BgtoBEYOCWb9TQxQxUYibGkrh7dRVlSAALqdBJkmurUJzp4FI90HFxf2cMisi2Bdw4-9NC3CHgBUd1PDwC-bUpI~wQCHULVjjUz4MUUX0kdSwBe57EHojkDJQnHDBdpeK7Vc6abcWWu4e1oRbGy06rwW82SQbZXPR3hH6Mgsg~aCoQMd7YMS8v6HAKnBPlFLUIFnh4DSNE8Usac1Hto67lq5XXlpCxglhP6oxqbGx9M5zZpKDlLuG1WFGliQFj1hnCQvwwmL3gdJSsK01Y7zgsU2TEmYzkMAnr783nxURkPJgjvZgLLwUROGdB5cNW4DVjXdHppg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natural Resources and Environmental Commission heard an update May 27 from Arpi Caspera, the city’s environmental services and sustainability manager, on implementing California Senate Bill 1383 and a recently approved amendment to the city’s contract with Athens Services that converts South Pasadena from a two‑stream to a three‑stream collection system and freezes scheduled rate increases until mid‑2027 pending a Proposition 218 hearing on July 16.

SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to provide organic collection and other programs, and it also requires jurisdictions operating a two‑stream system to send residual waste to a certified high‑diversion facility. Caspera told the commission that because only a small number of high‑diversion facilities are certified in California — most in Northern California — the city and its hauler agreed to add a distinct recyclables stream to comply with the law.

City staff said the amended Athens agreement took effect Jan. 1, 2025, and included a special rate adjustment that was already implemented. To add source‑separated recycling while limiting immediate cost pressure on ratepayers, the agreement includes a two‑year rate freeze: the normally scheduled July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026 increases will not take place and rates will remain at the Jan. 1, 2025 schedule. Caspera said the next scheduled increase will occur Jan. 1, 2027 and will be calculated using the “trash CPI plus 1%,” a waste‑industry CPI measure.

The amendment also changes contract terms: the rolling contract term was extended from seven to ten years and the city agreed not to issue a notice of intent to wind down the contract for five years. “We agreed that we would not issue a notice of intent to wind down for 5 years,” Caspera told the commission.

Implementation details presented by staff include new equipment and containers. Athens Services will procure roughly six additional vehicles dedicated to South Pasadena — one “mother” truck for source‑separated recyclables, one mini Class C rear loader and four manual pickup trucks — and the city will provide standardized containers for customers because SB 1383 prohibits customer‑provided containers. Single‑family households will receive a minimum of three city‑provided carts (one for trash, one for organics and one for recycling), with the standard 32‑gallon wheeled barrels delivered at no charge. Multifamily and commercial accounts with solid waste service will receive a 96‑gallon recycling cart serviced once per week at no additional cost; higher frequency or larger containers would incur additional rates in the posted schedule.

Caspera outlined a tentative implementation timeline: after the July 16 Prop 218 hearing (the final step for resisting or allowing the new rate structure and service changes), Athens will begin procurement of barrels and vehicles. Staff estimated 16–18 weeks for procurement and roughly 6–8 weeks for citywide container deployment. Caspera said outreach materials — mailed notices, postcards, social posts and an FAQ page — will be distributed before and after barrel deployment.

The contract amendment also changed bulky‑item service. Instead of four annual public ‘‘dumpster’’ collection days, the city will offer free curbside bulky‑item pickup to all customers once per quarter for up to five items at no charge; multifamily tenants would request bulky pickup through their property manager.

Caspera and commissioners fielded questions about how schedules will change (Caspera said collection days should remain the same but some manual trucks will visit addresses twice due to compartment limits), the meaning of the trash CPI, and the longer rolling term. Staff emphasized that the Prop 218 hearing is the last local step: if fewer than a majority of ratepayers file a successful protest the changes will proceed.

Next steps: city staff will mail Prop 218 hearing notices to ratepayers later in the week, host the public hearing July 16 and, if a majority protest is not received, Athens will begin procurement and staff will conduct waste assessments of multifamily and commercial accounts during the procurement period. Outreach and education will continue through rollout.","The Natural Resources and Environmental Commission heard an update May 27 from Arpi Caspera, the city’s environmental services and sustainability manager, on implementing California Senate Bill 1383 and a recently approved amendment to the city’s contract with Athens Services that converts South Pasadena from a two‑stream to a three‑stream collection system and freezes scheduled rate increases until mid‑2027 pending a Proposition 218 hearing on July 16.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221147,"Staff proposes rewrite of South Pasadena tree ordinance to streamline permits, focus on a 'protected' species list",3404,2087000,5491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683&start=2087&end=5491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614735-1d236929d6e2520ea299b1db8b96a683/thumbnail_2087000.jpg","/articles/6221147/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Staff-proposes-rewrite-of-South-Pasadena-tree-ordinance-to-streamline-permits-focus-on-a-protected-species-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221147-a81ecea309de6743f16a4a7f61a06eeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200573&Signature=KgjbIHRITQULB2DW2FjI7a7XdQRtkBU8CnGLb-Uo57Bno1o9Tn9lrEgq3NI1GBzB8jqwlWT2LTEehtWfCV2s4v52Pzn5hXfdpao6trPHsN21HQBM~tI~JKvJKDfpkxKNFd0sz6WvBWS~ys5wrBr~s2LsqeMWi5M3jD9X0B-bg~vibSEnWbazC8v6bODb2omdAjlQLjVA4PyiGCFdiKHD9rAZKa77NUFeaEo~lqZ3TnCUurYpqZ6z-tESMcMBk9ZHBpeDYeIbApAPSasi6vm5-lkI2S4Y1ND4IY1Z6yP6dpWOqADbTirlvBSiFQZnuUuYMOXB-wZONTIlgCxXU4tVmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Danielle Garcia, South Pasadena’s water conservation management analyst, presented a multi‑city review of tree ordinances and a set of staff recommendations to the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on May 27 aimed at clarifying permitting rules, reducing subjective criteria, and prioritizing a long‑term urban forest management plan.

“Currently, our code serves as a guidance rather than a requirement, which can leave residents quite confused in in how to properly maintain trees,” Garcia told the commission, and staff recommended several changes intended to improve clarity, streamline review and better protect native species.

Key recommendations presented by staff include: establishing a short list of “protected” tree species that would require permits; separating trimming/pruning permit criteria from removal criteria so routine maintenance is easier to authorize; removing the 15‑day public comment and routine NREC review for certain approved trimming and removal permits so the director can administratively approve applications; requiring a 100‑foot notification when a development‑related removal application is denied and the applicant appeals; extending the allowed time to complete replacement plantings from 90 days to one year; and lowering or otherwise adjusting replacement obligations (staff noted other cities use scaled replacement matrices tied to diameter or require native replacements).

Staff described fees and deposits that currently fund replacement work: inspection fees of $141, a tree removal permit fee (cited in the presentation), and a replacement deposit that staff said equals $424 per tree as the city’s contracted planting cost through West Coast Arborist. Garcia explained those fees pay for staff review, inspections and planting work for city‑funded replacements when applicants forfeit deposits.

Staff also proposed clearer, objective criteria for enforcement and for assessing when a tree is dead, diseased or an imminent hazard, and recommended developing a formal urban forest management plan with measurable benchmarks and species guidance for planting and resilience (including fire‑resistant species in high‑severity zones). The presentation compared South Pasadena’s current rules with neighboring cities (Alhambra, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Claremont, Glendale and San Marino) and noted varying approaches to mitigation, arborist reporting and replacement requirements.

Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about maintaining notification to neighbors and avoiding irreversible ministerial removals without public notice. Angelo Gladding, an in‑person commenter, said a healthy oak near his home was removed without sufficient notification and appealed council action after the fact, adding that ministerial removal had left neighbors unable to contest the decision. Another commenter, David Butler, urged retaining notification rules to prevent arbitrary removals and stressed the need for objective standards for defining imminent public‑safety threats.

Garcia said staff will continue stakeholder outreach, present the recommendations to the Public Safety and Public Works commissions, and bring the item to city council in July for direction. Staff aims to produce first and second readings of a draft ordinance in August–September and to implement a revised code in October.","Danielle Garcia, South Pasadena’s water conservation management analyst, presented a multi‑city review of tree ordinances and a set of staff recommendations to the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on May 27 aimed at clarifying permitting rules, reducing subjective criteria, and prioritizing a long‑term urban forest management plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NREC revives plastics‑reduction ad hoc; commissioners volunteer for outreach to local businesses

South Pasadena to add three‑bin curbside recycling under SB 1383; Prop 218 hearing set for July 16

Staff proposes rewrite of South Pasadena tree ordinance to streamline permits, focus on a 'protected' species list