Council and visiting chamber representatives marked National Chamber of Commerce Week during the Oct. 15 meeting, and the Pasadena Chamber used the public-comment period to request additional transparency on economic development projects and permitting.

Kicker Cardenas, chairman of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, outlined the chamber’s 2024 priorities and invited council and residents to chamber events including a Nov. 7 event and a Dec. 12 gala. Cardenas said the chamber’s priorities include member-success storytelling, workforce initiatives and government relations.

Kristina Womack, representing the chamber’s leadership, asked the council and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for a public workshop on the Pasadena Convention Center and Arena expansion and the related catalyst projects so chamber members and local businesses can learn how to navigate procurement and contracting opportunities. Womack also asked that the council schedule an update on the city’s digital-permitting implementation with Tyler Technologies at a future meeting; she noted the city has tracked the project since 2017 and that stakeholders want information on remaining steps and timing.

Mayor and council declared a National Chamber of Commerce Day in Pasadena and thanked the chamber for its partnership. The transcript does not record a formal council vote on the requested EDC workshop or an immediate staff response about the Tyler permitting update; Womack said she hoped the topic would be added to a future agenda so business stakeholders could be briefed.

The chamber comments emphasize workforce and local-business participation in city procurement and an interest in clearer, public timelines for major capital and permitting initiatives.