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Pasadena Commerce-July, 2019-the newsletter of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Here is the July, 2019, edition of Pasadena Commerce, the newsletter of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association.
Pasadena Commerce is published as a benefit to our members and is distributed electronically in two formats, one the pdf copies you can download here and the other as files embedded in an email you can read at your computer or download (if you prefer).
Thank you for your memebrship in the Pasadena Chamber.
No Pasadena Chamber After Hours Social and Mixer this month-see you at LA's Largest Mixer
Since LA's largest Mixer is being held onthe third Thursday in July, we have cancelled our July event.
We encourage everyone to attend LA's Largest mixer on July 18th at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Pasadena Chamber Board positions on pending legislation
The Pasadena Chamber Board of Directors often takes positions in support of (or oppostion to) legislation, initiatives and regulations that may impact Pasadena, our local economy or our members.
These items are first reviewed by our legislative and Government Affairs Committee who recommends positions to the Board. The Committee determines if the legislation could have an impact in Pasadena and, if so, often recommends positions to the Chamebr Board.
Recently, the Board took positions on these bills that are pending in Sacramento:
A. Oppose AB 1066 (Gonzalez; D-San Diego) Could significantly increase costs on employers engaged in a trade dispute by allowing employees on strike to receive unemployment benefits if the strike lasts more than two weeks, incentivizing strikes and transforming unemployment insurance into a political tool in trade disputes. CalChamber has identified AB 1066 (Gonzalez) as a Job Killer because it will expose employers to a significant cost increase
during a time in which they are already struggling with the financial impact of labor negotiations and a strike, thereby jeopardizing the employers’ ability to maintain existing jobs and wages as well as the increased wages and benefits demanded by the union.
B. Oppose SB 37 (Skinner; D-Berkeley) Proposes one of the steepest corporate tax increases ever contemplated in California. The bill requires that for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, the rate for corporations with net income of $10 million or more be revised to instead impose a tax rate from 10.84% to 14.84%, or for financial institutions, from 12.84% to 16.84%, based on the compensation ratio of CEOs to employees of the corporation. This measure would bring the top tax rate for some companies to 22.26%, about 150% higher than today’s rate. The bill goes beyond what was contemplated in last year’s SB 1398 (Skinner), also tagged a Job Killer, which failed to pass out of the Senate policy committee. CalChamber has identified SB 37 (Skinner) as a Job Killer because the measure
will result in companies offsetting the costs of these steep tax increases by reducing their presence (and taxable exposure) in California.
C. Oppose SB 320 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) Exposes businesses to costly litigation for a consumer’s assertion that any price difference on “substantially similar” goods, even a nominal amount, is based on gender and therefore the consumer is entitled to a minimum of $4,000. CalChamber has identified SB 320 (Jackson) as a Job Killer because of the private right of action with an automatic $4,000 for any violation. Although a business may very well be able to prove the price charged for a particular product was based on a gender-neutral reason, the cost of litigation to prove that defense would be significant.
D. Support SB 329 (Portantino) Modifies the minimum franchise tax on small businesses and creates a tax structure to encourage entrepreneurship in California. It is an attempt to help small businesses succeed and encourage investment growth while also respecting protections with LLCs (Limited Liability Corporations). The bill creates a fee structure based on a small businesses annual gross receipt to replace the flat $800 flat minimum tax mandate. This will help foster growth of small businesses and encourages entrepreneurship by reducing costs for
many small businesses.
E. Support SB 659 (Borgeas; R-Fresno) will minimize frivolous litigation that blocks infill housing projects. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is used sometimes by special interest and community groups to delay, scale back or halt projects for reasons unrelated to the environment. SB 659 acknowledges the urgency of timely housing construction and seeks to discourage frivolous CEQA litigation filed to block or slow critically needed infill housing projects by awarding reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party. By discouraging frivolous CEQA litigation, SB 659 will expedite construction for infill housing projects, reduce costs associated with CEQA litigation, and create more jobs.
F. Support SB 621 (Glazer), EXPEDITING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS which would expedite CEQA judicial review for affordable housing projects to 270 days. Places a time certain on judicial decisions related to CEQA litigation.
G. Support SB 744 (Caballero), CEQA EXEMPTIONS FOR STATE FUNDED HOMELESS HOUSING PROJECTS which would enable CEQA exemptions and expedite 270-day judicial review for Proposition 2 funded housing projects.
H. Support AB 782 (Berman) LAND CONSERVATION ACQUISTIONS which would enable CEQA exemptions for public agencies to acquire land for conservation purposes.
I. Oppose AB 857 (Chiu/Santiago), MUNICIPAL BANKS which would authorize local agencies to create and operate publicly owned banks. Municipalities can’t fill potholes, they are going to successfully run a complex financial institution?
J. OPPOSE AB 51 (Gonzalez) - Would ban Settlement Agreements and Arbitration Agreements. Significantly expands employment litigation and increases costs for employers and employees by banning settlement agreements for labor and employment claims. Bans arbitration agreements made as a condition of employment, which is likely preempted under the Federal Arbitration Act and will only delay the resolution of claims. Banning such agreements benefits the trial attorneys, not the employer or employee.
K. SUPPORT AB 474 (Reyes). - Would create the Loan Loss Reserve Account in the California Small Business Expansion Fund to be under the administrative and management control of the California Small Business Finance Center within the bank, and would continuously appropriate all moneys deposited into the account to the center for purposes of the Small Business Financial Assistance Act of 2013, to assist small business with compliance with environmental regulations.
L. SUPPORT SB 150 which calls for changes to the Chafee Education and Training Voucher (Chafee ETV), available to help students who have been placed in the foster care system afford college. The bill would improve the administration of the grant program and remove obstacles for foster youth, including rigid academic benchmarks that often lead to foster youth losing their grant aid;
M. SUPORT SB 4, Enabling Inclusive Workforce and Affordable Housing (McGuire & Beall), which focuses on strategic infill developments to build workforce affordable housing throughout the state;
N. SUPPORT SB 25 (Caballero) which would expedite CEQA lawsuits and reduce the environmental process for projects funded by opportunity zones;
O. SUPPORT AB 71 (Melendez) Would change the recent CA Supreme Court decision on contractors from the courts ABC test back to the original Borello nine (9) point test.
P. OPPOSE AB 5 (Gonzalez) Codifies into state law the Dynamex decision (the new independent contractor law) and “clarifies” its application.
Pasadena Police Department monthly community report for June, 2019
PASADENA POLICE
Community Brief – June 2019
This information provides a greater awareness to the Pasadena community. The critical events detailed below are merely a snapshot of the one-thousand calls received to the Police Communications Center every day. As your police department moves forward under new leadership, the principles of the “Pasadena Way” possess greater significance no matter what assignment, function, or mission an employee serves in the organization as we continue to police with compassion and best intentions.
June 2, 2019, 2:47 p.m., Officers were dispatched to Arlington St. & Pasadena Ave. regarding a male adult acting erratically. The reporting party stated that the suspect was seated in a parked vehicle but began ramming the cars in front and behind him. The police helicopter was the first unit on scene and watched as the suspect began throwing items into the street, while attempting to light things on fire. When the first ground unit arrived on scene, the suspect disobeyed all commands and would not cooperate. The suspect drove off in his vehicle and was followed by the helicopter. The suspect drove northbound, on the 710 southbound off ramp (wrong way). The suspect was able to crossover to the northbound side of the freeway, but lost control of his vehicle and crashed after hitting 2 vehicles. After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody. After being handcuffed and placed into the back of a police vehicle, the suspect ripped his hand out of a handcuff. He then tried climbing into the front seat of the police vehicle. Officers struggled with the suspect and was he was ultimately controlled by a Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser). The suspect was charged with assaulting a peace officer and is awaiting trial.
June 4, 2019, 7:53 p.m., PPD received multiple calls of shots fired in the area of Kirkwood Ave. and Hammond St. Arriving officers located a vehicle crashed into the curb in front of a home in the 100 block of West Hammond St. Physical evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle had been struck by gunfire after a gun battle. A search of the area for victims or suspects was completed however none were located.
June 5, 2019, 2:32 p.m., Four suspects walked into a grocery store in the 600 block of Fair Oaks Ave. and began to assault an employee as he worked. The victim fell to the ground and the suspects continued to kick him as he was on the ground. As the suspects walked away, one suspect picked up a glass bottle and threw it at the victim. The suspects fled the location on foot. Assisting Officers monitored the crime broadcast and located 2 suspects fleeing the scene. They were detained and positively identified as two of the suspects involved in the assault. The suspects were booked for assault with a deadly weapon and the investigation is on-going.
June 5, 2019, 5:44p.m., Two male adults were in a parking lot in the 1500 block of N. Fair Oaks Ave. when an unknown male walked up and pointed a handgun at them. Fearing for their safety, victim #1 surrendered his cell phone to the suspect while victim #2 surrendered his backpack. Both victims quickly walked away and when they looked back, the suspect and their belongings were gone. The investigation is on-going.
June 9, 2019, 3:47 p.m., PPD Officers responded to the area of Craig Ave. & Colorado Blvd. regarding a stabbing. When officers arrived, there were numerous male and female gang members in and around the area. All parties were uncooperative, including a female adult who had a minor puncture wound on her upper left arm and a small cut on her upper back. No one provided any information regarding the incident or the suspect(s).
June 11, 2019, 5:02 a.m., Officers contacted two male adults for a second time during the night, in the 3800 block of Foothill Blvd., near a retail business. During the first contact, the subjects claimed they had car trouble and eventually left the area. Upon seeing the same vehicle and subjects back in the same area, officers attempted to investigate the reason for their presence but they refused to comply with commands. There was a heavy odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Additional officers were called to the scene and the subjects were detained. A bag containing over $4,600 in cash was located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a loaded .25 auto handgun was found in the trunk. The passenger was on parole and the driver had suffered multiple felony convictions in the past. Both suspects were arrested for criminal firearms possession.
June 13, 2019, 6:41 a.m., Officers responded to the intersection of El Molino Ave. and Villa St. regarding a collision which involved two vehicles. Vehicle #1 was travelling east on Villa St. while vehicle #2 was travelling south on El Molino. The vehicles collided when vehicle #1 was unable to stop for the red light. The driver of vehicle #1 succumbed from his injuries and the passenger of vehicle #1 was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger of vehicle #2 sustained minor injuries but were not transported for treatment. The PPD Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision.
June 18, 2019, 8:55 p.m., Officers conducted surveillance at a motel in the 2000 block of east Colorado Blvd., looking for a wanted parolee. The parolee was seen entering a vehicle being driven by a female. Officers conducted a traffic stop and were able to take the parolee into custody without incident. A replica firearm was located in the car. Officers then conducted a search of the parolee's hotel room and located evidence of identity theft such as credit cards, numerous identification and stolen electronics. Both the parolee and female driver were arrested for the crime.
June 19, 2019, 7:09 p.m., PPD received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked in the 1400 block of Iowa St., believing narcotic sales were occurring. When officers arrived they observed a Lexus parked at the location. Two occupants were inside the vehicle, seated in the front passenger seat and the right rear seat. Neither of them claimed the car was theirs and said they didn't know who it belonged to. During a search of the vehicle, a semi auto handgun was found on the floor board of the back seat along with a magazine and six live rounds. The subject sitting in the rear seat was arrested for the firearm and it was ultimately determined that the car was registered to him as well.
June 20, 2019, 11:58 p.m., Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on vehicle in the area of Fair Oaks Ave. & Orange Grove Blvd. The driver failed to yield and a slow speed pursuit ensued for approximately 20 minutes. The pursuit concluded in the City of Los Angeles as the driver attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended almost immediately without incident. The driver was arrested for felony evading and driving under the influence of drugs. There were no collisions and/or injuries.
June 21, 2019, 10:13 p.m., Officers attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 200 block of south Grand Ave. The drover drove a short distance and pulled into his driveway. When officers asked for his driver’s license, the suspect became outraged, belligerent and refused to follow the officer’s orders. The suspect exited his car and began fighting with the officers. At one point, the suspect choked the officer with an arm bar to the point he had trouble breathing. The officer was able to deploy his Taser at the suspect, and the suspect was taken into custody. The officer was taken to a local hospital, where he was examined and treated for an injury to his neck. The suspect was arrested for assaulting a police officer.
June 23, 2019, 10:00 p.m., A male and female had been dating for 2 years. While outside a residence at Marengo Ave. & Montana St, the male pointed a firearm at the victim and told her to get away from his house. The victim left in a vehicle and stopped at Montana St. and Summit Ave. after calling the police. The suspect approached the victim on foot while she sat in her vehicle and again pointed a firearm at her and a passenger. The victim drove north on Summit Ave. and flagged down a passing Sheriff’s Deputy. Altadena Sheriffs arrived at the residence and notified PPD about the assault. Officers responded and traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that was seen leaving the suspect’s residence. The suspect was in the vehicle and detained. The location of occurrence was searched after obtaining a search warrant but only ammunition was recovered from inside. The suspect was arrested for domestic violence.
June 26, 2019, 8:19 p.m., Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Raymond Ave. & Mountain St.. Upon contacting the driver, he failed to identify himself. Officers removed him from the vehicle and discovered a concealed knife. Upon being taken into custody for the illegal knife, he struck an officer in the head with his elbow, and a struggle ensued causing injury to the other Officers hand. He was arrested for assaulting a police officer and identified during the booking process.
June 27, 2019, 3:41 p.m., Four male adults and one female adult were driving south on Oakland Ave. from Villa St. They stopped their vehicle and began arguing with a male and female adult who were standing adjacent to their vehicles. The suspects drove away, but returned a short time later. The suspects exited their vehicle and challenged the victims to fight. One of the suspects was armed with a knife. The other suspects began breaking the windows of the victim’s vehicles while the victims ran from the location. As the suspects re-entered their vehicle and fled the area, the police helicopter spotted them and directed ground units to conduct a traffic stop. The suspects were detained and later arrested for an assault with a deadly weapon.