Welcome to October. After several months of event cancellations and facility closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, I am pleased to let you know that the City of Pasadena is beginning to safely schedule Fall events. Please keep in mind, all of these events will be modified to reflect the safety guidelines set forth by our City Health Department and state, county and federal medical authorities.

We are also working with our Pasadena Economic Development Corporation and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce to award grants to local small businesses. This is all part of the #PasadenaLovesLocal campaign, an economic initiative that focuses on the hard-working local business owners who help keep our city strong.

I am happy to report that you will see a decrease in property tax rates for 2020. Our proposed 6.43% cut was unanimously approved in a final reading at the October 20 Council Meeting. Finally, I am also pleased to announce that our Water Department is now accepting online payments. 

Pasadena Volunteer Firefighters from Station 8 have a new home! A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for this long-awaited facility. The Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department is the largest single municipality volunteer department in the country.

In a recent Pasadena City Council workshop, the City of Pasadena Parks & Recreation Department unveiled future plans for Pasadena parks. In attendance were: Mayor Jeff Wagner, Councilman Don Harrison, Councilman Phil Cayten, Councilman Cary Bass and Councilman Thomas Schoenbein.

These plans are a direct result of your input, and thanks to the generous support of: Houston Parks Board, Houston Endowment, Asakura Robinson, Pasadena Vibrant Community and Land + Water Connections Consulting. For details and upgrade proposals, visit www.pasadenahealthyparks.com 

Local businesses are getting much needed help in the form of small business grants through the Pasadena Cares Financial Assistance Grant Program. This effort is in response to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 1 grants will be awarded next month. The Phase 2 application process runs through November 20. Click here for more information. 

The 2020 Pasadena Chamber of Commerce IMPACT class recently visited City Hall for a tour and met with various department heads and had a lengthy Q & A with Mayor Wagner. IMPACT Pasadena is a transformative professional leadership experience for Pasadena's business and community leaders. 

The 2020 Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Taste of the Town is going “old school” this year with a nod to the 1950’s Drive-In! The team has worked hard to devise an event that will assure a fun and safe night for everyone. Click here for tickets.

City council unanimously voted to adopt lower property tax rate for 2020 to $0.533677/$100 valuation. This is a 6.43% drop from 2019.

City council unanimously voted to rename several streets in honor of four fallen Pasadena Police officers: Arthur Dowdy, Les Early, Jesse Hamilton and Larry Candelari. An official dedication will be held during the City’s annual Police Week Ceremony scheduled for May 2021.