As part of Monday’s consent calendar, the City Council approved six major concerts at the Rose Bowl stadium in April or May, 2027 under a proposed licensing agreement with concert promoter Live Nation.
The RBOC approved the proposal Feb. 5. The board also authorized its chief executive officer to negotiate and execute the license agreement and previously approved displacement findings for four of the six concerts.
The shows will be the 22nd through 27th displacement events of the fiscal year running July 1 through June 30, 2027. Existing scheduled displacement events include UCLA football games, the Rose Bowl Game and Goldenvoice festival dates, along with other concerts.
Under the Arroyo Seco Public Lands Ordinance, displacement events — which limit public recreational access to the area — are capped at 25 per fiscal year unless the City Council makes specific findings to allow additional events.
Rose Bowl officials said the concerts will provide both reputational and financial benefits.
Each concert is projected to generate more than $500,000 in direct revenue for the operating company, with additional economic benefits expected from visitor spending, hotel stays and sales tax receipts flowing to the city and local businesses.
Revenue from the concerts would support the Rose Bowl’s operating budget and help fund capital projects, according to the report.
Here are the remaining items that passed on Monday’s consent calendar.
- New Job Classifications, Salary Updates
A resolution establishing three new job classifications and updating salaries for 11 existing city positions as part of a broader effort to keep compensation competitive and aligned with changing operational needs.
The proposal, outlined in an agenda report from the Human Resources Department, affects positions represented by the Pasadena Management Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and non-represented management. City officials said periodic reviews are necessary as job duties evolve and labor market conditions shift.
Three new classifications will be created.
The Department of Water and Power requested creation of a Water Resources and Planning Manager, a non-represented management position responsible for overseeing water supply planning, demand and supply forecasting, conservation programs, regional groundwater initiatives and imported water purchases. The position will carry a salary control rate of $219,656.
The Planning Department requested two mid-level positions: Plans Examiner II and Building Inspector II. Plans Examiner II will review residential, multi-family and mixed-use commercial plans for compliance with building codes, while Building Inspector II will inspect construction sites, investigate violations and prepare enforcement reports. Proposed compensation is $133,194 annually for Plans Examiner II and $50.8616 per hour for Building Inspector II.
The vote also included salary updates for several existing classifications following compensation reviews conducted under labor agreements and departmental requests. These include Executive Assistant and Senior Executive Assistant positions, Water Operations Manager, multiple Plans Examiner classifications and Building Inspector supervisory roles.
Human Resources officials said recommended salary adjustments were based on labor market comparisons, internal pay alignment and each department’s ability to absorb costs within existing operating budgets. The changes are intended to support recruitment and retention and establish consistent differentials within job series. No additional full-time positions would be added.
The Pasadena Management Association expressed support for the creation of the Plans Examiner II position and the proposed salary adjustments, according to the report.
The changes will result in a fiscal impact of up to $95,031 in the current fiscal year and up to $274,535 in fiscal year 2027. About 69% of the cost would affect the General Fund, with the remainder spread across several dedicated funds. City staff said the costs will be absorbed within existing budgets.
- Final Map for Lake Avenue Condominium Project
The City Council approved a final tract map for a condominium development at 1645 North Lake Ave., a step that would formalize subdivision details for a project already under construction.
An agenda report from the Department of Public Works recommends adoption of a resolution approving Final Tract Map No. 084064, allowing the creation of six air parcels for residential condominiums and one air parcel for commercial condominium use.
Council members also approved a subdivision contract with developer JESF LLC and accept a $65,134.50 letter of credit to guarantee completion of required public improvements tied to the project. The financial security ensures remaining work will be completed in compliance with Pasadena Municipal Code requirements.
The subdivision was approved in tentative form by the city’s Subdivision Hearing Officer on Aug. 2, 2023. The developer submitted the final map for review in April 2024, and project rights must be exercised by August under the original approval.
The development includes construction of a multi-unit residential condominium building with subterranean parking. Building permits were issued earlier, and construction is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Although not all conditions of the tentative map have been completed, officials said approval of the final map is permitted if the city secures performance guarantees through the subdivision contract and letter of credit. The city attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the documents.
Planning staff said the project aligns with General Plan goals supporting diverse housing types, high-quality design and appropriate transitions between multi-family and single-family neighborhoods.
All subdivision processing costs were paid by the developer. The city expects the project to generate additional property tax revenue once completed, though the amount has not been determined.
- Transfer of Solid Waste Franchise to New Company
The City Council approved the transfer of a non-exclusive solid waste collection franchise from Southland Disposal Co. to Southland Environmental Services Inc., following a planned merger of the two companies.
Council members authorized assignment of the franchise currently held by Robert M. Arsenian, doing business as Southland Disposal Co., to Southland Environmental Services Inc. The action will take effect immediately upon execution of the agreement and run through June 30, with an optional one-year renewal at the city manager’s discretion.
The transfer requires council approval under municipal franchise ordinances governing solid waste haulers.
The City established its non-exclusive solid waste franchise system in 1992 to regulate collection services for commercial, industrial and multifamily properties while generating revenue for waste management planning and street maintenance impacted by heavy collection vehicles.
The system allows permitted haulers to collect, transport, dispose of and recycle waste under city-regulated terms, including franchise fees, financial audits, vehicle inspections and reporting requirements.
Arsenian notified the city in August of plans to merge his sole proprietorship, Southland Disposal, into Southland Environmental Services Inc., which does not currently hold a Pasadena franchise. He is seeking assignment so operations can continue under the merged company.
Public Works officials said Southland Disposal’s franchise is in good standing and compliant with all agreement terms. The department also determined Southland Environmental Services meets city qualifications to assume the franchise, including meeting a required 60% waste diversion rate.
City data show Southland Disposal served 87 permanent customers in Pasadena, operating three vehicles and collecting 2,064 tons of waste between January and November 2025, generating $135,518 in franchise fees.
The transferred franchise will remain subject to all existing city charter provisions, franchise agreements and local, state and federal regulations.
Franchise holders are required to remit 23.066% of gross monthly receipts to the city to fund waste programs and infrastructure maintenance, with revenues subject to annual audits.
- Amendments to 2026 Capital Improvement Budget
The City Council approved a series of amendments to the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Program budget, including funding adjustments for infrastructure upgrades, facility repairs and the design of a new public safety training facility.
The council adopted budget changes following a midyear review of active capital projects conducted in coordination with other city departments.
Among the amendments is the appropriation of $268,958 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for the Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Program. The funding will support installation of Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant pedestrian signal push buttons and related equipment at about 20 intersections, with work scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2026.
The report also calls for allocating $300,000 in block grant funds to reactivate the Alkebulan Cultural Center Improvements project. The project previously completed roof and accessibility upgrades but requires additional funding to replace the main building roof and repair interior water damage.
Another adjustment will add $78,110 in private capital funds to the city’s Miscellaneous Sidewalk Repair Program, supporting replacement of damaged sidewalks along property frontages to maintain pedestrian accessibility.
In addition, staff recommended transferring $969,062 in General Fund resources to properly fund the standalone YWCA Building Preservation project after it was separated from a broader building maintenance program without a corresponding budget transfer.
Council members also added a new project to the capital plan: the design of a reconstructed police and fire training facility at the Civil Defense site. The $300,000 design phase would be funded through the Public Safety Augmentation Fund.
The training facility and firing range were destroyed in the 2025 Eaton Fire. Plans call for rebuilding a modernized space for police and fire training, storage and administrative use. Design work is expected to begin in fiscal year 2026, with construction costs anticipated to be offset in part by insurance proceeds.
The amendments will increase the Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget by $947,068, with no net change to the city’s General Fund.
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