$6.3 Million Funding Application for Homeless Services Greenlighted by Council

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council authorized the City Manager to submit a consolidated application for $6,322,833 in homeless services funding to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The funding request would support 17 projects aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness within the community.

The vote came as part of Monday’s consent calendar, during which members unanimously agreed on the application ahead of HUD’s Oct 30 submission deadline.

The city’s Department of Housing is designated as the Collaborative Applicant for the Pasadena Continuum of Care (CoC), overseeing the funding process and ensuring compliance with HUD guidelines.

The proposed application includes 13 renewal projects, totaling $5,071,161, which will support ongoing efforts in permanent housing and related services. Additionally, four new projects, amounting to $1,251,672, are included in the funding request. These new initiatives focus on planning, coordination, and domestic violence support services.

The Pasadena CoC, governed by a Board of Directors, evaluated all project applications to ensure they align with community needs. The board also sets funding priorities and oversees performance standards for funded projects.

“Homelessness is a critical issue for our city, and these funds are essential for maintaining and expanding our services,” according to a City staff report. “By securing this funding, we can continue our commitment to ending homelessness in Pasadena.”

Funding decisions by HUD are expected to be announced in spring 2025, with grants commencing in the 2025 calendar year for selected projects.

Here are the remaining items on Monday’s consent calendar.

• A contract with CJ Concrete Construction, Inc. for curb ramp and sidewalk improvements, totaling up to $730,000. The work would enhance pedestrian accessibility for individuals with disabilities.The approved contract includes a base amount of $642,800, with an additional contingency of $87,200 to accommodate potential change orders. The project aims to install 50 new curb ramps at priority locations throughout the city, particularly along mobility corridors and near commercial areas with higher pedestrian traffic. This work is informed by a 2019 inventory conducted to identify intersections needing curb ramps. Currently, approximately 600 locations across Pasadena still require these improvements. In addition to the curb ramp installation, the contract also covers sidewalk repairs mandated by the Pasadena Municipal Code, which places the responsibility for sidewalk maintenance on adjacent property owners. Repairs are triggered when property improvements exceed $20,000 or during property sales requiring presale clearance.

•  A contract with Select Electric, Inc. for the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. The contract, which totals $675,274, aims to enhance safety and reduce delays for both motorists and pedestrians in the busy area near the Caltech campus. The intersection currently lacks a traffic signal, despite meeting peak hour traffic signal warrants as outlined in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The addition of a signal is expected to facilitate smoother traffic flow and increase safety for pedestrians crossing the street.

• Six air parcels designated for residential condominium purposes at 65 North Wilson Avenue. This decision follows a tentative approval granted by the Subdivision Hearing Officer in December 2019. The project will involve demolishing an existing single-family residence to make way for a new multi-unit condominium building with subterranean parking. The construction is expected to be completed in 2024. The developer’s surveyor has completed the Final Map, which has been reviewed and approved by the city’s licensed survey consultant. With the City Council’s approval, the map is now set to be recorded with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and has met all conditions of approval required by the city, ensuring compliance with local regulations as the project moves forward.

• A contract with Craftwater Engineering, Inc. for professional engineering and design services related to the Eaton Wash Stormwater Capture Project. The contract, totaling up to $2,026,231, aims to enhance the city’s stormwater management efforts and comply with environmental regulations. The Eaton Wash transports stormwater from various parts of the city to the Rio Hondo River and, ultimately, to the Pacific Ocean. The project aims to intercept, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from the Eaton Wash drainage basin, which is vital for meeting the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. In 2022, a preliminary design study assessed the feasibility of the project, leading to a workable concept plan that helped secure a $2,292,762 grant from the Safe, Clean, Water Program (Measure W) in August 2023 for the design phase. The project will include public outreach to engage stakeholders, preliminary engineering and design work, CEQA and environmental permitting, and the development of final construction documents. The design process will also identify the optimal project site, taking into account factors such as infiltration opportunities and construction costs. The project is expected to significantly reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff while enhancing urban greening and creating new habitats for local wildlife.

• A contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for professional engineering and design services for the Brookside Park Stormwater Capture Project, with a budget not to exceed $1,791,557. The project is designed to intercept, filter, and infiltrate stormwater flows from the Seco Street storm drain, which currently discharges untreated runoff into the Arroyo Seco and eventually the Pacific Ocean. This initiative aligns with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, which mandates action to reduce pollution in stormwater runoff. The Seco Street drain traverses several neighborhoods and ultimately connects to the Arroyo Seco Channel. This project aims to address water quality issues, particularly as water in the Arroyo Seco often exceeds the pollutant limits set by the RWQCB. In 2022, a preliminary design study assessed the feasibility of the project, leading to a successful application for a $2,198,612 grant from the Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) in August 2023. The scope of services for Black & Veatch includes public engagement to gather stakeholder input, preliminary engineering and design work, and the development of final construction documents. The design process will involve collaboration with key community partners, including the Rose Bowl Operating Company, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Kidspace.

• The City Council will consider rejecting a bid from ATI Restoration, LLC, submitted on August 30 for crime scene cleanup services. The bid is approximately ten times higher than the current contract. The proposed cost would increase from around $35,000 to $350,000 annually, posing a significant impact on the department’s budget and its ability to maintain daily operations. The city issued a Notice Inviting Bids for crime scene cleanup services in August, which was posted for 21 days on OpenGov.com. Despite being the only proposal submitted, the excessive pricing prompted the department to recommend the bid’s rejection. The city will continue to explore alternative options for crime scene cleanup services that align with its budgetary constraints.

• Submission of a $6,322,833 funding application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the 2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) program. The funds are aimed at supporting 17 people and are designed to address homelessness in the city. The funds would support both renewal and new projects, with the deadline for submission set for October 30, 2024. The funding request includes $5,071,161 for thirteen renewal projects and $1,251,672 for four new initiatives. The renewal projects are aimed at maintaining high-performing services, while the new projects focus on innovative strategies to enhance community support. The City’s Department of Housing, acting as the Collaborative Applicant for the Pasadena CoC, will oversee the funding application process, which involves collaboration with various stakeholders in the community. The CoC is governed by a Board of Directors that sets policies and prioritizes funding projects. The 2024 funding request follows a Notice of Funding Opportunity released by HUD, which emphasizes the need for local agencies to address homelessness through competitive funding processes. Pasadena has been proactive in planning and coordinating resources to meet the growing needs of its homeless population. Funding announcements from HUD are expected in spring 2025, and the city anticipates that these resources will significantly enhance its capacity to combat homelessness and provide necessary support to vulnerable residents.

• An ordinance amending the City’s Municipal Code, allowing for additional parking restrictions in city alleys. In recent years, particularly before the COVID-19 pandemic, parking issues in Pasadena’s alleys, especially in Old Pasadena, became increasingly problematic. The Department of Transportation’s Parking Division reported that Transportation Network Company (TNC) vehicles, such as those from Uber and Lyft, were using alleys as staging areas while awaiting new assignments. During the pandemic, parking concerns temporarily diminished as local businesses adjusted operations. However, as business activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels, demand for curb and alley space has surged. This has been exacerbated by the return of food delivery drivers from services like UberEats, GrubHub, Postmates, and DoorDash, who often stage their vehicles in alleys behind restaurants. Currently, vehicles can legally park in these areas for up to 20 minutes for loading or unloading, which has led to challenges with traffic flow and access to adjacent building parking spaces. The existing language in the Pasadena Municipal Code permits this behavior, but the proposed amendment would clarify the City’s authority to enforce stricter parking regulations in alleys. By adding signage such as “No Parking in Alley” or “No Stopping in Alley,” the City aims to improve traffic flow, enhance pedestrian safety, and ensure access to building parking spaces.

• The Pasadena City Council is considering an ordinance to update the parking meter rate structure for the South Lake Parking Meter Zone and to implement new rates for the Shoppers Lane parking lots. The proposed updates include an occupancy-based parking meter rate, allowing the Director of Transportation to set rates between $1 and $5 per hour based on parking demand. The goal is to achieve a parking occupancy rate of 70 to 90 percent during peak hours. Rates would be adjusted no more than twice a year, and an escalated rate structure would allow for charges up to double the base rate for extended parking durations. Additionally, the maximum rates would increase annually based on the consumer price index, starting July 1. In the Shoppers Lane parking lots, the proposal aims to eliminate the current 90-minute free parking period, replacing it with a validation program for adjacent merchants. The daily maximum rate would rise to $12, and the parking lots would operate 24/7. The South Lake Parking Place Commission (SLPPC) has advocated for these changes, emphasizing the need to manage parking demand and create revenue for improvements in the area. The commission had previously recommended similar updates in March and reaffirmed their suggestions in May 2024. The proposed changes align with a broader Parking Strategic Plan initiated in 2020, which aims to achieve optimal parking occupancy and enhance the overall visitor experience in the South Lake area. A public outreach campaign is planned in collaboration with the South Lake Business Association to inform residents and visitors about the benefits of the new parking structure. City officials believe these updates will not only improve parking availability but also support local businesses and enhance the overall shopping experience in Pasadena.