City Council Approves New CHP Contract for Major Events and New Year’s Activities

As part of Monday’s consent calendar, the Pasadena City Council on Monday unanimously authorized the City Manager to enter into a new $1.25 million contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for supplemental law enforcement services during the iconic Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

The five-year contract will expire on January 15, 2030, and includes other major events, including UCLA football games, international soccer matches, and music festivals.

The previous contract expired in January. The events require added law enforcement presence. This includes traffic control, crowd management, facility security, and other essential services. Staffing levels will be determined based on event size, anticipated traffic flow, and other factors.

The CHP’s involvement in these events is critical in managing freeway ramp closures and other traffic-related needs, especially during large-scale gatherings.

The CHP will provide supplemental resources as needed, with specific staffing and operational details to be mutually agreed upon between the agency and the city prior to each event. The contract ensures that services will only be paid for as they are rendered and does not commit the city to any costs for events that are postponed or canceled.

This contract is in line with past agreements for supplemental law enforcement support during major events.

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

• A new three-year contract with Dell Marketing LP for Microsoft software licenses and services, valued at up to $7.65 million. The agreement, which runs from April 1 to March 31, 2028, will provide the city with essential Microsoft products and cloud services, supporting the city’s technology needs and infrastructure. The contract renewal continues the city’s long-standing partnership with Microsoft, which has been in place since 2005. It ensures continued access to core products like Windows and Office applications, as well as cloud-based technologies such as Microsoft Teams, Azure, and Office 365. These tools are integral to daily city operations, enabling efficient service delivery and enhancing communication and collaboration across departments. The city will pay an average of $1.03 million annually for core licensing products, with additional costs tied to consumption of cloud services, cybersecurity investments, and potential future expansions. Among the planned initiatives for the next three years are enhanced cybersecurity measures, mobile device management, and improved data analytics capabilities.
• An amendment of the Fire Department’s fiscal year operating budget, recognizing $105,370 in revenue from the Rio Hondo Community College District (RHCCD). The funding will be used to support vocational training programs and the purchase of fire equipment. The revenue comes from a partnership between the Fire Department and RHCCD, which began with an Instructional Service Agreement (ISA) signed in December 2023. The agreement allows the Fire Department to offer college-level credit for mandated fire training, providing employees with specialized education while supporting local workforce development. Under the ISA, fire personnel enrolled in courses at Rio Hondo receive college credits for their training, which includes both classroom instruction and practical exercises. The agreement also enables qualified fire department personnel to serve as instructors for specific courses such as emergency medical services (EMS), fire technology, and wildland firefighting. In exchange for the credit and non-credit revenue generated by enrolled personnel, RHCCD will remit a portion of the funding back to the Fire Department. For every student enrolled, the state provides funding, and the revenue is split, with 25% allocated to the Pasadena Fire Department and 75% going to RHCCD. The city’s share for the first semi-annual term in 2025 is $105,370, which will help cover the costs of training programs and fire equipment.
• An ordinance amending the Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) to eliminate the Stranded Investment Charge and Reserve, replacing it with a new Working Capital Reserve Target policy for the city’s utility department. The proposed amendments to PMC Chapter 13.04 aim to modernize the way Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) manages its reserves, aligning them with best practices in the industry and responding to the utility’s current operational needs. The key changes outlined in the ordinance include amending sections related to power cost adjustments and removing the Stranded Investment Surcharge. The Stranded Investment Reserve was established in 1996 to address anticipated energy costs from the Intermountain Power Project and Magnolia projects, which have since proven to retain value. The proposed changes would realign these funds into a broader, more flexible reserve structure. The Working Capital Reserve Target will be designed to address various financial risks, including fluctuations in energy costs, seasonal revenue changes, and capital requirements. The reserve will include specific categories to mitigate risks, such as liquidity reserves for routine operational expenses, market exposure reserves for energy and transmission costs, and a contingency reserve for unforeseen events like natural disasters or regulatory changes. The new reserve categories will be targeted at 90 days’ worth of expenses, helping PWP maintain liquidity and avoid rate hikes due to market volatility. This change also supports the utility’s creditworthiness, ensuring financial resilience in the face of unforeseen disruptions.