[Updated] The Pasadena City Council on Tuesday is set to consider amending the Housing Department’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget to support renovations at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, the longtime site of the city’s Bad Weather Shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
The budget for and the cost of the Bad Weather Shelter has not increased since the City recognized the amount received from the County. Specifically, the City Council originally approved the amount of $275,000 as the initial project budget. When it was clear that additional work would be required to make the shelter code compliant, the City approached the County for an additional $275,000. The City Council accepted that amount on May 20, 2024, for a total project cost that was not expected to exceed the sum of the City and County dollars ($550,000). That amount is still the cost of the Bad Weather Shelter renovation.
Staff is not asking for new money; rather, through an error, the available balance of $240,860 from the original City allocation of $275,000 was not carried over, and the action tonight is simply to reallocate that amount. No “new” money is being requested at this time. Renovation of the kitchen is being evaluated and that may require additional dollars.
Here are the remaining items on Monday’s council agenda.
- Several agreements aimed at securing financing and keeping the Glenarm Battery Energy Storage System project on track at the city-owned Glenarm Power Plant.
The proposed actions would authorize the city manager to enter into a lease with Glenarm BESS, LLC, approve a guaranty agreement for the benefit of East West Bank, and consent to a change of control transferring full ownership of the project company to Infinite Grid Capital, LLC.
The Glenarm battery project, approved by the council in June 2024, is designed to provide up to 15 years of utility-scale energy storage for Pasadena. The lender now requires a lease rather than a previously authorized license agreement as a condition of financing. City officials said the change is considered a material modification and must be approved by the council.
Under the proposed lease, Glenarm BESS, LLC would pay $1 per year in rent over a projected 16-year term, including one year for construction and 15 years of commercial operation. While the city would retain ownership of the property, the lease could trigger property tax assessments by Los Angeles County. Annual taxes are estimated between $13,000 and $35,000, totaling as much as $560,000 over the lease term. The city would reimburse the developer for any such taxes.
Infinite Grid Capital’s acquisition of full ownership of Glenarm BESS, LLC also requires city approval under the original energy storage agreement. A separate guaranty agreement would provide assurances to East West Bank regarding construction, which remains the city’s responsibility with support from a California Energy Commission grant.
Officials say the project supports Pasadena’s goal of reaching 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and would be funded through the Power Fund with no impact on the General Fund.
- Pasadena Council to Consider $12.6 Million Purchase of Two Police Helicopters
Lease-purchase of two new mission-equipped helicopters and related service contracts totaling up to $12.6 million to modernize the Police Department’s Air Operations Unit.
The proposal would authorize a contract with CNC Technologies, LLC, to purchase two helicopters and enter into two five-year service agreements for aerial video downlink and technical support. The total cost would not exceed $12,574,760, including a 10% contingency.
To fund the purchase, the council is being asked to approve a $4 million down payment from the city’s Asset Forfeiture Fund. The remaining balance would be financed through lease financing, with staff expected to return to the council for final approval of financing terms.
The Police Department currently operates a mixed fleet of Bell and MD helicopters supporting law enforcement, fire response and mutual aid operations across Pasadena and the Foothill Air Support Team region. While the aircraft remain airworthy, officials said aging equipment has become increasingly costly and difficult to maintain due to discontinued parts.
As part of the upgrade, the department plans to sell its MD 500 helicopter, reducing the fleet from five aircraft to four. Proceeds from the sale would help offset the cost of the new helicopters.
Police officials said purchasing two identical helicopters will improve training, safety and maintenance efficiency while lowering long-term costs. The new aircraft are also designed to reduce noise through slower rotor speeds and upgraded engine controls that meet international aviation standards.
Delivery of the helicopters is expected in summer 2027.
- Pasadena to Raise Birth, Death Certificate Fees Under State Mandate
An amendment to the city’s fiscal year 2026 general fee schedule that will raise the cost of birth and death certificates beginning Jan. 1 in line with a statewide increase.
Under the proposal, fees for public birth certificates would rise from $32 to $34. Death certificate fees would increase from $24 to $26, while fetal death certificates would rise from $21 to $23.
City officials said the increases mirror a $2 adjustment adopted by the state of California and are required to remain consistent with state-set rates. The state last updated its vital records fees in fiscal year 2022.
The Pasadena Public Health Department requested the amendments to its existing vital statistics fees, citing the long-standing practice of matching rates charged by Los Angeles County and the state for processing certificate requests.
The city’s general fee schedule was last adopted in June 2025 and is typically reviewed annually, though officials periodically adjust specific fees as needed throughout the year.
Finance staff estimate the fee changes will generate approximately $16,650 in additional annual revenue for the city’s Public Health Fund. The city emphasized that the increase will have no impact on the General Fund because all of the revenue is passed through to state fee collection services.
City officials said the amendment aligns with the City Council’s strategic goal of maintaining fiscal stability and ensuring the city is properly reimbursed for services it provides.
- $7.4 Million in Measure M Funds for Transit, Street Safety Projects
Authorize the city manager to accept $7.41 million in Measure M transportation funds for the 2027–28 fiscal year to support a series of transit, pedestrian safety and neighborhood traffic projects across the city.
The funding comes through Los Angeles County’s voter-approved Measure M, which was adopted in 2016 to partially fund large-scale transportation improvements and provide local jurisdictions with flexible funding through the Multi-Year Subregional Program, or MSP.
Pasadena’s share of the funds was approved by Metro following the city’s submission of a five-year project list through the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority. The City Council previously approved seven Pasadena projects for inclusion in the FY27–28 funding cycle in June 2024.
Under the proposed budget amendment, the largest allocation — $2.78 million — would go toward the replacement and expansion of Pasadena Transit buses. Additional funding includes:
- $1.2 million for citywide continental crosswalk improvements
- $1.2 million for pedestrian hybrid beacons, or HAWK signals, at multiple locations
- $1 million for leading pedestrian interval and accessible signal upgrades
- $597,016 for bus stop improvements
- $500,000 for traffic calming on Mountain Street
- $132,077 for a new traffic signal and curb extensions at Sierra Bonita Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard
City officials also clarified that two previously unspecified HAWK signal locations — Lincoln Avenue at Toolen Place and Lake Avenue at Elizabeth Street — are now formally identified for council approval.
The funds will be added to the city’s fiscal year 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program budget. No local matching funds are required.
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