The City’s Fire Department is seeking City Council approval to amend its Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget by more than $257,000 to support wildfire recovery efforts, emergency preparedness training, firefighter health programs and the purchase of a swift water rescue trailer.
The proposed amendments would increase both revenues and appropriations by $257,128 across the city’s General Fund and Fire Grants Fund.
A major portion of the funding — $100,000 from the California Fire Foundation — would support a “Post Eaton Fire – Recovery and Community” project aimed at reducing wildfire risks in Pasadena’s high fire severity zones following the Eaton Canyon Fire.
The department said the money would fund vegetation management efforts, including clearing hazardous fuel and trimming trees near electrical infrastructure.
According to the report, the project would also expand Firewise community initiatives designed to educate residents about wildfire preparedness and defensible space requirements. Officials estimate the program would serve roughly 46,590 residents while helping improve neighborhood resilience and potentially lowering insurance costs for property owners.
The department is also requesting authorization to recognize and appropriate $18,800 in State Homeland Security Program grant funding for regional mobilization exercises involving Regional Task Force-4.
The exercises are intended to improve first responder coordination and preparedness for terrorist-related incidents and other emergencies.
Another proposed amendment would recognize $111,328 in revenue generated through an Instructional Service Agreement with Rio Hondo Community College District. Under the arrangement, Pasadena firefighters can receive college credit for required in-service training conducted by qualified in-house instructors.
The report states the program generated more than $105,000 during its first term in FY 2025 and an additional $111,328 during FY 2026. Officials said the funds would support ongoing training programs, on-site physical therapy services through Auro Physiotherapy and Wellness, and cancer screenings for fire personnel.
The final proposed amendment includes $27,000 in grant funding from Direct Relief to acquire a swift water trailer to improve the department’s ability to respond to water rescues and post-wildfire mud and debris flow incidents.
Purchase Seven Electric Dial-A-Ride Vehicles
Approval to spend nearly $2.9 million on seven battery-electric vehicles for the city’s Dial-A-Ride program as part of an ongoing transition to a zero-emission transit fleet.
The proposal would authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Coach West for the purchase of seven Endera battery-electric cutaway vehicles for a total amount not to exceed $2,921,713, including contingency funds for potential change orders.
According to a staff report from the Department of Transportation, the purchase would replace seven internal combustion vehicles acquired in 2017 that have reached the end of their useful life. Aging vehicles have led to increased maintenance costs, reduced reliability and service disruptions affecting riders who rely on Dial-A-Ride for access to essential services.
Pasadena Dial-A-Ride provides demand-response transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities throughout the city.
The procurement aligns with Pasadena’s Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan, adopted in January 2023, and would transition half of the Dial-A-Ride fleet to zero-emission vehicles while keeping the city on track to achieve a fully zero-emission Dial-A-Ride fleet by 2030.
Transportation staff evaluated available electric cutaway vehicles through the California Association for Coordinated Transportation purchasing cooperative and determined that the Endera model supplied by Coach West was the only option meeting the city’s operational and accessibility requirements, including wheelchair securement configurations and compatibility with existing fleet operations.
The Department of Transportation said the electric vehicles support the city’s Climate Action Plan goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and promoting sustainable mobility. The vehicles would operate on existing routes and generate less operational noise than the current fleet.
The purchase would be funded primarily through federal, state and regional grants, including Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funds, Metro Zero Emission Bus Program funding, Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grants and Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funding. The city would contribute $745,455 in local Proposition A funds.
The purchase may also qualify for up to $546,000 in incentives through California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, which could reduce the city’s local share of the cost.
Youth STEAM Internship Program
City officials are preparing to accept $250,000 in grant funding to launch a youth workforce development program aimed at providing paid internships in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields across Los Angeles County.
The City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation during its May 18 meeting. The agreement would provide funding for the STEAM Pathways Acceleration Program and amend the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget to recognize and appropriate the funds.
According to a city staff report, the City was notified April 22 that it had been awarded the funding through the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation to support implementation of the program.
The STEAM Pathways Acceleration Program is expected to provide paid internship opportunities for approximately 50 to 100 youth participants, each receiving between 50 and 100 hours of work experience in STEAM-related industries.
City officials said the program is designed to build technical skills, increase career awareness and strengthen workforce readiness through hands-on experience in high-demand fields.
The Foothill Workforce Development Board will administer the program and serve as the employer of record. Responsibilities will include participant recruitment, onboarding, payroll, case management and program reporting, while coordinating with local businesses and organizations to secure internship placements.
Key components of the initiative include paid internships, workforce development training, ongoing participant support and employer engagement with businesses offering placement opportunities.
Most of the funding will go directly toward participant wages and services, with administrative costs kept to a minimum.
The program aligns with the City Council’s priorities related to workforce development, youth engagement and economic opportunity. The report also notes the initiative is intended to expand access to career pathways for young people facing barriers to employment while helping develop a skilled workforce pipeline.
The proposed budget amendment would appropriate the $250,000 into the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Fund to support program implementation, staffing and participant wages. Officials said the program would have no impact on the city’s General Fund.
Pasadena Plans World Cup Watch Party Near Civic Auditorium
City officials are preparing to host a World Cup-themed “Transit-First Fan Zone” watch party next month near the Civic Auditorium as part of a regional effort tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The City Council is scheduled to consider accepting $50,000 in grant funding from Los Angeles County during its May 18 meeting to support the June 12 event, which will coincide with the opening World Cup match in the United States.
According to a City staff report, the proposed fan zone would be held in the plaza and surrounding area of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium along Green Street between Marengo Avenue and Los Robles Avenue.
The event is part of a broader countywide initiative connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Los Angeles was selected in 2022 as one of 16 North American host cities and is scheduled to host eight matches, including the opening U.S. match on June 12.
Metro and Los Angeles County’s Fifth Supervisorial District are supporting “Transit-First” fan zones intended to encourage visitors to use public transportation to attend events. In Pasadena, Metro plans activations at the Memorial Park and Del Mar stations, with volunteers helping direct visitors to the watch party site.
The fan zone would also serve as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, allowing local agencies to test event coordination, transportation planning and public gathering operations ahead of the international competition.
The proposal would amend the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget to recognize and appropriate the $50,000 grant. Officials said there would be no impact on the city’s General Fund.
Clean Audit on Federal Spending for FY 2025
Pasadena received a clean audit on its handling of federal funds during Fiscal Year 2025, with auditors reporting no financial statement findings or grant-related compliance issues.
The audit was conducted under the federal Single Audit Act, which requires local governments spending more than $750,000 in federal awards annually to undergo additional scrutiny of financial controls and compliance procedures.
All financial statements included in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025, Single Audit Report received an “unmodified,” or clean, opinion from auditors. The report also confirmed there were no findings related to financial statements or federal grant programs.
The audit package contains two reports and three schedules reviewing the city’s use of federal funds and internal financial controls.
The audit process is intended to ensure local governments properly manage federal money and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Unlike a standard financial audit, a single audit includes testing of internal controls and compliance tied specifically to federally funded programs.
The report is listed as an informational item, meaning no formal staff recommendation accompanies it, though Councilmembers may discuss or take action if they choose.
Finance Director Karin Schnaider submitted the report, which was prepared by Controller Jasmine Trashian.
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