City Clarifies Bad Weather Shelter Funding Item: Reappropriation Only, No New Dollars Requested

Pasadena officials contacted Pasadena Now Monday afternoon with additional information about the Bad Weather Shelter funding appropriation amendment on the City Council agenda Monday. The clarification impacts the appearance that the agenda item sought increased funding for the shelter project.

According to the city’s statement, staff is not requesting new money. Instead, the remaining balance of $240,860 from the city’s original $275,000 allocation was not carried forward due to an internal error, and the Council action today is intended solely to reappropriate that amount. 

No new General Fund dollars are being sought at this time, according to the city’s statement. 

The city also noted that a separate evaluation of the church kitchen is underway and may require additional funding in the future.

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.

The city’s arrangement with Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church structures the funding as a forgivable loan over 10 years. The church receives 10% loan forgiveness annually provided the site continues operating as the Bad Weather Shelter.

The shelter first opened in January 2024, providing emergency beds during months with the highest inclement weather.