Pasadena City Approves $5.9 Million Road Repair Project List Funded by State Bill 1

The Pasadena City Council passed a resolution on Monday to approve its Fiscal Year 2026 project list under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1).

The successful vote could allow the City to secure nearly $3.7 million in state transportation funding.

The project list includes the city’s Annual Citywide Street Resurfacing and ADA Improvement Program, which will resurface and microsurface 39 streets—covering approximately 12 centerline miles—across Pasadena. The total estimated cost of the project is $5.9 million.

The resurfacing effort will use rubberized asphalt, a sustainable paving material made from recycled tires that helps reduce road noise, improves skid resistance, and extends pavement life. According to city officials, the use of rubberized asphalt also offers environmental benefits by diverting tires from landfills and maintaining pavement visibility with its darker color.

In order to receive an annual allocation from the state’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), cities must submit a list of planned projects to the California Transportation Commission by July 1.

The law requires that the list be formally adopted by a city council resolution separate from any capital or operating budgets.

The resurfacing work is scheduled for completion during FY 2026.

An item to reject all bids submitted on March 4 for weed and brush clearance services in the Arroyo Seco, following concerns about bid compliance and cost discrepancies. According to city staff, three bids were received after a public solicitation in February that reached more than 4,000 vendors via OpenGov. However, none of the interested bidders were local. The lowest bid was deemed non-responsive due to issues related to an inactive business license under a doing business as (DBA) name, while the second lowest bid came in 69% higher, prompting fiscal concerns. Under the existing framework, Parks, Recreation and Community Services manages weed and brush removal in the Arroyo Seco through both city crews and contractors, following environmentally sensitive practices aligned with the Lower Arroyo Seco Master Plan and other city environmental guidelines. Contractors are responsible for clearing non-native vegetation, trail and road maintenance, and litter removal. To avoid disruptions in maintenance, the city will enter a short-term purchase order agreement through September 2025 while the bid specifications are updated and a new solicitation is prepared.

A resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2026 project list under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1), allowing the city to access more than $3.7 million in state funds for street resurfacing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. The resolution would ensure Pasadena remains eligible for its annual share of Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds administered by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). Under SB1, signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2017, cities and counties must annually submit a list of proposed road improvement projects in order to receive state transportation funding. The city’s FY 2026 list—required by July 1—includes a citywide street resurfacing and ADA improvement program. The $5.9 million project will focus on resurfacing and microsurfacing 39 streets across Pasadena, totaling 12 centerline miles. The work will incorporate rubberized asphalt, a sustainable material that combines conventional asphalt with crumb rubber derived from recycled tires. City officials say the rubberized asphalt offers several benefits: it reduces vehicle noise, increases durability, improves skid resistance, and maintains pavement markings more effectively due to its darker color. The project is scheduled for completion during FY 2026. The city will allocate $3.7 million in RMRA funds toward the project as part of its FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program.

A $575,000 contract with W.W. Grainger, Inc. to supply parts, tools, equipment, and materials used for maintenance and repairs of city facilities. The proposed agreement includes a $500,000 base contract and a $75,000 contingency for potential change orders. City staff recommend bypassing competitive bidding requirements by leveraging Pasadena’s existing membership with OMNIA Partners, a national cooperative purchasing alliance that pre-negotiates contracts on behalf of public entities. The Department of Public Works’ Building Systems and Fleet Management Division (BSFMD) maintains a citywide warehouse of essential parts and supplies. Staff say contracting with Grainger—using OMNIA’s nationally bid contract awarded through the City of Tucson—will streamline operations and secure discounted pricing between 5% and 32% off catalog rates. Pasadena has previously partnered with Grainger, issuing more than $538,000 in purchase orders since Fiscal Year 2016. The new contract would remain in effect until the OMNIA contract expires on December 31, 2027, or until the funds are fully expended.

A proposed five-year, $1.15 million contract with HD Supply Facilities Maintenance to furnish and deliver janitorial supplies to city-owned facilities. The contract, which includes a $150,000 contingency, would provide essential cleaning materials such as paper products and soap for use in locations including City Hall and the City Yards. According to a staff report, the city issued a public Notice Inviting Bids on December 26, 2024. A total of 18 vendors submitted electronic bids by the January 20 deadline, and four were ultimately disqualified for failing to meet product sample specifications. HD Supply emerged as the lowest responsive bidder at $173,922. The new contract would ensure consistent supply of materials that meet city standards, including green and environmentally preferable products. Staff estimates the city spends approximately $200,000 annually on janitorial supplies. If approved, the contract will remain in effect through 2030, with funding drawn from existing facilities maintenance budgets.

A proposal to significantly reduce or waive multiple fees for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in an effort to boost affordable housing production and support multigenerational living across the city. If approved, the resolution would amend the Fiscal Year 2025 General Fee Schedule to reduce plan check and permit fees for certain ADU projects and direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance within 60 days to eliminate or lower construction taxes and Residential Impact Fees (RIFs) for qualifying ADUs. The move follows recommendations from the Economic Development and Technology Committee (EdTech), which reviewed Pasadena’s ADU fee structure and found it to be higher than most neighboring cities. Staff analysis showed that Pasadena’s fees for a typical 1,000-square-foot ADU were nearly double the regional average. Under the proposal, ADUs utilizing the city’s pre-approved standard plans or those governed by affordability agreements — such as those rented to Section 8 tenants or family members under a Housing Department agreement — would receive the steepest reductions. For example, plan check fees could be cut in half, saving property owners more than $1,400. Permit fees would also be reduced. Construction taxes, general plan maintenance fees, and technology fees would be fully waived for qualifying ADUs and discounted by 25% for all ADUs under 900 square feet — a size that accounts for roughly 90% of ADUs constructed in Pasadena. Refundable construction and demolition deposits would be standardized at $1,000 for all ADUs to lower upfront costs. The Council will also consider expanding the current state-mandated RIF exemption from 750 to 900 square feet and fully waiving RIFs for ADUs with affordability covenants — which currently pay a reduced fee of $1,193. Staff noted that since 2021, 96% of the ADUs paying the reduced rate were occupied by family members, highlighting the role of ADUs in supporting intergenerational households. City officials say the fee changes are designed to remove financial barriers for homeowners looking to add ADUs, particularly those serving as affordable units or supporting family housing. Staff estimates 559 ADUs have been built or are under construction in Pasadena since 2021, with an average size of 600 square feet. If approved, the proposed fee reductions are expected to take effect immediately, while the corresponding ordinance will return to Council within 60 days.