Pasadena Council Backs Senate Bill Requiring Visible ID for Law Enforcement

The City Council on Monday approved support for a California Senate bill that would require law enforcement officers to display visible identification when performing official duties, responding to community safety concerns following recent immigration enforcement activity.

SB 805, authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and Scott Wiener and most recently amended June 23 would require officers to visibly display either a name or badge number.

Undercover personnel would be exempt, and violations would be classified as a misdemeanor.

The City Council also voted to authorize the mayor to send letters in support of the measure.

Council action was prompted by a recent incident in which an individual—allegedly involved in an ICE enforcement operation—alighted from a vehicle armed with a weapon and pointed it at a civilian, without any visible indication that he was a law enforcement officer. Compounding concerns, the Pasadena Police Department had not received any prior or follow-up notification of the operation, limiting coordination and raising questions about accountability.

SB 805 goes beyond visible ID requirements. It would establish a new criminal offense, outline additional duties for local law enforcement, and empower officers to request ID from individuals claiming to represent government agencies when public safety concerns exist. The bill also would restrict bail recovery agents from using their authority for immigration enforcement and mandate confidentiality of a defendant’s immigration status.

The Council also approved:

• An $800,000 contract with Trane U.S. Incorporated to provide on-call heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) products, equipment, and related services for city facilities. The Department of Public Works is recommending the contract, citing the need to evaluate and replace aging HVAC systems at several municipal sites, including the Building Systems and Fleet Management Division (BSFMD) Administration building, multiple Public Works shops, and Fire Stations 32, 34 and 37. According to city staff, the replacement schedule will begin in fiscal year 2026 following a systemwide evaluation. The work would be carried out under a cooperative purchasing agreement with OMNIA Partners, which the city has been a member of since 2007. The Public Works Department has worked with Trane since 2016, issuing purchase orders and contracts totaling nearly $400,000 to date. Trane is the only factory-authorized dealer with technicians who have direct access to manufacturer support, city officials noted.

• Nearly $279,000 in  contract to Ventura County Overhead Door to replace aging rollup doors at several city-owned facilities, including a fire station and public works buildings. According to a staff report from the Department of Public Works, five facilities have rollup doors that have reached the end of their service life and must be replaced to meet current building and safety standards. The locations include Fire Station 33, the Water and Power Meter Testing Shop, the Water and Power Warehouse, and two Public Works fleet facilities. The contract, valued at $278,964, includes a base bid of $265,680 and a 5% contingency to cover unexpected costs. Funding will come from existing budget allocations under the city’s Building Maintenance Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2026–2030. No impact to the General Fund is expected. The proposed contract includes furnishing, delivering, and installing new rollup doors and associated equipment, performing upgrades on existing doors, and creating openings for two new doors. City officials noted that the contract complies with Pasadena’s municipal code requirements for competitive bidding.

• A resolution to create a new job classification and approve pay increases for four existing utility-related positions, as part of ongoing efforts to remain competitive in a tightening labor market. The proposed changes, brought forward by the city’s Human Resources Department, include the creation of a new Power Plant Mechanic Helper position, which would serve as an entry-level role supporting maintenance work at the city’s power plant. The position, which will be represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), would have a control rate of $43.73 per hour. In addition, the council will consider salary adjustments for four existing classifications within the city’s Department of Water and Power, all of which are  represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The proposed hourly pay increases include: Apprentice Electrical Tester: from $57.94 to $67.30, Electrical Tester: from $59.13 to $68.67,  Senior Electrical Tester: from $65.55 to $75.54,  Electrical Craft Helper: from $42.74 to $43.73. The proposed updates come at the request of the Water and Power Department and are based on labor market analysis and internal comparisons. Both IBEW and IUOE have expressed support for the changes, according to city staff. The Human Resources Department emphasized that no new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions are being created. The total cost of implementing the changes is estimated at $461,507 in fiscal year 2026 and $479,968 in FY 2027, with all expenses funded through the Light and Power Fund. Staff said the costs will be absorbed into the Water and Power Department’s existing operating budget.

• A resolution to raise the hourly pay for the city’s Property and Evidence Technician, a position represented by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA).The proposal, brought forward by the city’s Human Resources Department, would increase the classification’s control rate from $35.63 to $39.66 per hour, following a salary review outlined in the city’s labor agreement with LIUNA. The classification is assigned to the Pasadena Police Department, and the increase is intended to ensure the position remains competitive in today’s job market. The change does not involve any new full-time positions, and the estimated cost of the increase is $21,280 for fiscal year 2026 (pro-rated) and $22,131 for FY 2027. All costs will be covered by the Police Department’s existing General Fund budget, though staff noted they will monitor expenses and request additional funding if necessary.

• A package of salary resolutions that would raise wages and adjust benefits for hundreds of non-represented city employees, including management and executive staff. The proposed changes include a 3% wage increase for all non-represented employees beginning July 14, and another 3% raise set for July 2026. City staff say the updates are part of an annual review to ensure salaries stay competitive and to support employee retention. The resolutions would impact employees in three groups: non-represented non-management, non-represented management, and executive management.

• The Pasadena City Council on Monday authorized a contract worth up to $831,450 with Pacific Hydrotech Corporation to repair fire damage at the city’s Allen Reservoir, a key water storage facility impacted by the 2025 Eaton Fire. The contract, which includes a base amount of $723,000 and a contingency of $108,450 for potential change orders, was awarded to the Perris-based contractor following a competitive bidding process. Pacific Hydrotech was the lowest responsive bidder among two submissions, though its bid exceeded the engineer’s estimate of $500,000. City officials said the higher cost reflects the complexity of the project, which includes temporary protective measures to keep part of the 4.1-million-gallon reservoir in service during construction, repairs to the metal roof and catwalk, and work in confined spaces. The Allen Reservoir, located in Altadena, was partially damaged during the Eaton Fire earlier this year. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) operates 14 reservoirs and will seek reimbursement for the project through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Funding for the repairs will come from the Eaton Windstorm and Fire Recovery Capital Improvement Program budget and will not impact the city’s General Fund. Construction is expected to be completed within Fiscal Year 2026. Pacific Hydrotech previously completed a $6.5 million reservoir rehabilitation project for the city in 2022 and has performed similar work for other regional water agencies.

• This item was held until next Monday. A contract of up to $25.8 million with Utility Tree Service, LLC for citywide tree trimming, vegetation management, and emergency response services near power lines, with the agreement set to span up to six years. The contract includes a base five-year term valued at $21.2 million, with an option for a sixth year or up to $4.6 million in additional services, whichever comes first. The contract is aimed at enhancing public safety, maintaining power reliability, and reducing wildfire risk, particularly in high-threat areas. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), which supplies electricity to more than 65,000 customers, manages vegetation around power lines in compliance with California Public Utilities Commission regulations. The city trims approximately 7,800 trees annually to prevent contact with energized lines, most of which are located behind residential properties. The contract also includes provisions for emergency tree trimming and removal following storms, fires, and other incidents. All work will be performed by Qualified Line Clearance Tree Workers using insulated equipment under the supervision of certified arborists. Utility Tree Service, based in Chino Hills, was the lowest responsive bidder out of three submissions. The company has previously worked with the city, receiving contracts totaling approximately $22.5 million since 2015. The contract will be funded through the city’s Power Operating Fund with no impact to the General Fund. Budgeted allocations for fiscal year 2026 begin at $4 million and increase annually through 2031.

• A contract worth up to $750,000 with Bragg Investment Company, Inc. to provide as-needed crane services for power pole and electrical equipment work over a five-year period. The contract, recommended by the city’s Water and Power Department (PWP), includes a base term of three years and allows for two optional one-year extensions or an additional $300,000 in spending, whichever comes first. The crane services will support maintenance, repairs, and emergency response for Pasadena’s electric distribution system, which serves more than 65,000 customers. Bragg Investment, based in Long Beach, submitted the lowest bid at $440,120.50 annually. Other bids came from The Crane Guys, LLC of Los Alamitos and Hill Crane Service, Inc. of Long Beach. The city’s staff determined that Bragg’s proposal met all specifications and complied with the city’s competitive bidding ordinance. According to PWP, the utility does not own the large cranes required for such work, and relies on external contractors for both routine upgrades and emergency repairs. The selected contractor must provide various crane types, rigging equipment, support vehicles, and trained personnel for work around high-voltage systems. The contract is structured as an “on-call” agreement, meaning the city is not obligated to a minimum number of hours or equipment usage. About $100,000 of the contract is expected to be used in fiscal year 2026, funded through the Power Capital and Operating Funds. There is no anticipated impact to the General Fund.

• Rejection of the only bid submitted for pavement street repairs along Fair Oaks Avenue, after city staff determined that the scope of work needed significant revisions. The Pasadena Water and Power Department (PWP), in coordination with the city’s Department of Public Works, concluded that the original project specifications should be updated to improve the street’s long-term condition. Instead of the initially proposed concrete cap, the revised plan calls for edge grinding and repaving the roadway with two inches of fiber-reinforced rubberized asphalt. The city received just one bid by the May 21 deadline in response to the original notice posted on April 28. Although the bid was responsive, staff determined the project scope should be revised and re-bid to reflect the updated restoration approach. Public Works will issue a new solicitation for the redesigned project in the coming weeks. City officials said the action aligns with Pasadena’s strategic goals to enhance infrastructure and maintain fiscal responsibility. There is no fiscal impact associated with the bid rejection. PWP and Public Works will continue to collaborate on the new project scope to ensure the improved pavement design meets the city’s long-term infrastructure needs.

• A two-year electric rate plan as part of an ongoing study that aims to support the city’s goal of sourcing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. The council’s vote comes on the heels of guidance from the Municipal Services Committee (MSC), which on June 24 recommended the development of a rate plan using cost assumptions projected through 2029. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is currently conducting the Electric Rate Study (ERS), which analyzes long-term electricity needs, costs, and pricing strategies. The study is integrated with the city’s Optimized Strategic Plan (OSP), a roadmap for achieving carbon-free power while maintaining reliability and affordability. The ERS financial model forecasts revenue requirements based on multiple scenarios, including accelerated development of local solar and storage and preserving the Glenarm Power Plant as a backup facility. Projections show revenue needs growing from $306 million in fiscal year 2026 to as much as $434 million by 2031 under the most ambitious clean energy pathways. Systemwide effective rates under these scenarios could peak at about 42 cents per kilowatt-hour before stabilizing, while the base case scenario—aligned with the city’s existing budget—would peak around 33 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2029. Officials stressed that these are early projections and that final recommendations will likely include gradual rate increases and potential debt financing to avoid steep rate hikes. Public engagement remains a core component of the process. PWP is segmenting outreach based on customer profiles to increase transparency and foster trust as the utility considers future rate adjustments. Next steps include further analysis of solar and storage options and presenting finalized rate recommendations to the MSC and City Council. The initial two-year rate plan is expected to cover short-term actions, while offering an outlook on future adjustments tied to clean energy investments.