Pasadena Council Takes Up $5.7 Million in Contracts for Power Grid, Library Retrofit, Fire Safety

The Pasadena City Council will consider more than $5.7 million in contracts Monday night, headlined by a $4.5 million project to replace aging underground power cables that deliver electricity to more than half the city’s 65,000 utility customers.

The consent calendar is a section of the City Council’s meeting agenda that bundles routine, non-controversial items so they can be approved together with a single vote, without separate debate on each one. Items can usually be pulled from the consent calendar by a member of the body or the public for separate discussion and action if there is any concern or objection.

$4.5 Million Power Cable Replacement

The largest item is a contract with Outsource Utility Contractor, LLC of Artesia for the Path Two 35kV Cable Replacement Project, at a total not to exceed $4,493,521. The contract covers construction on approximately 36 miles of subtransmission cables connecting Pasadena Water and Power’s Santa Anita and Glenarm Receiving Stations. PWP plans to begin the work in October 2026 and finish before summer 2027, according to the staff report. During construction, the utility must de-energize the lines, temporarily reducing power import capacity and forcing greater reliance on internal generation. The council awarded a separate contract to Anixter, Inc. in July 2025 for the replacement cables themselves. Outsource submitted the lowest of six bids received by the October 20, 2025, deadline; no local firms bid on the project, the staff report states.

Central Library Materials Testing Contract

A $335,950 contract with Geocon West, Inc. of Burbank would provide materials testing and special inspection services for the Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovations Project, an active construction project funded through Measure PL, the $195 million bond approved by Pasadena voters in November 2024. The library, a 1927 Myron Hunt landmark, has been closed since 2021 due to seismic safety concerns tied to its unreinforced masonry construction. PCL Construction Services, Inc. is performing construction work under the CMAR delivery method, with completion scheduled for August 2028, according to the staff report from Greg de Vinck, Director of Public Works. Eight firms responded to the city’s request for proposals; Geocon West ranked first. Earth Systems Pacific of Pasadena was the sole local respondent, the staff report states.

Firefighter Injury Prevention Program

A third contract, totaling up to $881,238 over as many as six years, would retain Pasadena-based Auro Physiotherapy and Wellness to provide on-site injury prevention services for the Pasadena Fire Department. The program aims to shift the department from a reactive injury management model to a preventive one. The Fire Department’s annual average Workers’ Compensation claims totaled $1,874,060 for Fiscal Years 2023 through 2025, according to the staff report from Deputy City Manager Alex Souto. Auro scored the highest among four respondents to the city’s December 2025 request for proposals, the staff report states.

Airbnb Tourism Assessment Collection

The council will also vote on an amendment to the city’s existing Voluntary Collection Agreement with Airbnb that would require the platform to collect the 4.89% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment on behalf of Pasadena short-term rental hosts. Airbnb has collected Transient Occupancy Tax for Pasadena hosts since 2018, but has not collected the TBID. The council approved a separate agreement with HomeAway (VRBO) in October 2024 to collect both taxes. Together, Airbnb and HomeAway account for more than 98% of short-term rental bookings in Pasadena, according to the staff report from Assistant City Manager Matthew E. Hawkesworth. Annual TBID revenue from short-term rentals was approximately $166,000 in Fiscal Year 2025; the staff report estimates revenue could reach $300,000 to $400,000 with both platforms collecting. If approved, Airbnb would begin collecting both TOT and TBID as early as April 1, 2026.

Commission Appointments and Resignations

Rounding out the consent calendar are commission appointments: Angella Martinez to the Arts and Culture Commission (District 1 nomination), reappointments of Michael Hurley and Tara Newman to the Rose Bowl Operating Company Board, and resignations of Gabriela Perez from the Commission on the Status of Women and Betsy Mitchell from the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Beyond the consent calendar, the council will hold a public hearing on an appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals’ approval of Minor Conditional Use Permit #7318, which would establish a safe parking program at All Saints Church, 202 North Euclid Avenue. The council will also continue its budget workshop.

The meeting begins with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. and the public session at 6:00 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249. The meeting is broadcast on Charter Cable Channel 3 and streamed at pasadenamedia.org and on YouTube. Public comment is limited to 20 minutes total at the start of the meeting, with three minutes per speaker.

The council’s next regular meeting is March 23. A special joint meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is scheduled for March 18 at 3:00 p.m.