Ronald K. Matthews
CEO, RKM Construction
Local Hiring Coordinator
Pasadena, CA
Date: August 24, 2025
To: City Clerk
City of Pasadena
100 N. Garfield Ave, Room S228
Pasadena, CA 91101
<E> cityclerk@cityofpasadena .net
RECEIVED
2025 AUG 25 AM 10: 06
CITY CLERK
CITY OF PASADENA
Subject: Agenda Item 1 - Local Hiring Requirements: Arroyo Seco Brush Clearance Contract Dear City Clerk,
Please include the following correspondence in the public record for City Council review regarding Consent Calendar Agenda Item 1 - Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Contract with Greenfield Management for Weed and Brush Clearance Services for up to Five Years for a Total Amount Not-to-Exceed $995,280 (PRCS Department).
I respectfully submit observations regarding the Agenda Report dated August 25, 2025, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a five-year contract with Greenfield Management.
While the report notes that Greenfield submitted the lowest responsible bid and met prevailing wage requirements, there is no reference to enforceable local hiring requirements tied to contract performance.
This risks missing a vital opportunity to apply Pasadena's First Source Local Hiring Ordinance (PMC § 14.80) to a project that is both city-funded and labor-intensive. The ordinance was designed to ensure that Pasadena residents, particularly disadvantaged workers, benefit directly from City contracts, not just contractors or vendors. Brush clearance is a moderately skilled, steady job that Pasadena residents are fully capable of performing . City-supported programs such as MASH and youth-serving organizations like Outward Bound Adventures could readily provide local crews for this work.
Yet, the Agenda Report makes no mention of whether local hiring was discussed , considered , or applied to this contract. Without enforceable provisions, we risk five years of public dollars leaving Pasadena households, despite having both the workforce and the ordinance to ensure otherwise .
I respectfully recommend that City Council:
• Direct staff to fully apply Pasadena's First Source Local Hiring Ordinance so that the full benefit of this contract flows to Pasadena residents.
08/25/2025
Item 1
• Direct staff to evaluate whether MASH or the nonprofit Outward-Bound Adventures can perform this work , ensuring that the contract is staffed I 00 percent by Pasadena residents. • Ensure that Pasadena residents , including disadvantaged workers , First Source participants , pre-apprenticeship graduates , and local tradespeople-are prioritized for this work.
This contract represents five years of consistent employment and nearly one million dollars of public investment. Every contract matters , and this one should directl y benefit Pasadena families while advancing wildfire safety in our community.
Council Policy Consideration:
This action is consistent with the City Council ' s goals to improve , maintain , and enhance public facilities and infrastructure, and to support and promote the quality of life and the local economy .
Thank you for including this correspondence in the public record .
Respectfully submitted ,
~ t ~) '-'
Ronald K. Matthews
CEO, RK.M Construction
Local Hiring Coordinator
2-Minute Public Comment - Arroyo Seco Brush Clearance Contract Good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers, and City staff. My name is Ronald Matthews, CEO of RKM Construction and Local Hiring Coordinator.
Tonight, I want to address Consent Calendar Item 1, the proposed five-year contract for weed and brush clearance in the Arroyo Seco. This contract, valued at nearly one million dollars, represents five years of steady, moderately skilled work that Pasadena residents are fully capable of performing. City-supported programs like MASH and youth-serving nonprofits such as Outward-Bound Adventures could provide local crews to complete this work 100 percent with Pasadena residents .
Yet, the staff report makes no mention of applying Pasadena's First Source Local Hiring Ordinance. While the contractor met prevailing wage requirements , there is no evidence that our ordinance was considered or enforced . Without it, five years of public dollars could leave Pasadena households--even though the ordinance exists to ensure the full benefit of City contracts flows directly to Pasadena residents.
The Council's own policy goals emphasize improving and maintaining public facilities , enhancing quality of life, and supporting the local economy. Applying the First Source Local Hiring Ordinance to this project does exactly that-it keeps wages circulating locally, provides steady jobs, and strengthens community resilience while advancing wildfire safety.
Every contract matters. If we don't enforce local hiring here, then when will we? I respectfully urge the Council to direct staff to fully apply the ordinance and evaluate local workforce partners like MASH and Outward Bound so that this project delivers its full economic benefit to Pasadena families.
Thank you.