Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
c/o City Clerk
City of Pasadena
100 North Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
RECEIVED
262^ FEB-9 AH 10: 44
C STY CLERK
CITf OF PASADENA
Re: Agenda Item 10 - Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovations Project, Phase 2 CMAR Contract Amendment
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I respectfully submit this correspondence through the City Clerk for inclusion in the official Council record in support of advancing the Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovations Project, while underscoring that local participation must be elevated to a central and enforceable condition of approval as the project transitions into Phase 2 construction. This nearly $186 million, voter-approved investment represents one of the most significant public construction efforts in Pasadena, and its success should be measured not only by cost and schedule performance, but by the extent to which Pasadena residents and local businesses meaningfully participate in and benefit from the work.
During the July 21, 2025, City Council proceedings related to earlier contract actions for this project, the Council engaged in extensive discussion regarding local hiring and economic impact.
At that time, PCL Construction presented its local outreach efforts, economic impact initiatives, and a voluntary local hire plan, including references to a 10 percent metric tied to the construction-phase Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). Councilmembers expressed clear interest in ensuring Pasadena residents—particularly those ready to work—have access to employment opportunities on this project, and concerns were raised that local hiring was framed as a voluntary preference rather than a formal requirement. Members of the public, including Pasadena residents, similarly advocated for a required local workforce utilization plan and measurable accountability.
While the current staff report appropriately outlines outreach activities undertaken during Phase 1 and Phase 1A, those efforts are presented only in narrative form and do not document outcomes. Specifically, the report does not identify how many local workers have been hired to date, their residency, trade classifications, hours worked, or the percentage of total labor attributable to Pasadena residents. Moreover, the proposed Phase 2 contract amendment does not clearly translate prior commitments or Council direction into defined goals, enforceable contractual requirements, or compliance standards related to local hiring.
The absence of a Phase 1 local workforce outcomes report raises legitimate concern regarding whether Pasadena residents have been employed thus far and, critically, what level of local participation is anticipated moving forward. For a public project of this magnitude and importance, outreach alone is not sufficient. Local participation must be clearly defined, measured, reported, and enforced to ensure that Pasadena residents receive tangible employment and economic benefits consistent with the intent expressed by Council during earlier deliberations and aligned with the City's First Source Local Hiring objectives. 2/9/2026
Item 10
Accordingly, I respectfully urge the City Council to condition approval of the Phase 2 amendment on the following actions:
1. Submission of a documented Phase 1 local hiring report detailing workers hired to date, residency, trades, and hours worked; and
2. Inclusion of clear, enforceable, and contractual local hiring commitments for Phase 2, including defined targets, ongoing reporting requirements, and compliance oversight.
Taking these steps will strengthen accountability, honor prior Council discussions, reinforce public trust, and ensure this landmark project delivers lasting value to Pasadena residents alongside the restoration of an essential civic asset.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. Ronald Matthews
Pasadena, California
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I am here today in support of moving the Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovations Project forward, but I want to be very clear that local participation must be a required outcome of this project, not simply a stated intention. This is a nearly $186 million, voter- approved public investment, and Pasadena residents expect to see real, measurable economic benefit in the form of jobs and contracting opportunities.
During earlier Council actions, commitments were discussed regarding local hiring and economic impact, and the contractor presented outreach and voluntary local hire efforts.
However, the current staff report only describes outreach—it does not report results. We do not know how many Pasadena residents have been hired to date, in which trades, for how many hours, or what percentage of the workforce has been local. That lack of reporting raises real concern about accountability as we move into full construction.
Outreach alone is not enough. Effort is not the same as outcome. For a project of this size and importance, local participation must be clearly defined, tracked, reported, and enforced through the contract. Pasadena residents deserve transparency and measurable commitments, not voluntary goals that cannot be evaluated.
I respectfully urge the Council to approve this item with conditions: require a Phase 1 local hiring report showing actual outcomes to date, and require enforceable, contractual local hiring commitments for Phase 2, including targets and ongoing reporting. Taking these steps will protect public trust and ensure this landmark project benefits the people of Pasadena, not just the building itself.
I
HERITAGE
PRESEWATION | ADVOCACY | EDUCATION
160 NORTH OAKLAND AVENUE
PASADENA. CALIFORNIA 91 101-1714
RECEIVED
P 626.441.6333 F 626.441.2917
WWW.PASADENAHERITAGE.ORG
2826 FEB-9 PM }: 19
February 9, 2026
Mayor Victor Gordo and Members of the City Council
City of Pasadena
100 N, Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91 101
CITY CLERK
CiTY OF PASADENA
RE: Central Library Project Recommendation from Public Works (Item #10) Dear Mayor Gordo and Council Members:
Pasadena Heritage would like to express its support for the recommendation of the Public Works Department to approve the second-phase construction contract with PCL for the Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovation project.
Having met with the design and engineering team on several occasions and been kept apprised of progress on the project by Executive Director Emerita Sue Mossman, who represents us on the Technical Oversight Committee, Pasadena Heritage believes the project is proceeding well and that PCL, as the general contractor for the first phase of the project, has performed well in executing the required work. We are particularly pleased that the "soft demolition," including careful removal, documentation, and storage of interior historic woodwork and other original features, has been completed with due care and attention.
We respectfully urge that the City Council approve the recommendation presented to you tonight to extend the contract with PCL so that the Central Library work can continue without interruption, under the direction of City staff, the design and engineering team, and now a proven general contractor.
Thank you for your attention to this highly important project that means so much to the community.
Sincerely,
0t^£^c(^/^U^»'i,
Bridget Lawlor, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Pasadena Heritage
PRESERVA TI 0 NADVOCACYE D U CA T2?sNo26
Item 10
O^.PAS1
^
Li
Ill10
^'
^t<lS°'TB<»d:!ro3
RECESVED
2925 FEB-9 PH 1-.54
CITY CLERK
Pasadena Central Library . CtT^ OF PASADENA
Seismic Retrofit and Renovation Project
v ^
MAYOR'S CENTRAL LIBRARY
TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Monday, Febmary 9, 2026
To: Mr. Miguel Marquez,
City Manager
City of Pasadena, Pasadena City Hall
100N.0arfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
RE: Support To Award Construction Contract to PCL for the Pasadena Central Library Rehabilitation Project
Dear Mr. Miguel Marquez,
The purpose of this letter is to convey the City-appointed Committee's support of the Public Works recommendation to award the next phase of the constmction contract to PCL for the Pasadena Central Library project. Having been presented with project reports, building plans, job site photos and design team and contractor discussions at our January 15, 2026 meeting, the following is a synopsis of the presentation that infomied our support.
The Pasadena Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Restoration Project addresses life-safety concerns, preserves historic elements, and ensures long-term functionality. Phase 1A, the initial soft demolition and preparatory phase, commenced after Council approval and focused on demolition, structural investigation, and stabilization. As of January 2026, it's over 80% complete, with final completion by Febmary 12, 2026. Work included selective demolition, foundation preparation, and temporary shoring. Stmctural observation reports and a supporting letter from the Engineer Of Record confinii that the stabilization program meets design intent, with no major stmctural concerns. Minor concrete repairs and rock pocket remediation were addressed as expected.
Based on the aforementioned matters of importance and on the initial phases being successfully perfonned and nearly complete, aligning the proposed GMP with the original project budget, risk and contingency controls have been established, and there is a demonstrated commitment to local economic participation and positive impact. The Technical Oversight Committee is in support of the City of Pasadena Public Works Department recommendation.
I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your dedicated attention to this important community resource and asset.
Respectfully Yourg,
Winston Thome
Technical Oversight Committee
Chair Mr. Winston Thorne, AIA,NOMA,NCARB,CSBA
Vice-Chair Dr. Paul Jennings, PhD
Ms. Susan Mossman
Mr. David Cocke, SE, F.SEI, F.ASCE
Dr. Thomas H. Heaton, PhD
Dr. Monica Kohler, PhD
Mr.KevinD.O'Connell.S.E.
Mr. Kenneth O'Dell, S.E.
Mr. Daniel Zepata, S.E.
202602091trTOCPage 1 of 12/9/2026
Item 10