CITY OF PASADENA
MEETING OF THE FINANCE/AUDIT COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER S249
MAY 18, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
OPENING Chair Gordo called the special Meeting of the Finance/Audit Committee to order at 3:16 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Victor M. Gordo (Chair)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (Absent)
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Staff: Matthew E. Hawkesworth, Interim City Manager
Karin Schnaider, Director of Finance
Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Armine Trashian, Controller
Tim Park, Purchasing Administrator
Flora Kariyan, Principal Administrative Analyst
Rachelle Razon, Senior Administrative Analyst
Byanca Banaga, Senior Administrative Analyst
David Klug, Economic Development Director
Alex Souto, Deputy City Manager
Alex Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager
Tiffany Jacobs Quinn, Director of Human Resources
Michael Paliwoda, Principal Human Resources Analyst
Jaime Arrellano, Principal Human Resources Analyst
Brady Griffin, Human Resources Manager
Vanna Lesh, Benefits Manager
Karen Sun, Executive Assistant
Jenny Cristales-Cevallos, Deputy Director of Transportation Sebastian Hernandez, Principal Planner
Brent Maue, City Engineer
Phyllis Hallowell, Public Works Administrator
Stephanie Chang, Management Analyst V
Henry Fromenta, Safety Officer
Michael Go, Rate Analyst
Gloria Acevedo, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to approve the February 23, 2026, and March 9, 2026, Special 01 05/18/26 Finance/Audit Committee Meeting
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
02 Meeting of the Finance Committee minutes (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
FY 2026 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - THIRD QUARTER
MONITORING REPORT
Chair Gordo introduced Matthew Hawkesworth, Interim City Manager, who introduced Brent Maue, City Engineer, who provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Councilmember Cole inquired on the status of the underground project located at Mountain Street. Staff acknowledged it is an active project.
Councilmember Masuda, asked about current funding for the sidewalk repair project.
Following a discussion on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BUDGET WORKSHOP FY 2027 RECOMMENDED OPERA TING
BUDGET
OPERTING BUDGET PRESENTATIONS:
A. HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Chair Gordo introduced Matthew Hawkesworth, Interim City Manager, who introduced Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn, Director of Human Resources, who provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Councilmember Cole praised staff for the work on the
engagement survey and asked how the progress is monitored by department. He also requested for staff to provide as many growth opportunities as possible to staff in order to increase promoting within. Ms. Jacobs-Quinn provided detailed examples on how the Gallop Survey was implemented and the progress that has been made.
Councilmember Masuda also thanked staff for their efforts and for the assistance provided to the Eaton Fire victims.
Following a discussion on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BUDGET WORKSHOP FY 2027 RECOMMENDED OPERA TING
BUDGET
OPERTING BUDGET PRESENTAITONS:
A. FINANCE
05/18/2026 Finance/ Audit Committee Meeting
03 Chair Gordo introduced the item and Karin Schnaider, Director of Finance, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Councilmember Masuda asked about grants for the
homelessness and asked if there has been an increase to the funds. He stressed the importance of funding the
Pasadena Outreach Response Team and the Homeless
Outreach-Psychiatric Evaluation team. Staff will continue to look at funding opportunities to maintain these programs.
Councilmember Cole asked Matthew Hawkesowrth, Interim
City Manager, for the difference between a Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Finance. Councilmember Cole
agrees that the function of Director of Finance does play the role of a Chief Financial and requested further discussion on the matter given the unpresidential challenges facing the City. Chair Gordo Chair is interested in further reviewing the subject.
The following individual spoke on the Eaton Fire expense recovery efforts and on the vendor procurement process:
Yadi
B. CITY MANAGERS OFFICE
Recording Secretary Gloria Acevedo shared there was one piece of Correspondence for item 3B.
Interim City Manager Matthew Hawkesorth provided a brief overview and introduced Alex Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager, who provided PowerPoint presentation and
later introduced Alex Souto, Deputy City Manager. All
responded to questions.
Councilmember Cole requested the item on insurance return to a Finance Committee Meeting after the budget
presentations, given the increased costs. Chair Gordo
agreed it was time for a status update on General Liability.
Staff will provide an update at a future meeting.
Gloria Acevedo, Recording Secretary, routed one letter of correspondence that was distributed to the Committee,
posted online, and made part of the public record for this item.
05/18/2026 Finance/Audit Committee Meeting
04 The following individual spoke on the consolidation of function in the Risk Management Division and on general liability costs:
Yadi
Following a discussion on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR 2026
ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET
The following individual provided support for the item.
Yadi
Councilmember Cole made a motion to move items 4-7 forward to the full City Council for consideration in a sweep motion, Councilmember Masuda seconded the motion (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
FOR THE PURCHASE OF SEVEN BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES
FROM COACH WEST FOR PASADENA DIAL-A-RIDE FOR A NOT
TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $2,921,713
Councilmember Cole made a motion to move items 4-7 forward to the full City Council for consideration in a sweep motion, Councilmember Masuda seconded the motion (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CALIFORNIANS
DEDICATED TO EDUCATION FOUDATION TO RECEIVE FUNDING
OF $250,000 FOR THE STEAM PATHWAYS ACCELERATION
PROGRAM AND AMEND THE CITY MANAGER'S FY 2026
OPERATING BUDGET TO RECONGIZE AND APPROPRIATE THE
FUNDS
Councilmember Cole made a motion to move items 4-7 forward to the full City Council for consideration in a sweep motion, Councilmember Masuda seconded the motion (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR A 2026
TRANSIT-FIRST FAN ZONE SOCCER WATCH PARTY IN THE
AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND
AMEND THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER'S FISCAL YEAR
2026 OPERATING BUDGET
05/18/2026 Finance/Audit Committee Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
ATTEST:
Gloria Acevedo
Recording Secretary
05 Councilmember Cole made a motion to move items 4-7 forward to the full City Council for consideration in a sweep motion, Councilmember Masuda seconded the motion (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
FISCAL YEAR JUNE 30, 206 SINGLE AUDIT REPORT
Councilmember Cole made a motion to move items 4-7 forward to the full City Council for consideration in a sweep motion, Councilmember Masuda seconded the motion (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
On the order of the Chair, the special meeting of the meeting of the Finance/Audit Committee was adjourned at 4:22 p.m.
Mayor Victor ir
Finance/Audi
05/18/2026 Finance/Audit Committee Meeting