AGENDA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING NOTICE
MAY 19, 2026
PUBLIC MEETING 5:00 P.M.
MEMBERS
Tyron Hampton, Chair District 1
Jessica Rivas, District 5
Steve Madison, District 6
Jason Lyon, District 7
STAFF
David Klug, Economic Development Director
Dion O’Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Pasadena is dedicated to delivering exemplary municipal services, responsive to our entire community and consistent
with our history, culture and unique character.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Assistive Listening Devices are available from the City Clerk’s Office with a 24-hour advance notice.
Please call (626) 744-4124 to request use of a listening device.
Language translation services are available for this meeting by calling (626) 744-4124 at least 24 hours in advance.
Habrá servicio de interpretación disponible para éstas juntas llamando al (626) 744-4124 por lo menos con 24 horas de anticipación.
Items on the agenda may not be called in order listed.
Agendas and supporting documents are available on the Internet at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/city-council-economic-development-technology/
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Economic Development and Technology Committee after distribution of the agenda packet will be posted online and listed as: “Supplemental Agenda Material Received after the Posting of the agenda”
PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE MEETING FOR
MAY 19, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. WILL BE ACCEPTED IN-PERSON AND BY VIDEOCONFERENCE/TELECONFERENCE.
Link to City Meeting Policy:
cityofpasadena.net/CityCouncilMeetingPolicy
TO VIEW A LIVE STREAM OF THE MEETING:
http://pasadena.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=9 AND
WWW.PASADENAMEDIA.ORG
In order to facilitate public participation at meetings the City will accept public comment in the following manner:
1. Whether participating in-person or virtually at the meeting, members of the public may provide public comment by submitting a speaker card prior to the start of public comment on that item, at the following webpage:
www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/
If a public comment speaker wishes to speak on more than one agenda item, please indicate which items on the online form (multiple item speakers will be handled according to the process posted on the agenda and as specified in the City meeting policy). Public comments are limited to 3 minutes each, and the Chair and Committee may limit this time if reasonable under the circumstances.
2. In-person Meeting Participation: Complete an online speaker card at the following website: www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/ After submitting a public speaker card, members of the public may attend the meeting in-person by coming to the Pasadena City Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall at the date and start-time of the posted meeting.
Virtual Meeting Participation: For virtual participants, you may attend by connecting to the meeting using a computer, other electronic device, or by telephone. Please review the agenda to identify the published start time for the meeting and connect to the meeting just prior to, or at the start of the meeting.
To participate in public comment for an item and to be recognized to speak, it is required that the speaker login to the meeting using the same name or telephone number used on the Speaker Card form. This will allow City staff to locate and promote the speaker into the meeting when it is time for their public comment.
Participants’ phone calls to the Committee meeting will be recorded as part of the Committee meeting. By staying on the line and making public comment during the Committee meeting by phone, you are agreeing to have your phone call recorded. Following is the connectivity information for virtual participation:
Computer or electronic devices, join the meeting at: cityofpasadena.net/cczoom Telephone only dial-in: 1-669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 161 482 446
3. Speaker Card Help Line: If a public comment speaker needs assistance in completing a speaker card, please call the City Clerk’s Office at: (626) 744-4124.
Help line will open 30 minutes prior to the posted start time of the meeting.
4. Members of the public may submit correspondence of any length prior to the start of the meeting, at the following email address:
Correspondence will be forwarded to the City Council prior to the start of the meeting, posted online, and made part of the legislative record for the item.
LIVESTREAM WITH CAPTIONING IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.PASADENAMEDIA.ORG, WWW.CITYOFPASADENA.NET/COMMISSIONS/AGENDAS,
IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE MODIFICATION OR ACCOMMODATION PURSUANT
TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
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AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT (626) 744-4124 OR
[email protected].
CI
TY OF PASADENA
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
MA
Y 19, 2026
PUBLIC MEETING 5:00 P.M.
PASADENA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBER
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE, ROOM S249
NO
TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the regular meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee, will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber to discuss matters on the attached agenda. ____
_________________
Tyron Hampton, Chair
Economic Development and
Technology Committee
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this agenda in its entirety, was posted on the Internet at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/city-council-economic-development-technology/ and on the Council Chamber Bulletin Board, Room S249, and the Bulletin Board in the rotunda area; City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, this 14
th day of May 2026 by 5:30 p.m. and that copies hereof were emailed or delivered to each member of the City Council and to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice in writing, all of which recipients are identified on the distribution herein below.
K
atrine Panoyan
City Manager’s Office
DISTRIBUTION:
City Council Los Angeles Times
City Manager Pasadena Journal
City Attorney Pasadena Now
Public Information Officer Pasadena Star News
Pasadena Weekly La Opinion
Pasadena Independent
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
MAY 19, 2026
Public Meeting: 5:00 P.M.
Council Chamber, Pasadena City Hall
100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249
T
he City Council may take action on any item listed on this agenda as it deems appropriate following consideration and discussion of the matter.
PUBLIC MEETING – 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public comment will be limited to a total of 20 minutes at the beginning of the meeting and will continue at the conclusion of the meeting, if necessary.
Please limit comments to 3 minutes each.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• APR
IL 21, 2026 – REGULAR MEETING*
NEW BUSINESS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO FORM AN ENHANCED
INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT (EIFD); ESTABLISH THE PASADENA EIFD PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY; AND APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE EIFD PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY*
2. PASADENA CENTER OPERATING COMPANY (PCOC) BUDGET*
3. PASADENA COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION (PCAC) BUDGET*
4. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUDGET*
5. CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET
(INCLUDES FOOTHILL WORKFORCE)*
6. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH
CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
AND ONGOING OPERATION OF MANAGED ENDPOINT CYBERSECURITY
PROTECTION AND MONITORING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO- EXCEED $968,124 FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS*
INFORMATION ONLY
7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR*
ADJOURN
*Attachment
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• APRIL 21, 2026 – SPECIAL MEETING*
01 04/21/2026
CITY OF PASADENA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2026 – 5:00 P.M.
MEETING
OPENING The Chair called the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee to order at 5:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
Councilmember Tyron Hampton, Chair
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Klug, Director of Economic Development
Teresa Garcia, Senior Project Manager
Deborah Membreno, Project Manager
Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Amanda Cusick, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT Yadi, Pasadena resident, voiced concerns on the lack of public input related to the City’s technology-related capital improvement projects.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Vice Mayor Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the minutes of March 17, 2026 , as submitted. ( Motion unanimously approved)
NEW BUSINESS PASADENA RETAIL VACANCIES
David Klug, Director of Economic Development, provided introductory comments, and Teresa Garcia, Senior Project Manager , presented a PowerPoint presentation as part of h er oral presentation , providing information on the City’s retail uses, vacancy measurement and misconceptions, new space challenges, regulatory challenges, retail success, and new retail openings; with both responding to questions.
Anya Chan, Director of Research at Streetsense (City consultant), provided an overview of retail success factors, changes in retail space demand, and considerations related to vacancy taxes.
Burton Heiss, CEO of Escapology, shared the company’s experience opening its Pasadena location, emphasized the importance of co-tenancy, and noted strong performance since opening.
Erica Guiterrez, founder of Monarca Sol Collective, shared her business development journey and emphasized the importance of community collaboration, small business support, and cultivating unique local shops , and responded to questions.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that 1 letter was received by the City Clerk’s Office, which was distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
02 04/21/2026
The following individuals spoke on the city’s retail perception, permitting process, vacancy tax, adaptive reuse of retail space , and/or provided related comments on the matter:
Brigham Yen, Pasadena resident
Steve Mulheim, representing Old Pasadena Management
Humaira, Pasadena resident
Jodi Shoemake, resident not stated
Councilmember Lyon requested staff to provide additional information on the duration of retail vacancies, particularly along South Lake Avenue; and for staff to return to the Committee with policy recommendations to expedite leasing and activation, including improvements to the permitting process. He expressed concerns with the large and chronically vacant retail spaces and emphasized the need to remove barriers to occupancy such spaces.
Councilmember Madison echoed Councilmember Ly on’s remarks regarding the need to expedite planning and permitting processes and asked staff to follow up on the current plan check process , including whether services are being outsourced. He also emphasized the importance of parking and transportation access in supporting retail activity and encouraged continued efforts to improve these systems.
Vice Mayor Rivas spoke on the importance of right -sizing commercial space in the City and emphasized the need to focus on chronically vacant retail spaces, particularly in the Northwest region and along North Lake Avenue.
Chair Hampton emphasized the need to focus on chronically vacant retail spaces and asked staff to return with policy recommendations to address and reduce long-term vacancies.
The Committee thanked staff and speakers for their presentation and hard work on the matter.
Chair Hampton reported that the adaptive reuse topic will be agendized at a future Committee meeting for further consideration and discussion.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CDNA)
David Klug, Director of Economic Development, provided introductory comments, and Deborah Membreno , Project Manager, presented a PowerPoint presentation as part of her oral presentation , providing information on Northwest Pasadena ’s commercial districts, the Los Angeles Economic Equity and Access Forward (LEEAF), scope of work and timeline, data collection plan; with both responding to questions.
03 04/21/2026
Elianne Rodriguez, Executive Director of LEEAF, provided an overview of the organization and its economic development support for small businesses, including outreach, data collection, and community-based services.
The following individuals advocated for residential internet access, tailored implementation process, and/or provided other comments on the matter:
Yadi, Pasadena resident
Christian Jones, Pasadena resident
Chair Hampton suggested involving students from John Muir High School and Sequoyah School in outreach and data collection efforts, in conjunction with Pasadena City College (PCC) students.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
INFORMATION ONLY CDGB PROGRAMS — FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AND
MICROENTERPRISE GRANTS
David Klug, Director of Economic Development, provided introductory comments, and Deborah Membreno, Project Manager, presented a PowerPoint presentation as part of her oral presentation , providing information on CDBG grant timeline, outreach methods, commercial façade improvement grantees, and microenterprise recovery grant ; with both responding to questions.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
David Klug, Economic Development Director, summarized the staff memo as part of his oral presentation , providing information on business development, open rewards pilot program, small business support, special events, technology and innovation connect week, and responded to questions.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
04 04/21/2026
ADJOURNMENT On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee was adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
_________________________________
Tyron Hampton, Chair
Economic Development and Technology Committee
ATTEST:
____________________
Betty Gao
Recording Secretary
NEW BUSINESS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO FORM AN ENHANCED
INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT (EIFD); ESTABLISH THE PASADENA EIFD PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY; AND APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE EIFD PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY*
RESOLUTION NO. ___________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASADENA STATING
ITS INTENTION TO ESTABLISH THE PASADENA ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE
FINANCING DISTRICT TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR,
ACQUISITION, AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND
FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION AND/OR REMEDIATION OR LAND FOR SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND FACILITIES; ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY; AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER ACTIONS
RELATED THERETO
WHEREAS, SB 628, effective as of January 1, 2015, allows a city or county to create a separate government entity known as an “Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District” (EIFD) within a defined area to finance certain infrastructure projects with community-wide benefits; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 2.99 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the California Government Code (commencing with Section 53398.50) (the "EIFD Law"), the City Council of the City of Pasadena ("Council") is authorized to initiate the process to establish an EIFD; and,
WHEREAS, EIFDs are financed through tax increment generated from the growth in property taxes collected from within a designated district boundary. There are no new taxes or impacts to the property owner within an established EIFD; and,
WHEREAS, EIFD tax increment may be used to pay for a variety of public facilities and other projects authorized by the EIFD Law within the established EIFD boundaries or outside of the established EIFD boundaries if there is a tangible connection to the work of the EIFD, including but not limited to infrastructure such as roads, utilities, streetscapes, parks and public recreation, or other community facilities.
Affordable housing, including affordable senior housing, is also an eligible activity; and,
WHEREAS, the City retained Kosmont Financial Services as a consultant to prepare an evaluation of EIFD implementation feasibility; and,
WHEREAS, the prerequisites set forth in Government Code Section 53398.54 have been complied with prior to the City initiating the creation of or participating in the governance of the EIFD, and the City will provide the required certification to the California Department of Finance (“DOF”) in accordance with the EIFD Law; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed boundaries of the Pasadena EIFD are identified on Exhibit A entitled "Proposed Pasadena EIFD Boundary", a copy which is on file in the office of the City Clerk; and,
WHEREAS, the EIFD will be governed by a Public Financing Authority ("PFA") board which will be responsible for implementing the Infrastructure Financing Plan for the EIFD ("IFP"), and the PFA is required to be established by the City Council at the same time that the Council adopts its intention to form the proposed EIFD; and,
WHEREAS, this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) as an action solely related to financing and is not in -and-of itself a “project” (pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378) since it does not result in a physical change in the environment because the City has not committed itself to fund any specific projects through the EIFD. However, future actions (such as the funding and/or approval of infrastructure improvements using funding from the EIFD) will be subject to environmental review in accordance with CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASADENA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Pasadena proposes and intends to cause the establishment of an EIFD under the provisions of the EIFD Law.
Section 2. The name proposed for the EIFD shall be the “Pasadena Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District.”
Section 3. The proposed boundaries of the EIFD are as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto, which are preliminarily approved and on file in the office of the City Clerk and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 4. The types of public facilities and development proposed to be financed or assisted by the EIFD pursuant to the EIFD Law are those listed on Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 5. The City Council hereby finds that the EIFD is necessary for the area within the boundaries of the EIFD and the City. The City Council's stated goals for the EIFD are to create a means by which to assist in the provision of public facilities or other specified projects of communitywide significance that provide significant benefits to, promote economic development of, and enhance quality of life within, the boundaries of the EIFD or the surrounding community.
Section 6. The City Council hereby declares that, pursuant to the EIFD Law and if approved by resolution pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.68, incremental property tax revenue from the City of Pasadena and some or all other affected taxing entities within the EIFD may be used to finance the activities described in Section 4 and listed on Exhibit B. The incremental property tax financing will be described in an IFP to be prepared for approval by the PFA, the City Council, and the legislative bodies of all participating taxing entities under EIFD Law.
Section 7. The City or County of Los Angeles may allocate tax revenues derived from local sales and use taxes imposed pursuant to the Bradley -Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law (Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code) or transactions and use taxes imposed in accordance with the Transactions and Use Tax Law (Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code) to the EIFD pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.75.5, if applicable. The City Council does not intend to contribute sales and use taxes or transactions and use taxes to the EIFD.
Section 8. The City Council hereby establishes the “Public Financing Authority of the Pasadena Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District” to serve as the governing board of the EIFD:
A. The PFA membership shall be comprised initially of three members of the City Council appointed by the City Council and two public members selected by the City Council. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council, as the case may be, and shall serve until their successor assumes office.
B. The City Council further declares that, pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.51.1, should another taxing entity agree to participate as a taxing entity, then the PFA membership shall be modified in accordance with Government Code Section 53398.51.1.
For example, if the County of Los Angeles (“County”) agrees to participate as a taxing entity and the participating taxing entities consist of the City and the County, then the PFA membership shall be modified to be two members of the City Council, one member of the County Board of Supervisors (“Board of Supervisors”), one member of the public appointed by the City Council, and one member of the public appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
Members shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing legislative bodies and shall serve until their successor assumes office.
C. The legislative body of each participating taxing entity may appoint one of its members to be an alternate member of the PFA board who may serve and vote in place of a member who is absent or disqualifies themselves from participating in a meeting of the PFA.
D. The members are subject to compliance with the EIFD Law and all applicable ethics laws, including Article 2.4 (commencing with Section 53234) of Chapter 2 of the Government Code.
E. The City Council, and the governing bodies of any other participating entities shall comply with Government Code Section 54974.
Section 8. The City Council hereby sets the time and place for a public hearing of the PFA regarding the proposed EIFD and IFP, to be held on November 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at City Hall Council Chambers, 100 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.
Section 9. Pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.60, the City Clerk is hereby directed to mail a copy of this Resolution to the PFA and each owner of land (as defined in the EIFD Law), or alternatively with respect to the owners of land may mail a single -page notice of intention identified in Government Code Section 53398.60(b), within the EIFD and to each affected taxing entity (as defined in the EIFD Law). In addition, the City Clerk is hereby directed to cause notice of the public hearing to be published not less than once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City. The notice shall state that the EIFD will be used to finance public works, briefly describe the facilities, briefly describe the proposed financial arrangements, including the proposed commitment of incremental tax revenue, describe the boundaries of the proposed EIFD and state the day, hour, and place, when and where any persons having any objections to the proposed IFP, or the regularity of any of the prior proceedings, may appear before the PFA and object to the adoption of the proposed IFP.
Section 10. The Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Pasadena (Successor Agency) has received a finding of completion, as specified in California Health and Safety Code Section 34179.7.
Section 11. In accordance with Government Code Section 53398.54, the City certifies to the DOF and to the PFA that no former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Pasadena (Former RDA) assets that are the subject of litigation involving the State of California, where the City or the Successor Agency are a named plaintiff, have been or will be used to benefit any efforts of the EIFD unless the litigation and all possible appeals have been resolved in a court of law. The City Clerk is authorized and directed on behalf of the City to provide or make this certification to the DOF within 10 days after the City Council’s action to participate in the EIFD pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.68 or the City Council’s action to form the EIFD pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.69, by delivery of a copy of the appropriate Resolution or signing a separate certification, if and as required by the DOF.
Section 12. The State Controller has completed its review as specified in California Health and Safety Code Section 34167.5 of asset transfers between the Former RDA, the City or any other public agency. The Successor Agency and the City have complied with all of the State Controller's findings and orders stemming from such review.
Section 13. This Resolution in no way obligates the PFA to establish an EIFD.
Section 14. lf any section, subsection, phrase or clause of this Resolution is for any reason found to be invalid, such section, subsection, phrase or clause shall be severed from, and shall not affect the validity of, all remaining portions of this Resolution that can be given effect without the severed portion.
Section 15. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Section 16. The City Manager, or designee, are hereby authorized and directed to take all actions necessary or advisable to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Resolution.
Section 17. The City Clerk of the City of Pasadena shall certify as to the adoption of this Resolution.
Adopted at the regular meeting of the City Council on the 15th day of June, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mark Jomsky
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
__________________________
Dion O’Connell
Assistant City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
Proposed Pasadena Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) Boundaries
Proposed EIFD parcels are highlighted in color above and total approx. 551 acres.
Pasadena City boundaries are noted for reference only.
EXHIBIT B
CITY OF PASADENA
ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT (EIFD)
LIST OF AUTHORIZED PUBLIC FACILITIES
The Pasadena EIFD may finance the purchase, construction, expansion, improvement, seismic retrofit, or rehabilitation of any real tangible property with an estimated useful life of 15 years or longer which are public capital facilities or other projects of community -wide significance that provide significant benefits to the EIFD or the surrounding community. The EIFD may also finance the ongoing or capitalized costs to maintain public capital facilities financed in whole or in part by the EIFD. Facilities funded may be located outside the boundaries of the EIFD, as long as they have a tangible connection to the work of the EIFD as detailed in the infrastructure financing plan. The EIFD may also finance the planning and design work that is directly related to the purchase, construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of property. The EIFD may finance costs described in Government Code Sections [53398.52 [list of eligible improvements]] 53398.56 [replacement housing and relocation obligations if required by actions of EIFD] and 53398.57. Projects financed by the EIFD may include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
• Transit facilities, including City contributions toward regional transportation infrastructure improvements, and First/Last Mile (FLM) improvements; • Affordable housing as authorized under the EIFD Law;
• Highways, interchanges, and ramps;
• Bridges;
• Arterial streets;
• Parking facilities;
• Parks, recreational facilities, and open space;
• Sewage treatment and water reclamation plants and interceptor pipes; • Facilities for the collection and treatment of water for urban uses; • Facilities for the transfer and disposal of solid waste, including transfer stations and vehicles;
• Storm water conveyance and collection facilities;
• Flood control levees and dams, retention basins, and drainage channels; • Child care facilities;
• Libraries;
• Broadband and telecommunications infrastructure;
• Sidewalks and streetscape improvements;
• Bicycle lanes and paths;
• Public art;
• Corporation yards;
• Police facilities;
• Brownfield restoration and other environmental mitigation; • Projects that implement a sustainable communities strategy and transit priority projects; • Acquisition, construction, or repair of industrial structures for private use; • Acquisition, construction, or repair of commercial structures by the small business occupant of such structures, if such acquisition, construction, or repair is for purposes of fostering economic recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic and of ensuring the long - term economic sustainability of small businesses;
• Projects that enable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including, but not limited to, higher average temperatures, decreased air and water quality, the spread of infectious and vector -borne diseases, other public health impacts, extreme weather events, sea level rise, flooding, heat waves, wildfires, and drought; • Facilities in which nonprofit community organizations provide health, youth, homeless, and social services.
Other Expenses
In addition to the direct costs of the above facilities, other incidental expenses as authorized by the EIFD Law, including, but not limited to, the cost of environmental evaluation and environmental remediation; engineering and surveying; construction staking; utility relocation and demolition costs incidental to the construction of the facilities; costs of project/construction management; costs (including the costs of legal services) associated with the creation of the EIFD; costs of issuance of bonds or other debt of the EIFD or of any other public agency for authorized facilities and payment of debt service thereon; financing costs of improvements incurred by developers until reimbursement from the EIFD; costs incurred by the County or the EIFD in connection with the division of taxes pursuant to Government Code Section 53398.75; or costs otherwise incurred in order to carry out the authorized purposes of the EIFD; reimbursements to other areas for facilities serving the EIFD; and any other expenses incidental to the formation and implementation of the EIFD and to the construction, completion, inspection and acquisition of the authorized facilities.
Pasadena
Enhanced Infrastructure
Financing District
Economic Development & Technology Committee
May 19, 2026
• Redevelopment agencies were
d
issolved in 2012, eliminating a
key tax increment financing tool.
• SB 628 (2014) created Enhanced
In
frastructure Financing Districts
(IFDs) as a new infrastructure
financing mechanism.
• EIFDs use future property ta
x
g
rowth to fund public
improvements and
i
nfrastructure.
• EIFDs do not increase property
t
ax rates or create new taxes.
Background
1 • The areas out lined present
significant opportunities for
i
nfrastructure investment and
future development.
• An EIFD could help fund
i
nfrastructure needed to support
long-term economic growth.
Pasadena EIFD Context
2 • November 2 025 – City and County
s
taff preliminary EIFD meeting
• March 2026 – E conomic
D
evelopment & Technology
Committee
• April 2026 – Ci ty and County staff
EIFD boundary tour
• June 15, 2026 – C ity Council,
Resolution of Intention (proposed)
Key Meetings & Presentations
3 Prepared by:
Kosmont Companies
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
Analysis Summary
May 19, 2026
4 Background
• Pasadena is evaluating the use of a special purpose financing district such as an E nhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to capture value from potential new development to fund critical infrastructure and community investment priorities
• EIFD tax increment financing (TIF) capacity is estimated to range up to ~$230M on a present-value basis • While a City-onl y financing district strategy would likely achieve a favorable “return on investment” for the City, a broader partnership including the County of Los Angeles would further improve financial feasibility; initial County feedback has been positive
• In addition to the EIFD funding capacity, the EIFD would elevate the City’s ability to attract other public f
unding, particularly state and federal grants
• Immediate next steps include City Council consideration of a non- bi nding Resolution of Intention 5 $0M
$100M
$200M
$300M
$400M
$500M
$600M
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Years from District Formation
Note: Illustrative.
What is Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – Not a New Tax
Baseline Property Value at District Formation
All Property Tax Stays with General Fund
New Property Value from
New Development / Rehabilitation
Some Portion of Property Tax Available to TIF District, Remainder Stays with General Fund
Assessed
Property Value
within District
New Total
Value After
TIF District
All Property
Tax Goes to
General Fund
6 EIFD Fundamentals
45 years from first bond issuance; can be formed in 12-18 months Long Term
Districts
Public Financing Authority (PFA) implements Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP)
Governance
Mandatory public hearings for formation with protest opportunity; no public vote
Approvals
EIFD project areas do not have to be contiguous
Non
-
contiguous
Areas
Any property with useful life of 15+ years & of communitywide significance; purchase, construction, expansion, improvement, seismic retrofit, rehabilitation, and maintenance
Eligible
Projects
7 Types of Projects EIFD Can Fund
Partial List
Roadway / Parking / Transit
Brownfield Remediation
Storm / Flood / Public Facilities Parks / Open Space / Recreation Libraries & Childcare Facilities
Affordable Housing
Broadband Small Business /
Nonprofit Facilities
Wildfire Prevention / Other
Climate Change Response
8 Why are Public Agencies Authorizing Financing Districts? Communicating in a Digital World
1. Return on Investment: Private sector investment induced by district commitment accelerates growth of net fiscal revenues, job creation, housing production, essential infrastructure i
mprovements
2. Ability to attract additional funds / other public money (“OPM”) – tax increment from other entities (county, special districts), federal / state grants / loans (e.g., for transit-oriented development, water, housing, parks, remediation)
9 Proposed EIFD Boundary
710 Area + Other Specific Plan Areas
• 710 Vision Plan area plus surrounding parcels,
and Spec
ific Plan areas Lincoln Avenue, Fair
Oaks / Orange Grove, and North Lake Avenue
Approx. 551 acres (~3.7% of City)
• $1.31 billion in existing assessed value (~3.2%
of C
itywide value)
Source: Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller (2026)
Other Opportunity Site EIFD Parcels
10 • Mobility and utility infrastructure
• Multimodal improvements
• Sustainable water features
• Clean energy / renewables
• Affordable housing
• Public and open space
• Facade renovation for small businesses
Example Projects for Funding in Pasadena
11 Development Assumptions within EIFD Study Area
Note: AV at buildout values in current 2026 dollars
Sources: CoStar (2026)
Area # SF or Units Estimated
AV Factor
Estimated
Total AV at Buildout
Residential – Market Rate 2,879 units $475-875K per unit $1.61 billion Residential – Affordable 629 units property tax exempt $0 Commercial / Retail 54,850 SF $450 PSF $25 million
Office 759,000 SF $600 PSF $455 million
Hotel 185 rooms $425K per room $79 million
Total New Development Assumed within EIFD Study Area $2.18 billion 12 City
21.0%
County
28.0%
Other / School
Entities (not eligible)
51.0%
• Primary non- school recipients and possible contributors of property tax are the City and County
• City share varies by area and averages ~17% to 21%
each of every $1 collected in property taxes within the study area, not including the City’s voter-approved
retirement allocation
– City additionally receives equivalent of ~6% of pr operty tax in lieu of motor vehicle license fees (MVLF), also available to EIFD
• County General Fund share averages ~28% to 35%
– County additionally receives property tax in lieu of MVLF, al
so available to EIFD, but not incorporated into this
analysis to be conservative
• State law prohibits school- related entities from pledging their share
As counties tend to rely more heavily on property tax revenue sources generated by new development within incorporated jurisdictions, it is Kosmont’s experience that it is not reasonable to assume allocation of property tax in lieu of MVLF by the County. As cities benefit from additional non-property tax revenue sources (e.g., sales tax, transient occupancy tax) from new development, it is Kosmont’s experience that it is reasonable for cities to consider contributing property tax in lieu of MVLF.
Post-ERAF (Education Revenue Augmentation Fund) distribution.
Source: Los Angeles County Auditor Controller (2026)
Property Tax Revenues Available to EIFD
Property Tax Distribution
Tax Rate Area (TRA) 07454
+ City MVLF of 6% = 27%
13 Los Angeles County EIFD Participation Policy
Property Tax Increment:
• City share contributed ≥ County share contributed
• County contributes less than 100% of its share
Fiscal Analysis: Positive net impact to County General Fund Board Priorities: Supports affordable housing, homeless prevention, workforce development, or sustainability
Regional and Community Significance: As related to Board priorities above, job creation, blight removal, or improvements to regional transportation
Affordable Housing: 20% of units or tax increment will be set aside for affordable housing uses “But for…” Test: Contribution of County property tax increment is necessary precondition for targeted projects
14 City allocation includes allocation from both AB8 + MVLF in-lieu. County allocation does not include MVLF in-lieu. * Bonding capacity assumes Year 5 is first bond issuance for EIFD. “Year 5 means fifth year of revenue following district formation. Net proceeds shown. Bondable revenue assumes $25,000 admin charge, 150% debt service coverage. 6.0% interest rate; 30-year term. Proceeds net of 2% underwriter's discount, estimated reserve fund (maximum annual debt service), costs of issuance estimated at $350,000.Source: Kosmont Financial Services (KFS), registered municipal advisor.
EIFD Revenue and Bonding Capacity Scenarios
EIFD Revenue
Allocation Scenario
Year 5
Accumulated
Revenue +
Bonding
Capacity*
Year 10
Accumulated
Revenue +
Bonding
Capacity*
50-Year
Present-Value
@ 3%
Discount Rate
50-Year
Nominal
Total
A) City 25% $5,375,000 $14,697,000 $57,616,000 $144,262,000 B) City 50% $11,413,000 $30,057,000 $115,232,000 $288,523,000 C) City 25% + County $ Match
(24% of County share) $11,413,000 $30,057,000 $115,232,000 $288,523,000 D) City 50% + County $ Match
(48% of County share)
$23,488,000 $60,775,000 $230,463,000 $577,046,000
15 Potential Cash Flow / Debt Issuance Approaches
• Kosmont Financial Services is in active discussions with public finance underwriters regarding TIF debt issuances in other jurisdictions
• There are several approaches for the leverage of tax increment for accelerated debt issuance (e.g., 2-3 years from district formation), for example:
a) Tax increment only
b) Overlapping TIF and CFD (CFD Backstop) – landowners / developers must be willing to pay CFD special taxes in the short term (e.g., 5-10 years) until tax increment reaches a level to cover debt service
c) Tax increment with City or County general fund backstop • There are advantages and disadvantages with each approach (e.g., upfront proceeds available, public agency risk, cost of capital)
• Additional alternatives are available if private sector partners (e.g., landowners / developers are willing to advance infrastructure funding in exchange for reimbursement from TIF proceeds) 16 Public Agency and Community Return on Investment
• Housing: 3.5K+ u nits, including significant number of affordable units • Economic revitalization, climate resilience, addressing critical infrastructure needs • Job creation, wages:
27.8K+ t emporary construction-related jobs* , ~$1.9B related new wage income 3. 4K + permanent jobs, related ~$186M in new annual wage income • Acceleration of development and related fiscal revenues for taxing entities:
$30 M in present value fiscal benefit for CITY general fund over 50 years, net of tax increment contribution to district and estimated expenditures (40% City allocation scenario) $175 M in present value fiscal benefit for COUNTY general fund over 50 years, net of tax increment contribution to district and estimated expenditures (25% County allocation scenario) $79 M in present value new sales tax funding for COUNTY transportation and homelessness services (separate from County general fund)
• Attract other funding not otherwise available for projects within the community * Construction job-years, where one job-year is defined as one year of employment for one individual 17 Proposed Financing District Formation Schedule
Tax increment allocation begins fiscal year following district formation Debt issuance, if desired, would occur after a stabilized level of tax increment has been established (may be 3-5 years) Target Date Task
Nov 2025 – May 2026
a) C
onduct outreach/discussion among City staff and Council, County staff and Board of Supervisors, other relevant stakeholders
b) F
inal determination of EIFD boundaries, eligible projects, governing Public Financing Authority (PFA) Board June / July 2026 c) Participating taxing agencies adopt Resolution(s) of Intention (ROI) and formally establish PFA July 2026 d) PFA directs the drafting of the Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP) August 2026 e) Distribute draft IFP to property owners, affected taxing entities, City Council, County Board of Supervisors September 2026 f) P
FA holds an initial public meeting to present the draft IFP to the public and property owners October 2026 g) City Council/legislative bodies of other affected taxing entity contributing increment adopt resolution(s) approving IFP November 2026 h) PFA holds first public hearing to hear additional comments and take action to modify or reject IFP (at least 30 days after “f”)
December 2026 i) P
FA holds second public hearing to consider oral and written protests and take action to terminate proceedings or adopt IFP and form the district by resolution (at least 30 days after “h”) 18 Proposed Next Steps
• Address questions, receive and incorporate feedback from City staff, City Council • Outreach to the County to confirm potential EIFD partnership • Based on City/County feedback, next action would be City Council consideration of a non-bi nding Resolution of Intention to form the EIFD
19 Disclaimer
The high-level analyses, projections, assumptions, rates of return, and any examples presented herein are for illustrative purposes and are not a guarantee of actual and/or future results. Project pro forma and tax analyses are projections only. Actual results may differ from those expressed in this analysis.
Discussions or descriptions of potential financial tools that may be available to the Client and public agencies are included for informational purposes only and are not intended to be to be “advice” within the context of this Analysis.
Municipal Advisory activities are conducted through Kosmont Companies’ affiliate, Kosmont Financial Services, which is Registered as a Municipal Advisor with the SEC and MSRB. 20 1. Find that the proposed actions are not a “project” subject to C
alifornia Public Resources Code Section 21065 and within th
e meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b); and
2. Recommend that Ci ty Council adopt a resolution declaring its intention to establish the Pasadena Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and establishing the Pasadena EIFD P
ublic Financing Authority (PFA); and
3. Appoint two members of the City Council to the Public F
inancing Authority Board and appoint one member of the
City Council as alternate Board member.
Staff Recommendation
21 End of Presentation
Thank you!
22 2. PASADENA CENTER OPERATING COMPANY (PCOC) BUDGET*
Pasadena Center Operating Company
(PCOC)
FY 2027 Recommended Budget
Economic Development & Technology Committee
May 19, 2026
1 Mission Statement
The mission of the Pasadena Center Operating
Company (PCOC) is to promote Pasadena as a
meeting and travel destination in an effort to maximize economic impact through the development of
meetings, conventions, entertainment events and
tourism by providing professionally managed facilities
and first-class service.
2 Pasadena Center Operating Company
3 Operating Revenue History By Source
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2026 FY 2027 %
Actual Adopted Forecast Recommended Change
Revenue
Convention Center & Civic 9,529,000$ 8,080,000$ 8,080,000$ 8,430,000$ 4.3% Parking Garage 2,071,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 2,150,000 13.2% Ice Skating 3,131,000 3,300,000 3,300,000 3,465,000 5.0% Total Operating Revenue 14,731,000 13,280,000 13,280,000 14,045,000 5.8% Transient Occupancy Tax 11,546,000 12,231,000 12,672,000 13,098,000 3.4% Tourism BID Assessment 4,700,000 4,248,000 4,248,000 4,375,000 3.0% Interest Earnings 600,000 300,000 500,000 500,000 0.0% Total Revenue 31,577,000 30,059,000 30,700,000 32,018,000 4.3% Transfer from Reserve (for CIP) 1,314,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 1,800,000 Pasadena Center Operating Company
4 Expense History By Cost Category
5 Pasadena Center Operating Company
o Revenues are expected to grow by 4.3% over FY 2026 forecast budget
o Expenses will grow to meet increased costs and inflation (4.5%) o TOT is expected to be flat/slightly up to FY 2026
o TBID expected to be slightly up to FY 2026
o Ice Rink revenues and participation are expected to grow due to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic bump
o America’s Got Talent reduction in space and revenue
o Monies budgeted for future LA 28 Olympic Opportunities o Anticipated transfer to reserves of approximately $1.8M Significant Changes From FY 2026 Budget
Pasadena Center Operating Company
Key Issues
o Anticipate TOT will meet debt service payment short of $500K allowance
o We anticipate Hotel Occupancy and Rates to be flat to FY 2026
o Expected increase in Short Term Rental revenue due to enhanced enforcement and collection
o Preparing to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 o Collaborating with City Staff and stakeholders for the LA28 Olympics
o Ongoing short-term and long-term CIP needs - $1.8M in FY 2027 6 FY 2027 Key Issues and Strategies
Pasadena Center Operating Company
7 Strategies
o Grow market share of high-end convention and entertainment events
o Promote Pasadena’s intellectual capital to event organizers by highlighting institutions including Caltech, Art Center, Kaiser School of Medicine, and Huntington Medical Research
Institutes
o Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 to promote domestic and international visitor interest in great American road trips
o Collaborate with City and Stakeholders to capture economic opportunities related to LA28 Olympics and to prepare
to “welcome the world”
FY 2027 Key Issues and Strategies
Strategies
o Increase investment in our online presence including website enhancement – an AI multilingual chatbot and strategically targeted digital advertising
o Continue to collaborate with the City of Pasadena Economic Development and local business improvement districts to strengthen the vitality of the city’s unique culinary and retail offerings
o Continue to partner with the Rose Bowl Stadium on concerts, Big 10 Football and events driving TOT/TBID room nights and revenue
o Continue a robust CIP to ensure long-term success of the Convention Center, Civic Auditorium, and Ice Skating Center 8 FY 2027 Key Issues and Strategies
Pasadena Center Operating Company
Priority: Move Pasadena decisively toward a carbon-free future
o Discussions started with PWP to evaluate future solar installations as part of the City’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals o Facilities have been retrofitted to LED lighting including the Conference Building, Exhibit Halls, and parking structure. The Ballroom and Civic Balcony lights will be converted in FY 2027
Priority: Implement Economic Development Strategic Plan with placemaking focus
o The PCOC will continue to collaborate with the Economic Development Department to bring in more visitors, which increases spending, especially in retail, hotel and hospitality
9 FY 2027 City’s Budget Priorities
Pasadena Center Operating Company
o PCOC Convention Facilities and Tourism Marketing
efforts support:
• Generating Revenue – More conventions and visitors equals more consumer spending
• Enhanced Branding – Promoting Pasadena as a world class destination
• Creating Vibrant Events – The Convention Center, Civic Auditorium and Ice-Skating Center bring thousands of visitors to Pasadena yearly who might otherwise not visit
• Support Workforce Development – Hospitality related
industries offer job opportunities and skills training
10 FY 2027 City’s Budget Priorities
Pasadena Center Operating Company
3. PASADENA COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION (PCAC) BUDGET*
Pasadena Community Access
Corporation (PCAC)
FY 2027 Recommended Budget
Economic Development & Technology
Committee
May 19, 2026
Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Background
2 • PCAC (“Pasadena Media”) is one of City’s three Operating Companies
• Serves as umbrella organization for Pasadena’s PEG Stations:
Arroyo -- Public Access
KLRN & PCC-TV -- Education Access
KPAS -- Government Access
Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Purpose and Function
• Provides community access to local cable TV
• Operates studio for producing & cablecasting PEG
programming
• Staffs KPAS & creates government info programming,
including live Council meetings, press conferences,
public service announcements, special events, &
emergency info
• Provides training, resources and facilities for the public to successfully produce their own TV programs
• Serves as City’s official administrator and disbursing entity for 1 Percent PEG fee collected from cable providers
• Oversees & administers all policies, regulations, rules and procedures for use and scheduling of local access
channels
3 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
FY 2026 Accomplishments
• Winner of Several Awards for Programming
> ACM West WAVE Awards for What’s Up Pasadena! and
two programs addressing effects of the Eaton Fire
• Continue to Address Compensation Deficiencies
> Raised minimum wage to $21/hr with 5% salary market
adjustments and 3% COLAs for other staff
• Address Current Needs, Strategize for the Future
> Adapting to community information needs via content
creation and desired skills via training offerings
> Staffing levels maintained through reorganization as City requests for service continue to increase
> Implementing board-developed strategic plan
4 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Operating Expense History by Category
5 Expenses FY 2023
Actuals
FY 2024
Actuals
FY 2025
Actuals
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2026
Projected
FY 2027
Proposed
Personnel $772,228 $805,155 $844,596 $894,890 $895,819 $941,531 Occupancy $192,571 $209,842 $229,359 $228,047 $221,450 $226,849 Services &
Supplies $95,001 $121,667 $109,640 $102,063 $129,126 $129,620 Total $1,059,800 $1,136,664 $1,183,595 $1,225,000 $1,246,395 $1,298,000 FTEs 11 12 12 12 12 12
Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Operating Revenue History by Source
6 Sources FY 2023
Actuals
FY 2024
Actuals
FY 2025
Actuals
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2026
Projected
FY 2027
Proposed
General
Fund $1,052,000 $1,095,000 $1,155,000 $1,172,000 $1,172,000 $1,240,000 Production
Services $30,765 $35,435 $47,666 $33,600 $35,700 $35,000 Programs /
Membership $10,959 $8,948 $21,227 $19,400 $26,350 $23,000 Total $1,093,724 $1,139,383 $1,223,893 $1,225,000 $1,234,050 $1,298,000 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
1% PEG Fee
• By State Law, cable companies collect 1 percent “PEG
Fee” from cable television subscribers
• Fee restricted for capital improvements & equipment to benefit all local channels & PEG system (not operating) • Between FY20 & FY24, PEG fees fell ~2.5%/yr ($250k to $232k), but fell 10% in FY25 and ~12% last year to $185k • City retains 20 percent of PEG monies
• FY26 funded projects include energy efficient studio
lighting and field cameras for PCAC and KLRN staff
7 FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2027
Recommended
PEG Fees Received
by PCAC $147,895 $155,000 $125,000
Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Significant Changes from FY26
• Increased Personnel Costs ($46,641)
> Raise minimum wage to $22/hr
> 3% COLA for other staff at Jan. 2027
> Health insurance costs rapidly increasing
• Decreased Occupancy Costs (-$1,198)
> Renegotiated lease
• Increased Services & Supplies ($27,557)
> Increases in technology services to maintain
systems and implement descriptive audio
mandate, accounting fees, etc.
8 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
Key Performance Indicators
• Currently tracking 19 KPIs across several categories
> Community members gaining personal and career skills
> Best Practices Standards for community media
> Disseminate information effectively to wide audience
• KPIs address strategic plan as well as the City’s goals > Outputs: number of classes offered, training attendees, members, interns trained, hours of content produced by
staff for KPAS and for the public interest
> Outcomes: hours of content produced by community
members, number of volunteers, guests and support crew, community groups served, social media followers, online video views across platforms, website visits and
engagement
9 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
City’s Top Priorities
Meeting coverage & episodes of Rose City Report,
Pasadena Media News, & Pasadena In Focus have all
featured top priorities. Other programs include:
• Fire Dept. Facilities & Fire Protection
> Fire Service Day, Eaton Fire specials, Safety Events/PSAs • Improve Roadways & Pedestrian/Bike Safety
> On The Move series, Bus Rapid Transit Community Meeting • Move Pasadena Toward A Carbon-free Future
> PWP PSAs, Compost Training
• Economic Dev. Strategic Plan w/Placemaking
> “Shop Local” segments, Dine Out Streetfest
10 Pasadena Community Access Corporation
FY 2027 Priorities
• Increased City Media Requests
> Continue to meet needs of City departments and
operating companies
• Implement Strategic Plan
> Improving community awareness and engagement
> Accessibility initiatives ensuring access for all, including Justice Dept. web content mandates for captioning
and descriptive audio
> Building partnerships and diversifying funding
> Augmented training includes greater emphasis on
internships and workforce development
> Community hub development
11 4. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUDGET*
Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Recommended
Operating Budget
ED Tech Committee
May 19, 2026
Department of Information Technology
FY 2026 Accomplishments
• Deployed upgraded Police Mobile Data Computers
for patrol officers and vehicles
• Completed ADA and accessibility updates to the City
website to meet current mandated standards
• Replaced aging telephone system with Microsoft
Teams Phone service
• Developed multiple online and mobile applications
• Completed environmental reviews and executed
contracts for the Public Park Wi-Fi project
• Received smart city award for coordinated suite
of GIS applications to support Eaton Fire
response and community recovery efforts
2 Department of Information Technology
Appropriations by Category
3 Category
FY 2024
Actuals
FY 2025
Actuals
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2027
Recommended
%
Change
Personnel 14,203,401 14,979,713 16,514,269 17,461,890 5.7% Services & Supplies 4,423,733 5,864,698 7,412,986 8,134,320 9.7% Capital Outlay 1,620,961 1,729,739 0 0 0.0%
Internal Srvc Chrg 1,491,056 1,529,995 1,822,110 1,933,717 6.1% Debt Service 29,021 57,823
Operat Transfer Out 435,000 435,000 435,000 435,000 0.0% Operating Expense 4,293,229 4,579,220 1,090,000 1,333,000 22.3% Grand Total 26,496,401 29,176,188 27,274,365 29,297,927 7.4%
Full-Time Equivalents
(FTEs)
FY 2022
Adopted
FY 2023
Adopted
FY 2024
Adopted
FY 2025
Adopted
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2027
Recommended
Information Technology 77.00 77.00 79.00 81.00 84.00 85.00 Department of Information Technology
Significant Changes from FY 2026 Budget
• FY 2027 total appropriation increase of $948k (+7.4%) • Personnel increase of $948k (+5.7%)
> MOUs/COLA Adjustments: $546k (+6.2%)
> Benefits Changes: $402k (+5.2%)
Medical increase: $161k (+9.8%)
Pension increase: $95k (+2.8%)
> One additional FTE added to the City’s Enterprise Security Program to support the centralization of utility cybersecurity responsibilities and meet growing compliance requirements for operational technology (OT)
Funded by a transfer from the
Water & Power Department
4 Department of Information Technology
Significant Changes from FY 2026 Budget
• Services & Supplies increase of $721k (+9.7%)
> Desktop Replacement Program equipment and
software including new deployment model for
Police mobile data computers
> Transfer of technology related contracts from the
Library
> Cybersecurity investment in managed endpoint
detection and response service
> Reflects CPI adjustments to most annual service
contracts
5 Department of Information Technology
Significant Changes from FY 2026 Budget
• Internal Services increased $112k (+6.1%)
> Public Works Building & Fleet internal charges
increase of 10.2%
> CAP Allocation increase by 3.5% CPI
• Operating Expense increased $243k (+22.3%)
> Depreciation expense increased in line with current
and forecasted capital purchases
6 Department of Information Technology
Overview of Funds
7 • Fund 501 - 92% of revenue derived from annual fixed service charges to customer departments with fund balance
dedicated to capital and equipment replacement programs • Fund 408 – supports oversight and expansion of 171-mile fiber optic network with fund balance dedicated to
equipment replacement and strategic
broadband development
Fund FY 2027
Beginning
Balance
Revenues Expenses FY 2027
Ending
Balance
FY 2028
Forecast
FY 2029
Forecast
FY 2030
Forecast
501 - Computing
&
Communications
(Internal Service Fund)
$247,882 $28,370,513 $28,509,970 $108,424 $1,119,090 $1,766,469 $2,074,109 408 -
Telecommunications
(Enterprise Fund)
$2,282,718 $827,273 $711,154 $2,398,837 $3,001,576 $3,371,246 $3,738,413 Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 KPIs
8 • Additional outcome based KPIs:
KPIs FY 2027
Target
Percentage of incidents and service requests completed:
Within 1 day 35%
Within 3 days 45%
Within 30 days 60%
More than 30 days 98%
Internal Customer Satisfaction Score for technology services and support. 100% Network Availability including Commercial Providers and DoIT Managed Networks combined. 100%
Percentage growth of unique Wi‑Fi users accessing public Wi-Fi in parks and park facilities as 17 new sites are activated beginning in FY27. *NEW for FY 2027* 10% Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Priorities
• Alignment with City’s Top Priorities
> Supports departments through 24/7 customer service and innovative technology solutions that align with department business objectives and enable progress on the City’s top priorities
> Support is demonstrated in the following service categories:
35,000+ requests for service completed
3,500+ desktops, laptops, and mobile devices supported 350+ software systems supported and 40% cloud hosted
1,000+ technology purchases fulfilled
1.8+ petabytes of data managed
40+ active department projects managed in DoIT’s
portfolio
9 Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Priorities
• Expanding Digital Access & Inclusion
> Continue growing online services through web and mobile applications for anytime, anywhere access
> Enhance website and application accessibility features for all residents
• Strengthening Security & Reliability
> Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical systems and data
> Upgrade infrastructure to ensure continuity and resiliency • Develop Responsible AI Governance
> Establish AI policies, standards, and governance
frameworks to support secure, ethical, and effective
use of artificial intelligence across City operations
10 Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Priorities
• Data-Driven Decisions
> Invest in advanced data analytics tools and
dashboards for strategic decision-making
• Explore Emerging Technologies
> Evaluate and pilot newer technologies to
streamline processes, boost productivity,
and improve service delivery
11 Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Priorities
• Major Project Highlights
> Emergency Operations Center Technology Refresh:
Upgrading critical infrastructure
> Public Park Wi-Fi Expansion:
Continue implementation of free public W-Fi service to 17 parks and park facilities
> Police Radio Dispatch Consoles:
Replacing equipment critical to 911 operations
> Expansion of Security Cameras & Access Controls:
Enhancing safety at key City facilities including
the remaining branch libraries and Washington
Park
12 Department of Information Technology
FY 2027 Priorities
• Major Project Highlights (cont'd)
> Strategic Broadband Plan: Evaluating and prioritizing initiatives including exploring potential partnerships
opportunities
> Dept Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning:
Strengthening resilience strategies
> Application & Infrastructure Modernization: Consolidating and reducing redundant systems and transitioning to
cloud-powered solutions
> Department-Specific Projects: 40+ projects
investing in new capabilities and services across
numerous departments
13 Department of Information Technology
Questions?
14 5. CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECTION BUDGET*
City Manager Office
Economic Development Division
Foothill Workforce Development Board
FY 2027 Recommended
Operating Budget
Economic Development & Technology Committee
May 19, 2026
Economic Development Division
Division Overview
• Economic Development Division encourages business
investment opportunities & supports business retention & attraction activities
• Economic Development Division manages the Foothill
Workforce Development Board to ensure businesses
have access to qualified & employable talent
2 Economic Development Division
FY 2026 Accomplishments
• Launched the Commercial Façade Improvement and Micro-enterprise Recovery Programs
• Hosted 3 Valued Pasadena Partners (VPP) breakfasts focused on the LA28 Olympics, Northwest Pasadena businesses, and digital marketing for small businesses
• Co-sponsored the Pasadena Women’s Business Center ReadyLA! Procurement Accelerator
> Notable successes include Pasadena-based business, Neighbors and Friends, securing catering opportunities for the NBA
• Continued the 2025 Deep Tech Campaign that focused on promoting Pasadena as a “deep tech” hub
> 2026 focused on a national expansion of the “City of Roses & Rocket Scientists” initiative into major innovation hubs
• Launched the Open Rewards Program, where Pasadena consumers can earn cash back rewards while shopping or dining at local businesses > Currently there are a total of 1,200 users, 1,140 businesses participating, and total impact is estimated at $172,613 3 Economic Development Division
FY 2026 Accomplishments
• In partnership with Innovate Pasadena, hosted a week-long event series for LA Tech Week in October 2025 and Connect Week April 2026
• Launched the City’s first Small Business Week, a three-event series designed to support existing businesses and inspire future entrepreneurs
• Negotiated and executed leases, renewals, licenses and related agreements for multiple City departments, while managing a portfolio of City leases, licenses, properties and vacant lots • Completed 13 of 17 Caltrans residential property acquisitions and negotiated a DOT property acquisition for a proposed new Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility (TOMF)
• Created and launched an Economic Development Performance Dashboard
4 Economic Development Division
Appropriations by Category –
Economic Development
5 FY 2022
Adopted
FY 2023
Adopted
FY 2024
Adopted
FY 2025
Adopted
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2027
Recommended
FTE 7 8 8 9 9 9
Economic Development Division
Significant Changes from FY 2026
6 • FY 2027 appropriation increase of 0.4% overall
• Personnel increase of $171,608 (9.9%) due to increase of citywide salary and benefits
> MOUs/COLA Adjustments: $82,986 (48.3%)
> Pension/Medical/Benefits Increase: $88,622 (51.6%)
Medical Increase: $57,750 (43.5%)
» change in medical coverage and premium increases
• Services & Supplies decrease of $140k (-17.7%) due to one-time enhancement increases approved in FY 26
that will not be carried forward into FY 27
• Internal Service decrease of $19,156 (-6.9%) due to
reduced DoIT technology costs
Economic Development Division
FY 2027 Strategic Plan Priorities
City Priority – Implement Economic Development Strategic Plan with placemaking focus
1. Partner with Innovate Pasadena to host annual innovation- focused event series
2. Continue the Deep Tech Campaign
3. Complete the second round of Dine Out Pasadena grant funding
4. Implement a retail recruitment strategy to address chronic vacancies
7 Economic Development Division
FY 2027 Strategic Plan Priorities
City Priority – Implement Economic Development Strategic Plan with placemaking focus
5. Redevelop the former YWCA property into an income
producing asset
6. Develop a targeted LinkedIn outreach strategy to support company attraction, recruitment and awareness of Pasadena as a place to do business
7. Form an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) 8 Economic Development Division
FY 2027 New KPIs
• Generate at least 10 actionable business support opportunities, referrals, collaborations, or improvement initiatives annually from outreach meetings
> Outcome: Strengthened relationships with local businesses through outreach meetings that resulted in actionable support opportunities, strategic referrals, collaborative partnerships and business improvement initiatives that contributed to neighborhood economic vitality. • Achieve an average newsletter open rate of 25%
> Outcome: Enhanced organizational communication and audience engagement through targeted newsletter content, maintaining strong subscriber interaction and improved visibility of programs, services, and initiatives.
• 5% of businesses receiving recruitment and welcome packages engage in follow-up communication or resource utilization > Outcome: Strengthened business onboarding and partnership development efforts by distributing recruitment and welcome materials that encouraged ongoing engagement, resource utilization, and relationship-building with local businesses, stakeholders, and potential company attraction. 9 Generate at least 10 actionable business support opportunities, referrals, collaborations, or improvement initiatives annually from outre Foothill Workforce Development Board
FY 2027 Recommended
Operating Budget
Economic Development Division
Foothill Workforce Development Board
• Five-city consortium
> Pasadena, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Duarte > 252,381 residents as of 2023
• 100% grant funded
11 Economic Development Division
Appropriations by Category –
Foothill Workforce Development Board
12 FY 2022
Adopted
FY 2023
Adopted
FY 2024
Adopted
FY 2025
Adopted
FY 2026
Adopted
FY 2027
Recommended
FTE 18.0 18.0 18.0 18.0 14.0 13.0
Economic Development Division
Significant Changes from FY 2026 Budget -
Foothill Workforce Development Board
13 • Personnel expenses reduced by 2 FTE due
to end of grant funding (currently vacant
positions)
> Wildfires and JPL Layoff Grants ended in FY 26
> RERP and HIRE grants will end during FY 27
• Services & Supplies increased by $846,323
(53%) mainly due new and continued grant
funding
> Youth Service Corp grant adds approximately $675,000 in new participant wages
• Internal services with slight increase due to
estimated fleet maintenance costs
Economic Development Division
FY 2026 Accomplishments –
Foothill Workforce Development Board
• Served 4,069 individuals including job seekers or
unemployed workers via One Stop Career Centers
> Provided 34,778 services to individuals seeking workforce services > Created 340 internal job orders & provided 4,218 job referrals • Provided 1,220 employer services
• Held 8 Job Fairs and Business Service events with over 1,000 attendees
• Responded to 12 Worker Adjustment and Training
Notification (WARN) notices regarding company
layoffs/closures affecting 1,809 employees
14 Economic Development Division
FY 2027 Strategic Plan Priorities
City Priority – Implement Economic Development Strategic Plan with placemaking focus
1. Spend 30% of WIOA budget on occupational training costs for participants, with staff working with local employers to identify tech training programs that meet their labor force needs
2. Operate the STEAM Pathway Internship program for local students.
Partner with K-12 CTE programs to promote career pathways in tech and provide work-based learning opportunities
3. Engage and further develop partnerships with local employers, education, and community organizations to leverage resources and submit applications for additional funding
6. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH
CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
AND ONGOING OPERATION OF MANAGED ENDPOINT CYBERSECURITY
PROTECTION AND MONITORING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO- EXCEED $968,124 FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS*
MEMORANDUM
TO: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
FROM: SERJIK ARZOUMANIANS, ACTING CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER DATE: MAY 19, 2026
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CARAHSOFT
TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ONGOING OPERATION OF
MANAGED ENDPOINT CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION AND MONITORING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $968,124 FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS _____________________________________________________________________________________ On May 4, 2026, the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) submitted a City Council agenda report for review and approval to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation (Carahsoft). As a result of a competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, Carahsoft’s proposed solution for professional services was selected to deliver Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services for five years in an amount not to exceed $968,124, which includes the base contract amount plus a twelve percent (12%) contingency to provide for any necessary change orders.
At the meeting, concerns were raised over Carahsoft’s holding of contracts with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), inclusive of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Division. Given those concerns, the agenda item was held and referred to the ED Tech Committee for further discussion addressing those concerns.
As a matter of background, an IT security risk assessment was performed in 2020, which evaluated the current state of IT systems, policies, and processes, and provided recommendations, specifications, and a roadmap for improvements based upon industry best practices, informed by local government needs, and aligned to a recognized cybersecurity framework. This roadmap has improved the City’s overall security posture and maturity through the development of strengthened IT security policies and procedures, as well as the implementation of a vulnerability management program that proactively helps identify, prioritize, and remediate security weaknesses across the City’s IT environment.
To this end, the proposed contract with Carahsoft for MDR services is another critical piece on this roadmap and in the long-term strategic security plan, as it provides a service model with around‑the‑clock monitoring of critical systems supporting every department, immediate review of alerts, and expert response support during potential cybersecurity incidents. This service helps fill operational gaps that cannot be fully met through existing staffing alone and reflects a best-practice approach widely adopted across municipal governments. The investment in MDR services also supports the City’s broader risk management strategy and together with other cybersecurity investments made over the past several years, it strengthens the City’s overall risk profile and contributes to a trajectory which has delivered higher cyber insurance coverage limits and reduced premiums.
In September 2024, DoIT staff submitted a competitive cybersecurity grant proposal in the amount of $225,000 through the State of California (State) to fund these MDR services, with funds expiring at the end of 2026. Following notice of award from the State in December 2024 and execution of all grant documents and confirmation of funding availability, DoIT issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for MDR services on November 6, 2025. The RFP did not include any disclosure requirement of a vendor’s current contracting history with DHS, as that policy is still under development.
Per Attachment A, fourteen responsive proposals were evaluated, scored, and ranked by six staff from DoIT and the Water and Power Department following the December 5, 2025, submission deadline.
Carahsoft’s proposal was ranked the highest of all responsive proposers after a rigorous evaluation process. Carahsoft is a reseller for a wide variety of technology, supporting over 2,000 technology vendors delivering products and services to government and non-government customers. Carahsoft does not own any of the technology, essentially functioning as a broker of the technology and does not direct or determine how the technology is implemented or used by a customer.
Staff has identified Carahsoft as the most responsive and responsible proposer and has followed all required competitive selection procedures. As seen in the timeline details above, staff has already invested significant time and effort along this path, including securing a significant grant award offsetting the cost to the City. A timely award of this contract is essential to ensure the City can meet the grant expenditure deadline of December 31, 2026.
Given these considerations, staff respectfully requests the Committee’s concurrence with the staff recommendation to return to the City Council on June 8, 2026, requesting authorization to enter into a contract with Carahsoft. Prompt approval will allow the City to remain on schedule and fully leverage the available grant funding for this critical MDR implementation.
Attachments: A) Summary of Proposal Scoring
Contract Authorization with Carahsoft Technology Corporation for MDR May 4, 2026
Attachment A
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services
Summary of Proposal Scoring
Proposer
Implementation
Approach,
Operations, &
Co-Management
(max 30 pts)
Detection &
Response
Capabilities
(max 25 pts)
Experience,
Organizational
Qualifications
& Compliance
Alignment
(max 20 pts)
Cost
Proposal
(max 20 pts)
Small or
Micro-
Business
(max 5 pts)
Total
Score
(max 100
pts)
Carahsoft Technology
Corporation
28.33 24.33 16.83 14.00 0 83.49
Bulletproof Solutions, Inc. 25.17 21.67 16.17 20.00 0 83.01 CDW Government LLC 26.67 23.17 19.00 11.20 0 80.04
NuHarbor Security Inc 27.00 23.00 19.17 8.40 0 77.57
Long View Systems 25.00 20.67 15.50 12.60 0 73.77
Global Solutions Group, Inc. 26.17 21.83 16.33 8.60 0 72.93 SecurityHQ 26.67 22.33 14.67 7.60 0 71.27
Information Management
Resources, Inc. (IMRI)
24.17 20.00 16.17 5.40 5.00 70.74
AMTechnology LLC 26.17 22.17 14.83 6.20 0 69.37
ALINEDS 25.33 22.00 16.17 4.60 0 68.10
Golden Five LLC 22.17 18.33 11.17 9.80 5.00 66.47
Stellar Services Inc. 22.83 18.33 13.00 9.60 0 63.76
Lumifi Cyber 21.83 18.00 16.00 5.60 0 61.43
M2 tech LLC 20.17 18.50 10.50 2.20 5.00 56.37
DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR
IMPLEMENTATION AND ONGOING OPERATION OF MANAGED
ENDPOINT CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION AND MONITORING
SERVICES
Economic Development and Technology Committee
May 19, 2026
Department of Information Technology
BACKGROUND
• Cybersecurity Grant Award ($225,000)
> December 2024 – Notification of Competitive Grant Award > May 2025 – Council Resolution to Accept Award
> November 2025 – Confirmation of Funding and RFP Posting > December 2025 – RFP Closure
> May 2026 – Council Agenda Requesting Contract Authorization > December 2026 – Deadline for Reimbursement for Completed Implementation
2 Department of Information Technology
SELECTION
3 • Vendor Evaluations
> Proposal Reviews – 6 City Staff
> Vendor Presentations
> Reference Checks
• Team Evaluation Scoring Selection
> Carahsoft Technology Corporation
Department of Information Technology
SELECTION
• Carahsoft Technology Corporation
> Government IT reseller and procurement partner
> Helps public agencies purchase technology products and services > Supports licensing, contracts, procurement, and vendor coordination Important Clarification
> Carahsoft does not develop or operate the technologies it resells > Functions as a procurement and distribution channel for technology vendors > Provides access to solutions through established public-sector purchasing contracts
4 Department of Information Technology
TIMELINE
• Estimated Implementation Timeline
> Potential Council Approval – June 8, 2026
> Contract Execution – July 2026
> Project Completion – 3 to 5 Months
> Grant Reimbursement Deadline – December 2026
5 Department of Information Technology
RECOMMENDATION
• Return to City Council on June 8th for
Authorization to enter into a Contract with
Carahsoft Technology Corporation
6 INFORMATION ONLY
7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR*
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 19, 2026
To: Economic Development and Technology Committee
From: David A. Klug, Economic Development Director
Subject: Economic Development Update
The Economic Development Division is committed to supporting a thriving local economy. This memo provides an update on market conditions and the Division’s efforts.
1. Business Development
a. Notable Openings & Successes
i. Mesmer Mesmer is a new store and event
venue on 65 E. Holly St. that features
curated clothes, accessories, art, and books.
The store space includes an art gallery and a
seating area, inviting visitors to stay, mingle,
and connect. Mesmer Mesmer hosts regular
events, including screenings, movie nights,
workshops, and more.
ii. Spinasana, Pasadena’s newest fitness
studio at 89 S. Fair Oake Ave., is now open,
offering hot yoga, dance, and cycling
classes. With various difficulty levels and
sessions dedicated to recovery, anyone can
find fitness at Spinasana.
iii. Bu Pastry Bar, located in Burlington Arcade on S. Lake Ave., celebrated its grand opening in early May, offering deals on their handcrafted espresso drinks. The café specializes in madeleines, canelés, and other French pastries, influenced by Asian flavors.
iv. Nana’s Green Tea is now open in Old Pasadena, at 45 N. Raymond Ave. The new shop is the Japanese company’s first flagship store in the United States.
They celebrated their grand opening on May 9, where customers and tea enthusiasts enjoyed desserts, drinks, and sweet treats.
b. Open Rewards Pilot Program
Since launching on October 1, Shop Local Pasadena has received strong community engagement. Over 1,100 local businesses are participating, and nearly 1,200 users have downloaded the
app to start earning 5% cash back on
purchases. To date, the program has
generated an economic impact of nearly
$175,000. The initiative continues to
encourage residents, visitors, and workers to
shop locally. The pilot has been extended
through June 30, 2026.
2. Business & Market Updates
a. CBRE Greater Los Angeles Market Report – Q1 2026
CBRE’s quarterly Greater Los Angeles Office Market Report summarizes trends in Pasadena and across the region. The report found that office vacancies regionwide are at a new low since pandemic rates. In Pasadena, a rise in tenancy across a diverse range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology, reflects a flow of intellectual and financial capital into the City. Some notable acquisition/leasing activity includes East-West Bank acquiring 385 East Colorado for nearly $98 million and Wells Fargo renewing and expanding their current space in Pasarroyo for a total of 35,698 square feet.
b. HdL Fourth Quarter 2025 Sales Tax Report
HdL Companies published Pasadena’s fourth-quarter 2025 sales tax results, showing gross receipts up 1.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
General consumer goods rose, with e-commerce activity as a key driver. Due to the 2025 fires, sales of building supplies and construction materials also rose, indicating that recovery efforts are still ongoing. Restaurant and hotel revenue increased, indicating a rise in new, trendy dining in Pasadena, whilst new car sales declined.
c. Successful Sale of 333 South Arroyo Parkway Medical Building Lee & Associates recently announced the nearly $15 million sale of 333 South Arroyo Parkway, a multi-tenant medical office building in Pasadena.
The transaction reflects continued investment in Pasadena’s healthcare and medical office market, supporting the city’s growing healthcare economy.
3. Small Business Support
a. Small Business Week 2026
From May 3-8, the Economic Development Division hosted the City’s first annual Small Business Week. Small Business Week is a nationwide initiative, celebrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration over the past 60 years as an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions small businesses make to our economy. The Division hosted three events, including a webinar providing business owners with a step-by-step guide on how to bid on procurement opportunities with the City and major sporting events, such as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. The week closed out with an event at Altadena Girls, in collaboration with Pasadena City College’s Women’s Business Center, where female businessowners shared their stories, missions, and advice to 60 local high school girls hoping to someday start their own businesses.
b. Valued Pasadena Partners Breakfast
As a part of Small Business
Week, Division hosted ‘Grow
Pasadena: Digital Marketing
Support’, a Valued Pasadena
Partners breakfast. The event
provided free marketing
guidance to small business
owners. Mayor Gordo
opened the event, thanking
the small business community, and introduced the event speakers – including representatives from the City’s Communications and Marketing team, Canva, and local business owner from Edwin Mills. Attendees walked away with practical ways to grow their online presence, without needing to make a large capital investment.
4. Special Events & Conferences
a. Sunstone-USC Economic Development Challenge
Economic Development staff served on the judging
panel for the Sunstone Cities Economic
Development Challenge at the USC Sol Price
School of Public Policy. The challenge paired
graduate student teams with local city clients to
develop real-world strategies focused on small
business support, job creation, and inclusive
economic growth. Staff provided feedback and
professional insight to help guide the next
generation of economic development practitioners.
Pasadena previously participated as a client city in
the Challenge two years ago.
b. California Association for Local Economic Development Annual Conference
Economic Development staff attended the annual CALED “In Motion” Conference in Palm Springs, hosted by the California Association for Local Economic Development. The conference brought together economic development professionals, consultants, state agencies, and local governments from across California to share strategies, best practices, and emerging trends impacting local economies. Staff participated in sessions focused on workforce development, business attraction and retention, permitting, innovation districts, and evolving approaches to supporting businesses and communities.
c. Select LA Investment Summit
The Select LA Investment Summit is a one-day event, designed to bring together the public and private
sector, showcasing that the Los
Angeles region is open for business,
trade, and foreign investment.
Economic Development staff
attended to gain insights into global
market trends, companies interested
in making Los Angeles a place for
business, and ways to prepare local
businesses for upcoming major
events.
d. National Travel & Tourism Week
On May 10, Economic Development staff attended Visit Pasadena’s celebration of the 40th annual National Travel & Tourism Week. This event provided crucial insights into Pasadena’s robust tourism field and nationwide travel trends. Leisure travel to Pasadena has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with visitors citing dining, downtown shopping, and special events, like sports games, as the main reasons for their visits. When asked for one word to describe Pasadena, most tourists surveyed said ‘beautiful’. This data highlights the City’s success in cultivating a diverse mix of attractions and experiences that continue to draw visitors to Pasadena.
e. AC Hotel One Year Anniversary
On April 30, Economic Development staff attended the one-year anniversary celebration of the AC Hotel. The visit offered an opportunity for one-on-one connections with Pasadena’s hospitality professionals. The team also toured the hotel’s ground floor retail space with the representing real estate broker to learn about efforts to attract new tenants to the space.
f. Altadena Business Resource Open House
Pasadena City College’s Small Business Development Center hosted the Altadena Business Resource Open House, offering local businesses free resources, refreshments, and a chance to connect with the local entrepreneurship and business support community. Economic Development staff attended to share its resources and make connections with local business owners.
5. Technology & Innovation
a. Planetary Society
On May 8, Economic Development staff visited The Planetary Society, headquartered in Pasadena for more than four decades. The organization works to engage the public in space exploration, support scientific research, and advocate for planetary science and NASA missions. Staff met with leadership following the organization’s recent transition to new CEO Jennifer Vaughn and discussed opportunities to strengthen Pasadena’s growing deep tech and space innovation ecosystem.
b. Caltech Researchers Create New AI Tool
A team of Caltech researchers have developed a new tool, CellSAM, that uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to identify cells in molecular, biological images. This innovative technology allows scientists to pinpoint specific cells and analyzes how they interact with other nearby cells. Pasadena’s renowned institutions facilitate new discoveries, and the Economic Development Division is eager to continue to champion for innovation, research, and breakthroughs.