Pasadena Municipal Services Committee Meeting: September 22, 2026

The Pasadena Municipal Services Committee met on September 22, 2026, and received a Metro update on construction of the North Hollywood–Pasadena bus rapid transit (BRT) line. The project is fully funded with more than $400 million in Measure M funding; work is underway at four Pasadena station locations, with completion targeted before the Rose Parade. Metro reported outreach to nearly 130 businesses and enrollment of 29 businesses in its free Eat Shop Play mitigation program. Metro said it does not provide business-interruption grants for this project; committee members suggested the city manager’s office ask Metro whether affected small businesses could access its existing fund. Metro also agreed to provide city partners with updates when significant construction delays arise. A committee member requested information on local subcontractor participation, which Metro said it would provide later. No BRT contract award was considered.

The committee also heard city presentations on El Niño and storm preparedness, including readiness of public works, fire, water, and power resources, contractors, equipment, and emergency communications. On municipal solar, staff reported a 20-megawatt goal, 27 sites identified, and a design-build RFP issued in July for the first 13 sites, with proposals expected in the coming weeks; another group of sites is planned for solicitation before year-end. The city is assessing battery storage, future EV-charging capacity, site constraints, and potential tree impacts, and noted that a federal earmark supports part of the program. The committee passed a motion asking staff to re-examine the Washington Park design to consider solar arrays in an area currently occupied by palm trees, alongside the tree-removal discussion. No solar contract award was made.