City Council Approves Using Grant Funds for Five Food Pantry Programs

The City Council on Monday approved using $485,000 in federal community development block grant (CDBG-CV) funds to assist five food pantry program operators in helping households experiencing food insecurity caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The City Council previously approved an amendment to its 2020-21 Annual Action Plan allocating $1.1 million dollars in CDBG-CV Round 3 funds for food pantry services. The funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are restricted to activities that prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19.

After reviewing applications, the city chose five local organizations to receive funds.

The Foothill Unity Center will receive $175,000.

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network — Mano a Mano, and First AME Church will each receive $125,000.

The First United Methodist Church will receive $25,000 and the Pasadena Senior Center will receive $35,000.

Councilmember John Kennedy inquired about additional resources for the Pasadena Senior Center.

The city is still analyzing the rules and there may be additional dollars available, City Manager Steve Mermell told Kennedy.

These agencies will operate for a term of one year under the Pasadena Food Pantry Program administered by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

The City Council also approved the Fiscal Year 2022 schedule of taxes, fees, and charges, and amended the Fiscal Year 2021 Public Health Department operating budget by appropriating $1,222,000 in Los Angeles County grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and increase the departmental personnel allocation by 12 new full-time equivalent limited term grant-funded positions;

Finally City Manager Steve Mermell will enter into a $479,720 contract, without competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(C), contracts for labor, material, supplies, or services available from only one vendor, with Integrated Turbo Machinery, Inc. (“Integrated”) for the repair of Glenarm Turbine steam turbine. The contract includes the base contract amount of $417,148 and a 15% contingency of $62,572 to provide for any necessary change orders.