“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
— Albert Einstein
Pasadena has a problem. It’s Local Hiring Program is not working. The latest example is the Villa Parke Community Center Renovation and Addition Project. The successful bidder is a construction company from Orange County which has listed 29 subcontractors, none of which are from Pasadena. We have been down this road before.
As we recently learned, the 10 West Walnut Project (at the corner of Fair Oaks and Walnut) has also fallen far short of its goal for local hiring. At this point, there is no use continuing to talk about the problem unless we talk about the solution, which is a better Local Hire Program which provides a fresh start and real opportunities for Pasadena small businesses and residents. Here are a few ideas:
• Adopt a 25% small-business participation goal for the City with a 15% goal for small businesses within Los Angeles County and a 10% goal for Pasadena small businesses.
• Create a Local Small Business program which provides a 10% preference for certified Pasadena small businesses on all bids between $25,000 and $150,000.
• Implement a Local Hire Directive Preference policy which provides a 10% preference for Pasadena residents.
• Conduct certification training for Pasadena small businesses which creates a pathway to registration in the City’s Planet Bid system.
• Convene a Small Business Advisory Council to monitor the City’s small business participation and preference goals.
Let’s be clear. Pasadena is to be commended for its First Source Hire Program. It certainly has been a good start. However, in this post-pandemic economy, we must do better than good. In the words of Duke Ellington, “a problem is a chance for you to do your best.”
Pasadena construction companies who have agreed to work collaboratively to expand local hire opportunities for Pasadena residents.
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One thought on “Guest Opinion | Pasadena Construction Companies Coalition: Hire Local on Villa Parke Renovation Project”
With so many projects going on in Pasadena where do you think all that labor in the city is coming from? Tell us how many projects have already met the level of hiring already? There just isn’t that many laborers in the city to do the dirty work. Just go visit the projects and you will see what I mean.