The City of Pasadena experienced many positive accomplishments during the past year and the Annual\u00a0Report is our opportunity to highlight those achievements. However, it became apparent that 2014 also\u00a0would be remembered for the discovery that Pasadena was the victim of a long-term embezzlement\u00a0scheme allegedly perpetuated by a former City employee. It is very unfortunate that the misappropriation\u00a0of up to $6.4 million will overshadow the success and progress achieved by nearly 2,000 honest,\u00a0hardworking City employees in 2014.<\/p>\n
The City has posted the results of a forensic audit and many other documents regarding the theft online at\u00a0www.cityofpasadena.net\/invoiceinvestigation, and we will provide more information when available.\u00a0The City is working with the appropriate authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable for all\u00a0criminal acts. We are taking corrective actions identified in the audit and we will hold employees accountable who failed in their\u00a0responsibilities to follow our policies and safeguard public funds.<\/p>\n
As City Manager, it is my duty to help our organization develop systems that prevent these actions and, if they occur, to make\u00a0certain that the necessary changes are accomplished so that we are not victimized like this again. Our organization will solve the
\nshortcomings that enabled this theft to occur and, in the process, we will become stronger and earn back the public\u2019s trust.\u00a0Our 140,000 residents and the thousands of businesses who call Pasadena home are who we work for, each and every day.\u00a0I am proud to say that your City employees work hard to maintain and improve many of the programs and services we offer to\u00a0ensure a high quality of life and to make certain that Pasadena is one of the best cities in the nation to live, work, learn, and enjoy.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the City Council\u2019s leadership and the determination of our employees, the benefits of some very difficult decisions\u00a0during the past six years have resulted in healthier overall finances. The City ended Fiscal Year 2014 with a small, but positive,\u00a0balance for the second consecutive year and we expect to end the current fiscal year on a similar note that will allow us to\u00a0continue rebuilding the fiscal reserves that served the City so well in the past.<\/p>\n
The Council\u2019s foresight to invest in capital improvements and key infrastructure projects is now helping to fuel a rebounding\u00a0local economy. Private sector investors, developers and real estate partnerships are creating new hotels, restaurants, retail\u00a0shops, residential projects and commercial buildings that are either under construction now or preparing to begin in 2015. The\u00a0City continues to move forward with more investments in infrastructure, including our streets and bridges, parks, community\u00a0centers, the Rose Bowl Stadium, the Civic Auditorium-Convention Center and the Glenarm Power Facility.<\/p>\n
The City also remains committed to supporting the arts, culture, public health and public transportation. Our ArtNight, Make\u00a0Music Pasadena and Levitt Pavilion Summer Concerts are cultural gems enjoyed by thousands, many traveling here by efficient
\nlocal and regional public transportation to experience the special events and support our local restaurants and shops.<\/p>\n
In 2014, the newly renovated Rose Bowl Stadium\u2013gleaming like a diamond under the international media spotlight for the\u00a0100th Rose Bowl Game and the final BCS Championship Game \u2014 hosted more special events than in recent years, including\u00a0highly successful concerts by award-winning recording artists. While such events generate important income and bolster\u00a0our economy, in 2015 we must better balance the revenue demands for the Rose Bowl with the impacts on the surrounding\u00a0neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
In 2015, the City looks forward to continuing its partnerships with key community members \u2014 including the Pasadena Unified\u00a0School District, Pasadena City College and our extensive network of non-profit organizations \u2014 to enrich our lives, enhance\u00a0learning opportunities and improve our neighborhoods. We will endeavor to work with our private sector business leaders, the\u00a0Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the Bob Hope Airport Authority, Innovate Pasadena, the hospitality industry and many others\u00a0to attract more high-tech investments, jobs and economic opportunities.<\/p>\n
It is a distinct privilege to be the City Manager for Pasadena. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and willingly; as do the\u00a0members of the City\u2019s Executive Leadership Team. Our commitment to Pasadena\u2019s residents, businesses and visitors is to
\nensure the City\u2019s quality of life is among the best in the country and all City employees work every day with honesty and\u00a0integrity to keep the faith and confidence of the public. The last few months of 2014 have reminded us that we still have work\u00a0to do to ensure Pasadena is, in fact, a model municipal organization. I am confident this goal will be achieved.<\/p>\n
In that spirit, it is my honor to submit Pasadena\u2019s Annual Report for 2014 to the Mayor, the City Council, our City Employees\u00a0and to our residents, businesses and community stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Michael J. Beck, City Manager<\/p>\n