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4A
M I N U T E S
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor Glendale, CA 91206
APRIL 4, 2023
ROLL CALL
1. CLOSED SESSION
2. REGULAR BUSINESS AGENDA – 6:04 PM
Roll Call – Absent: Najarian
a. Flag Salute: Mayor Ardy Kassakhian
b. Invocation: Suzie Abajian, City Clerk
c. Report of City Clerk, re: Posting of Agenda. The Agenda for the March 28, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Glendale City Council was Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2023, on the Bulletin Board Outside City Hall.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a. Agenda Preview for the Meetings of Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Asst. City Manager John Takhtalian provided the preview.
Agenda out of order. Item d added and read next.
b. Proclamation designating April 2023 as National Poetry Month and announcing Glendale's first Poet Laureate
Linda Ravenswood from The Los Angeles Press
c. Appointment of Tom O'Shaughnessy to the Audit Committee (Devine, 03/21/23) d. Recognition of the Glendale dispatchers and Ambulance Operators that were involved in the Monterey Park Fire shooting incident
Glendale Fire Chief Tim Ernst provided the introduction.
Monterey Park Fire Division Chief Ryan Weddle presented commendations.
Jason Garrett, Fire Communications Shift Supervisor
Melissa Leary, Fire Communications Shift Supervisor
Crystal Bartl, Fire Communications Operator
Heather LaSota, Fire Communications Operator
Raul Salmeron, Ambulance Operator
Maria Ramirez, Ambulance Operator
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4. CONSENT ITEMS (Including Minutes)
The following are Routine and May be Acted Upon by One Motion. Any Member of Council or the Audience Requesting Separate Consideration May do so by Making Such Request Before Motion is Proposed.
a. City Clerk, re: Minutes of the Special City Council and Regular City Council Meetings of March 21, 2023
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
b. Public Works, re: Plans and Specification for the Fiscal Year 2023 Slurry Seal and Crack Seal Program
1. Resolution 23-32 adopting the Plans and Specification for the Fiscal Year 2023 Slurry Seal and Crack Seal Program, Specification No. 3929, Plan Nos. 1-3098, 3-1586, 49- 256; and directing the City Clerk to advertise for bids Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
c. Police Department, re: Acceptance of additional grant funding from the United States Department of Homeland Security 2020 Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASI) Grant Program
1. Motion to accept additional grant funds in the amount of $225,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the sub-ward agreement with the City of Los Angeles for the award of funds under the FY20 UASI grant program Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
2. Resolution 23-33 of appropriation to appropriate $225,000 from the Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASI) Grant Program
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
d. Glendale Water and Power, re: Award of a Contract to Power Electronics to Furnish Materials, Equipment, and Labor for Testing Transformer, Load Tap Changer, Regulator, and Circuit Breaker Oil for Glendale Water & Power (GWP)
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into and execute a contract with Power Electronics to Furnish Materials, Equipment, and Labor for Testing Transformer, Load Tap Changer, Regulator, and Circuit Breaker Oil for GWP (Specification No. 3931) in the amount of $285,960 for three years, plus a ten percent (10%) contingency of $28,596, with the City’s option to renew the contract for 3 Asatryan, Brotman, Devine, Kassakhian
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two one- year terms at a 3% escalation equaling $98,180 with a ten percent (10%) contingency equaling $9,818 per renewal year
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
e. Fire Department, re: Authorizing a five-year agreement of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director contract with Dr. Angelica Loza-Gomez, M.D.
1. Motion to approve a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Dr. Angelica Loza- Gomez, M.D. for the City of Glendale Fire Department and the Verdugo Fire Communication Center
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
f. Public Works, re: Reject all bids, approve revised plans and specifications, and amend the consulting agreement for the Pacific Park Playground and Pool Shade Structure Project
1. Motion rejecting all bids received on December 21, 2022 Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
2. Resolution 23-34 adopting Plans & Specification No. 3853R for the Pacific Park Playground and Pool Shade Structure Project and directing the City Clerk to advertise for bids
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
3. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute an amendment to the professional services agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc. (C106901) in the amount of $52,135 for a new total not-to-exceed contract amount of $209,435 and extending the agreement duration until the completion of the project Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
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g. City Attorney, re: Waiver of Conflicts of Interest - SCPPA General Counsel
1. Resolution 23-35 Waiving Legal Conflicts of Interest with SCPPA General Counsel Christine Godinez
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Devine
5. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS
Councilmember Brotman asked staff to provide a brief report on some of the crime trends in Glendale. Police Chief Manuel Cid provided an update and stated that crime statistics remain low and that the City of Glendale is one of the safest cities in the US of its size. He expressed that the Police department focuses on crime reduction, traffic safety, and emergency preparedness. Cid mentioned there is an increase in grand theft auto in the Los Angeles County region and the statistics has doubled in Glendale from 2019-2020 but has remained at that level and is relatively steady. The other issue Cid mentioned is robberies. According to the Police department’s records, there was a steady uptick of robberies from 2018 and leading up to 2022. He highlighted some of the many reasons why there was an increase in these types of crimes – easier access to guns, zero-bail during the pandemic, estes robbery or petty theft escalated to robbery due to use of force, and a change in reporting crime in a more detailed fashion. Cid stated that the Glendale Police Department takes a proactive approach on everything they do and would like to have an increase in staffing to fill up vacancies. He talked about upgrading the PD’s software and programs and having a good partnership with the community. Councilmembers Devine and Brotman thanked the police department for all they do and Brotman asked staff to provide a quarterly report on crime statistics.
Mayor Kassakhian thanked Police Chief Cid for the report. Considering the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, Kassakhian thanked the men and women in uniform for all they do to protect our community. He asked to have a discussion in the future with other elected officials and other agencies in the city about how we respond to emergencies and give parents, staff, and educators some assurances as to how prepared we are for these types of tragedies. Kassakhian asked staff for an update regarding a report on implementing a conditional use permit for gun stores, selling and storing guns as well as limiting several operations in the city. Community Development Director Bradley Calvert indicated a report will be brought to council in the coming weeks. Cid stated that a report will be presented to council regarding the buy-back gun program and a public service announcement video will be broadcasted on TV on the efforts the city does for emergency preparedness in collaboration with the community. Councilmember Asatryan thanked the Glendale Police Department and Police Chief Cid for his proactive leadership and for being approachable and personable to the public.
Councilmember Asatryan announced that March 28 is the last day and the last council meeting of March marking Women’s History Month. She decided to conclude the month’s long celebration with some lightness and fun during the meeting today. She stated that watching children learn and be creative brings so much joy and her current hairdo is done by two talented little girls, Amasia and Sis. Asatryan stated that before children grow up to be successful contributing members of society, they need a supportive environment and develop their emotional worth. She indicated that it is also important to provide support to city employees in their personal lives when they become new parents. Asatryan asked staff to provide a report on family leave and menstrual leave. She recognized that there is a global 5 stigma around menstrual health, and she stated that she hopes the city treats this as a health issue and normalizes these conversations to break the stigma while providing the city employees a supportive work environment. Asatryan said that menstrual leave is becoming more common in Corporate America and other countries such as Japan, Indonesia, and Spain, and this is one of those areas where Glendale can serve as a model city for others to follow for wellness and support of employees. She stated it would be worthwhile for there to be a proactive engagement for more women employees with the city’s HR Director Paula Adams who has an open-door policy. Asatryan also asked council to discussed programming around Women’s Equity/Equality Day during this morning’s Joint Meeting with Supervisor Kathryn Barger. As staff look into organizing these programs, it is as important to provide support and programming internally for city employees as it is for residents, women business owners, and entrepreneurs. Asatryan had one nomination for commissioner that she will announce during next week’s meeting.
Councilmember Devine attended the Cesar Chavez Celebration, Armenian Easter Festival, Unique Fest at YMCA, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. She stated that the diversity that we have is so important in our community and we are very lucky to have relationships with all these different cultures. Devine thanked George Saikali and Nora Yacoubian of Glendale YMCA and Michael Belzer of Shoseian Teahouse for organizing all these events.
Asatryan had a meeting with City Manager, City Attorney, and staff regarding the selection of mayor and housing authority chair. She stated that staff presented a thorough rotation system and the different options of how this could be done. Asatryan asked staff to have similar briefings with all the councilmembers for clarification.
Kassakhian attended the Cesar Chavez Celebration to remember the incredible work of this civil rights leader. To kick-off the event, he stated there was a community clean-up in the morning and everyone gathered at the Pacific Park Campus. He also attended the other events Devine attended. Kassakhian met with the Girl Scout Troop 1631 and the troop is in the process of collecting children’s books at Fire Station 21 for donations. He asked the public to contribute to this children’s book drive. The goal of the children’s book drive is to provide books free to families that are in need and encourage parents to read to their children.
Hopefully, this will help children learn to read and foster a lifelong love of reading. Kassakhian announced that he attended the Mashdots College 30th Anniversary celebration. He also attended the event at My Soccer Store Burbank, organized by Louise Gill, where LAFC players were there to sign autographs after winning the Major League Soccer (MLS) Championship. Kassakhian stated the joint meeting with Supervisor Barger was short but a lot was discussed including homelessness throughout the county, the funds and programs that are available to better serve the unhoused population, issues regarding equity, programs promoting women’s businesses and equal rights, programs that support technology, Rockhaven, the lack of park space in South Glendale and how to utilize state funds to be used for recreation and open space in South Glendale. During the joint meeting, they also discussed the small business summit and the 2030 Census MENA designation for Armenians.
Asatryan thanked Barger for sponsoring the small business summit.
6. COMMUNITY EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS (3-Minutes)
Mike Mohill
Herair Rostamian
Koko Tabidzadeh
Andranik Tsakuryan
Liz Radley
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Agenda out of order. Item 9a read next.
7. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
a. Community Services and Parks, re: ORDINANCE 6004 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND BABAK B. GOLBAHAR FOR THE VERDUGO JOBS CENTER (VJC) FACILITY LOCATED AT 1255 SOUTH CENTRAL AVENUE, GLENDALE, CA 91204 FOR A 3 YEAR PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 2023 TO MARCH 31, 2026 (Devine, 03/21/23)
Moved: Devine Seconded: Brotman
b. City Attorney, re: ORDINANCE 6005 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTIONS 2.36.010, 2.60.020, 2.60.30,
2.60.050, 2.60.060, 2.60.070, 2.60.080, 2.60.100, 2.60.110, 2.62.020, 2.62.030,
2.62.040, 2.62.070, 2.62.080, 2.62.090, 2.62.100, 2.62.110, 2.64.020, 2.64.030,
2.64.060, 2.64.070, 2.64.080 and 2.64.090 OF THE GLENDALE MUNICIPAL CODE, 1995, PERTAINING TO THE LIMIT OF TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY’S
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND YOUTH COMMISSIONER SEATS ON CERTAIN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (Brotman, 03/21/23)
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Asatryan
8. ACTION ITEMS
a. Public Works, re: Update on the State of the Urban Forest Staff Comments:
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
Yazdan Emrani, Director of PW
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Dan Hardgrove, Assistant Director of Public Works
Presenting:
Loren Klick, Urban Forester
Public Comments:
Joanne Pringle
Ingrid Wilcox
Palma Vincenti
Scott Fraser
Giulliano Prieto
Patrick Masihi
Catherine Jurca
Rick Stern
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1. Ordinance Amending Portions of Chapters 12.40 and 12.44 of the Glendale Municipal Code to Update Standards and Implement Greater Enforcement Mechanisms for Public and Indigenous Tree Protection
2. Ordinance Amending Portions of Titles 16 and 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code Regarding Tree-Related Zoning Provisions
3. Resolution Adding and Modifying Administrative Citation Fines in the Citywide Fee Schedule for Enforcement of the Public Tree and Indigenous Tree Ordinances
9. HEARINGS
a. Fire Department, re: Public Hearing for the 2023 Annual Weed Abatement Program Hearing opened at 7:10 p.m. and closed at 7:12 p.m.
Staff Comment:
Foster McLean, Fire Marshal
1. Motion to approve Abatement order directing the Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures to abate the nuisance on each declared parcel Moved: Devine Seconded: Brotman
10. REPORTS - INFORMATION
11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Discussion is Limited to Items NOT a Part of this Agenda. Each Speaker is Allowed 5 minutes. Council May Question or Respond to The Speaker But There Will be no Debate or Decision. The City Manager May Refer the Matter to the Appropriate Department for Investigation and Report.
Ramella Eraghi
Giulliano Prieto
13. NEW BUSINESS
14. ADJOURNMENT – 8:56 p.m.
Moved: Asatryan Seconded: Brotman
Mayor of the City of GlendaleCity Clerk of the City of Glendale