1 M I N U T E S
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor Glendale, CA 91206
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
ROLL CALL – Absent: Asatryan
1. CLOSED SESSION – 4:21 p.m.
a. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Claim of United Financial Casualty Company (Cornejo), Claim No.: 25-0058
b. Conference with Legal Counsel –Ruan v. City of Glendale, L.A.S.C. Case No. 23GDCV02165
c. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Julian v. City of Glendale, L.A.S.C. Case No. 23STCV05609
City Attorney Mike Garcia indicated that action is anticipated on item 1c Council recessed to closed session at 4:22 p.m.
Motion that the Council hereby finds there is an immediate need to take action that arose after the posting of the agenda for the February 11, 2025, Regular Council meeting. The item in question involves the need to discuss legal action which the City may need to initiate based on the occurrence of events that commenced on Monday, February 10, 2025. The matter needs to be discussed immediately, and direction and authorization needs to be given to the City Attorney prior to the next regular meeting on February 18, 2025. The name and facts of the potential legal matter will be disclosed if said matter is filed Moved: Gharpetian Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
2. REGULAR BUSINESS AGENDA – 6:04 PM
Roll Call – Absent: Asatryan
a. Flag Salute: Mayor Elen Asatryan
b. Invocation: Dr. Suzie Abajian, City Clerk
c. Report of the City Clerk, re: Posting of Agenda. The Agenda for the February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Glendale City Council was Posted on February 6, 2025, on the Bulletin Board Outside City Hall.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a. Agenda Preview for the Meetings of Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Asst. City Manager John Takhtalian provided the preview. b. Nominations for Appointment
•Arlene Vidor, Arts and Culture Commission (Seat 2 – Reappointment of Vidor) (Brotman (A)/Gharpetian (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Carlo Noravian, Civil Service Commission (Seat 5 – Vacant) (Najarian (A), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
Brotman
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
2 •Carmen Arom, Commission on the Status of Women (Seat 3 – Replacing Tatiyants) (Gharpetian (A)/Brotman (B) 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Diane Lambillotte, Commission on the Status of Women (Seat 1 – Replacing Khojayan) (Asatryan (A)/Najarian (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Jennifer Pinkerton, Sustainability Commission (Seat 2 – Replacing Bazemore) (Brotman (A)/Najarian(B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Kevork Bartanian, Historic Preservation Commission (Seat 1 – Replacing Cragnotti) (Asatryan (A)/Najarian (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Lilya Avagyan, Transportation and Parking Commission (Seat 1 – Replacing Amirian) (Asatryan (A)/Najarian (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
•Marina Manoukian, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (Seat 1 – Replacing Avedisian) (Asatryan (A)/Brotman (B), 2/4/2025) Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
3 •Natalie Samarjian, Commission on the Status of Women (Seat 2 – Replacing Lambillotte) (Brotman (A)/Asatryan (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Item moved to a later date.
•Zareh Amirian, Transportation and Parking Commission (Seat 5 – Replacing Ordubegian) (Najarian (A)/Kassakhian (B) 2/4/2025)
•Zareh David Davidian, Audit Committee (Seat 5 – Vacant) (Najarian (A)/Brotman (B), 2/4/2025)
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
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.
Items 4c, 4g, and 4h pulled for separate consideration. a. City Clerk, re: Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings of January 21, January 28, and February 4, 2025
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
b. Public Works, re: Adopt the Plan and Specification for the West Glendale Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Curb Ramp Installation and Sidewalk Repair Program Phase 1
1. Resolution 25-15 adopting the Plan and Specification for the West Glendale ADA Curb Ramp Installation and Sidewalk Repair Program Phase 1, Specification No. 4006 and Plan No. 1-3134; and directing the City Clerk to Advertise for Bids Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
c. Public Works, re: Measure R Project Updates
Staff Comments:
Sarkis Oganesyan, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Public Comment:
Anonymous
Item 4c did not pass and is moved to next week’s meeting.
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
4 1. Motion approving new programming and modifications to existing programming to the adopted Measure R Sub-Regional Program
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Kassakhian
Vote as Follows
2. Resolution of appropriation to appropriate Measure R Regional Return Funds in the amount of $1,216,440 for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11 Grant Local Match
d. Glendale Water and Power, re: Specification No. 4009 for the Verdugo Metro Booster Pump and Motor No. 3 Repair
1. Resolution 25-17 adopting Specification No. 4009 for the Verdugo Metro Booster Pump and Motor No. 3 Repair, and directing the City Clerk to advertise for bids Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
e. Libraries, Arts, and Culture, re: Acceptance of grant funds for Lunch at the Library from the California State Library
1. Motion accepting $5,714 in California State Library funds to support Lunch at the Library Summer 2025 program; and authorizing the City Manager or a designee to execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
2. Resolution 25-18 appropriating $5,714 from the California State Library Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
f. Public Works, re: Pacific Park Playground and Pool Shade Structure Project Construction Contract Change Order
1. Motion authorizing an amendment to Contract No. 8002312 with ARC Construction, Inc., increasing the contract amount by $240,000 for added project scope, and approving a 10% contingency of $24,000
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
Gharpetian, Najarian
5 2. Resolution 25-19 of appropriation to appropriate $174,409 from General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to the Pacific Park Playground and Pool Shade Structure Project
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
g. Public Works, re: Award of a new Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Mark Thomas and Company, Inc. (Mark Thomas) and Appropriation of Measure R Funds for the North Verdugo Road Multimodal Improvements Project, and execution of an amendment to the existing PSA 8001984 with Mark Thomas for the San Fernando Road Beautification Phase II Project
Public Comments:
Mike Mohill
Allan Durham
Anonymous
Staff Comment:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Item 4g did not pass and is moved to next week’s meeting.
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager or a designee to enter into and execute a PSA with Mark Thomas, to provide Professional Engineering Services for the North Verdugo Road Multimodal Improvements Project in the amount of $1,572,625 Moved: Brotman Seconded: Kassakhian
Vote as Follows
2. Motion authorizing the City Manager or a designee to execute a contract amendment to PSA 8001984 with Mark Thomas for the San Fernando Road Beautification project to perform additional traffic study, engineering and landscape design services, and public outreach regarding pedestrian safety and street improvements on San Fernando Road and adjacent streets, increasing the contract amount by $254,915, and extending the contract time by 24 months
3. Resolution of Appropriation to appropriate $9,000,000 in Measure R Regional Return Funds for the North Verdugo Road Multimodal Improvements Project h. Public Works, re: Authorization of Amendments to the Professional Services Agreements (PSAs) for Professional Engineering Services for the South Verdugo Road Multimodal Improvements Project, and the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Pavement Management Program (PMP) Implementation Project
Public Comments:
Mike Mohill
Allen Dish
Anonymous
Staff Comment:
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Item 4h did not pass and is moved to next week’s meeting.
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Kassakhian (pro tem)
Najarian
Asatryan
Gharpetian
6 1. Motion authorizing the City Manager or a designee to execute a contract amendment to PSA 8002114 with Bowman Infrastructure Engineers (Bowman) for community outreach and additional design services regarding bicycle infrastructure, increasing the contract amount by $122,692, and extending the contract time by 12-months Moved: Brotman Seconded: Kassakhian
Vote as Follows
2. Motion authorizing the City Manager or a designee to execute a contract amendment to PSA 8002116 with NV5, Inc. (NV5) for additional design services regarding bicycle infrastructure, increasing the contract amount by $57,700, and extending the contract time by 12-months
3. Resolution 25-21 of Appropriation to appropriate funds for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 PMP Implementation Project
5. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS
Councilmembers Gharpetian and Brotman nominated Talin Shahbazian to the Transportation and Parking Commission.
Councilmembers Brotman and Gharpetian nominated Daniel Paul to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Councilmembers Brotman and Najarian nominated Alex Fay to the Glendale Water and Power.
Councilmember Brotman and Mayor Asatryan nominated Alek Bartrosouf to the Transportation and Parking Commission.
Councilmember Najarian asked staff for the timeline on modifying the mayor selection report. City Attorney Mike Garcia provided comments. Councilmember Najarian announced his reappointment to serve on the Metro board and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Kassakhian for casting his vote.
Councilmember Brotman asked to agendize a discussion on an alternative program for the city to move away from plastics that does not involve mandates but focuses on incentives, assistance, and education.
Mayor Pro Tem Kassakhian attended the LA County City Selection Committee meeting and the opening ceremony of the Hamazkayin Aris Stambolian Cultural Center. He announced that Robeks has opened a branch on California Ave. Kassakhian also attended the California Federation of Women’s Club Annual Winter Board meeting on Mayor Asatryan’s behalf. Kassakhian asked staff to take care of or contact CalTrans regarding the downed signs and dead vegetation along the 134 freeway on Brand, Central, and Glendale Ave. exits.
6. COMMUNITY EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS (3-Minutes; 5-Speaker Limit) Per Mayor Policy, This Item Also Permits Speakers Wishing to Speak Under General Oral Communications, Subject to the Three Minute Time Limit. Discussion is Limited to Matters Not on the Agenda.
Allan Durham
Stepan Partamian
Mike Mohill
Elise Kalfayan
Anonymous
Agenda out of order. Item 12a read next.
7. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
8. ACTION ITEMS
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Kassakhian (pro tem)
Gharpetian, Najarian
Asatryan
None
7 9. HEARINGS
a. Community Development, re: Appeal of Design Review Board's approval of DRB Case No. PDR 002532-2023 located at 1000 Sandringham Drive for the construction of a new 2-story, 5,067 square-foot (SF) single-family dwelling with an attached 3-car garage on a vacant 31,290 SF lot located in the R1R, FAR District III Zone
Najarian recused himself and left the chambers due to a possible conflict of interest.
Hearing opened at 7:49 p.m. Council recessed at 8:46 p.m. and reconvened thereafter.
Hearing closed at 9:15 p.m.
Presenting:
Roger Kiesel, Sr. Planner
Public Comments:
Christopher Smee, Appellant
Alen Malekian, Architect
Ryan Tish
Tim Martinez
Amy Yazzetta
Elaine Brown
Staff Comments:
Jeff Brooks, Deputy Fire Chief/Administration
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
Motion to continue the item to March 11, 2025, Council Meeting without further notice Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
1. Motion to sustain the Design Review Board’s decision of April 25, 2024, to approve the project with conditions
2. Motion to continue the matter, directing the City Attorney to draft findings reversing the Design Review Board’s decision and denying the project
10. REPORTS - INFORMATION
11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
12. DISCUSSION OF COUNCILMEMBER FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
a. Councilmember Kassakhian’s Request to Agendize an Extension of the Nomination Period for Boards and Commissions
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
13. 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.
Martin Marufo
Beth Brooks
Anonymous
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Brotman, Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
None
8 14. NEW BUSINESS
a. Motion to initiate a legal action in Los Angeles Superior Court. The names of the defendants and other particulars shall be disclosable upon the filing and service of said action upon the defendant. The City Attorney is further authorized to incur any and all expenses necessary in connection with said matter Moved: Najarian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
15. ADJOURNMENT – 9:30 p.m.
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Gharpetian
Mayor of the City of Glendale
City Clerk of the City of Glendale
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Gharpetian, Najarian, Kassakhian (pro tem)
None
Asatryan
Brotman