MINUTES
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor Glendale, CA 91206
MARCH 18, 2025
ROLL CALL
1. CLOSED SESSION
à. Conference with Labor Negotiators. The City-designated negotiator attending the closed session is: Mayor Elen Asatryan. The unrepresented employee positions are: City Manager and City Attorney
2. REGULAR BUSINESS AGENDA - 6:07 PM
Roll Call - All Present
a. Flag Salute: Local Students: Leah, Lana, and Andrew
Invocation: Pastor Angela Gulanis Price from the Glendale First United Methodist Church
C. Report of the City Clerk, re: Posting of Agenda. The Agenda for the March 18, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Glendale City Council was Posted on March 14, 2025, on the Bulletin Board Outside City Hall.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a. Agenda Preview for the Meetings of Tuesday, March 25, 2025:
Notice of Cancellation for the March 25, 2025 Meeting; Next regular meeting of the City Council will be on April 1, 2025.
b. Proclamation Designating March 8, 2025, as International Women's Day and March as Women's History Month
Diane Lambillotte, Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women Jennifer Tebo, Board Member of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley
Debra Suh, YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena CEO
Natalie Hovanesian, Student Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women C. Nominations for Appointment
charptian (2), anommission (Seat 1 - Vacant) /ABatryan
(A) / Gharpetian (B), 3/11/2025)
Moved: Gharpetian Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
• Lilit Rostomyan, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (Seat 5 - Vacant) (Najarian (A) / Asatryan (B), 3/11/2025) Moved: Gharpetian Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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 Regular City Council Meeting of March 4, 2025, and the Regular City Council and Joint City Council and Housing Authority Meetings of March 11, 202!
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
b. Fire Department, re: Annual Weed Abatement Program for 2025
1. Resolution 25-16 declaring that noxious weeds on certain properties are a public nuisance; that the City intends to cause abatement by removal; that a hearing will be held on April 1, 2025, for objections to removal
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent:
Abstain: None
C. Community Services and Parks, re: Acceptance of grant funds from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 2024 Continuum of Care Program
to execute all agreements, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funds
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Broman, Gharpetian, Kassakhan, ajarian, Asalryan
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
2. Resolution 25-34 of Appropriation to appropriate grant funds in the amount of $3,298,618 received from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the 2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
d. Fire Department, re: Verdugo Fire Communications Service Agreement Between the Cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena and the City of San Gabriel
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the Verdugo Fire Communications Service Agreement Between the Cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena and the City of San Gabriel
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
e. Community Development, re: Approval of Amended Joint Powers Agreement of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Regional Housing Trust, a Joint Powers Authority, Created Pursuant To Senate Bill No. 1177, and Re-Appointment of Councilmember
1. Resolution 25-35 Approving Amended Burbank Glendale Pasadena Regional Housing Trust Joint Powers Agreement Removing the 2-Term Limit for Board of Director Representatives Serving on the Trust
Moved: Kassakhian Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
2. Motion Appointing Councilmember Dan Brotman to Serve a New Two-Year Term as a Board of Director Representative to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Regional Housing Trust
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
5. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS
Councilmember Najarian invited the public to attend a virtual community meeting on March 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM regarding the North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project.
Councilmember Kassakhian addressed concerns about debris accumulation on Pacific Avenue and Glendale Avenue, and requested updates on cleanup efforts. He also raised an urgent issue regarding malfunctioning electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, he brought up the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Show and requested that funding for the event be placed on a future agenda.
City Attorney Mike Garcia reminded the Council that the next regular meeting on April 1, 2025, is the final opportunity for council to make boards and commissions nominations before the nomination period closes. Any outstanding nominations will be brought back for consideration at the April 15, 2025, City Council meeting.
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.
Emily Woods
Paul Rabinov
Michael Estrella
Jackie Gish
Scott Mellon, Interim General Manager of GWP
7. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
Agenda out of order. Item 8b read next.
8. ACTION ITEMS
a. Consultant Seletonment, re: Verdugo Wash Master Plan - RFP Gharpetian and Najarian recused themselves due to possible conflict of interests.
Presenting:
Teresa Santilena, Principal Planner
Public Comments:
Patrick Murphy
Paul Rabinov
Jackie Gish
Mike Mohill
Glendale Yimby
Ramella Eraghi
Melissa King
Rick Stern
Cole Bazemore
Emily Tetri
Joanna Pringle
Alek Bartrosouf
Roberta Medford
Judy Scheell
Susan Wilson
Nancy Waters
Karen Betzold
Juli Acobi
Staff Comments:
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Vilia Zemaitaitis, Deputy Director of Community Development
1. Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a Professional Service Agreement with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. in the amount of $5,762,370, using grant funds, for the preparation of the Verdugo Wash Master Plan
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Kassakhian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Kassakhian, Asatryan
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Gharpetian (recused), Najarian (recused)
b. City Clerk, re: Expanding the powers and responsibilities of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) by amending the Glendale Municipal Code Presenting:
Dr. Suzie Abajian, City Clerk
Public Comments:
Mike Mohill
Debra Suh
Cathleen Cross
Elise Kalfayan
Marina Manoukian
Lena S
Diane Lambilotte
Staff Comments:
Suzie Abajian, City Clerk
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
1. Motion to provide direction regarding expanding the powers and responsibilities of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) by amending the Glendale Municipal Code, to include regular programming, fundraising, and the frequency of regular meetings from four to twelve times per year, beginning July 2025, to accommodate the commission's expanded scope of work
Seconded:
Vote as Follows
Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
9. HEARINGS - Opened at 8:46 P.M. and closed at 11:51 P.M. ommunity Development, re: Appeal of Planning Commission's approvi f Use Variance Case No. PVAR-001880-2023 located at 4444 Lowe Public Comments:
Lia Stepanian
Sophia Grigorian
Aram Pilikian
Alexander Safiani
Garo Hatzbaria
Andrew Weller
Lana Ghazarian
Nayin Aboolian
Talia Boghossian
Raffi Garabedian
Ella Ghazarian
Susan Bolan
Talin Keshishian
Chris Balasanian
Dr. Allen Andriassian
Alex Camso
Raffi Hamparian
Dina Karayan
Sarine Ghazarian
Alex Megerdichian
Armen Grigorian
Arpa Boghossian
Dr. Lori Santikian
Antranik Kizirian
Marie Tchoboian
Saro Shirinian
Arpi Daboghian
Raffi Kassabian
Patty Aposhian
Saren Adessian
Sarig Armenieen
Dr. Ani Nahapetian
Alein Boghossian
Hack Hadjinian
Vatche Garabedian
Oshin Baghriam
Armen Petrosian
Nayiri Tabakian
Siran Marselian
Maral Khejalian
Valentina Stepanian
Talin Mousessian
Dr. Teny Hartounian
Tamar Baboujian
Mark Ewoldsew-Doe
Dr. Tatevik Tonapelyaen
Glenn Gurniak
Lorien Stice-Lawrence
Mike Martinez
Ronnie Gharibian
Glendale Yimby
Patrick Begyan
Shawn Shant
Von Nahapetyan
Nara Rostamyan
Isabella Kdikyan
Narek Simityan
Ani Ghazarian
Nani Aroutunians
Oshin Manoukian
Shant Katounian
Elina Samonian
Presentation:
Roger Kiesel, Senior Planner
Seth Lawrence, Appellant Planning Commission
Rodney Khan, Developer
Talin Kargodorian, Chamlian Armenian School Principal
Jano Baghdanian, Traffic Consultant
Dr. Tatevik Tonapelyaen, Appellant
Staff Comments:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Roger Kiesel, Senior Planner
Chief Cid, Glendale Police Department
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
1. Motion to sustain the Planning Commission's decision of May 15, 2024, to approve the project with conditions
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Gharpetian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
2. Motion to continue the matter, directing the City Attorney to draft findings reversing the Planning Commission's decision and denying the project
10. REPORTS - INFORMATION
11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
12. DISCUSSION OF COUNCILMEMBER FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
a. Councilmember Najarian's request to agendize a resolution or letter addressed to the U.S. State Department, the Executive Branch, and other appropriate entities to protest the holding of prisoners including Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan, the expulsion of the Red Cross and the treatment and illegal proceedings against the detainees
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
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.
14. NEW BUSINESS
15. ADJOURNMENT - 12:25 A.M.
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Mayor of the City of Glendal
ity Clerk of the City f Glendale