MINUTES
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor Glendale, CA 91206
APRIL 1, 2025
ROLL CALL - All Present
1. CLOSED SESSION - 3:43 P.M.
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Najarian v. City of Glendale, L.A.S.G. Case No. 24STCP02101; Claim of Najarian, No. 25-0009 . Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Sanchez v. City of Glendale, L.A.S.C. Case No. 23GDCV00701
c. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Godinez v. City of Glendale, L.A.S.C. Case No. 23GDCV00684
d. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Central BWB LLC v. City of Glendale et al., L.A.S.C. Case No. 25STCP01018 e. Public Employment - Attorneys
f. Conference with Real Property Negotiators: City-designated negotiators:
Roubik Golanian, Bradley Calvert, Michael J. Garcia, Gillian Van Muyden, Mark Berry and Onnig Bulanikian. Property Location: 220 and 234-236 North Glendale Avenue and 215-217, 223-225, 231-231A, and 233-235 North Everett Street. Negotiating Parties: Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center. Instructions to the negotiator(s) will concern the price and terms of payment for the acquisition of property
g. Conference with Real Property Negotiators. 135-190 West Glenoaks Blvd. (APNs: 5644-013-905, 907, 914, 915, 917, 919, 921, 923, 924, 929, 930, 934, 935, and 936) and the landscaped public right-of-way of approximately 18,878 square feet located between Glenoaks Boulevard and the Verdugo Wash between Brand Boulevard and Central Avenue, all commonly referred to as the "Verdugo Wash/Glenoaks ROW Parcels." Negotiating parties:
Kam Sang Company, Inc.. Agency negotiators attending the closed session are: Roubik Golanian, John Takhtalian, Michael J. Garcia, Gillian van Muyden, Bradley Calvert, and Mark Berry. Instructions to the negotiator(s) will concern the price and terms for the sale of City-owned property
h. Conference with Real Property Negotiators: City-designated negotiators:
Roubik Golanian, John Takhtalian, Michael J. Garcia, Gillian van Muyden, and Daniel Hernandez. Property Location: 1745 Gardena Ave. Negotiating Parties: Silverglen Properties, LLC. Instructions to the negotiator(s) will concern the price and terms of payment for the acquisition of property terms of payment for the lease of the City-owned Civic Auditorium Chief Assistant City Attorney, Gillian van Muyden, indicated that action is anticipated on Items B, C, and E.
Council recessed to closed session at 3:44:P.M.
2. REGULAR BUSINESS AGENDA - 6:05 PM
Roll Call - All Present
a. Flag Salute: Mayor Elen Asatryan
b. Invocation: Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Reverend Father Zaven Markosyan and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Reverend Father Movses Shannakian
c. Report of the City Clerk, re: Posting of Agenda. The Agenda for the April 1, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Glendale City Council was Posted on March 28, 2025, on the Bulletin Board Outside City Hall.
PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a. Agenda Preview for the Meetings of Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Cancellation of the Regular Tuesday, April 8, 2025 City Council Meeting. The next Regular City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. b. Proclamation Designating April 2025, as Armenian Heritage Month Karekin Khanjian Co-Chair of Armenian Genocide Committee Gary Khanjian, Co-Chair of Armenian Genocide Committee
Mehran Khatchadorian, Committee member with the Armenian Genocide Committee
c. Proclamation Designating the week of April 7-13, 2025, as Food Waste Prevention Week
Dr. Zola Acuyan, Dean of Student Affairs at Glendale Community College Roubik Golanian, City Manager
d. Proclamation Designating April 6-12, 2025, as National Library Week Lessa Pelayo-Lozada, Director of Library, Arts & Culture Joan Zierhut Library, Arts & Culture Trust President
e. Nominations for Appointment:
• Alen Malekian, Planning Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Asatryan (B), 4/1/2025)
• Allan Durham, Historic Preservation Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Andre Ordubegian, Transportation and Parking Commission (Seat 4 - Replacing Lester) (Kassakhian (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Anita Quinonez-Gabrielian, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (Seat 4 - Reappointment of Quinonez-Gabrielian) (Kassakhian (A)/Najarian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Aram Stepanian, Building and Fire Board of Appeals (Seat 1 - Vacant) (Asatryan (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Armik Avedisian, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (Seat 3 - Vacant) (Gharpetian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Christopher Welch, Design Review Board (Seat 5 - Vacant) (Najarian (A)/Brotman (B), 4/1/2025)
• Cole Bazemore, Sustainability Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Brotman (B), 4/1/2025)
• Danielle Lockareff, Design Review Board (Seat 2 - Reappointment of Lockareff) (Brotman (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Denise Miller, Audit Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Asatryan (B). 4/1/2025)
• Haig Kartounian, Sustainability Commission (Seat 5 - Replacing Werner) (Najarian (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Hakop Jack Mavyan, Audit Committee (Seat 1 - Replacing Belen) (Asatryan haven apta 4), 4140) • Henrik Sardarbegian, Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission (Seat 3 - Reappointment of Sardarbegian) (Gharpetian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025) • Inessa Kasumyan, Arts and Culture Commission (Seat 5 - Vacant) (Najarian (A)/Asatryan (B), 4/1/2025)
• Izabela Boyajyan, Design Review Board (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Asatryan (B), 4/1/2025)
• Joseph Kaskanian, Design Review Board (Seat 1 - Reappointment of Kaskanian) (Asatryan (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Lea Awni, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (Seat 2 - Vacant) (Brotman (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Lisa Cusack, Historic Preservation Commission (Seat 5 - Vacant) (Najarian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Mark Marat Hay, Arts and Culture Commission (Seat 3 - Replacing Zadorian) (Gharpetian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Ramella Markarian, Commission on the Status of Women (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Gharpetian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Rondi Werner, Sustainability Commission (Seat 1 - Vacant) (Asatryan (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Seda Khojayan, Commission on the Status of Women (Seat 5 - Vacant) (Najarian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Sevana Zadorian, Arts and Culture Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Najarian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Shana Bonstin, Transportation and Parking Commission (Seat 5 - Replacing Ordubegian) (Najarian (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Shant Tchakerian, Sustainability Commission (Seat 3 - Replacing Kartounian) (Gharpetian (A)/Asatryan (B), 4/1/2025)
• Varoojan Avedian, Glendale Water and Power Commission (Seat 3 - Replacing Lowery) (Gharpetian (A)/Asatryan (B), 4/1/2025)
• Zanku Armenian, Glendale Water and Power Commission (Seat 1 - Vacant) (Asatryan (A)/Kassakhian (B), 4/1/2025)
• Zareh Amirian, Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission (Seat 4 - Vacant) (Kassakhian (A)/Najarian (B), 4/1/2025)
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: Minute of the Special City Council Meeting of March 18, 2025 Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain:
b. Community Services and Parks, re: No-Cost Extension to the Agreements between the City of Glendale and Health Net, LLC, City of Glendale and L.A.
Care, and City of Glendale and Ascencia, for the Shelter Plus Care Rental Assistance Program funded by the Housing and Homeless Incentive (HHIP)
1. Motion approving a no-cost extension to the existing Agreements between the City of Glendale and Health Net, LLC, and City of Glendale and L.A.
Care, from December 31, 2024, to August 31, 2025, for the Housing and Homeless Incentive (HHIP) Program
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
2. Motion approving a no-cost extension to the existing Sub-recipient Agreements, (8002255 and 8002406) between the City of Glendale and Assistance Prograces traded by Housing a Homeless anceRtive (HIP) Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
• Community Development, re: Use of City Days at the Alex Theatre rmenian Fairytale's Annual Conce
1. Meatre for Armenian Fatyales Annua Concerty Deceatber 2025 Kassakhian Seconded:
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
d. Community Development, re: Use of City Days at the Alex Theatre Horizon TV's Celebration of Armenian Independence Day with Gohai H1v Manion to approve use of one of twelve annual Cily Days at the Alex Theatre for Horizon TV's concert with Gohar Hovannisyan on May 29, 2025
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
. Community Services and Parks, re: Verdugo Workforce Developmer oard's Request for Approval to be the America's Job Center o CaliforniaSM Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area
1. Motion to approve submission of the Verdugo Workforce Development Board's request to the Governor of California for approval to be the America's Job Center of CaliforniaSM Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services provider for the Verdugo Workforce Development Area for four years beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes:
Absent: None
Abstain: None
f. City Attorney, re: Findings and Conditions of 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
1. Motion to sustain the Design Review Board's decision of April 25, 2024, to approve the project with conditions
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Asatryan (recusal), Najarian (recusal)
Revised - 4G Moved To 9B
5. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS
Councilmember Kassakhian honored the life and service of Sergeant Edvin F. Franco, a distinguished member of the community, who tragically passed away along with other U.S. service members during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Councilmember Brotman requested that the Council reconsider the item related to staff support for Councilmembers. He proposed that this discussion take place during the upcoming budget study sessions so that any potential costs could be incorporated into the next fiscal year budget.
Councilmember Najarian expressed interest in discussing with the Council which priority items he should bring to the Metro Board in order to secure funding for the City. In response, Mayor Asatryan asked staff to compile a list of potential items to guide the conversation and help determine the City's priorities.
Councilmember Gharpetian shared reflections on recent City events he attended, including the Cesar Chavez Commemorative Event and the Soroptimist International Glendale Luncheon.
Councilmember Kassakhian addressed a public concern about trash cans in the Montrose Shopping Park lacking liners and also mentioned issues related to parking fees in that area.
Mayor Asatryan inquired about the timeline for the public artwork that was supposed to be commissioned on Artsakh Avenue and requested that the City Manager provide an update on the related RFP.
Mayor Asatryan thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the State of the City luncheon and acknowledged staff for organizing the Sister Cities Kickoff. She encouraged members of the public interested in joining a Sister City Committee to visit glendaleca.gov/sistercities.
Mayor Asatryan requested the return of an item for discussion regarding events organized by organizations that are free and open to the public, specifically exploring how such events might also support small business revenue. She raised concerns about high City fees and the need to explore City partnerships with local organizations that are organizing these types of community events.
Finally, she recommended that the City of Glendale collaborate with Miles from the Alex Theatre on upcoming programming for Alex Theatre's 100th anniversary. She expressed interest in the City participating in the planning for these centennial events.
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.
Tony Passarella
Mike Mohill
7. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
Agenda Out of Order - Item 9a Read Next.
8. ACTION ITEMS
a. City Attorney re: Discussion of the Current Mayoral Selection Policy Set Forth in Glendale Municipal Code Section 2.04.020 and its Application to the Upcoming Mayoral Selection on April 15, 2025
Presenting:
Mike Garcia, City Attorney
Public Comments:
Arty Rumdary
Vivian Kanchian
Staff Comments:
None
HEARINGS
a. Community Development, re: Adoption of Glendale General Plan's 2025 Safety Element Update - Opened at 7:05 P.M. - Closed at 7:40 P.M.
Presenting:
Vilia Zemaitaitis, Deputy Director of Long Range Planning Public Comments:
None
Staff Comments:
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Scott Mellon, Acting General Manager Glendale Water and Power
1. Resolution [25-36] to adopt the 2025 Safety Element Update and California Environmental Quality Act Exemption findings pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and15301 (b)
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Kassakhian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Gharpetian
b. Public Works, re: Vacation of the First Alley Easterly of Brand Boulevard, Northerly of Fairview Avenue (Alley 130) Vacation Case No. 188V - Opened at 7:44 P.M. - Closed at 7:47 P.M.
Presenting:
No Presentation
Public Comments:
Rodney Khan
Staff Comments:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
1. Resolution (25-37] Ordering the Vacation
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain None
2. Resolution [25-38] Adopting Plan No. 12-242
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes:
Absent: None
Abstain: None
10. REPORTS - INFORMATION
11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
12. DISCUSSION OF COUNCILMEMBER FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
13. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Iscussion is Limited to Items NO l a Part of this Agenda. Each Speaker is Allowed inutes. Council May Question or Respond to The Speaker But There Will be r Debate or Decision.
The City Manager May Refer the Matter to the Appropriate Department for Investigation and Report.
Rafik Babakhanyan
Beth Brooks
Glendale Yimby
14. NEW BUSINESS
a. Motion that the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized to resolve the lawsuit entitled Anahi Godinez, et al. v. City of Glendale, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23GDCV00684 in exchange for a full release of all claims in the amount of $30,000.This settlement is not an admission of any liability whatsoever for any wrongdoing with respect to Plaintiff by Defendant or by any person or department, but is the compromise of a disputed claim.
Moved: Brotman Seconded: Najarian
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
b. Motion that the City Council hereby waives its attorney client and confidentiality privileges as to only the fact of the aggregate amount spent ir the Najarian v. City of Glendale, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24STCP02101, as of April 1, 2025.
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Asatryan
Absent:
Abstain: Najarian
c. Motion that the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized to resolve the lawsuit entitled Erik David Sanchez v. City of Glendale, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23GDCV00701 in exchange for a full release of all claims ir the amount of $50,000. This settlement is not an admission of any liability whatsoever for any wrongdoing with respect to Plaintiff by Defendant or by any person or department, but is the compromise of a disputed claim.
Moved: Najarian Seconded: Brotman
Vote as Follows
Ayes: Brotman, Gharpetian, Kassakhian, Najarian, Asatryan Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain:
15. ADJOURNMENT - 8:51 P.M.
Moved: Kassakhian Seconded: Asatryan
Mayor of the City of Glendale
My contine choosena