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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Ordinance Amending Glendale Municipal Code provisions regarding meetings, powers and duties of the Commission on the Status of Women
1. Introduction of Ordinance Amending Sections 2.38.090 and 2.38.140 of the Glendale Municipal Code, 1995 – Relating to the Commission on the Status of Women.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for September 9, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During its March 18, 2025, Council recommended certain changes to the frequency of meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women and their powers and duties. This report provides those amendments by changing the frequency of meetings from quarterly to monthly. It further amends the provisions pertaining to the Commission’s powers and responsibilities, to include regular programming based on policy recommendations of the Commission’s Report on the Status of Women and Girls and the City’s Workforce Demographics Report, engaging in community partnerships and fundraising.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends introduction and adoption of the Ordinance as directed by Council.
ANALYSIS
BACKGROUND
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was originally established in 2003 to serve as an advisory body to the City Council, providing recommendations on policies, programs, and services that address the needs of women in Glendale.
Per Glendale Municipal Code (“GMC”) Section 2.38.140, the powers and duties of the Commission were established as follows:
"The powers and duties of the Commission on the Status of Women shall 9a2
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be to assess and evaluate the needs and issues of women in the City in order to inform and advise the City Council, City departments and divisions, and other community agencies and organizations of those needs and issues; recommend programs or legislation to the City Council to promote and ensure equal rights and opportunities to and for women in the City; to promote education on issues regarding matters involving the needs of women and to prepare and disseminate such information; provide outreach information and education that empowers women to achieve self-sufficiency and self-esteem; maintain an active liaison with groups, organizations, agencies and individuals in regard to issues related to women; perform other duties as may be imposed upon the Commission by the City Council by ordinance or resolution."
Since its inception, the CSW has undergone multiple modifications, including changes to its composition, meeting frequency, and overall function. The Council has directed the restoration of CSW’s programmatic function and an increase in the frequency of its regular meetings. To that end, the City Attorney has prepared a draft ordinance for the Council’s consideration. The draft Ordinance increases the regular meeting schedule from quarterly to monthly, and modifies the CSW’s powers and duties, as follows:
The powers and duties of the commission on the status of women shall be to assess and evaluate the needs and issues of women in the city in order to inform and advise the city council, city departments and divisions, and other community agencies and organizations of those needs and issues; recommend legislation to the city council and/or organize programs or legislation to the city council to promote and ensure equal rights and opportunities to and for women in the city based on the Report on the Status of Women and Girls prepared from time to time at the behest of the commission and the City’s Workforce Demographics Report; to promote education on issues regarding matters involving the needs of women and to prepare and disseminate such information; provide outreach information and education that empowers women to achieve self-sufficiency and self-esteem; engage and maintain an active liaison with groups, organizations, agencies and individuals in regard to issues related to women; explore and engage in fundraising activities; perform other duties as may be imposed upon the commission by the city council by ordinance or resolution.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the proposed ordinance.
The existing position headcount will be transferred from the City Clerk’s departmental budget to the City Manager’s Office within the General Fund in order to accommodate 9a3
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the increased meeting frequency and additional programmatic functions for the CSW.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The ordinance implementing changes to the CSW is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations ("CEQA Guidelines"). The proposed ordinance is not a “project” for CEQA purposes as it involves only organizational and administrative activities of government. CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378(b)(5). It is further exempt since it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. The Council could choose not to introduce or adopt the Ordinance.
2. City Council may elect to consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney
Prepared by:
Lucy Varpetian, Principal Assistant City Attorney
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Councilmember Asatryan’s comments on the proposed Ordinance submitted on August 26, 2025