From: Abajian, Suzie
To: Adjemian, Aram
Cc: Simon, Jinette
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:35:06 PM
Attachments: glendaleca_logo.png
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Suzie Abajian | City Clerk
City Clerk
613 E. Broadway, Room 110, Glendale, CA 91206
P: +1 (818) 548-2090
[email protected] |
GlendaleCA.gov | Follow us!
From: Lee Straus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:24:05 PM
To: Gharpetian, Vartan <[email protected]>
Cc: Abajian, Suzie <[email protected]>; Golanian, Roubik <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply if you are unsure as to the sender.
Dear Councilmember Gharpetian:
As residents of Glendale, we vehemently oppose the proposed amendment to the 2026 Glendale Building and Safety Code, Volume IX to require energy conservation measures to air conditioner alterations, replacements and installations in existing single-family residential buildings, which would coerce us into installing electric heat pumps.
Previously, Elen Asatryan and Dan Brotman tried — and failed — to force us into installing electric heat pumps at the same time as replacing or upgrading our AC system. And now they are trying again, but not without added costs for EVERYONE citywide. Enough already, especially with our bills from Glendale Water and Power increasing at an astonishing pace.
We are all tightening our belts economically, and an unexpected total failure of our AC system during the summer shouldn’t obligate us to replacing the cooling system AND adding additional components (heat pump, ducting, attic insulation). This proposed building code alteration puts an undue burden on residents who are performing basic, unexpected repairs, or making a decision to replace their air conditioning system.
More egregious is the city’s offer of $1,000-per-ton incentives. This incentive, which does not remotely cover the full cost of the electric heat pump, would be paid out to homeowners from the Public Benefits Charge, which is charged to everyone, including apartment renters. This is REVERSE EQUITY: lower-income apartment residents will be financing capital improvements of higher-income homeowners.
Lastly, we do not trust the “lifecycle savings” calculated in the city staff report. Dan Brotman was dead-wrong when he said that the City would save $175M with his electric plan, and he famously walked back this figure at a recent City Council meeting and unceremoniously threw Glendale city staff under the bus.
Please stand up for the residents of Glendale against this egregious overreach and vote NO on this building code amendment.
Thank you,
Lee Straus and Gregory Thieme
1651 Cumberland Terrace
Glendale, CA 91202-1311
From: Abajian, Suzie
To: Simon, Jinette
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:20:35 PM
Attachments: glendaleca_logo.png
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Suzie Abajian | City Clerk
City Clerk
613 E. Broadway, Room 110, Glendale, CA 91206
P: +1 (818) 548-2090
[email protected] |
GlendaleCA.gov | Follow us!
From: Lee Straus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:58:20 PM
To: Asatryan, Elen <[email protected]>
Cc: Abajian, Suzie <[email protected]>; Golanian, Roubik <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply if you are unsure as to the sender.
Dear Councilmember Asatryan:
As residents of Glendale, we vehemently oppose the proposed amendment to the 2026 Glendale Building and Safety Code, Volume IX to require energy conservation measures to air conditioner alterations, replacements and installations in existing single-family residential buildings, which would coerce us into installing electric heat pumps.
Previously, you and Councilmember Brotman tried — and failed — to force us into installing electric heat pumps at the same time as replacing or upgrading our AC system. And now you are trying again, but not without added costs for EVERYONE citywide. Enough already, especially with our bills from Glendale Water and Power increasing at an astonishing pace.
We are all tightening our belts economically, and an unexpected total failure of our AC system during the summer shouldn’t obligate us to replacing the cooling system AND adding additional components (heat pump, ducting, attic insulation). This proposed building code alteration puts an undue burden on residents who are performing basic, unexpected repairs, or making a decision to replace their air conditioning system.
More egregious is the City’s proposed incentive. This incentive, which does not remotely cover the full cost of the electric heat pump, would be paid out to homeowners from the Public Benefits Charge, which is charged to everyone, including apartment renters. This is REVERSE EQUITY: lower-income apartment residents will be financing capital improvements of higher-income homeowners.
We’re at a loss at how you believe issues like these that will ultimately cost residents to spend more money out of their bank accounts, are winning issues when it comes time for reelection next year.
We have encouraged your colleagues to vote “No” tonight on this proposed amendment.
Regards,
Lee Straus and Gregory Thieme
1651 Cumberland Terrace
Glendale, CA 91202-1311
From: Abajian, Suzie
To: Golanian, Roubik; van Muyden, Gillian; Calvert, Bradley; Sadd, Tamar Cc: Adjemian, Aram; Simon, Jinette
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:19:18 PM
Attachments: glendaleca_logo.png
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Suzie Abajian | City Clerk
City Clerk
613 E. Broadway, Room 110, Glendale, CA 91206
P: +1 (818) 548-2090
[email protected] |
GlendaleCA.gov | Follow us!
From: Anahid Agemian <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 2:23:15 PM
To: Brotman, Daniel <[email protected]>; Abajian, Suzie <[email protected]>; Golanian, Roubik <[email protected]>
Subject: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
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CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply if you are unsure as to the sender.
Councilmembers:
I write this email to lodge my objection to the proposed amendment to the 2026 Glendale Building and Safety Code, Volume IX which would, once passed, mandate energy conservation measures to air conditioner alterations, replacements and installations in existing single-family residences. This, in turn, would place an undue financial burden on the owners due to the need for them to install electric heat pumps.
The added cost to residents does not seem to be fair even with the intended “incentive”. The “incentive” would work like all such measures – it would be completely inadequate to actually cover the cost of the electric heat pump.
I implore you to vote “No” to the proposed amendment. I believe excessive mandates, such as being considered in this case, may make money for some but it does nothing to better the financial lives of the City’s residents.
Please consider my remarks when making your decision.
Thank you,
Anahid Agemian
This transmission, including any attachments, contains confidential and privilegd information intended solely for use by specific recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosures, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this transmission is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify us by telephone or email immediately and destroy the transmission and any hard copies you may have made.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in this matter.
From: Abajian, Suzie
To: Simon, Jinette
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:20:35 PM
Attachments: glendaleca_logo.png
Get Outlook for iOS
Suzie Abajian | City Clerk
City Clerk
613 E. Broadway, Room 110, Glendale, CA 91206
P: +1 (818) 548-2090
[email protected] |
GlendaleCA.gov | Follow us!
From: Lee Straus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:58:20 PM
To: Asatryan, Elen <[email protected]>
Cc: Abajian, Suzie <[email protected]>; Golanian, Roubik <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply if you are unsure as to the sender.
Dear Councilmember Asatryan:
As residents of Glendale, we vehemently oppose the proposed amendment to the 2026 Glendale Building and Safety Code, Volume IX to require energy conservation measures to air conditioner alterations, replacements and installations in existing single-family residential buildings, which would coerce us into installing electric heat pumps.
Previously, you and Councilmember Brotman tried — and failed — to force us into installing electric heat pumps at the same time as replacing or upgrading our AC system. And now you are trying again, but not without added costs for EVERYONE citywide. Enough already, especially with our bills from Glendale Water and Power increasing at an astonishing pace.
We are all tightening our belts economically, and an unexpected total failure of our AC system during the summer shouldn’t obligate us to replacing the cooling system AND adding additional components (heat pump, ducting, attic insulation). This proposed building code alteration puts an undue burden on residents who are performing basic, unexpected repairs, or making a decision to replace their air conditioning system.
More egregious is the City’s proposed incentive. This incentive, which does not remotely cover the full cost of the electric heat pump, would be paid out to homeowners from the Public Benefits Charge, which is charged to everyone, including apartment renters. This is REVERSE EQUITY: lower-income apartment residents will be financing capital improvements of higher-income homeowners.
We’re at a loss at how you believe issues like these that will ultimately cost residents to spend more money out of their bank accounts, are winning issues when it comes time for reelection next year.
We have encouraged your colleagues to vote “No” tonight on this proposed amendment.
Regards,
Lee Straus and Gregory Thieme
1651 Cumberland Terrace
Glendale, CA 91202-1311
From: Abajian, Suzie
To: Simon, Jinette
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:20:35 PM
Attachments: glendaleca_logo.png
Get Outlook for iOS
Suzie Abajian | City Clerk
City Clerk
613 E. Broadway, Room 110, Glendale, CA 91206
P: +1 (818) 548-2090
[email protected] |
GlendaleCA.gov | Follow us!
From: Lee Straus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:58:20 PM
To: Asatryan, Elen <[email protected]>
Cc: Abajian, Suzie <[email protected]>; Golanian, Roubik <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 11.4.25 - Action Item 9.b.
CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply if you are unsure as to the sender.
Dear Councilmember Asatryan:
As residents of Glendale, we vehemently oppose the proposed amendment to the 2026 Glendale Building and Safety Code, Volume IX to require energy conservation measures to air conditioner alterations, replacements and installations in existing single-family residential buildings, which would coerce us into installing electric heat pumps.
Previously, you and Councilmember Brotman tried — and failed — to force us into installing electric heat pumps at the same time as replacing or upgrading our AC system. And now you are trying again, but not without added costs for EVERYONE citywide. Enough already, especially with our bills from Glendale Water and Power increasing at an astonishing pace.
We are all tightening our belts economically, and an unexpected total failure of our AC system during the summer shouldn’t obligate us to replacing the cooling system AND adding additional components (heat pump, ducting, attic insulation). This proposed building code alteration puts an undue burden on residents who are performing basic, unexpected repairs, or making a decision to replace their air conditioning system.
More egregious is the City’s proposed incentive. This incentive, which does not remotely cover the full cost of the electric heat pump, would be paid out to homeowners from the Public Benefits Charge, which is charged to everyone, including apartment renters. This is REVERSE EQUITY: lower-income apartment residents will be financing capital improvements of higher-income homeowners.
We’re at a loss at how you believe issues like these that will ultimately cost residents to spend more money out of their bank accounts, are winning issues when it comes time for reelection next year.
We have encouraged your colleagues to vote “No” tonight on this proposed amendment.
Regards,
Lee Straus and Gregory Thieme
1651 Cumberland Terrace
Glendale, CA 91202-1311