5d
26-90081
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Glendale–Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project 1) Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Glendale–Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project and authorizing city staff to file the Notice of Determination with the State Clearinghouse and the Los Angeles County Recorder.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent
Approved for June 9, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale–Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project (Project) is Phase 3 of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk and consists of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning the Los Angeles River between the Cities of Glendale and Los Angeles. As lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Glendale prepared an initial study, which concluded that all potentially significant environmental impacts can be reduced to a level of less than significant with mitigation measures incorporated. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have therefore been prepared for City Council consideration.
The intent of this item is for the City Council to adopt the MND and approve the associated resolution, authorizing city staff to file the Notice of Determination and the MND and MMRP with the State Clearinghouse and the Los Angeles County Recorder.
Adoption of the MND is a prerequisite to advancing the Project through final design and construction.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution adopting the MND and MMRP for the Glendale–Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project and authorize city staff to file the Notice of Determination and the MND with the State Clearinghouse and the Los Angeles County Clerk. 5d2
26-90081
6 8
2 9
ANALYSIS
Project Background
The Glendale Narrows Riverwalk site is located on the north bank of the Los Angeles River opposite Griffith Park and is being delivered in three phases. Phase 1, completed in December 2012, included a half mile of recreational trail for bicyclists and pedestrians, an equestrian facility, interpretive signage, and extensive native landscaping. Phase 2, completed in October 2018, added a small park, the remainder of the recreational trail, and a bridge crossing over a drainage culvert.
Phase 3, originally called the Glendale Narrows Bridge and now known as the Glendale–Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project, involves construction of a curvilinear concrete or concrete-and-steel bridge spanning the Los Angeles River between the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles. The bridge will include concrete substructure planking, two piers in the river, safety railings, trash cans, pet waste stations, interpretive signs, landscaping, pedestrian safety lighting, and access gates.
Once complete, the Project will provide approximately one mile of continuous recreational trail and connect the Riverwalk to Griffith Park.
On December 14, 2021, the City Council authorized a Professional Services Agreement with Biggs Cardosa Associates, Inc. (BCA) to provide professional engineering, environmental document, and construction management services for the Project. BCA’s scope includes preparation of the environmental document, schematic and final design, permitting, bidding assistance, and construction support.
Environmental Review Process
As lead agency under CEQA, the City of Glendale prepared an initial study to evaluate the potential environmental effects of constructing and operating the proposed bridge.
The City of Los Angeles is the Responsible Agency under CEQA. Various City of Los Angeles departments reviewed and provided comments on the Initial Study, MND and MMRP. The City of Los Angeles is responsible for providing the requisite right of way, and associated permitting for Glendale to construct the Project connecting the Glendale portion of the bridge over the Los Angeles River into Griffith Park The initial study analyzed each topic in the CEQA environmental checklist, including biological resources, cultural and tribal cultural resources, noise, air quality, transportation, hydrology, and hazards.
The initial study concluded that, with implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the MMRP, the Project would not result in any significant environmental impacts. On this basis, a MND is the appropriate CEQA document for the Project. The MND and MMRP have been circulated for public review in accordance with CEQA requirements, and all comments received have been considered as part of the city’s independent review and analysis.
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
The MMRP includes mitigation measures addressing biological resources, construction noise and lighting, cultural resources, and tribal cultural resources. Each measure 5d3
26-90081
6 8
2 9
identifies a monitoring action, timing, and responsible party. The measures are summarized below; the full text and monitoring requirements are set forth in the attached resolution.
BMP-1 Pre-Construction Nesting Bird Survey — surveys conducted by a qualified biologist prior to ground disturbance during the avian nesting season (February 1 to September 15), with appropriate buffers around active nests. BMP-2 Pre-Construction Clearance Survey — a qualified biologist will survey the Project site for the California legless lizard within two hours before ground disturbance and relocate any individuals encountered.
BMP-3 Bat Roost and Emergence Survey — daytime and dusk surveys for bat roosts within 100 feet of the work area, with seasonal restrictions during the bat maternity season (May 1 to August 15) where warranted.
BMP-4 Workers Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) — training for construction crews on identification of and procedures for sensitive biological resources.
BMP-5 Construction Noise — mobile noise barriers and equipment muffler requirements to reduce construction noise levels for sensitive receptors and roosting/nesting wildlife.
BMP-6 Operational Lighting — low-level lighting at entry points, with non- essential lighting eliminated to protect wildlife circadian rhythms. BMP-7 Access Routes and Work Area — delineated work areas and access routes to minimize impacts to jurisdictional features and sensitive resources. BMP-8 Perimeter Construction Fencing — minimum 6-foot perimeter fencing around construction areas for safety and to screen views of staging. BMP-9 Tier 4 Construction Equipment — all 75-horsepower or greater diesel equipment to be powered by CARB-certified Tier 4 Interim engines where available.
CR-1 Archaeological WEAP and Assessment — archaeological awareness training for construction personnel and a defined assessment protocol if archaeological resources are discovered.
TCR-1 Native American Monitor — retention of a Native American Monitor from the NAHC contact list prior to and throughout ground-disturbing activities, with daily monitoring logs.
TCR-2 Unanticipated Discovery of Tribal Cultural Resources — 60-foot work stoppage buffer and assessment by tribal monitor and qualified archaeologist if non-funerary tribal cultural resources are discovered.
TCR-3 Treatment of Native American Human Remains and Burial Goods — 100- foot buffer, County Coroner notification, and NAHC consultation procedures consistent with Public Resources Code Sections 5097.98 and 7050.5, with preservation in place as the preferred treatment.
Next Steps
Upon adoption of the resolution, city staff will file the Notice of Determination with the MND and MMRP with the State Clearinghouse and the Los Angeles County Clerk. 5d4
26-90081
6 8
2 9
Adoption of the MND and MMRP completes the CEQA clearance milestone identified in the Project’s implementation schedule and allows the design team to advance final plans, specifications, and estimates and to prepare the Project for bid and construction.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Extensive stakeholder outreach has been conducted throughout the planning, master planning, environmental review, and design phases of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk and Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project. Outreach has included community meetings, project workshops, and stakeholder coordination with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Caltrans District 7, Los Angeles County Public Works, the City of Los Angeles, Friends of the LA River, and other interested agencies and community organizations.
Additionally, on April 7, 2025, and October 6, 2025, the Project was presented to the Los Angeles River Cooperation Committee (LARCC). Following these presentations, LARCC recommended that the Project proceed with finalizing environmental clearance, permitting, and final design efforts.
As required as part of the CEQA process, the city initiated tribal consultation pursuant to Assembly Bill 52 and Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1. Tribal notification letters were distributed providing information regarding the proposed Project, including its location, area of potential effects, cultural resources records search, pedestrian survey, and the Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Lands File search results. The letters also provided the required opportunity for tribes to request consultation with the city regarding potential tribal cultural resources. The Project team consulted with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, Gabrieleño Tongva Indians of California, and Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and incorporated mitigation measures into the Project consistent with recommendations received during consultation.
Between January 19, 2026, and February 17, 2026, the initial study and proposed MND were circulated for public comments pursuant to CEQA requirements. A community meeting was also held at the City of Glendale Council Chambers on February 25, 2026, to discuss the CEQA document and Project elements. All comments received during the public review and comment period and community meeting were considered as part of the city’s independent review and are reflected in the final MND, responses to comments, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program presented for adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the MND and MMRP.
Preparation of the initial study, MND, and MMRP is included in the scope of the Professional Services Agreement with BCA, previously authorized by Council on December 14, 2021.
Funding for implementation of the MMRP during construction will be included as part of the construction phase budget for the Project, which is funded through Proposition 68 5d5
26-90081
6 8
2 9
grant funds, the 2015 Metro Call for Projects grant, and Assembly Bill 170 funds previously committed to the Project. No new appropriation is required by this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
In accordance with CEQA, the City of Glendale, as lead agency, prepared an initial study evaluating the potential environmental effects of the Project. The initial study determined that all potentially significant impacts can be reduced to a level of less than significant with the mitigation measures set forth in the MMRP incorporated into the Project. On this basis, an MND and MMRP have been prepared and is the subject of this action.
Following adoption, the Notice of Determination, MND and MMRP will be filed with the State Clearinghouse and the Los Angeles County Clerk, completing the CEQA clearance milestone for the Project. The Project will also undergo separate environmental clearance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as part of federal-aid funding requirements; that clearance is being processed concurrently and upon submittal of final design plans to the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and is not affected by this action.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Sarkis Oganesyan, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Exhibit 2: Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Responses to Comments Exhibit 3: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Exhibit 4: Appendix A – Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas & Energy Assessment Exhibit 5: Appendix B – Biological Resources Assessment Exhibit 6: Appendix C – Cultural Resources Assessment
Exhibit 7: Appendix D – Noise Analysis
Exhibit 8: Appendix E – Trip Generation Assessment
5d6
26-90081
6 8
2 9
Exhibit 9: Appendix F – Vehicle Miles Traveled Screening Evaluation