Glendale’s Council Quick take is here to give you the breakdown on the City’s Weekly Council Meetings. On October 27, 2020, Council met for afternoon sessions, as well as their regularly scheduled Council Meeting.
Special Meeting: Glendale City Council
Community Development, re: Hearing: Introduction of Amendments to Title 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code, 1995, regarding Design Review for Projects in the DSP, Murals, Rebuilds Following Natural Disaster, and Related Updates
On October 27, 2020, Council introduced a series of amendments to the Zoning Code Title 30 related to Design Review. The proposed ordinance included updates to the following: design review for projects in the DSP zone (codification of three stage process with DRB advisory review for larger DSP projects and elimination of all Glendale Redevelopment Agency references); murals (transfer of authority from Design Review Board to Arts & Culture Commission, five-year approval timeline, and changes to mural standards in compliance with the 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech); proposed Design Review exemption for substantially similar rebuilds of residential buildings demolished due to natural disaster); and updates to related design review sections regarding applications and procedures for review. The ordinance was introduced and the amendments are scheduled to be adopted at the next City Council meeting on November 3. View full Report to Council
Housing Authority Meeting
Community Development, re: Selection of an Affordable Housing Developer in Response to a Request for Qualifications Issued by the Housing Authority July 29, 2020 to Develop an Affordable Housing Project for Families on Housing Authority Owned Property at 900 E. Broadway.
On October 2019, the Housing Authority acquired 900, 912, 920 E. Broadway and 117 S. Belmont Street from Tobinworld for $12.1M. In July 2020, the City released an RFP seeking a developer that can deliver an 88-unit affordable family rental project (subsequently increased to 93 units). Twelve responses were received, and on October 27, 2020, the City Council considered negotiating an agreement with a developer. The City Council continued the item to a future meeting in order get more information on the ability to reduce the size of the units creating more total units in the project. View full Report to Council
Glendale City Council Meeting
Consent Items
The following consent items were approved in one motion with the exception of 4b, 4c, and 4d, which were pulled for further discussion.
4a. City Clerk, re: Minutes of the Joint Housing Authority and City Council Meeting of October 13, 2020 and the Regular City Council Meeting of October 13, 2020
4b. Police Department, re: City of Glendale’s Response to 2019-2020 Report by the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury regarding Detention
Consent Item b. Resolution Approving City of Glendale’s Proposed Response Letter to the 2019- 2020 report by the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury re: Detention was approved and will be forwarded as proposed no later than October 29, 2020. View the full report to Council
4c. Public Works, re: City of Glendale’s Response to 2019-2020 Report by the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury regarding Cutting Down on Food Waste
On July 31, 2020, the Los Angeles County Grand Jury issued a report entitled, “A Diet for Landfills: Cutting Down on Food Waste”. In the report, the Grand Jury made several recommendations to increase food waste recycling and organic waste diversion rates. The Report contains 14 recommendations and directs the City of Glendale, along with 87 other cities in Los Angeles County, to respond to Recommendations 1.1, 1.3, 1.8 and 1.14. The City plans on implementing or continuing to implement suggestions from the Countywide Organics Waste Management Plan and incentivizing businesses to implement green practices through recognition and financial award through the City’s Green Business Certification Program. View the full report to Council
4d. Glendale Water and Power, re: Award of a Design-Build Contract for Pipeline Management Program FY 2020-21, Phase 1 Project (RFP No. 3866)
The City Council authorized Glendale Water & Power to award a design-build contract to W.A. Rasic Construction Company, Inc. to design and build Phase I of the City’s Pipeline Management Program for Fiscal Year 2020-21. This $4.1 million project will replace approximately 11,000 feet 75 to 99-year old water mains in various parts of the City, with new eight-in diameter ductile iron water pipelines, and help Glendale Water & Power to continue to maintain safe and reliable water service in the City. View the full report to Council
4e. Information Services Department, re: Amendment to Lease Agreement with Crown Castle International
4f. Police, re: Donation of Police Ballistic Protection Vests to the City of Montebello, California
Action Items
Management Services, re: Consideration of Recognition of the Republic of Artsakh’s Independence On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, the Glendale City Council adopted a Resolution recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and formally called upon the President of the United States and U.S. Congress to recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh for the purpose of bringing peace and stability to the Armenian Highlands Region (South Caucasus). View the resolution here. View the full Report to Council
Management Services, re: Ordinance Establishing a Sustainability Commission
On October 27th, 2020, the City Council accepted the introduction of Ordinance amending Title 2 of the Glendale Municipal Code, 1995, to Add Chapter 2.85 Establishing a Sustainability Commission. The proposed Sustainability Commission will advise the City Council on how to promote progress toward sustainability and recommend priorities to promote regional leadership in sustainability to ensure the City of Glendale becomes a leader in Southern California on issues of sustainability, climate action and climate adaptation. View the full Report to Council
Public Works, re: Standards for Landscaping in Parkways
On July 7, 2020, the City reviewed possible changes to the parkway landscaping standards in Title 12 of the Glendale Municipal Code and directed staff to return with an ordinance to reduce or eliminate some of the parkway standards restrictions. The ordinance introduced proposes specifically, to allow loose material, allow prickly plants such as cactus, reduce the live plant material requirement to 30 percent, and to apply the standards only to parkways adjacent to sidewalk. In conjunction, it would be the responsibility of the property owners adjacent to these areas to maintain the area in a safe and non-dangerous condition. View the full Report to Council
Community Development, re: Verdugo Wash Visioning consultant recommendation and funding allocation
The Verdugo Wash Visioning offers a unique place-making opportunity that would significantly reshape the urban framework and character of a major area of Glendale. It is a first step towards paying homage to the Wash’s original path to the LA River, Griffith Park and beyond. On October 27, 2020, the City Council adopted a motion awarding a contract to the design firm !melk, and authorized the Interim City Manager or his designee to execute a Professional Service Agreement with !melk in the amount of $440,000 for the Verdugo Wash Visioning Study. The Council also adopted a resolution of appropriation for $200,000 in Measure M funding augmenting the initial funding of the project. The additional funding will allow an expanded scope of service to create a more robust and detailed plan. View the full Report to Council
The next Glendale City Council Meeting will be held on November 3, 2020 at 6:00pm. They will also meet at 2:00pm Special City Council Meeting as well as Housing Authority.
Meetings can be viewed on local cable: Charter Cable Channel 6 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. They may additionally be streamed online by visiting our Public Meeting Portal, or by tuning in to our YouTube channel.