City Council Meeting Recap March 3, 2026

Opening

The meeting began with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation by Pastor Steve Wiebe of Glendale Presbyterian Church.
The agenda had been properly posted on February 26, 2026.

Proclamations

Autoimmune Awareness Month (March 2026) was proclaimed, recognizing over 140 autoimmune diseases affecting about 50 million Americans and emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and research.
Women’s History Month (March) and International Women’s Day (March 8) were proclaimed, honoring women’s contributions to society. Representatives from the Sister Cities Committee, YWCA, and the Commission on the Status of Women accepted the recognition.

Council Comments & Announcements

Councilmembers highlighted recent community events, including:
- A groundbreaking ceremony at Incarnation Church for a facility expansion.
- A screening of the documentary “Dirty Drugs,” addressing the fentanyl crisis.
- A book presentation by Armenian national soccer player Yura Movsisyan.
A councilmember proposed discussing adding an “Armenian” checkbox to city forms to improve demographic data collection.
Another councilmember discussed:
- A proposal to encourage adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, referencing a project converting 101 N. Brand Blvd into 312 residential units.
- Concerns about ICE agents staging on city property, suggesting policies to prevent it.

Transportation & Community Notices

A Metro Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project meeting was announced for March 9 at Fremont Park to provide information and gather public input.
The city clerk announced that 15 candidates have filed for City Council, with the nomination deadline on March 6.

Public Announcements

Community members spoke about:

A March 21 Griffith Park event celebrating the Bette Davis Picnic Area.
A request to recognize U.S. soldiers killed in Iran.
Concerns and advocacy regarding the BRT project and its potential impacts on neighborhoods.

Public Comment

Speakers raised issues including:
- Increasing Glendale Beeline bus frequency, especially Route 7.
- Potential zoning changes to encourage condominium development near transit corridors.
- Concerns about enforcement of the gas-powered leaf blower ban.

Action Item A

2026 Legislative Platform

Summary

The council reviewed the city’s 2026 Legislative Platform, which outlines the city’s policy positions and priorities on state and federal legislation.
The platform guides how the city advocates on issues such as housing, transportation, public safety, and environmental policy.
Council approved:
1. Receiving and filing the legislative affairs update
2. Adopting the 2026 Legislative Platform

Vote
The item was approved unanimously (5–0).

Councilmember	Vote
Elen Asatryan	Yes
Dan Brotman	Yes
Vartan Gharpetian	Yes
Ardy Kassakhian	Yes
Ara Najarian	Yes

Action Item B

Transfer of Ice Energy “Ice Bear” Units

Summary

The council considered a proposal from Glendale Water & Power to transfer ownership of Ice Energy thermal storage units (“Ice Bear” units) that had been installed at commercial properties around the city.
The units store energy by making ice during off-peak hours to help reduce electricity demand later.
Because the program is being discontinued, the city approved:
- Transferring ownership of the units
- Providing $4,500 in electric utility bill credit per unit to property owners to remove them.

Vote
This item was also approved unanimously (5–0).

Councilmember	Vote
Elen Asatryan	Yes
Dan Brotman	Yes
Vartan Gharpetian	Yes
Ardy Kassakhian	Yes
Ara Najarian	Yes

Action Item C – Scholl Canyon Landfill Operations

Key Staff Recommendations:

Refuse Disposal Rate Adjustment:
- Approve a 10% discount for waste delivered within the active waste shed.
- Designed to increase tonnage, improve cash flow, and shorten the landfill’s closure timeline.
- Subject to concurrence by the County of Los Angeles Sanitation District and the County.
Post-Closure Cost Estimate Update:
- Resubmit the revised post-closure cost estimate to CalRecycle using an ET (Evapotranspiration) cover, which reduces total post-closure costs from ~$86.9M to ~$62.9M.
- This approach meets regulatory requirements and aligns with partial community preferences for passive uses.
Contract Amendment with SES Engineers:
- Authorize a $30,000 amendment to Contract #8002842 to allow SES Engineers to provide ongoing regulatory support, post-closure maintenance updates, and site usage planning.

Public Comments:

Residents generally support reducing tipping fees but expressed concern about expanding the landfill beyond its intended closure.
Questions were raised about the feasibility of achieving increased tonnage with only a 10% discount.
Concerns were also noted regarding hazardous materials, potential concrete recycling facilities, and flexibility of landfill cover types.

Council Discussion Highlights:

Staff clarified discrepancies between previous CES report timelines and current calculations, explaining the 0.59 density factor in estimating closure.
Council considered long-term financial impacts, environmental safety, and potential future uses of the landfill site.
The 10% discount was viewed as the most balanced option to maintain operational stability while avoiding community impacts.

Council Votes:

Approval of 10% refuse disposal rate discount: Unanimous YES – Councilmembers Asatryan, Brotman, Ghaharpian, and Mayor Najarian.
Approval to resubmit revised post-closure cost estimate to CalRecycle using ET cover: Unanimous YES – Councilmembers Asatryan, Brotman, Ghaharpian, and Mayor Najarian.
Approval of $30,000 contract amendment with SES Engineers: Unanimous YES – Councilmembers Asatryan, Brotman, Ghaharpian, and Mayor Najarian.

Next Steps:

Coordinate with County Sanitation District on rate adjustments.
Resubmit post-closure cost estimate to CalRecycle by July 2026.
Plan future landfill site uses based on selected ET cover.
Revise watershed policy if directed to open the waste shed.
Maintain current rates if the JPA partners do not approve the discount.

Agenda Item D: SB 79 Implementation and Amendment to Novo Planning Group Contract

Department: Community Development
Subject: Status of proposed options for SB 79 (Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act) and proposed amendment to the existing Novo Planning Group Professional Services Agreement (Contract No. 8000769).

Summary:

SB 79 Overview:
- Signed into law October 10, 2025; effective July 1, 2026.
- Overrides local zoning to increase residential development potential near major transit stops.
- Defines tiered transit stops (heavy rail, light rail, BRT) with varying height, density, and FAR standards.
- Glendale currently has one confirmed Tier 2 TOD stop (Glendale Transit Center); BRT stop qualification pending.
Implementation Options for SB 79:
- Option 1: No action; allow SB 79 to take effect as-is.
  - Pros: Avoids premature decisions.
  - Cons: Limits local control; may substantially increase development capacity.
- Option 2: Adopt local ordinance aligning city standards with SB 79.
  - Staff does not recommend due to uncertainties with BRT routes.
- Option 3: Adopt delayed effect ordinance (3–4 years) for certain sites, allowing parcel-level analysis.
  - Staff recommends moving forward with this option.
- Option 4: Adopt a TOD alternative plan to redistribute SB 79 densities.
  - Staff does not recommend until state guidance is clarified.
Amendment to Novo Planning Group Contract:
- Add services: detailed parcel-by-parcel analysis, update draft EIR for Land Use, Mobility, and Environmental Justice elements.
- Contract extension through December 31, 2026, with additional $132,000.
- Purpose: Support delayed effect ordinance analysis and clarify long-term SB 79 impacts.

Motions Considered & Council Votes:

Motion 1: Accept status report and direct staff to proceed with one or more implementation options (SB 79).
- Vote: Unanimously approved.
Motion 2: Amend Novo Planning Group Professional Services Agreement to add services and extend term.
- Vote: Unanimously approved.

Outcome:

Staff directed to proceed with implementation options under SB 79.
Novo Planning Group contract amended to provide additional analysis and EIR updates.