The Glendale City Council met September 29, 2026. Below is the vote record and action taken on each agenda item considered by the Council, followed by details on the major issues discussed.
How They Voted
| Agenda Item | Asatryan | Brotman | Gharpetian | Najarian | Kassakhian | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a)-(c) Consent Calendar | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | APPROVED 5-0 |
| 5(d) Mural Permit Fees | — | — | — | — | — | REMOVED FROM AGENDA |
| 10(a) Scavenging Ordinance | — | — | — | — | — | INTRODUCED |
| 10(b) Commercial Special Events | — | — | Introduced | — | — | INTRODUCED |
| 10(c) Furniture Procurement | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | APPROVED 5-0 |
| 10(d) FY 2027-28 Budget Engagement Plan | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | APPROVED 5-0 |
| 11(a) Animated Signage Overlay | — | — | — | — | Introduced | TWO ORDINANCES INTRODUCED |
| Sulen-Hunter Litigation Settlement | ABSTAIN | YES | YES | YES | YES | APPROVED 4-0-1 |
YES = voted in favor
ABSTAIN = did not vote for or against
Introduced = councilmember formally introduced an ordinance; this is not an adoption vote
— = no adoption vote was taken
At a Glance
The Council recorded unanimous 5-0 votes on the remaining Consent Calendar, a citywide furniture-procurement agreement and the FY 2027-28 Budget Public Engagement Plan.
Three proposed ordinances were introduced rather than adopted: the scavenging ordinance, commercial-special-events ordinance and two related animated-signage ordinances under Item 11(a).
Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian introduced the commercial-special-events ordinance. Mayor Ardy Kassakhian introduced both animated-signage ordinances.
The scavenging and commercial-special-events ordinances are scheduled to return the following week for adoption votes. The animated-signage ordinances may require additional Planning Commission review before returning for adoption.
The Council also authorized a $75,000 litigation settlement on a 4-0-1 vote, with Councilmember Elen Asatryan abstaining because she had not participated in the closed-session consideration of the case.
What the Council Decided
Item 5 — Consent Calendar
The Council’s Consent Calendar contained Items 5(a) through 5(d). Item 5(d), concerning Mural Permit Design Review Fees, was removed from the September 29 agenda and will return at a later meeting.
The remaining items — 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) — were considered together.
5(a) — GWP Customer Satisfaction Research
Authorized a contract with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) for Glendale Water & Power customer satisfaction surveys and focus-group research, for an amount not to exceed $115,750, together with a related appropriation.
5(b) — Youth@Work
Accepted $158,100 in Youth@Work funding from the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and authorized a contract of up to $142,600 with Glendale Youth Alliance.
5(c) — Workforce Development
Accepted $791,270 in federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding and authorized contracts of up to $645,770 with Glendale Youth Alliance and $145,500 with the City of Burbank.
5(d) — Mural Permit Design Review Fees
Removed from the September 29 agenda. No vote was taken.
VOTE — ITEMS 5(a), 5(b) AND 5(c)
APPROVED 5-0
| Councilmember | Vote |
|---|---|
| Elen Asatryan | YES |
| Dan Brotman | YES |
| Vartan Gharpetian | YES |
| Ara Najarian | YES |
| Ardy Kassakhian | YES |
Item 10(a) — Scavenging From Trash and Recycling Containers
The Police Department proposed amending Glendale’s Municipal Code to prohibit scavenging from containers used for refuse and recyclable-material collection.
Staff explained that Glendale previously had more specific language prohibiting scavenging, but a 2021 Municipal Code revision removed language police had relied upon for enforcement.
Council discussion included how the ordinance would be enforced when police encounter people experiencing homelessness or mental-health issues. Police representatives said officers would evaluate each situation and could use services rather than enforcement when appropriate.
COUNCIL ACTION
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER VARTAN GHARPETIAN
The ordinance is scheduled to return the following week for the Council’s adoption vote.
Item 10(b) — Commercial Special Events
The Police Department proposed an ordinance concerning participation in and interference with permitted commercial special events.
The ordinance would prohibit certain participation contrary to permit conditions or without the consent and over the objection of the permit holder, as well as other interference with a permitted commercial special event.
First Amendment protections were a significant part of the discussion. The City Attorney’s Office explained that the ordinance applies to commercial special events and does not override constitutional protections. Activities such as distributing literature remain protected speech.
COUNCIL ACTION
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER VARTAN GHARPETIAN
NO ADOPTION VOTE TAKEN
The ordinance is scheduled to return the following week for the Council’s adoption vote.
Item 10(c) — Citywide Furniture Procurement
The Council approved an agreement establishing as-needed vendors for citywide furniture design, procurement and installation.
The authorization is capped at a cumulative $300,000 over three years.
City officials clarified that approval does not represent an immediate $300,000 furniture purchase. It establishes vendors and a purchasing mechanism for operational furniture needs as they arise.
Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian moved the item.
VOTE
APPROVED 5-0
| Councilmember | Vote |
|---|---|
| Elen Asatryan | YES |
| Dan Brotman | YES |
| Vartan Gharpetian | YES |
| Ara Najarian | YES |
| Ardy Kassakhian | YES |
Item 10(d) — FY 2027-28 Budget Public Engagement Plan
The Council approved a new public-engagement plan for development of Glendale’s FY 2027-28 budget.
The plan is intended to bring residents into the budget process earlier and includes proposals for an interactive online budget tool, community workshops, outreach through community organizations, Finance Department office hours and easier-to-understand public budget information.
Councilmembers also discussed language access and reaching residents who do not normally participate in City Council meetings or established community organizations.
VOTE
APPROVED 5-0
| Councilmember | Vote |
|---|---|
| Elen Asatryan | YES |
| Dan Brotman | YES |
| Vartan Gharpetian | YES |
| Ara Najarian | YES |
| Ardy Kassakhian | YES |
Item 11(a) — Animated Signage Overlay Zone
The Council held an extensive public hearing on establishing an Animated Signage Overlay Zone, which would allow animated digital signs on certain commercially zoned properties along portions of South Central Avenue and South Brand Boulevard.
Two ordinances were under consideration: one establishing the overlay zone and its development standards, and another amending Glendale’s zoning map to designate the properties where the overlay would apply.
Council discussion focused heavily on brightness, ambient-light measurements, impacts on nearby residential areas, the cost of requiring applicants to obtain professional lighting studies and whether the program should contain a sunset provision.
The proposal originally included a 10-year pilot period and sunset provision. During the discussion, a majority of the Council indicated support for removing the sunset provision.
Councilmembers also debated whether every applicant should be required to pay for a site-specific lighting study or whether the city could establish objective maximum-light standards.
COUNCIL ACTION
Mayor Ardy Kassakhian passed the gavel and introduced both ordinances with the changes discussed by the Council.
TWO ORDINANCES INTRODUCED — NO ADOPTION VOTE TAKEN
Staff will determine whether the revisions require the proposal to return to the Planning Commission. If another Planning Commission review is not required, the ordinances can return to the City Council for adoption.
Other Issues Raised at the Meeting
Pacific Community Pool
Several residents, including young swimmers, asked the Council to reconsider proposed Friday, Saturday and Sunday winter closures at Pacific Community Pool.
Speakers said the closures would affect youth programs, recreational swimmers, seniors, swimmers with disabilities and residents whose schedules primarily allow them to swim on weekends.
City officials indicated that preliminary financial information could become available in the coming weeks, potentially giving the Council an opportunity to revisit programs affected by earlier budget decisions.
NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON PACIFIC COMMUNITY POOL.
Proposed Water Rates
Proposed Glendale Water & Power water-rate increases were raised during public comment.
Residents discussed the proposed increases and the public process surrounding them.
THE COUNCIL DID NOT VOTE ON WATER-RATE INCREASES AT THIS MEETING.
Litigation Settlement
The Council considered authorization for the City Attorney to resolve Sulen-Hunter v. City of Glendale, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24NNCV05627 for $75,000 in exchange for a full release of claims.
Councilmember Elen Asatryan abstained because she had not participated in the closed-session consideration of the case.
VOTE
APPROVED 4-0-1
| Councilmember | Vote |
|---|---|
| Elen Asatryan | ABSTAIN |
| Dan Brotman | YES |
| Vartan Gharpetian | YES |
| Ara Najarian | YES |
| Ardy Kassakhian | YES |
Source: City of Glendale September 29, 2026 City Council agenda and meeting proceedings.
