Glendale Council reviews grant application for domestic violence prevention app

The Glendale City Council convened on June 3, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a significant focus on a proposed grant application aimed at supporting domestic violence victims through a new mobile application.

The meeting began with Marina Manoukian, a local attorney and advocate for domestic violence victims, presenting her support for the grant application for the SafeU app. Manoukian emphasized the app's potential benefits, including features that allow users to document incidents of domestic violence and contact first responders discreetly. She highlighted the urgency of the grant application, which has a deadline of June 22, 2025, and noted that local organizations like the YWCA and ARS are willing to assist in the process.

Council members engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the procedural aspects of applying for the grant. Some members expressed confusion about the necessity of bringing the item before the council, as staff typically has the authority to apply for grants independently. However, the involvement of a private vendor, SafeU, raised concerns about the appropriateness of the council's direct involvement in the application process.

The council debated the implications of partnering with a private entity for the grant, with some members advocating for a more cautious approach to ensure compliance with established procedures. The discussion highlighted the need for a report to be prepared for the council's review, allowing for a more informed decision regarding the application.

Ultimately, the council voted to bring the item back for further discussion in the following week, recognizing the tight timeline for the grant application. The motion passed with a majority vote, with one council member abstaining.

In addition to the grant discussion, the meeting included a segment for oral communications, where community members voiced their concerns on various issues, including local events and community relations. One speaker expressed frustration over perceived financial mismanagement related to community events, while another raised concerns about rising anti-Semitism in the area, emphasizing the need for the council to address hate speech and promote community unity.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to revisit the grant application process and address community concerns in future discussions. The next steps will involve staff preparing the necessary documentation for the upcoming meeting, ensuring that the city can move forward with the grant application before the deadline.