[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6473451,"mediaKeyId","5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f","parentId",5744745,"title","Council considers expanded role for Commission on the Status of Women, debate over dedicated staff","audioSeconds",1716,"startMs",3432000,"endMs",5148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f&start=3432&end=5148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473451/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-considers-expanded-role-for-Commission-on-the-Status-of-Women-debate-over-dedicated-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473451-fe0bc44c4bd3201cdbafd45fd3edd700/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442878&Signature=hFdS1emaJUFpELJMTO91ylAxiqVFx~6k9TYvCKAE~sZNK-PWfn8P4bBcrvn~8BBegyYdeK928ZRx4S9NvdZdQnEOw-LSM07mOGQ0KmIASM2RtDOxOlNk1EZuOBis5YWY9HXC5xX-afLzAiqNtXdmvzMfUaJYYz1s7OBPVMgHB6gJ3SLAq~Iqcr5yQKz6X71dT36GyIIi2qRuhVMnwytTBikMMZTsh5XT0pAyou7wBCj-UFjkk-9ZsS1cyYPtBUSyH0h2i2qkCR8CQ6CnjvcS5tMCm2stQe0bSw8sm3w9LXcFudEgmyJpF~l4u7FEL8UV5i9ofwOY4atZSTmpuDm2kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Glendale","date","2025-09-10T07:37:30Z","article","The Glendale City Council discussed an ordinance to amend municipal-code provisions governing the Commission on the Status of Women, including changing meeting frequency from quarterly to monthly and expanding the commission’s powers to include programmatic work, policy recommendations and community partnerships.

Council member Asatrian presented a revised draft labeled “alternative 2” that adds the phrase “including but not limited to” to broaden the commission’s scope and mirrors the structure used by other city commissions. She asked the council to adopt that version and to reaffirm prior direction to allocate one full-time staff position to support the commission’s work.

Scores of speakers, and several community organizations, urged adoption of the alternative language and a full-time staffer. Among those who spoke were Deborah Sal, CEO of YWCA Glendale & Pasadena; Regina Williams of Door of Hope, which operates transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence; Jane Vier; Diane Lambelott, immediate past chair of the commission; and Nairi Nahabedian, a former commissioner. They described programmatic needs including domestic-violence prevention, workforce development, elder and caregiver support and outreach to underrepresented groups. Several speakers noted prior commission successes and argued that monthly meetings and dedicated staff are necessary to sustain programming and community engagement.

Other speakers questioned creating a dedicated staff position for the commission, asking whether council was overstepping charter limits on hiring authority and noting that grant-funded or fundraised commission monies had historically been appropriated in the city budget process. A vocal public commenter opposed paying a staffer for the commission, saying funds should go to direct services.

Council members debated the staffing request’s appropriateness. Some members supported directing the city manager to allocate a full-time resource, saying the commission could not function at a programmatic level without it. Other members cautioned that personnel and hiring decisions are within the city manager’s purview and that council should not micromanage position creation; they said the council can nonetheless appropriate funding through the budget process. Staff said the March 18 council direction authorized pursuing staff support; the precise job classification and funding level were to be worked out by the city manager.

What the council did
- The council reviewed alternative 2 and the edits submitted by Council member Asatrian and discussed the staffing request. Council members did not adopt a new position at the meeting; several members signaled support for the ordinance language but differed over whether council should dictate a specific full-time position assignment or let the city manager determine classification and assignment.

Next steps
Staff will return with the formal ordinance for introduction and with any budget implications for staffing during the next budget cycle; council and staff said the matter of staff classification and funding will be worked out with the city manager’s office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - 9/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council reviewed an amended ordinance to expand the Commission on the Status of Women’s duties and meeting frequency. Supporters asked the council to adopt the 'alternative 2' language and to provide one full-time staffer; council discussion highlighted differing views about council direction on staffing and oversight of commission funds.","taxTitle","Glendale, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473455,"Council delays local heat-pump mandate, directs staff to return with 2025 code amendments",690,2681000,3371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f&start=2681&end=3371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f/thumbnail_2681000.jpg","/articles/6473455/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-delays-local-heat-pump-mandate-directs-staff-to-return-with-2025-code-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473455-280fb9b5190c0c79ce5b29acdbfb9cd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442878&Signature=B5~xrBjOBqSuIeqdMILbbFXgfme6Nga3NyLi9j0KFOfbxC-lcz8hewAHfZdpf3sJXLb2XeSsA~~quXfufxDuiPA5cHeg87hHj8AXVykCeDwUjxhFVlbvn8mLtJRce9ANHpFwGrjWXW0cDugDErr-zFc8MPl1Sh3nUWbvMovSKVtGdA5n0xsjEzHtDhdk6embynCLHgzo87tLlXV4~yyNwODLuM9vDF04Ibr8sdqrz4xIpHV0-ahjFO0r8q-YM4QY23WkyE~PXsRgvlq~N~8gvPTZPZQVcWmiibbc8RrxHo4-Het6tuZauw1eVhCf4MBOCNZxtT5jZhhfgk29u6LggA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glendale City Council on Sept. 9 directed staff to draft local amendments to the city’s building and energy code for consideration with the 2025 California Building and Energy Code, after council members said the ordinance cannot meet the Sept. 30 AB 130 deadline and public speakers urged wider outreach.

Staff told the council the draft ordinance introduced on Aug. 19 could not become effective by Sept. 30 because of a tie vote at a subsequent meeting; staff recommended bringing a new ordinance with the required general-plan findings when the 2025 code amendments are presented later this year.

Council voted 3–2 to proceed with staff’s recommendation. The roll call recorded Yes votes from Council members Zelzhadrian, Brotman and Kasakhian, and No votes from Council member Carpetian and Mayor Najarian.

Public commenters — including Patrick Murphy, who urged broader outreach and questioned how rebates would be funded, and Jesus Rojas from the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, who said many apartment-owner members are mom-and-pop landlords — told the council that the proposed requirement (as drafted) could shift costs to renters and to apartment households because some rebates would be paid from the city’s public-benefit fund.

Beth Brooks, another public commenter, asked the city to publish clearer, plain-language materials describing costs, benefits and the mechanics of proposed rebate programs so residents could judge pocketbook impacts.

Staff and the council discussed equity concerns, rebate design, the interaction with AB 130/AB 1 30 timing, and the technical alternatives available where homeowners retain gas furnaces. Staff said rebates being discussed include an incentive described in prior briefings as $1,000 per ton of HVAC capacity for certain conversions; staff also recommended evaluating how rebates are funded and urged broader public outreach before formal adoption.

What the council decided
- Direction: Staff to prepare a new ordinance with supporting findings and present it as part of the 2025 California Building and Energy Code local amendments later this year.
- Vote: Motion passed 3–2.

Why it matters
The ordinance would have required that certain replacement/installation projects in existing single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes either install heat-pump space conditioners or install specific energy-efficiency measures in addition to new air conditioners. Opponents told the council a near-term mandate could impose disproportionate costs on renters and some owners unless rebate and funding design account for equity across household types.

Next steps
Staff will return with the amendment package for the 2025 code cycle and recommended general-plan findings, along with refined outreach and cost-equity analysis.","The council voted to defer adoption of local amendments requiring heat-pump space conditioners for certain AC replacements, directing staff to bring the measures back alongside the 2025 California Building and Energy Code with supporting findings after public speakers raised equity and cost concerns for renters.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473460,"Glendale council approves $35,000 amendment for Fremont Park design contract",333,1006000,1339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f&start=1006&end=1339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744745-61fb0c987aac0973a17464dee248460f/thumbnail_1006000.jpg","/articles/6473460/Glendale/Los-Angeles-County/California/Glendale-council-approves-35000-amendment-for-Fremont-Park-design-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473460-196ea341e9b0ed896f9beb29813ff0e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442878&Signature=LjHSAkmB64Kgj6STBnD0PvBAX1CJWA7FJq5tYFEKd3gzt0l6oPxRTLFu-K6S5-FI-NK0QuVNRUaNVIZtVeBWLfnkN6Te9esrymKXQCYnXxp7yn9bUyUVLSCiqqbI5DAj8FuiiPx5ZUdG8EsrDK70chPa8-xdOA-03JV2iCpTyOIkrLZU7sWq-KR-ThJj913BKyCkc-AHUwOe7nACV8gNWi4PodE4NfptecGylydQlTKWKcg-MAgfQZnqo3pRNDk-lFxM9u~lNK8TQJjLrIVkQslJ6Suzper0rM2hR-EKGYl85sfYfvQcBaBEX0i7omO-jJWfW8XElQTY~usXXWfDNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glendale City Council on Sept. 9 approved a $35,000 amendment to a professional services agreement for design and construction documents for the Fremont Park renovation, increasing the total contract with David Valtz Design Landscaping Architects to a not-to-exceed $1,333,214.

Council members voted to add the money after staff said the project’s scope and construction needs grew during final phases. The motion to approve the amendment passed on a unanimous roll call.

The change was announced as consent calendar item 4f. City staff said design-work and construction management needs expanded after award, including on-site revisions and replacement of nonfunctioning equipment, and that contingency caps of 5–10% are used but can be exceeded when unforeseen conditions arise.

Beth Brooks, a member of the public, urged the council to tighten contract negotiation and oversight. “It seems like every week, there’s more…who is negotiating these contracts?” she said, asking whether the city could cap consultant increases or pursue more competitive bidding in the future.

Council members asked staff for additional information about consultant fees as a share of total project cost and whether tighter caps on professional-service increases were feasible. Staff replied the city typically includes contingency caps, negotiates fees, and requires council approval when those amounts are exceeded; they also said some additional services were required because of equipment that “wasn’t functioning the way it should have.”

Vote at a glance
- Item: Amendment to PSA C106224 with David Valtz Design Landscaping Architects
- Motion: Authorize amendment increasing the contract by $35,000 to a total not to exceed $1,333,214
- Mover: Council member Kosakian (recorded in discussion)
- Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll call recorded)

What’s next
Staff will proceed under the amended contract. Council members requested follow-up information about the breakdown of consultant fees versus construction costs and to review options for setting or clarifying caps on consultant fee increases on large projects.

Evidence: The amendment and the public comment were announced in the council packet (consent item 4f). The consultant and contract number were read into the record and a public comment from Beth Brooks raised procurement and oversight concerns. The council then voted to approve the amendment.","The City Council approved an amendment to a professional services agreement with David Valtz Design to add $35,000 for additional design and construction-management services for the Fremont Park renovation, after staff explained scope increases and a public speaker raised concerns about repeated contract increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council considers expanded role for Commission on the Status of Women, debate over dedicated staff

Council delays local heat-pump mandate, directs staff to return with 2025 code amendments

Glendale council approves $35,000 amendment for Fremont Park design contract