Council deadlocks on Measure R multimodal funding after public pushback on bike lanes

The Glendale City Council on Feb. 11 did not decide on a series of Measure R items that would fund design and outreach for multimodal street improvements along North Verdugo Road and other corridors, after residents and two council members said the public had not been given clear notice that projects could include protected (Class 4) bike lanes and possible traffic‑lane reductions.

The council deadlocked twice on consent‑calendar motions tied to Measure R: a staff report that would appropriate $1,216,440 for local match for a Highway Safety Improvement Program grant and other Measure R programming (item 4C), and a professional services agreement and appropriations to begin design of the North Verdugo Road Multimodal Improvements Project and related San Fernando Road work (items 4GS and the accompanying contract amendment). With a 2–2 tie on those votes, the items will be continued to a later meeting.

Why it matters: The actions would have authorized an engineering contract with Mark Thomas and Company and the appropriation of $9 million in Measure R regional return funds for North Verdugo, plus a $1.57 million design contract and a $2.54 million amendment for San Fernando Road work. Residents said the North Verdugo study…