Glendora council appoints Michael Kotowski to Community Services Commission

The Glendora City Council appointed Michael Kotowski to fill an unscheduled vacancy for Office No. 3 on the Community Services Commission, a seat with a term expiring June 30, 2027. The appointment followed interviews with applicants and a runoff ballot after an initial tie.

Council members interviewed four applicants for the vacancy — Michael Kotowski, Lisa Long, Andrew Meyer (participating by Zoom) and one applicant who was not present for the interview — after the city clerk’s office confirmed that applicant Jack Avenella had withdrawn his application on Feb. 5. Council members opened a public comment period but recorded no speakers before proceeding to interviews.

Kotowski, who said he has followed council business closely since moving to Glendora and has two children in local schools, told the council he brings private-sector communications experience and “I've got more years ahead of me than I have behind me.” He said he would prioritize learning what residents — especially seniors — want from facilities such as the Lafayette senior center and focus on making programming useful and well used.

Lisa Long, a retired teacher of 34 years who said she previously worked for Glendora Parks and Recreation, described long-standing ties to the city and said she values cross-generational programming and senior services. Long suggested a volunteer visiting program for seniors similar to one she knew in Carlsbad and said the city’s senior center had been helpful to a relative seeking human-services support.

Andrew Meyer, joining by Zoom, described nearly two decades as a Glendora resident and long involvement with local youth sports, and noted a 33-year career in the sheriff’s department. Meyer said he supports promoting youth physical activity and said the city’s programs already include many opportunities; he also said the arrival of the Metro line raises safety and homelessness concerns he has observed on other transit corridors.

Council members asked each applicant about parks, trails, senior services and ideas to make Glendora more family friendly. After the interviews the council used a written ballot process. The council reported an initial tie between Kotowski and Long (described in the meeting as “two with two votes”), then held a tiebreaker ballot handled with a ballot tube; the council announced that Kotowski received the majority and the motion carried. The meeting record does not show a recorded mover, seconder or a full roll-call vote total in the transcript.

The council chair thanked all applicants and encouraged continued civic involvement. The special session was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.