Residents urge transparency on Americana finances and contracting; speakers accuse insider practices
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Multiple public commenters pressed the council for transparency on the Americana at Brand finances and raised concerns about contracting and procurement practices; speakers asked for an agendized forensic accounting and stronger oversight of enforcement and bidding processes.
During the first period of oral communications on Jan. 13, 2026 several members of the public urged the Glendale City Council to agendize and investigate financial transparency, contracting and enforcement practices related to high-profile city assets and procurement.
Tony Passarella criticized enforcement of Ordinance 6068 (a 2023 ban on gas-powered leaf blowers codified in the Glendale Municipal Code) and said complaint-based enforcement has failed, asking the council to direct staff to implement stronger enforcement mechanisms and public reporting. "A law that is violated citywide every day without consequences is not environmental policy. It's institutional failure," he said.
Mike Mohill and other speakers pressed the council to provide a clear accounting of the Americana at Brand finances, arguing that taxpayers deserve to know whether the city is receiving promised revenue. Mohill requested an outside forensic audit and an agendized discussion ahead of the election cycle.
Chris Pratt criticized perceived insider advantages in contracting and local governance, saying residents should demand accountability and fair RFP processes. Herbert Milano raised concerns about long-term city debt and the use of finance authorities to issue bonds without voter approval, and urged a charter review.
Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns, asked staff to follow up on requests for financial information and enforcement options, and discussed options for budgeting and procurement transparency; no formal audit or report was ordered at the meeting.