Glendale council to pursue broader bond committee participation and improved voter education; three‑member subcommittee to refine options

City staff led by Vicky Rios reviewed the bond committee’s origins and recent activities at the Jan. 13 Glendale City Council workshop, summarizing research into other jurisdictions and options for retooling the committee’s role and outreach materials. Staff noted the 2019 ordinance established a broadly framed ad hoc citizen bond election committee, that earlier work had sometimes been educational rather than directive and that state law restricts staff from advocating for or against ballot measures.

Staff also highlighted differences in other cities’ approaches: Chandler used larger committees and colorful voter education packets with FAQs that addressed property‑tax concerns directly; Avondale and Glendale had smaller committees and produced more traditional materials. Trust for Public Land was identified as a nonprofit partner that can provide pro bono technical assistance for surveys and outreach if the council requests it.

Council members debated appropriate committee size (several recommended expanding membership to about 21 to improve quorum reliability and allow subcommittees), whether to authorize subcommittees formally in the ordinance or to work through existing advisory boards (parks, library), and whether ballot pamphlets can do more to explain the statutory property‑tax language. Staff cautioned that forming new subcommittees and appointing members would consume time and could complicate a compressed election calendar for a possible November bond question.

After discussion the council directed a three‑member council subcommittee to meet with staff to refine recommendations and asked staff to proceed with the Jan. 21 bond committee meeting to present the concepts and gather input. Several council members expressed a preference to amend the bond committee ordinance soon to allow expansion (staff said an ordinance amendment would be required to change committee membership limits). Staff outlined a possible election calendar that included survey work in late February/ March, ballot language adoption by early June and a November election if the council chooses to move forward.

Next steps: the three‑member council subcommittee will meet with staff to develop a feasible plan and return to the full council with recommended ordinance language, committee size and outreach strategy. Staff will continue to pursue partnerships (Trust for Public Land and alternative survey vendors) and present a refined timeline and ballot language options.