Glendale council asks staff to prepare a 20‑hour scoping memo on digital kiosks and directories

The Glendale City Council on March 24 debated whether to research digital kiosks that can serve as interactive directories and rotate advertisements when idle. The item, introduced as a request from Councilmember Conchas, cited examples used in Tempe and Phoenix and asked staff to study business models, cost‑sharing arrangements, messaging controls, utility ownership, ADA implications, and zoning impacts for placing kiosks in public right‑of‑way.

Council members voiced mixed reactions. Several said the technology and vendor answers they reviewed were promising and that kiosks could help visitors find downtown businesses; others said kiosks risked conflicting with the historic character of downtown and raised concerns about pedestrian flow, ADA compliance and opening a precedent for digital billboards in the right‑of‑way. Staff warned the devices do not neatly fit existing billboard, monument or wall sign categories and that new guidance or an ordinance could be required.

Rather than a full study, councilmembers settled on a limited scoping approach. The council confirmed consensus to ask staff to spend 20 hours preparing a scoping memo (not a full presentation) that would make preliminary phone contacts (for example with Tempe and Phoenix), identify whether vendors would locate in Glendale, summarize likely cost arrangements, and list zoning, ADA and liability issues that would need fuller review.

Councilmember Balderrama said he would support the reduced scoping option, urging staff to focus on basic vendor interest and cost proposals rather than a full investigation. The workshop record shows no formal ordinance change or procurement decision; the action directs only a short staff scoping memo to return to the council for further direction.