Glendale commission extends student commissioners’ terms, directs staff to contact eligibility candidate and start recruitment

The Glendale Transportation and Parking Commission voted unanimously on June 22 to continue the terms of its two student commissioners through August and to direct staff to contact a student on the commission’s eligibility list and to begin a 60‑day recruitment for ex officio non‑voting student members.

The motion, approved by Commissioners Bonstean, Ordubegian, Shahbazian and Chair Alec Bartrosouf, instructs staff to: (1) inquire whether the student named on the eligibility list remains qualified and interested in serving; (2) continue the term of one or both sitting student commissioners through the August meeting as needed; and (3) initiate recruitment under the commission’s selection resolution, which includes a 60‑day application period, public outreach, screening and interviews by an ad hoc selection committee.

Staff told the commission the municipal code requires the Transportation and Parking Commission to include at least one student commissioner and allows up to two non‑voting student members. Staff summarized the commission’s selection process adopted in 2024 and amended in 2025, and noted that recruiting and appointment timing can push consideration of a new appointment into October if the commission initiates a full recruitment now.

Student Commissioner Torres told the commission he expects to move for school in late September and said he could serve through that month. “I’m moving to UC San Diego for school, so that’s like late September, so I’ll be moving then,” Torres said when the commission discussed calendar options. Staff identified the student on the existing eligibility list as Kevin Barati and said staff would confirm his availability and eligibility before the August meeting.

Commissioners discussed streamlining outreach across city commissions, keeping two student slots where possible, and the practicalities of forming an ad hoc selection committee. Commissioners also raised Brown Act concerns about committee composition in the summer; staff said it would verify whether the planned selection‑committee steps would comply with open‑meeting law and recommended adding a caveat that the action be paused if a Brown Act violation is identified.

Next steps: staff will contact the eligibility‑list student named by staff, proceed with a 60‑day recruitment for student members under the commission’s selection resolution if needed, and return to the commission with any confirmed appointments at a future meeting.

Authorities cited in the discussion included the municipal code provisions referenced by staff and the commission’s TPC resolution governing student selection (TPC Resolution No. 25‑1, sections 2A and 2C–2E).