By Julie BUTCHER

On Tuesday night at a relatively short, business-like meeting of the Glendale City Council, Glendale joined 733 other cities (along with 3,061 businesses, 31 regions, 173 investors, and 624 universities) in pledging global action in the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign.

City Sustainability Officer David Jones reported back to the Council following instructions adopted in January. As Mayor Paula Devine explained at the time (and reported in the Jan. 14 issue of CV Weekly): “Race to Zero is an organization of mayors globally – it’s a campaign from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.”

According to the organization’s website (https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign#eq-2), “The objective is to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that business, cities, regions and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.” COP26 is the acronym for Conference of the Parties, the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Scotland in the fall. https://ukcop26.org/

“The next decade will decide the future for humanity,” C40 Cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, said in advance of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November.

Jones delineated the requirements of the pledge: First is recognizing the global climate emergency; secondly, committing to keeping global heat below the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement; putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone; and inviting partners to join in recognizing the global climate emergency and helping to deliver on science-based action to overcome it.

Jones further reported that the city’s new Sustainability Commission recommended the city take the pledge to reach net zero in the mid-2040s or by mid-century at the latest; to set an interim target to achieve in the next decade, reflecting 50% of the global reduction in CO₂ by 2030; and to proceed immediately in planning at least one inclusive and equitable climate action.

He detailed some actions the city has already taken: implementing 30.23 miles of bike lanes that expand opportunities for alternative forms of transportation; creation of a food recovery program; expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Councilmember Ara Najarian questioned the aggressiveness of the plan: “100% renewable in three-and-a-half years?”

He suggested setting a goal for reducing the number of vehicles in the city.

“We want to promote transit, transit-oriented development – we’ve reduced parking requirements for upcoming projects,” he said, adding, “I do support you [Mayor Devine] signing this.”

“Some of these things are aspirational,” Councilmember Ardy Kassakhian began his comments, “but anything we can do will have an impact on the environment and on our community’s health.”

Councilmember Dan Brotman spoke enthusiastically in favor of the climate action pledge: “I won’t go into an hour-long college lecture here,” he began. (“Thank you! Thank you!” Mayor Devin interjected.) “One of the main reasons I got involved in politics in the first place is my concern over this issue, the climate emergency. We have a pretty bleak future ahead of us in California.

“At least now, no one is questioning what’s going on around the world. And that’s with a one-degree increase in temperature. We’re on a path to 3%, three times what we’re seeing now. Obviously this is going to put civilization at risk, maybe our species.

“It’s a big problem and we’ve got a lot of work to do. Glendale’s made some good effort, but we’ve just scratched the surface. We need to completely green our electric grid and then we need to electrify everything.

“This will be the challenge of our generation, but it will make us all better, stronger. Can you imagine a city that’s cleaner, greener, a more community-oriented city? We’ve got a lot of risk but we’ve got so much opportunity. I’m excited that we’re making this commitment, that we can be a real leader on this in Southern California,” Brotman concluded.

Mayor Devine recalled bringing this to the Council.

“When Mayor Garcetti brought this to SCAG [the Southern California Association of Governments], I thought this made sense for Glendale. I understand it’s ambitious and challenging but any dent we will make is going to happen at our level, one city at a time. I’m delighted to see 200 more cities have joined since I introduced this.”

The item passed unanimously.

Prior to that, the Council recognized July as “Parks Make Life Better” month and recognized the city’s parks workers. Senior Community Services Supervisor Sevag Garabedian accepted the award, sharing that between March 2020 and June 2021, the city provided 189,245 meals to seniors (combined meals delivered and picked up); opened city cooling centers for 36 days; delivered 351 fans and 2,000 hygiene kits to city seniors; coordinated housing for 61 homeless clients through Project Roomkey; and distributed pet food and pet supplies to 40 Glendale residents in need of that kind of help. The Verdugo Jobs Center helped 234 people and distributed $500K in funds. Park maintenance workers handled 700 calls per month, up from the typical 200 and city staff provided 8,258 days for campers and students at seasonal camps and distance learning centers, Garabedian continued. He added the number of vaccinations provided: 167 seniors; 14,910 through the Jewel City site; 5,400 through the partnership to open a clinic at the Civic Auditorium.

“Parks have been one of the anchors that has kept the community grounded throughout the pandemic,” Councilmember Kassakhian observed after the meeting.

Councilmember Brotman secured support for AB 1346 pending in Sacramento. The bill would begin phasing out gas-powered landscaping and gardening tools, providing $75 million in rebates and incentives to help the transition. The Council voted to send a letter in support of the legislation.

Brotman also called attention to an issue raised regarding houses with a lot of lights. He noted that the city “does not appear to have any ordinance or anything.” He noted that some cities address the issue by adopting a “dark sky” ordinance and referenced an association (https://www.darksky.org/) suggesting implementation might be “worthy of future consideration.”

Councilmember Kassakhian advocated a look at the intersection of Adams and Broadway for ways to improve both pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Finally, Fire Chief Silvio Lanzas reported on “heat, drought and wildfires,” noting that 10 Glendale firefighters are currently deployed in northern California to help fight fires there. He urged extreme caution and the need for residents to be aware of “doing anything.”

“Even clearing brush – any spark can ignite a wildfire. Keep a water source readily available at all times,” Chief Lanzas cautioned. “Our fire season is typically from September to November, and is especially risky when the Santa Ana winds start. Please be fire smart.”