By Ruth SOWBY

At a meeting of the Glendale City Council on Tuesday, Mayor Ardy Kassakhian announced that the City of Glendale Community Services & Parks was awarded $285,000 in Measure A Technical Assistance grant funds to support planning and pre-development services to create new parks and facilities in and around Glendale.  

Former councilmember Vrej Agajanian was then thanked for his service to Glendale from 2017 through 2022. He was also thanked in the Glendale City Connection, the monthly newsletter sent out by the City via email and social media. 

According to City Manager Roubik Golanian, “Mr. Agajanian always had his door open to those seeking assistance.  He served as mayor from 2020-21 and was integral to the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Agajanian advocated for affordable housing and infrastructure improvements.”  

Mayor Kassakhian announced the latest addition at City Hall is live music with Summer Concerts at Parcher Plaza on Thursdays from July 28 through Aug. 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

More community news included congratulations all around on the success of Cruise Night, which was held on Brand Boulevard on July 16.

“It represented everything that is good about our city,” said Mayor Kassakhian. “Not even a kid got lost.”      

Local businessman Andre Ordubeian was appointed as board and commission member to the Transportation and Parking Commission. Speaking before the Council, he thanked the councilmembers, especially Councilmember Paula Devine who nominated him.    

Also announced was the hiring of Paula Adams as chief officer of Human Resources.

Mayor Kassakhian suggested placing a moratorium on the building of any “drive-throughs” in Glendale. He brought up the possibility of a zone change; no firm Council action was initiated.

Recently elected Councilmember Elen Asatryan announced that the newly initiated 988 mental health help line is now in operation.

The Council meeting ended with a lengthy discussion on a resolution dispensing with competitive bidding and instead authorizing a service agreement with bill printing and mailing services for Glendale Water and Power through InfoSend, Inc. The Council decided to delay action until more information could be gathered from other municipalities using similar services.                 

The City Council will not meet on Tuesday, July 26.