By Nicole MOORE

On Thursday, the Montrose Shopping Park Association held its monthly meeting. MPSA president Andre Ordubegian began the two-hour session with gracious words to his fellow board members.

“I want to give a special thanks to MSPA for turning this organization and town around [during] these past five years,” said Ordubegian. “I really appreciate all the hard work.”

Yvette Neukian, assistant city attorney with the Glendale City Attorney’s Office, provided information regarding an ordinance for either a full or partial exemption of payment dues of $192 per month assessed Montrose business owners. Business owners must fill out a form on which eight specific parameters are evaluated by the financial department of the Glendale City Attorney’s Office. These parameters include that the business does not have signage outside its location, the business does not have employees, the business does not advertise in the local news media, the business does not take walk-ins, and the business does not benefit from events held in the Montrose Shopping Park. The eight factors are weighed equally at 12.5%. In order for a business to receive a reduction or full exemption of the fee, it must reach a total of at least 50% of the factors. Both Montrose Crossfit and The Wellness Center have been granted a partial exemption this year.

Grant Michals, president of Verdugo and Sparr Heights Neighborhood Association, stated he would be using the MSPA and the Montrose 20/20 plan as framework for improving the Verdugo and Sparr Heights community.

“We want to strengthen relationships with various community groups, such as business groups, to increase dialogues. We need to touch base and be able to give residents information,” said Michals.

“Only way to succeed is to work together,” added Ordubegian.

Dale Dawson, MSPA business and event coordinator, reported that this year’s Spooktacular event held on Oct. 31 had the largest turnout in recent years with an estimated 15,000 attendees. Dawson also said that for the holidays the Montrose Shopping Park would not allow filming from Nov. 15 through Jan. 3.

Additionally, the MSPA encourages merchants to extend their business hours. To entice business owners to do so, the MSPA is offering $200 to the first 20 businesses that extend their business hours. The money would be divided into scripts of $10, redeemable at any local business in the shopping park, and given to customers shopping between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For the first four weeks, the MSPA wants businesses to be open until 8 p.m. at least once a week.

The next MSPA meeting will be held at Glendale Community College PDC, 2340 Honolulu Ave., at 8 a.m.

  Nicole MOORE