By Brian CHERNICK

The nomination of Roland Kedikian to the Glendale Water & Power commission was narrowly confirmed at the Glendale City Council meeting on Tuesday after passionate speeches were given by Councilman Vrej Agajanian – who nominated Kedikian – and Ara Najarian, who opposed the nomination.

Agajanian’s vote to nominate was joined by those of Mayor Vartan Gharpetian and Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan. Councilmember Paula Devine abstained from the vote.

Najarian cited allegations of campaign law violations by Kedikian that have been filed with the Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) as well as potential conflicts of interests regarding payments made to Agajanian and his television network by Kedikian.

Najarian also argued Kedikian as unfit for the position due to the ongoing lawsuit against the city that was filed by the Glendale Coalition. Glendale is currently appealing the ruling to pay back $57 million to Glendale residents after it was determined that the city had violated laws by hiking energy rates and transferred monies from the electric fund to the general fund.

“How can he be aggressively [pursuing] litigation against the city one minute and then work with the city on a commission another?” Najarian said. “He can’t.”

According to City Attorney Mike Garcia and his conversation with the FPPC, due to the nature of a commissioner position possessing no monetary compensation for the role, donations or money contributed to Agajanian do not constitute a conflict of interest.

Term limits for City of Glendale board members and commissioners will soon be limited to three, 24-month terms after Council voted to move on an amendment that would impose new limits.

While the limits will be effective both retroactively and proactively, members currently serving their fourth term or greater will be allowed to finish their term.

The initial suggestion from staff set the limit to two terms, but councilmembers were quick to agree that the limit should be in line with their own city council term limits, which were voted on by the people of Glendale in the November election.

Those who wish to join different boards or commissions after their terms are up will not be affected. Staff will return at the next Council meeting with the written ordinance to be voted on.

During the meeting, council requested staff to return with lowered Library and Parks mitigation fees for the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Council agreed upon the reduced fee of a $4,700 flat rate per Accessory Dwelling Unit. The cost was calculated by averaging the proposed fee for a single family residential and multi-family residential units, which was determined by the square footage of the dwelling unit.

The $4,700 fee is potentially a temporary one as Council waits for an update to the Nexus Study that will provide members with a better assessment on the impact that the new ADUs will have on the city’s public services.

  Brian CHERNICK