By Julie BUTCHER

On Tuesday, the Glendale City Council approved emergency orders that authorize fines for violating public health orders such as the mandate to wear face coverings. Councilmembers heard a promising monthly financial report and approved preliminary plans for visioning open space surrounding cycling and walking paths along the Verdugo Wash.

However, the council first heard from LA Metro staff members with an update on pending transit plans.

Specific to the Glendale area, Metro is planning rail expansion via the Antelope Valley line that would mean 30-minute train trips to Santa Clarita and hour-long trips to Lancaster, with construction expected to begin in 2024 and continue through 2028. Improvements to Doran Street and the intersection with Broadway/Brazil are in progress now. The North Hollywood/Pasadena BRT (rapid bus) is moving through the planning process with the Metro board expected to approve a draft EIR (environmental impact review) for public comment in October.

The 16-mile route would mean transit times of 16 minutes between downtown Glendale and downtown Burbank, an improvement of 20% over the current time, and 32 minutes from downtown Glendale to Pasadena City College, a 29% time gain. The line would use dedicated bus lanes and 40-foot zero emission buses. Measure M and SB1 funds have been authorized; $267 million is available to begin the project.

Local pulmonologist and medical officer Dr. Shant Shirvanian reported 142 Glendale deaths from COVID-19 to date.

“We’re seeing young people with no comorbidities who are becoming very ill,” he said responding to questions from councilmembers, and reiterating that masks are effective in reducing the transmission of the disease. “It’s hard to find a study that says that not wearing masks is helpful.”

During his council comments, Councilmember Dan Brotman noted emails and communications he has received from Glendale city workers who are concerned about the discussions about employee furloughs. He understands their anxiety, Brotman said, but emphasized the need to “prepare for any eventuality. If this happens, and that’s still a big if, it would be temporary. Jobs intact, healthcare intact. That’s not the case for many, many others who are losing their jobs and not going to get those jobs back. I don’t think it’s fair to say that we shouldn’t even look at it and discuss it. We need a range of options.”

Additionally, he commended the Library, Arts & Culture Dept. for coordinating the city’s first panel discussion on race.

“It was really great [with] excellent panelists. We didn’t shy away from looking at our own history as a Sundown town, the center of some Nazi and KKK activities – that made me proud that we have the confidence to look at ourselves,” he said noting that the city was planning a year-long series of discussions on the topic of race and was “working on a resolution – I hope it includes an apology.”

Community Development Dept. assistant director Bradley Calvert led the council through a preliminary discussion of the process to garner maximum public input to envision a “big and bold” future for the Verdugo Wash as it runs through 18 Glendale neighborhoods. He shared slides of open space around pedestrian and bicycle paths in other cities, such as Cherry Creek Trail in Denver and the Atlanta Belt Line, a 22-mile route that was developed piecemeal around the city to help encourage walking and cycling that has been described as the most important infrastructure project currently underway in the U.S. In Indianapolis, the Cultural Trail ties into an overall master plan that includes the placement of public art along the route.

“This is thrilling,” Councilmember Brotman exclaimed about the possibilities. “Not just another bike path, this could include habitat restoration and open space that would be appealing to a big segment of the community.”

A discussion of California Prop 15, recently qualified for the November ballot statewide, was on the agenda but Mayor Vrej Agajanian pulled it from the calendar for future action. According to its proponents, Schools & Communities First, “Proposition 15 will close corporate property tax loopholes to reclaim $12 billion every year for California’s schools, essential workers and local governments – all while protecting homeowners and renters, small businesses and agriculture.” Local estimates suggest the measure would mean an additional $15.5 million in annual revenue for the city and a similar amount in added funds for the school district.

Finally, the city is sponsoring a webinar on Friday, Aug. 7 starting at 2 p.m. to encourage people to be counted in the 2020 Census. Glendalians can win a $10 gift card for participating.

The city states that “one of the most important things you will do this decade is participate in the 2020 Census. The U.S. Census determines federal funding for important community services that help support our families, and determine our fair share of representation in California and Washington, D.C. It’s not too late to be counted – everyone has until the end of September to respond to the Census.”

Sign up on the city’s census 2020 site https://www.glendalecounts.com/.

  Julie BUTCHER