By Julie BUTCHER

At the beginning of its exceptionally long first meeting of the new year, the Glendale City Council recognized Jan. 18 as MLK Day, celebrating the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., announcing that the fifth annual city celebration would occur virtually this year, today, Jan. 14, at noon. Reading from the proclamation, Mayor Vrej Agajanian emphasized the historic significance of the action in light of the city’s recognized history as a sundown town, committing to “continue to work against all forms of injustice.”

Next the council heard an extensive briefing from a high-level official of the Japanese government, advocating for the increased use of hydrogen power. In an October 2019 policy statement, the Japanese prime minister affirmed the country would be carbon neutral by 2050.

“Many Japanese companies are interested in investing in California; we’re talking with mayors about building more hydrogen infrastructure in the fight against climate change,” one official said.

According to the detailed presentation, the proper use of hydrogen reduces greenhouse gas. It has strong energy density and hydrogen fuel cells are efficient, available for use in transportation applications, to generate thermal power, to aid in micro-grid reliability and for port and factory infrastructure. Finally, according to the Japanese officials, the technology will be made available freely to interested local economies.

“Can we get a filling station in Glendale? One that’s 100% solar powered?’ Councilmember Dan Brotman asked. “Because if so, that’s my next car. Perhaps we could test trash trucks or buses? Hydrogen is great but only if it’s produced renewably. Biofuels aren’t considered ‘clean’ – they’re renewable but not ‘clean.’”

During his general comments, Mayor Agajanian read from a press statement issued by the city in response to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“The City of Glendale is a diverse and welcoming community that respects all views and beliefs, all paths of life, and the events that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021 do not represent our values as a community or as a nation,” the mayor read. “We do not condone these violent actions, this unprecedented insurrection against our government. They are antithetical to our city and the people of Glendale.”

Glendale Police Chief Carl Povilaitis added, “It’s one thing to express an opinion, it is quite another to resort to violence. Violence can never be tolerated. The Glendale Police Department remains committed to constitutional policing. Police officers take an oath, not to a department or a mayor or a police chief, but to support the constitution of the United States, and here in California to the state constitution.”

Povilaitis described the preparation the department has been engaged in since October 2020.

“We’ve never stopped,” the chief said. He explained the work being done monitoring activities and coordinating with law enforcement partners at every level.

Brotman raised concerns about the city’s enforcement of COVID protocols, masks and gatherings in particular.

“People see violating COVID rules as not as serious as breaking into cars or speeding, but people are spreading this infection at an alarming rate. People are dying and more will die because some people are unwilling to cancel a holiday party or wear a piece of cloth over their face.”

He suggested interactions with the police result in the completion of an “FI” card (field investigation, a recording police typically keep for such interactions) and perhaps the addition of a volunteer enforcement “squad.”

“We’re clearly not doing enough,” Brotman said.

Councilmember Najarian agreed as to the need for focused enforcement, preferring to authorize overtime for police officers.

“Let’s not deputize a bunch of civilians,” he cautioned. “These things can go sideways.”

The council voted to move forward to adopt an ordinance banning single-use plastics and polystyrene, initially internally for city events and functions on city property, then across the entire city.

“I introduced this long ago in keeping with our history of striving to lead in protecting the environment,” Councilmember Paula Devine urged enthusiastically, reading from the staff report: “This regulation will reduce single-use waste; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce the distribution of disposable single-use plastic; reduce polystyrene use and litter in the city; keep plastic waste from landfills; and reduce litter threats to natural ecosystems and ocean wildlife to protect the health of the Glendale community and promote environmentally sustainable practices in the city.”

Single-use plastic is a major source of litter, and straws, stirrers, takeout containers, and lids are the most common items found on the beach. Water bottle recycling is stagnating at 28%, City Sustainability Officer David Jones told the council.

Devine also encouraged the city to join “Race to Zero.”

“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,” Devine explained. “These plastics stay for hundreds of years.”

Brotman urged city staff to contact the community college and GUSD school districts to coordinate action with them and then to make plans for “promoting this heavily.”

“This is only good if we have the ability to compost them – we need a contractor that can process them. Otherwise, they’ll go to the landfill,” he said.

Najarian urged the inclusion of an emergency provision. “We serve 13,000 meals to seniors and we don’t want them to go hungry.”

Brotman added, “Marine degradable is better but we should work on reuse. LA has an exclusive contract for events at Los Angeles city hall that use reusable food ware.”

The council discussed the process by which it selects the mayor after reviewing a report from its Audits and Innovation Dept. Some cities directly elect the mayor. Most California cities rotate the job among council members, as does Glendale.

Glendale resident Mike Mohill called in to the council meeting to advocate for district elections and the direct election of the city’s mayor.

Councilmembers agreed on a plan to divide the time among all the councilmembers who are not running for reelection in the upcoming year, based on seniority, then on the number of votes they received if a tiebreaker is needed “so no one has to gang up on each other,” Mayor Agajanian opined.

“Do you want to give everyone a trophy?” Councilmember Najarian challenged rhetorically. “The mayor’s job is largely ceremonial. You get a little more press. It’s fun to do. In the past, we’ve skipped over people for political reasons. I regret that.”

Finally, the council remanded the appeal of 1226 Vista Court back to the design Review Board to approve the project with several conditions including assurances that an oak tree would be safe and that the color palette would be provided.

Action on the appeal for the project proposed for 1248 Corona Drive was deferred until Feb. 9.

The council adjourned in the memory of city cement finisher Felipe Luna who recently died.