By Roman INGUANZO

The flag salute that kicked off the Tuesday night meeting of the Glendale City Council was led by Boy Scout Troop 390 followed by the invocation by Suzie Abajian, the city clerk.

In general business, newly selected mayor Dan Brotman issued a proclamation designating April 10 – 16, 2023 as Food Waste Prevention Week. Councilmember Najarian appointed Edwin Belen to the Audit Committee, Zareh Amirian to the Transportation and Parking Commission, Zaven Hanesssian to the Building and Fire Board of Appeals Commission, and Ronnie Gharibian to the Community Development Block Grant Commission. 

City Council/staff comments were discussed next. Mayor Brotman mentioned a tragic incident that occurred next to city hall on April 8 when a 70-year-old man was struck and killed by a car that crashed into the building that houses Highlight Coffee, 701 E. Broadway in Glendale. There is an ongoing investigation of the event. According to Mayor Brotman, the elderly man’s death was the outcome of a collision involving a Tesla traveling northbound on Glendale Avenue at around 50-60 mph and a Lincoln that was turning left onto East Broadway Avenue.

“We cannot ignore the role that speed plays in these types of accidents,” he said. “You have to consider, at that speed, the kind of damage that is caused when a collision takes place.” This tragedy was used as another reminder of the importance of street safety and (as Mayor Brotman mentioned) a reminder to the Glendale City Council to continue its work on making streets safer for everyone. 

The meeting continued with Adoption of Ordinances, Action Items and Hearings. This part of the council meeting centered almost entirely on a public hearing regarding a request for the approval of a density bonus and inclusionary housing plan, which involved constructing a new 43-unit residential housing development project, providing a total of eight affordable units reserved for very low income households. After much debate, the project was approved in a 3-2 vote by the council, thus concluding the meeting.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18.