By Julie BUTCHER

Glendale Library director Gary Shaffer spoke at the beginning of the council’s third budget study session, answering questions about library statistics outstanding from the second budget study session. In FY 2018-19 the library had a system high of 993,000 visits and was on track to hit a million visits in the following year. So far this year, visits are at a third of that number.

“We’re in the process of rebuilding,” Shaffer told the Glendale City Council. Library staff is also down, from 67 full-time library workers 15 years ago to 47 today. He added that the department has a facilities master plan in the works and is studying the best ways to serve the city.

The council moved into its May 5 infrastructure budget study session overviewing budget proposals for two departments: Public Works and Glendale Water and Power (GWP). Public Works includes engineering, planning, design, bids and awards, project management, fleet services, facilities management, watershed management, land development, parking enforcement, sewers, pavement, sidewalks, storm drains, trees, refuse collection, landfill, and transit, with a proposed overall budget of $183.4 million for FY 2022-23, up from $179.3 million for the last budget year. The department’s budget assumes six fewer full-time positions and savings from contracting out commercial and apartment trash collection.

The Public Works budget included increases in tree planting (1,500 new trees) and tree maintenance as the city aims to increase its tree canopy from 21% to 25%; $400,000 for pedestrian safety as it rolls out a Vision Zero study later this year; $1.3 million for seismic retrofits for fire stations 23 and 27; new electric vehicles and equipment; a facilities assessment; doubling the appropriation for street repaving; upgrading GWP infrastructure to support electric vehicle (EV) chargers; and installing additional EV chargers at city facilities.

By repaving and resurfacing more roads, the city can help prevent further deterioration and keep from having streets that need reconstruction, Public Works director Yazdan Emrani explained. Glendale’s pavement condition index (PCI) is at 72, compared to a statewide average of 66, higher than neighboring cities (Burbank is at 65, Pasadena is at 60.)

“What’s interesting is to see we’re at 72 and LA is at 70 but what a difference those two points make,” Mayor Ardy Kassakhian observed about the comparisons of the conditions of the two city’s streets.

Mayor Kassakhian highlighted future parking meter replacements.

“We’re marching towards having electronic digital meters as other cities have with apps for paying with a phone – it’s coming and hopefully it’ll come soon,” he said.

Councilmembers questioned department staff about the current status of the collecting of bulky items, a concern citywide. Emrani answered that the city has its own crews as well as an outside contractor.

“We’re attacking it from both sides,” Emrani said. “The vendors are required to drive the route on a daily basis looking for bulky items and have roving trucks looking for illegal dumping.”

The GWP proposed a budget for the coming year 19% higher than last year of $436.4 million. Councilmember Dan Brotman questioned the utility about the length of time it takes for the installation of solar energy systems. He also wanted an app showing the availability of EV chargers in the city. He questioned the use of recycled water, which GWP reports is currently at 50%.

Mayor Kassakhian urged creativity in incentivizing reduced water use including encouraging the replacement of lawns, replacing faucets and requiring pool covers in new construction, for instance.

On May 10 the council reviewed the budgets of the Fire and Police Departments during its fourth budget study session.

The Police Department’s proposed budget adds 11 positions, jobs moving from the city’s internal technology department to the police department’s Police Department to support citywide radio and wireless communications, three new criminalists, additional mental health resources, and two new police officers dedicated to traffic enforcement. Overall, this year’s budget grows from $106.9 million last year to $122.8 million this year and will focus on areas such as a “Safety City” initiative; traffic safety; an overdose reduction campaign; enhancing crime laboratory services; and wellness and resiliency initiatives.

Councilmember Ara Najarian reminded Police Chief Carl Povilaitis that the council is always open to hearing from him.

“What else do you need?” Najarian asked.

“Thanks go to the men and women really doing the work. We truly believe in the philosophy of community policing and long-term problem-solving, working with partners and other city departments to make our city safer and better for everybody,” Povilaitis responded.

Councilmember Dan Brotman asked the chief if Glendale has “defunded the police?”

“No,” Chief Povilaitis replied.

“Has anyone suggested defunding the police?” Brotman asked. “The police department went from 38% to 44% of the city’s budget this year.”

Finally, the council looked at the workings of the Fire Department, which is proposing to maintain its existing staff, with a budget of $82.0 million, up from $76.2 million last year. It has 166 sworn and 54 non-sworn employees, retiring Fire Chief Silvio Lanzas reported, and will focus this year on emergency readiness, including the continued rebuilding of the CERT training program; recruitment (15 new firefighter-paramedics will start a 16-week academy on July 5); developing a Fire Explorer program; and working with public works on seismic and functional retrofits of two fire stations and a 10-year plan for building upgrades.

“I started my career as an Explorer,” Chief Lanzas shared, “and it is my sincere hope that someday a local Glendale youth eventually becomes your chief.”