By Julie BUTCHER

Early in its Tuesday evening meeting, the Glendale City Council discussed the amounts of fines issued for violations of its now official ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Mayor Paula Devine advocated for a “higher fine to really deter businesses from selling these products. This is a very serious ordinance. I don’t want to make the fines Draconian, but I do want them stiff enough that business owners will think twice before they sell these vaping products to our kids.”

The Council adopted harsher fines ($200 for the first offense, after an initial warning, then $400 and $1,000 for subsequent violations).

Councilmember Ardy Kassakhian recognized the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, recognized the church that organized a prayer vigil over the weekend and the community organizations that coordinated yesterday’s peace march. He asked staff for an update on the action items still pending.

“We have a past, as a Sundown Town, as a place that had real estate practices meant to exclude Blacks and Mexicans, Japanese and other minorities,” Councilmember Dan Brotman said. “I’ve seen the work that Library Arts and Culture has done detailing the city’s past – like with Derek Chauvin, what surprises me most is the brazenness. No shame.

“But that was the easy part. Now we need to detail ways to root out structural racism, be it in housing policy, hiring practices or policing activities.”

Brotman also proposed that the city defer enforcement of unpermitted murals while a new mural ordinance is in development. Mayor Devine supported Brotman’s suggestion.

Councilmember Ara Najarian reported that Metro’s planning committee approved the North Hollywood/Pasadena BRT (rapid bus) and the busway plan will be on the consent calendar of the transit agency on Thursday later this week.

Najarian also reported on $26 million for bike lane improvements along Broadway and Glenoaks.

“This is really good news for everyone concerned about transit, the climate – these are protected bike lanes,” he said. “‘Wow!’ is all I can say.”

Mayor Devine reported on a light installation at Glendale’s Central Park (216 S. Brand Blvd.). She read from the artist’s description: “As part of a continuation of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Month, an experiential light sculpture called Eternal Armenia by artists Margarita Simonian, Vreje Bakalian and Yeva Babayan will be on display from May 14-28, 2021. The 18 foot light-weight, circular-aluminum truss structure will be programmed with LED lighting. The ancient Armenian symbol of Eternity will light up the park like a beacon in the night while attracting astonishment in the daytime and the attention of passersby. Red solar lit garden lights symbolic of red poppies in remembrance of the 4,000-plus perished soldiers from the recent Artsakh war and the bloodshed of 1.5 million in the 1915 Genocide will also be spread across the field for all to cherish,” and she encouraged everyone to see it.

More detail on the exhibit can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y87z5x3h.

Devine also solicited an update from staff about the potential for replacing the city’s small gas-powered carts with battery and electric-powered small vehicles, starting in the city’s parks. City manager Roubik Golanian reported that the Toro Company had worked with city maintenance and grounds staff to conduct a test drive of small electric vehicles. As approximately 12 gas-powered vehicles need to be replaced, Golanian told the Council, they would be replaced with battery-operated trucks and transports.

Sharon Townsend called in to the Council meeting, representing the Glendale Sunrise Rotary, urging support for a robust Memorial Day display of thousands of flags at Forest Lawn Glendale. The Field of Honor https://vimeo.com/260170945 program starts at 11 am on Monday.

According to the group’s website, https://www.glendalefieldofhonor.com/about, “The community needs this. We need this, and we know you do, too. A pandemic cannot take us away from celebrating our veterans who fought and continue to fight so valiantly for our freedom. Thank you to Forest Lawn Glendale for collaborating and making sure we are following COVID-19 social distancing policies in addition to being able to once again honor our heroes. We are confident we have partnered with a compassionate company who are trailblazers in outreach and engagement in communities they serve.”

Flags are still available for donations at https://www.glendalefieldofhonor.com/purchase.

Tara Peterson, CEO of the YMCA Glendale & Pasadena, called to “thank the mayor and others who joined us for our fist annual peace walk.”

“Today,” she continued, “we commemorate one year since the death of George Floyd and the racial reckoning that took place across the country … it was also close to a year ago that more than 2,000 people took to the streets to declare that Black lives matter and to demand an end to police brutality.

“Thanks to Dan and Ardy for lifting up his name and for reminding the Council of its commitments made over this last year and have not yet been followed through on. We have come a long way in naming our city’s history, but we have not made any progress in making the investments in structural changes that will move our city forward.

“When the Glendale anti-racism coalition brought forward the Sundown Town resolution, we were only aware of a fraction of the history … the city’s report illuminated the history of redlining, racially exclusionary practices. All Sundown Town resolutions contain three elements: they acknowledge the history; they apologize for the harm done; and they atone for the harm. We’re better at acknowledging and apologizing but more work needs to be done.

“Where’s the action plan?” Peterson challenged.

Finally, the Council adjourned in the memory of Steve Zurn, following his sudden death just months after the 34-year city executive retired.

“Shocking; he was a really good guy,” Najarian said of the former director of the city’s utility as well as its Public Works Department. “He loved Glendale, loved the community.”

Councilmember Kassakhian shared these words about Zurn: “A tragic loss for Glendale.”

“Steve was the Public Works director when I started as city clerk in 2005. We were the only two UCLA Bruins among the city’s executive directors and would often talk about our beloved Bruins or about baseball or Catholic school prep sports. He had a good sense of humor and loved working for the city.

“He was a hardworking and smart man who always spoke his mind even if it ruffled a few feathers. Some didn’t like him for that. Others did. But most importantly – everyone respected him.

“He has left us too soon and will live on in our hearts and memories. RIP Steve,” the Councilmember wrote.

“Proof that life is fragile,” Mayor Devine observed.