By Ted AYALA

Members of the Crescenta Valley High School cycling team were met with applause on Tuesday afternoon when the Glendale City Council presented the team with a commendation for its highly successful season.

The team, which was founded only five years ago, won its first statewide championship in northern California in May when it participated in the California High School Cycling Championship in Stafford Lake. CVHS’ clinching of the award also marked another historic first – it was the first team from Southern California to win in the championship’s history.

“Your commitment to practicing four to six times a week is exemplary,” said Mayor Dave Weaver as he read the city’s proclamation.

As city staff prepared to hand out commemorative pins for the members of the CVHS team attending the meeting, Assistant Project Manager of Park Development Scott Toro spoke of the Glendale roots and the promise the team holds for the future.

“There is no [team] better in this state than the young men and women behind me,” said Toro amid cheering. “They’re ambassadors not only for their sport and their community, but hopefully they’re also the future of our Open Space and Mountain Bike Patrol.”

“You’ve brought a lot of pride to the city,” said Councilmember Laura Friedman as she presented the team with its commendation.

Jim Rowton, the team’s coach, beamed with pride as he spoke on the council dais after receiving the city’s commendation.

“We have had a tremendous amount of support,” Rowton said as he thanked local businesses for helping to keep the cycling program thriving.

“This team is an amazing collection of outstanding students,” he continued. “The road to what they did this year was incredible. They made history. They completely rewrote the record book.”

In other business, council approved a $1.28 million contract with Digital Payment Technologies, which is based in British Columbia, Canada, that would increase by 25 the amount of digital parking meters along Brand Boulevard as well as in city-owned parking lots. Currently the total of such parking meters stands at 67; the increase would bring the amount to 92.

The five-year contract would cover the costs of installing the new meters, which total about $250,000, and cover operating costs.

  Ted Ayala