By Ted AYALA

Glendale City Council heard a proposal Tuesday night by the city’s director of Information Services for a master agreement contract that would enable the purchase of proprietary systems for the city. Resolution by council on this matter would dispense with competitive bidding.

Steve Hronek, representing the city’s information services, explained that the department had entered into such a program with Motorola in 2001.

“At that time, Motorola was really the only game in town,” he explained. “Until we convert the radio system throughout ISIS to Project 25 standard, Motorola is still the only game for us.”

Hronek noted that the contract would allow the department stability from transaction to transaction.

Anticipated costs for the program are estimated to total just over $1,200,000. Each transaction would have to be approved by council.

The current radio system for the city is set to last for at least the next 10 years.

Councilman Rafi Manoukian asked Hronek to meet with him personally to discuss the costs of the contract further.

Council met the contract proposal with unanimous agreement.

Mayor Laura Friedman also touched upon the controversy brewing in the Montrose Shopping Park over Starbuck’s interest in opening a store on Honolulu Avenue. Citing an ordinance in Old Town Pasadena that restricts fast food restaurant chains from opening in their business district, Friedman urged members of the Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA) to pursue similar ordinance changes in their area.

“Just putting it out there to the MSPA that we would certainly be happy in the city to discuss that kind of an ordinance if there is a fear about fast food chains moving in,” said the mayor. “They can look at some mechanisms by which, by ordinance, we can discourage that kind of activity. This would be something to think about as we move forward.”