By Julie BUTCHER

At two meetings on Tuesday, the Glendale City Council tackled a myriad of local issues, ranging from reviewing plans for a potential streetcar downtown, extending the hours the City allows amplified music in its entertainment districts, appointing staff and commission personnel, announcing upcoming community events, and the recognizing of city service.

At the afternoon meeting, assistant director of community development Bradley Calvert updated the members of council on the Glendale-Burbank Regional Streetcar Feasibility study currently underway. Since two route alternatives were presented in March, Calvert reported, planners have engaged the public, refined potential routes, including the possible locations of stops, analyzed ridership estimates, parking impacts and cost estimates; launched a project website https://www.glendalestreetcar.com/ that opens with an homage to the history of streetcars in Glendale, then offers the specifics of the plan and broadly solicits input, opinions and feedback.

Renderings and route alternates were presented for two options: Alternative 1, the “loop alternative,” would start at the Larry Zarian Transportation Center at 400 W. Cerritos Ave. and go north on Central to Stocker then loop back, running south on Brand. This alternative would allow for protected bike lanes along parts of the route, sacrificing parking spots that would be lost due to the change from angled parking spaces to parallel spaces, and for streetcar stations.

Alternative 2 would run bi-directionally up Central from the transit center, cut across Maple to Brand and then run up and down Brand, also bi-directionally. This option reportedly touches the largest possible number of potential riders.

Both options propose 16 stations along a 2.88-mile route at costs estimated at $250 – 300 million to construct and $4-$5 million annually to operate. Funding could come from any number of sources, Mayor Ara Najarian noted, including the possibility of a public-private partnership or from funds expected to be redirected from pending high-speed-rail projects.

Councilmember Frank Quintero urged the ongoing study to include energy technology such as inductive charging, which he said he has seen utilized in Asia and Europe to charge light rail vehicles at stations without the need for overhead wires.

“It’s an established technology,” he reported. “You can barely tell it’s there.”

“Remember, there’s a lot of existing light rail lines that were there for a hundred years,” Quintero added. “Glendale was one of the last – the old Red Cars ran pretty much where this would stop, north of the freeway. I’m for this for sure. It’s what Glendale needs and deserves.”

Councilmember Paula Devine expressed her support, particularly given assurances that the plan would protect the streets’ trees and medians.

“If we could get it all the way to Burbank, that would be really exciting,” she said.

Phase 2 of the streetcar plan is an anticipated extension to the Burbank Airport.

Council expects to hear additional plans and next steps in the fall or winter.

Also at the 3 p.m. meeting, the council approved an explorative study to consider updating the City’s noise ordinance to allow amplified sound (and music) beyond the currently allowed hours, 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding Sundays and holidays. The study would only consider changes in the two downtown arts and entertainment districts.

At its regular evening meeting, the council heard plans for this year’s National Night Out (its 36th annual) on Tuesday, Aug. 6, starting at 6 p.m., in 37 locations. According to the Glendale Police Dept., there is still time to register or find a location by calling (818) 548-4015 or online at http://GlendaleNNO.com.

City Manager Yasmin Beers announced the permanent appointment of 19-year employee Michele Flynn as finance director. Flynn has been working as the interim since April 2019.

“The duties of the finance director carry some of the greatest challenges in this organization,” Mayor Najarian told Flynn. “We’re always trying to make our budget conform … we know that you have great experience, great training by Mr. Elliot [former finance director Bob Elliot], that you’ve worked throughout the organization. You’ve got great support from your colleagues and staff, so I am going to sleep well tonight knowing you’re our finance director.”

Katharine “Kate” Eberle, president of the Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation, was appointed to the Parks, Recreations and Community Services Commission and invoked the memory of Marc Stirdivant who she said inspired her and others “to put their shoulder to the wheel” to serve. Stirdivant died on July 30 due to cancer.

Glendale Water and Power (GWP) manager Mark Young was recognized for 30 years of service, starting as a power plant apprentice in 1989 following his military service in the nuclear power program of the U.S. Navy.

“He is a blessing from God,” as GWP general manager Steve Zurn described Young’s work and service, and noted he was particularly instrumental during the utility’s work on the repowering of its Grayson plant.

He started out in Queens, Zurn shared, a fan of the New York Yankees.

“I bet that went over well in Flushing,” he added.

“Glendale is my second home,” Young said, thanking the council for the recognition. “I can’t get rid of the accent, but this is my home. I still have some work to do here plus I can’t get used to my wife winning at golf.”

The Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter was honored as members head off to Yerevan, Armenia to participate in the 7th Pan Armenian games involving athletes from 25 countries and 125 cities. Councilmember Devine accompanied the local team four years ago to the Olympics-style games in Armenia and wished the team a safe and successful trip.

“I have never been prouder,” she said of the experience.

Finally, the council recognized the celebration of the 8th Annual Comfort Women Day. In 2013, the city installed a 1,100-pound metal statue in its Central Park, representing an estimated 200,000 women from Korea, China, Indonesia and other countries occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army who were forced into sex slavery during World War II.

“We want to thank the City for commemorating the day, year after year, and for Councilmember Quintero coming out to our press conference this weekend on such short notice,” one speaker shared. “After the Peace Monument was smeared with dog feces, news traveled around the world. From all across the globe we’ve received messages of condolences and support. People are proud of Glendale for standing up for human rights, proud of you standing up for the grandmas.”

  Julie BUTCHER