GCC is Cause to Scratch Head in Confusion

Lauds CVW But GCC is Cause to Scratch Head in Confusion

Thank you to Mary O’Keefe for reminding CV Weekly readers of the importance of preserving community news. (“The News Desert,” Aug. 1, 2024). Community newspapers such as the CV Weekly celebrate the communities they serve, but more importantly they ask tough questions of the institutions and leaders in those communities.

Case in point is the CV Weekly’s coverage of the [July 30] Glendale City Council meeting (“Cars or Safety: What’s More Important to Glendale?” Aug. 1, 2024). The CV Weekly does a great service to the larger Glendale/Foothill community by recounting some of the discourse of this marathon meeting. However, as a Glendale resident who attended the first two hours of this meeting, I would suggest this article missed perhaps the most concerning aspect of this eight-hour-plus meeting: the systemic dysfunction of Glendale’s city government. Here are a few points I’d like to share as evidence of that dysfunction:

No public meeting should extend into the wee hours of the morning. With more than 100 people – both in person and on the phone – wishing to comment on a single agenda item, the City Council should ensure that public comment on agenda items begins no more than one hour into the meeting (as opposed to three hours into the meeting, as was the case in this most recent City Council meeting). And if there are large numbers of speakers on one agenda item, the Council should not allow the full three minutes per speaker. Allow all community members to speak, but limit their time like the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. One shouldn’t have to bring a sleeping bag and order pizza, as the mayor joked at the beginning of public comment on this agenda item, in order to be heard before one’s elected leaders.

Council members should not be using City Council meeting time to digest information that could be presented to them – and to the public – prior to the meeting. City staff should be utilized during meeting time to answer questions but not to present information that could be made available prior to the meeting. Our school board members in Glendale receive a “Board Report” on Fridays prior to the next Tuesday’s meeting – a report that is also available to the public – and it is clear during the Tuesday meeting school board members have read the report ahead of the meeting, as shown by the types of questions they ask of GUSD staff. If the Glendale City Council follows a similar practice, this was not apparent during the meeting I attended. In fact, even when City staff reiterated a point of information about the proposed bike plan – such as why there were redundant routes in some areas, or how each project would come back to the Council for a separate vote – some Council members continued to repeat false concerns that were contradicted by what City staff had already stated.

Some City Council members hurl “ad hominem” attacks at fellow Council members and at city staff during the meeting. While the mayor attempted several times to remind the audience to remain civil, it doesn’t help when those on the dais can’t be civil to one another. I left this City Council meeting two hours into the meeting mostly because I was embarrassed by the behavior of many in the audience. However, I was also embarrassed by the behavior of many of our electeds. Grandstanding, pontificating and finger-pointing should not be the qualities one needs to serve as a City Council member. In Glendale, it apparently is requisite.

It’s a wonder our City Council accomplishes anything of value. Other than issuing proclamations at the beginning of each meeting, it is fairly apparent that the City Council is unable to function well in its current form. I am thankful for CV Weekly’s coverage of this meeting and I hope its reporters will continue to ask tough questions of our elected leaders.

Chris Davis
Glendale

Protests ‘Dysfunctional’ Meeting

I was present Tuesday night July 30 at the Glendale City Council meeting. It was perhaps the worst city council meeting I have ever heard (and I have heard many).

One councilmember acted as if the city’s contractor and city staff were criminal suspects and he (the council person) was the prosecuting attorney. These actions in turn set off some audience members to follow suit in screeds against staff, contractors, other city councilmembers and the city clerk. Councilmembers need to be civil to each other and staff and set a good example of behavior, not act as bullies.

The meeting was completely dysfunctional. No decision was reached on either the building electrification or the bicycle plan due to 2-2 votes (one city councilmember was absent). The meeting lasted more than eight hours. Speakers were granted three minutes to talk (which was well-intentioned) but because of the huge number and late hour, many ended up not talking because they did not want to stay up until 2 in the morning. Three additional items were also postponed, even though a staff member was waiting to speak on one item.

I sent some suggestions to city council regarding code of conduct, having all councilmembers reinforce civil audience behavior, postponing controversial items until all councilmembers can be present and having more city council meetings, so they can be shorter.

I do appreciate that city councilmembers are working for very little money on our behalf. I know that they spend many hours in meetings and some spend many more hours digesting material, studying up on particular issues and communicating with residents.

I appeal to my fellow city residents to show respect towards all city councilmembers, GUSD board members, other elected officials and staff, even if you disagree with them. I am tired of the name-calling, personal attacks (including on at least one occasion a city councilmember’s family [was attacked]), interrupting of other speakers, harassing of other audience members and more. I have heard that some elected officials have received threats.

We can disagree on policy and programs but no one should be uncivil and intimidating towards others. Glendale should be better than this.

Jackie Gish
Glendale

Praises Silent Films in Two Strike Park

Thank you for your lovely article on our unique and enviable event when Joe Rinaudo hand-cranked silent films in Two Strike Park. But I was surprised to read that live music was unavailable to play during the films! 

We are so grateful to the generous Mike Dooley for stepping up these last several years to supply sound equipment, his time and wonderful movie soundtrack tunes while we wait for the show; but we did indeed have the incredible Cliff Retallick playing along with the actual movies.

Guess that just shows how good Cliff is, though, if you can’t believe live music can sound that good!

So grateful to our generous community for coming out and all their support!

Joanna Linkchorst
La Crescenta