Legislative Update by U.S. Representative Laura Friedman; Public Benefits Budget (GWP); AC to Heat Pump Reach Code Ordinance Approval
Clean Energy Resolution Passes; Council Votes 4–1 to Take Next Steps on Grayson Repowering with 3 Engines
The Glendale City Council voted unanimously on March 1, 2022, to revise its prior 3-2 vote from February 15, when it approved a $260 million purchase of gas generation equipment. The new vote defers the decision on purchasing the gas equipment until the end of 2022 so that clean energy and other alternatives can be explored.
Council will consider Councilmember Brotman’s motion at their next meeting, March 1. This is our LAST CHANCE to insist that Glendale commit to a clean energy agenda starting now.
By a 3-2 vote, Glendale City Council certified the Grayson Repowering FEIR. With another 3-2 vote, they approved the report’s Alternative 7, which includes five new fossil fuel burning engines at an estimated cost of $260 million, along with a battery energy storage system. Council has agreed to consider amending the project approval in two weeks.
Glendale City Council votes unanimously to move forward with Glendale joining the Race to Zero campaign. Council members raise various subjects including increasing EV charging in Glendale, potential city support for a state-wide ban on gas-powered landscaping equipment, and a potential ordinance to prevent excessive light pollution.
Glendale City Council votes unanimously to move forward with an ordinance change to allowing backyard beekeeping in residential zones, Councilmember Najarian introduces the Metro Micro service and Councilmember Brotman requests an implementation plan for the transition of all of Glendale’s parks and properties from gas to electric landscaping equipment, now that funding has been allocated, as well as a plan to expand this policy city-wide.
Sustainability Director David Jones offered a presentation on the “Race to Zero” campaign.
Ascend Analytics’ 100% Clean Energy by 2030 analysis is well received, follow up action requested; Hazard Pay passes; The ordinance for a ban on polystyrene and single use plastics for city sponsored events and city facilities had its first reading and will come back for a vote; the city plans for 5 electric buses and accepts funding for charging infrastructure.
Council unanimously approved the letter from City of Glendale opposing the proposed Griffith Park Tram. Mr. Najarian’s nomination to the Sustainability Commission, Haig Kartounian, was unanimously approved. Mr. Kassakhian nominated Rondi Werner to the Sustainability Commission (final nomination for this commission. If approved, the commission can begin to meet.)
Publicly shareable, periodic updates on Glendale Water & Power’s Clean Energy programs.
Council voted to have staff draft a letter opposing the Griffith Park Aerial Tram project which they will then review and vote upon. A Metro Board funding increase to the Doran railroad crossing project was discussed and key project highlights announced. There was a request for additional reporting to be included in an Urban Tree Report.
(Item 7b) Vote to adopt revisions to Recycling Ordinance (Item 8a) Council will consider a request to write a letter opposing the Griffith Park Tram project
Council voted in Councilmember Agajanian’s nomination to the Sustainability Commission, Aleen Laura Khanjian. Council voted to adopt revisions to Recycling Ordinance. Local “Skip the Stuff” ordinance proposed.
Joel Peterson is appointed to the GWP Commission. Alek Bartrosouf and Jennifer Pinkerton are appointed to the Sustainability Commission. Creating a roadmap to a 100% Clean City Fleet, reviving the CERT program and doing something about graffiti and bulky item dumping is discussed. Urban Beekeeping will be considered by the Sustainability Commission and brought back to Council.
(1) Council will consider a request to write a letter opposing the Griffith Park Tram project [UPDATE: Item postponed until Tuesday, Feb. 2], (2) Council will vote on Councilmember Agajanian’s nomination to the Sustainability Commission, Aleen Laura Khanjian, (3) Vote to adopt revisions to Recycling Ordinance
(1) Council will vote on two proposed appointments to the newly formed Sustainability Commission: Alek Bartrosouf (Brotman nomination) and Jennifer Pinkerton (Devine nomination). (2) Council will consider a zone change to allow Backyard Beekeeping in residential areas.
City Council approves motion requesting staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting use of Polystyrene and Single Use Plastics at City Facilities and City Events and council members make first two nominations to Sustainability Commission.
GEC’s comment letter was quoted extensively at council. Council voted unanimously to move forward with drafting an ordinance.
