By Eliza Partika
Glendale News-Press
Glendale’s Public Works Department received kudos from City Council recently in conjunction with National Public Works Week, using the opportunity to discuss a list of local projects designated under Measure R initiatives.
The public works upgrades, councilmembers noted at their May 23 meeting, will include fixing the freeway on-ramps at Mountain Street, medians on San Fernando Boulevard and potentially implementing a “head start” signal timing to improve pedestrian safety at busy intersections.
CalTrans is conducting a study at the northbound on-ramps at Mountain Street, where the widening of the on-ramp would take place, to determine if Measure R funds are eligible for the project. Mayor Dan Brotman proposed tabling votes on the Measure R projects until the city can determine whether the on-ramp construction would increase traffic on Verdugo and Glenoaks Boulevard, or other major streets that intersect with the freeway.
Brotman said he had received feedback from several concerned parents about the medians on San Fernando Boulevard, asking what the council can do to make that location safer for parents taking their children to and from school.
“Keep an eye on that and don’t invest until we can see what to do to make that intersection safer,” Brotman emphasized.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Councilwoman Paula Devine introduced the “friendship bench” project to acknowledge mental health awareness month.
Devine plans to bring the project up for discussion at a future City Council meeting. The project, which originated in Zimbabwe and was popularized in New York City, oversees the building of benches where volunteers will sit and have a conversation with those who need someone to talk to.
“I’d like to see this type of program come to Glendale, so that would be at the forefront. I would like to return to Council to ask that this program be [put on the agenda] so we can get started to help those suffering from and trying to cope with these mental disorders,” Devine said.
The communitywide “well-being initiative” addresses mental health, one of the three prominent goals that Devine wants to address in the next three years. She has spoken to Glendale Community College, Adventist Health Glendale, Rotary Club and others in the community who are interested in collaboration. Devine said she has found organizations interested in donating benches, and she is still looking for volunteers from the city interested in participating. The Glendale Police Department may also be coming on board for the project, she added.
“There’s a lot of moving parts,” she said, “so when they’re ready with the program we can bring it forward and [put in on the agenda].”
REMEMBERING RAZMIK GRIGORIAN
Devine also requested the meeting be adjourned in honor of the late Razmik Grigorian, who served as commissioner of Glendale Library, Arts and Culture for 30 years and on the city’s Ad Hoc Tenant Landlord Committee.
Councilman Ardy Kassakhian echoed Devine in her remembrance of Grigorian.
“I had an opportunity to visit with the family at the memorial service held last week. It was unexpected. He wasn’t just relegated to the arts. He truly believed public service was a calling,” he said.
In other action items, the City Council approved a rollout for the bus fleet plan, which will transition the Glendale Bee Line to a zero-emissions battery, electric fleet.
In addition, the panel approved a playground replacement and improvement project for the Emerald Isle Playground.
First published in the June 3 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
