Glendale Water and Power Commission - 11/2/26

The Glendale Water and Power Commission met on November 2, 2026. The commission received updates on water quality, electric distribution upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and city-owned solar projects; no new procurement award or spending motion was recorded. Staff reported that a prior 4 kV-to-12 kV overhead construction contract totaled $6.9 million, with $6.2 million used, and expired in June 2024. Work has continued with internal crews, while staff said a replacement contractor could accelerate feeder upgrades. The commission discussed the schedule for converting feeders and upgrading the Acacia and Tropical substations, with future work planned through 2029–2030. For wildfire mitigation, GWP is seeking a consultant to prepare its next plan and an independent reviewer; the tree-trimming budget increased by $500,000 from the prior year’s $2.5 million. Commissioners also discussed potential cost and operational impacts from expanded wildfire-hazard zones, without adopting a budget decision.

On solar, staff reported that Phase 1 comprises six projects totaling about 4.9 MW: two are complete, one is nearing completion, two are progressing through permitting/development, and the Utility Operations Center project is on hold pending evaluation. The engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Motive Energy for the Brandt Landfill project has been executed, and City Council had authorized it; sports-complex solar work is targeted for completion in December, with damaged panels and protective netting still to address. Commissioners raised future opportunities including additional EV chargers, solar maintenance, and solar-plus-storage, but no related actions were taken. Staff and commissioners also discussed barriers to expanding recycled-water connections, including legal limits on using utility enterprise funds to subsidize customer connections and the possible role of grants. The consent item approving the August 3, 2026 minutes was moved and seconded; no procurement-related vote occurred.