City Council - 11/10/26

At the November 10, 2026 Glendale City Council meeting, members unanimously approved requests for staff reports on earthquake-retrofit standards for vulnerable multifamily and older buildings, including costs and policy options, and for an external audit of employee time management and possible overtime abuse across departments. No consultant or auditor was selected and no spending authorization was made. Staff also presented Glendale Water & Power’s clean-energy and sustainability programs: approximately $10 million was budgeted for public-benefit-charge programs in FY 2026–27, with about $5 million allocated to income-qualified programs. Council unanimously noted and filed the overview and requested a staff memo on program participation and rebate implementation.

The council held a public hearing on proposed water rates for 2027–2031 and related infrastructure funding, but did not approve the rates; the hearing was left open and continued to the following week. The proposal described roughly $474 million in planned five-year expenditures, including about $100 million for capital improvements, a $26 million advanced-metering project ($11 million previously accounted for and $15 million proposed for FY 2026–27), and approximately $10 million for fire-protection improvements. The proposed increases would compound to roughly 120% over five years, with a 53% increase beginning in January 2027. Members discussed affordability, project timing, reserves, bond financing, recycled-water costs, and alternatives, including a suggestion to adjust fixed meter charges; staff was asked to examine questions and options before the next discussion. The council also unanimously approved three historic-register designations and associated Mills Act contracts.