Glendale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Glendale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Water Conservation and Shortage Contingency Planning
California's AB 1572 bans irrigating decorative grass in non-functional areas — think streetscapes and HOA common areas, not your backyard. The update will cover how Glendale is implementing the water conservation requirement.
Emergency Housing Voucher Program Funding and Transition
At the October 6 meeting, staff reported that HUD is now providing tenant protection vouchers to Emergency Housing Voucher families who were under lease as of September 30, 2026. This affects Glendale households relying on federal housing assistance. The November 3 agenda carries no new item on this, but the minutes approval will formalize that update in the record.
2025 Consumer Confidence Report (water quality)
This is Glendale's annual water-quality report — it tells you exactly what's in your tap water and whether it meets state and federal standards. Worth a look if you've ever wondered what you're drinking.
12kV Conversion Project
Glendale is upgrading its electric distribution system from 5kV to 12kV, which means fewer outages, more capacity, and a grid better ready for things like EVs and electrification. The update will show how far along the work is.
Water Rate Projections and Community Concerns
Residents are organizing a Proposition 218 protest against proposed water rate increases of 50-145%, with a public hearing set for election night, November 3. Speakers argued decades of deferred pipe maintenance and fund transfers caused the crisis, and urged a water impact fee on developers instead.
Utility Affordability and Energy Conservation in Multi-Family Housing
A long-time resident highlighted that two-thirds of Glendale lives in multi-family housing and faces severe utility debt and high energy costs. He urged the commission to explore targeted programs and prepaid metering.
GIS Utility Network Modernization
Glendale Water and Power presented a comprehensive Water Master Plan update, showing that over 60% of water pipes and facilities are aging and need major investments over the next 20 years. Council also approved contract funds to keep planning sustainable water supplies.
Cottage Grove Drainage Improvements
Residents from Nearara Drive raised urgent concerns regarding persistent standing water, marsh-like conditions, and heavy pumping required to manage unaddressed groundwater flooding near Verdugo Park.
Section 8 Program Funding Shortfall and Leasing Pause
Community members raised urgent concerns regarding senior citizens and disabled tenants facing homelessness due to expiring emergency housing vouchers and steep rent increases following building renovations.
Water Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System Replacement
Glendale Water and Power is moving forward with a $24.1 million project to replace outdated water meters with advanced automated metering infrastructure to improve leak detection and billing accuracy.
Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure RFP
The council approved issuing an RFP for private third-party vendors to install and operate curbside EV chargers across the city, aiming to expand access for multi-family residents.
Disposal of Obsolete Ice Energy Storage Units
Glendale Water and Power is transferring ownership of outdated commercial Ice Bear cooling units to property owners, providing financial credits to help remove the defunct equipment.
Chilton/Kenneth Pipeline Replacement Project
GWP's water division is wrapping up a major pipeline replacement project in the El Miradero neighborhood, replacing century-old cast iron pipes with modern ductile iron pipes to improve water flow and fire safety.