League of Women Voter’s Year-End Summary of Glendora City Council

The Glendora City Council (GCC) meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, with five members elected by district to serve four-year (staggered) terms of office. Following each election, the Council selects from its membership its officers. Mayor Mendell Thompson (re-elected for 2024-2028), Dist.5, was succeeded in 12/20204 by then Mayor Pro Tem David Fredendall (re-elected for 2024-2028). Succeeding the latter as Mayor Pro Tem is Michael Allawos (2022-2026, Dist.1). Also serving as council member is former Mayor Karen Davis (2022-2026; Dist.4), and in this past election Gary Boyer (2020-2024) stepped down and was succeeded by Shaunna Elias, (2024-2028), Dist.3. The City Council also acts as the Successor Agency to the former Glendora Redevelopment Agency and the Housing and Financing Authority.

Key employees who regularly attend Council meetings include the City Manager (Adam Raymond), City Attorney (Danny Aleshire), City Clerk/Communications Director (Kathleen R. Sessman), and its new Glendora Chief of Police (Mike Randazzo). Additional city staff attend as agenda items dictate. Staff appear very knowledgeable and professional.

I attended in person 14 of 21 semi-monthly, regular council meetings during the past year and reviewed the minutes of those and special meetings I was unable to attend. Council members have attended all meetings and appear fully engaged throughout. Public Comment sessions are held consistently, with members of the public who come before the council treated respectfully. I have noted occasional negative comments from council members about “the supermajority in Sacramento” or “illegals” that could be deemed disrespectful by Glendorans who have supported politicians or immigrants being referred to in these manners; these comments seem to contrast with the council’s oft-stated goals to make all feel welcome. Similarly, while I noted fewer explicitly Christian invocations at the start of meetings vs. previous years, the majority remain so.

Public attendance at GCC meetings ranges from sparse to packed rooms, with the latter most frequently during discussions of new housing developments, homelessness, and local student reports/award presentations; public members often exit after their topic is covered. Viewing via Zoom or public access TV simulcasts is offered for regular meetings from the Council Chamber, special meetings or those requiring a larger room have not always been available via the internet. Rules for city meetings have been amended to limit public comment to those present or in writing only. Also, the absence of visibly signed, ADA-accessible public restroom access from the city council chamber or anteroom may discourage participation by some in city meetings.

 Major issues and accomplishments of the City Council’s meetings during this period were the following:

City Revenues/budgets

• A ballot initiative designated Measure Z was placed on the November ’24 ballot to enact a 0.25% sales tax; approved by voters and enacted in 2025. Funds are designated for city’s general fund.

• Aging city facilities and infrastructure needs over next decade are projected to incur costs significantly greater than available through current funding sources and limited by Proposition 13 ceiling on property tax revenues. Discussions on a potential bond issue are ongoing, including a potential citizen group’s petition initiative. Improvements were nonetheless funded and completed throughout the year to local parks and city infrastructure, e.g., repairs of streets, water piping, etc.

Homelessness and housing:

• Need to better address homeless issues/poverty remained the most frequently mentioned concern (13%) in the city’s 2025 Community Satisfaction survey, with acknowledgment of improvement over the last 3 years. While the Feb. 2025 homelessness count has not yet been made public, staff reports that 25 individuals have been provided motel vouchers and 5 encampments cleaned up since 9/24.

• City reported more calls coming in from those at risk of losing housing, with efforts to keep them housed also.

• Glendora Municipal Code amended to bring it into compliance with recent CA housing laws and to streamline construction of ADU and SB 9 units.

• Development of the 46 townhome project approved in Apr. 2024 may not break ground until 2028; delay due to pending relocations of current tenants on the site. 15% of units to be for moderate income households; city unable to interest buyer under standard 25% low-income units).

• RFPs issued for short-term and permanent supportive housing units for controversial city-owned “Dale Road” parcel.

City safety has been a growing concern in public comment, with burglary rate “rebounding” from a low in 2023, per city’s police chief. Homeland Security grant obtained for license plate capture only, not facial recognition. 30 cameras now deployed across city with collaborations regionally.

Sidewalk vending: a new ordinance was adopted to update permit requirements and fees for street or sidewalk vending, following significant public comment on adverse financial impact to local businesses of flower vendors on streets near Oakdale Mortuary and Memorial Park. Compliance/enforcement results not reported.

Issues relating to League positions that are likely to continue appearing before the Council in the coming year include Housing, including the controversial “Dale Road” affordable housing project, needs for increased density vs. historic single family zoning, Human Needs, such as supportive services for homeless and low-income individuals and families, and Municipal Budgeting and tax measures.

Overall, I find the Glendora City Council continues to demonstrate good governance in a transparent and efficient manner, with responsiveness to residents’ interests balanced with conformance to state and federal requirements. Meetings are conducted in accordance with posted agendas and rules of procedure, with a generally respectful yet collegial manner.