Council approves Montrose Shopping Park 2026 BID budget; merchants seek crosswalk, trash and EV improvements

Glendale — The Glendale City Council on Jan. 27 approved the Montrose Shopping Park Association’s 2026 work plan and budget and heard requests from merchants and the BID for pedestrian-safety improvements, trash-receptacle replacement and investigation of electric-vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Dale Dawson, business administrator and events coordinator for the Montrose Shopping Park Association, and Gigi Garcia, the association’s board president, told the council that signature events (wine walks, car shows, arts and crafts fairs) continue to draw visitors and that recurring maintenance needs and safety issues require city attention. Dawson said the management agreement between the city and the association runs through Dec. 31, 2028.

“We’ve actually had a young child actually hit at one point, in a crosswalk area,” Dawson said, urging better lighting, additional flashing/solar crosswalk devices and removal or repair of crumbling stucco walls that block sightlines. Garcia added that red pavement markings on 17 crosswalks are worn and recommended repainting and more visible signaling.

The association also requested replacement of failing trash receptacles, an enclosure for Lot 7 dumpsters to reduce illegal drop-offs, and follow-up on a previously discussed proposal for solar panels and covered EV charging in a parking lot. Staff told council that curbside public-right-of-way charging is a separate program and that covered parking chargers may trigger capital improvements and code upgrades that will require budgeting.

Council members generally praised MSPA’s events and asked for clearer timelines on repairs and amenities; one council member noted the independent-contractor line item of about $43,000 in the MSPA budget and asked staff to clarify its use. After discussion, the council moved and unanimously approved the MSPA 2026 budget and work plan (clerk recorded roll call: Satherian — Yes; Brotman — Yes; Garberthian — Yes; Sakian — Yes; Mayor Najarian — Yes).

Staff agreed to work with the association on crosswalk visibility, trash receptacles and dumpster enclosure options and to brief council on EV charger feasibility and any capital needs required for covered charging.