Council recognizes student bookmark winners and proclaims Building Safety and Older Americans months

The Glendale City Council used the start of its May 5 meeting to recognize local volunteers and program winners and to adopt ceremonial proclamations.

Library staff announced 485 entries in the children's bookmark contest tied to the 2026 summer-reading theme "Plant a Seed, Read," and named 10 grade-level winners whose bookmarks will be distributed to libraries beginning June 1. Heather Hoenig, who led the contest, thanked the community and council for supporting young readers.

Council also proclaimed May 2026 as Building Safety Month and invited representatives from the International Code Council and the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California. Karen Biby, ICC government-relations regional manager, praised Glendale’s building department for consistent code enforcement; Maria Mohammed, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California, thanked the council for recognizing building-safety professionals.

The council recognized Lynn Nagel for 42 years of service in Glendale Building and Safety; Nagel accepted the commendation and credited colleagues for their mentorship. The council also proclaimed May as Older Americans Month, with partners from local hospitals and senior-services programs promoting a May 14 senior street festival expected to serve several hundred attendees.