Glendale City Leaders To Consider Filling Council Vacancy

City leaders may very well appoint a new member at the April 16 council meeting, filling an empty spot created when Rafi Manoukian vacated to another city position.

However, the city council may exercise one of several other options ultimately leading to the appointment, or election of a new member.

Manoukian left his seat on the Glendale City Council earlier in April when Measure A, which would have destroyed his bid for Treasurer, was successfully defeated, ensuring his new role.

The city council has 30 days to appoint a new council member. If city leaders choose to appoint anyone within that time, an election still must be planned to choose a successor. If no one is appointed within the 30 days, city leaders can opt to wait until the Nov. 5 County election for a successor to be chosen.

The cost of consolidating an election with the County in November is considered to be at least $200,000, or higher. The city council desired an all-mail ballot, which reportedly would have translated to big savings, but the County refused to allow an all-mail ballot for Glendale, according to officials.

The city highly recommends appointing a successor very soon, which coupled with the cost of consolidating an election, would increase the cost to the city. Monthly salary is $1,430 per month, $50 per Housing Authority meeting and benefits, officials said.

Officials desire appointing a successor as soon as possible, so that a full Council can appropriately address budgetary and other issues, officials said.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Glendale City Hall Council Chambers, 613 East Broadway, 2nd Floor.