VOTE411 Voter Guide

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1) Reducing speeding, making our streets safer, and providing a range of transportation alternatives to meet everyones needs; 2) Bringing down the cost of housing by supporting quality, low-impact development; balancing tenant protections with fairness for responsible landlords; 3) Reducing climate emissions and improving air quality, while preparing for a hotter, dryer more fire-prone climate future; keeping utility rates in check through smart vehicle and building electrification. 4) Stabilizing the city's finances cutting non-essential programs and developing new, non-tax revenue streams.

I have served on the Glendale City Council for six years, successfully weathering COVID and the extremist attacks on our teachers and school administrators. I am currently the Chair of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Regional Housing Trust and represent Glendale on the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments.

Prior to serving on Council, I spent a successful career in economics and finance, both in the public and private sectors. I got my training as an economist at the Federal Reserve, then spent 16 years in various roles at Cisco Systems, much of that time living and working in Asia. I retired from Cisco into teaching, spending several years as an economics professor at Glendale College.

I have an MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in International Development from Brown University.

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My three most important priorities are: 1. Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: As a safety-first candidate, I prioritize the health and safety of our community. That means improving walkability and street safety, protecting and strengthening emergency response times, and investing in fire and disaster preparedness, especially given Glendale’s high wildfire risk. At a time when Glendale faces a projected $34 million structural deficit, we must protect core public safety services and plan proactively for emergencies. 2. Fiscal Responsibility & Smart Revenue Generation: We must take a hard, transparent look at how our budget has grown from $800 million to $1.2 billion while facing a $34.3 million deficit. I support a data-driven, potentially forensic review of city spending to ensure every dollar is used efficiently. We should generate revenue by better utilizing the assets we already have. Glendale is rich in sunlight, water, and infrastructure. We can capture, store, and use water more effectively to generate revenue. We can install solar infrastructure over parking lots to generate local energy. Lastly, we can explore innovative solutions like small-scale hydro and energy-efficient street lighting thru piezoelectric generation in high traffic corridors. When resources are unmanaged, they are lost. When captured, they become revenue streams. 3. Strengthening Small Businesses & Local Mobility: Small businesses are the heartbeat of Glendale, and I pledge to donate my Council salary to small business facade improvements and revitalization. We need smarter local mobility solutions that support, not disrupt, our businesses. Rather than bus rapid transit that reduces road capacity, I support exploring a clean, solar-electric, vintage-style circulator. This can connect key areas of Glendale, increase foot traffic, enhance the character of our city, and improve access to local businesses, without sacrificing local control.

I’m a 4th generation Californian, a board-certified family physician, and a Glendale resident raising my family here. My career has focused not only on caring for patients, but on improving the systems that shape community health. As Chair of the Quality Operations and Standards Subcommittee at Keck Hospital USC Care, I have led policy development, worked across teams, and implemented programs that improve outcomes for patients and families. I was honored to be named the 2024 Woman of Impact by the American Heart Association. Also, in partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health and through CDC BOLD grant funding, I helped develop the strategic plan for dementia care across Los Angeles County. This experience gives me a strong understanding of how to bring outside funding and grants into our city to support Glendale’s priorities. But just as importantly, I am a Glendale resident and a mother. I am deeply invested in the safety, stability, and future of our city. As a physician, I see cities like I see patients. I don’t treat symptoms, I treat root causes. That is exactly how I will approach public service. Thoughtful, data-driven, and focused on practical solutions that improve quality of life for everyone. I am a true public servant. I will listen to the over 30 neighborhood HOAs such as Northwest Glendale, Pelanconi, and Chevy Chase Estates. I am going to be very sensitive to each neighborhoods’ needs. I am not coming into this with special interests. I haven't spent years climbing political ladders or representing one particular group. My priority is simple, to be a safety first leader and to protect the wellbeing of our residents and our city. I have pledged to donate my Council salary to a microfund supporting small businesses and made a clear commitment to vote no on all new taxes. We should focus instead on better use of the resources we already have to create revenue instead of burdening hardworking residents.

✅ Lower Utility Bills & Fiscal Accountability — Glendale residents pay some of the highest utility rates in the region, and too much of your money is being wasted on bloated city spending. I will cut the waste, audit where every dollar goes, and redirect those savings toward real relief for you — lower bills, better infrastructure, and meaningful projects that actually improve your life.

✅ Safer Streets — You deserve to feel safe walking to your car, letting your kids play outside, and coming home at night. I will make sure our police and fire departments have everything they need to protect every neighborhood — not just the ones that get attention.

✅ STOP SB 79 — You need to know about this. SB 79 is a California state bill that would strip Glendale of its ability to control its own zoning laws — forcing our city to approve high-density housing developments near transit stops, regardless of what our community wants. It would override YOUR voice, change the character of YOUR neighborhoods, and hand decisions about Glendale's future to Sacramento politicians who have never walked our streets. I will fight SB 79 and every other state mandate that tries to take Glendale's future out of Glendale's hands.

I want to introduce myself — not as a politician, but as your neighbor, a Glendale parent, and someone who has spent his life fighting for people who needed a voice. My name is Davit Mnatsakanyan. I am a single father. I lost my wife to cancer, and in that moment, everything became clear — what truly matters, what we owe each other as a community, and what kind of city I want my child to grow up in. That is why I am running for Glendale City Council. ───────────────────────────── 🎓 BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS ───────────────────────────── I bring a unique combination of legal education, psychological insight, business leadership, and high-level government experience. I hold both a Master of Law and a Master of Psychology, graduating at the top of my class. This dual foundation allows me to approach policy not only from a legal and structural standpoint, but also with a deep understanding of human behavior, community needs, and social impact. For over a decade, I have worked directly within the highest levels of government as a lobbyist and advocate, walking the halls of the U.S. Congress and Senate. Today, I am the Founder and Chairman of a transcontinental lobbying organization, where I lead efforts on federal and international policy. I am proud to share that I am the first Armenian in United States history to have introduced and represented five federal legislative initiatives before Congress and the Senate — with additional proposals forthcoming. These are not symbolic efforts. They demonstrate my ability to navigate complex systems, build coalitions, and deliver results at the highest level. In addition, I am a business owner and operator in California, with experience in construction, wholesale distribution, and event promotion. I understand budgets, regulations, job creation, and the realities that businesses and working families face every day. I also serve as a board member and leader in multiple nonprofit initiatives focused on education, entrepreneurship

My top three priorities are Safe Neighborhoods, Affordable Living and Accountable Government. Our neighborhoods should be safe from all crime to include reckless driving. I believe that city leaders should be working closely with our police and fire departments to make certain they have the resources necessary to keep us all safe.

Two examples of increasing affordability are as follows. Our city budget went from $840 million in 2020 to $1.3 billion in 2024. That is a 55% increase vs. inflation at 21% during the same period. We need to bring the spending down immediately. Our budget is currently in deficit and projections are showing this will continue. It is not sustainable. In addition, over a recent three-year period there were over 90 contracts with outside vendors that exceeded $1 million. Only three were audited.

Our electricity rates are double the national average and 40% higher than neighboring Burbank. There is a solution. We can request to lift the self-imposed 14% generating cap placed on the repowering of our Grayson power plant by the former City Council and the incumbents running for reelection. Lifting the cap will allow us to sell power to other cities in need AND help to reduce pollution in the State of California.

Accountability in government is a number one priority. The people of Glendale need to know what is going on in our city. Too often critical decisions are made without public input such as having meetings at 3 pm on Tuesday afternoons. Or poor public outreach which does not achieve results. I was recently very involved in bringing together the Montrose Shopping Park Association, the Royal Canyon & Rossmoyne HOA Boards to organize a townhall meeting related to the development of public owned parking lots. When the city performed the outreach there were only 9 members of the public which attended two city meetings. We had over 200 people at our town hall on 9/20/25. When the public performs the outreach the public responds.

My education background is mechanical engineering. I have spent over 40 years in the redevelopment and repositioning of distressed retail shopping center properties. A mantra I use is do not tear down unless absolutely necessary. Sustainability is a critically important goal to achieve in everything we do.

My work often required close collaboration with many city staff members throughout California. In addition, I have been a speaker and presenter at countless discretionary hearings with city leaders. I am fluent when it comes to understanding municipal codes and zoning.

In addition, in 2021 I was asked to be the speaker of a local coalition which numbers approximately 800 Glendale residents and homeowners.

Since announcing my candidacy in August 2025 I have been working to learn as many aspects about Glendale as I possibly can. I have learned there are many pressing issues facing Glendale. I have no political aspirations to go any further than Glendale. I am retiring and this is my way of giving back. This is my home and I will work very hard to make Glendale better.

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