ANNUAL REPORT

“As you may know I will be stepping down as President of TGHS at the end of this month. During my seven years on the Board, I have always been amazed at the depth of talent and dedication of our members, especially Board members. ”

– STEVE HUNT, PRESIDENT

TGHS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

JULY 16, 2022

The past couple of years have been challenging for TGHS. What do you do with a very active organization when all of the in-person events have been cancelled? The Board of Directors and Executive Committee met virtually on a regular basis to formulate answers and guide TGHS through the pandemic. And thanks to some forward-looking and dedicated members, one answer was “Digital Events.”

The Digital Events committee, along with our Membership and Outreach and Inclusion committee, produced 24 digital events during the pandemic. Our thanks go to Jon Crook, Hilary Sbei and Cathy Grayson, who chaired these committees, and to committee members: David Eisenberg, Laura Crook, Jane Sheldon, Russ and Anita Harnden, Patricia Messina, Ani Mnatsakayan, Mary Kay Prather, Robert Gordon and others who brought these digital events to life.

I am pleased to report that membership in TGHS has grown this year. Most of our members continued their active membership uninterrupted during the pandemic.

While TGHS Events pivoted during the pandemic, other parts of the organization continued in their capacities. Our Vision, Mission, Statement of Values, and goals for the next three years were updated at our Board retreat, via Zoom, in April.

Now for some recognition and awards.

We do have some catching up to do. In 2020 a number of members were recognized via virtual meetings. Today we have an opportunity to recognize three members in person with a 2020 volunteer award.

  • David Eisenberg for advancing the cause of historic preservation through use of time and talent to improve our TGHS website and to maintain associated software accounts.

  • Cathy Grayson for advancing the cause of historic preservation through the use of time and talent by participating in and chairing TGHS events with dedication and professionalism.

  • Laura Crook for advancing the cause of historic preservation through use of time and talent to manage and enhance events, school and other tours, and volunteer engagement at the Doctors House Museum.

And for the last 2020 award, it is my pleasure to present the President’s Award to

  • Cathy Jurca for advancing the cause of historic preservation with vision, energy and tenacity to promote preservation of historic resources while continually informing TGHS preservation opportunities.

Now for this year’s volunteer award, TGHS is pleased to present this award to Nadine Barsoumian. Thanks to Cathy Grayson’s efforts to reach out to students we were introduced to Nadine. Nadine spent hours making digital copies of hundreds of slides that showed the early history of the Doctors House. This history will now be preserved forever.

Nadine Barsoumian for furthering the cause of preservation by digitizing and extensive collection of slides that documented the restoration and reconstruction of the Doctors House.

PRESERVATION UPDATE – John Schwab-Sims

Regarding preservation, in most years we had some successes and some failures with our preservation efforts. I will turn over the meeting to John Schwab-Sims, our Vice President of Preservation, to give us the updates.

Successes

534 N. KENWOOD LAWSUIT

  • This residential development is s project that TGHS has been monitoring for several years. As part of the multi-family project, the developer is proposing to demolish one of the Craftsman houses, while preserving and rehabilitating the 1913 aeroplane craftsman as part of the project. However, the 3-story new building enveloping the house is too big and too close, and threatens its historic integrity. The City did not follow the requirement under CEQA to provide an Environmental Impact Report for the project. After not pursuing legal action for similar projects in Glendale in the past, TGHS made the decision that we would take a stand on this project. We are currently in litigation with the City, and are represented by noted California CEQA attorney, Susan Brandt-Hawley.

  • Our first hearing occurred last month, and it went very well. We expect a tentative ruling in the next few weeks. We will keep everyone up to date with final status.

GRAYSON REPOWERING PLANT

  • The 1941 Grayson Power Plant building is an exceptional example of mid-century pre-war industrial architecture. The Grayson Repowering project, which through community input has evolved to focus more on green energy sources, will significantly alter the grouping of power plant buildings, including the likely demolition of the historic 1941 building. TGHS expressed concern that the City had not evaluated this building through the CEQA lens of historical preservation, and project alternatives. However, through our continued communication with the City, and through an arranged site visit as well, we were able to convince the City’s consultant of the historic significance of the structure. TGHS is not proposing to stand in the way of needed progress, but wants to ensure that alternatives as required under CEQA are considered, and that the history of the building is preserved in some meaningful way.

  • We have negotiated an agreement with the city to include the following mitigation measures for the loss of the historic resource:

  • A permanent display regarding the building and history will be created in the GWP building. Will include documentation that complies with historic archival standards

  • Online resources will be developed regarding the historic building.

  • Plaque will be placed at entrance of power plant on Flower St. with information about the demolished historic resource

  • This will ensure that there is adequate documentation that outlines the significance and character defining features of the historic resource for future generations.

TGHS PRESERVATION WORKSHOP - GLENDALE REGISTER & MILLS ACT

  • Over 40 people attended a Glendale Register & Mills Act workshop at Brand Library on June 4th. HPC Commissioners Lorna Vartanian and Chris Cragnotti discussed the benefits of designation and the process of obtaining. Stephen Schurman, whose house in the proposed Bellehurst Historic District was recently awarded both designations, gave his thoughts on going through the process and what future submitters should watch out for.

  • Overall it was a very successful event and hopefully we will see some additional nominations.

FAILURES

620 N BRAND

  • A 24 story apartment building was proposed to be built adjacent the historic Chase Bank Building at 620 N. Brand. As part of the project, the complimentary character defining parking garage would be demolished.

  • TGHS had two primary concerns about the project, including demolition of the existing historic garage and the overpowering size and scale of the new project in relation to the historic Chase Building. TGHS advocated that the garage should be considered historic along with the main office building as both were designed by the same architect and built at the same time. If there wasn’t a parking garage, there probably wouldn’t have been an office building, and vice versa.

  • TGHS made the case to HPC that the project should not be approved and an EIR should be performed. We had a big win in that they voted 3-1 to not approve the project due to these concerns.

  • When it progressed to City Council however, they voted not to proceed with an EIR and approved the project that included demolition of the garage.

  • TGHS strongly supports additional housing, especially affordable housing, in Glendale. We do have strong concerns about circumventing the process that ensures an adequate environmental review in order to provide that housing.

IN PROCESS

HISTORIC DISTRICT HOME TOURS

  • We are in the process of planning and scheduling a round of historic district walking tours! They include Adams Square/Cottage Grove, Casa Verdugo, Bellehurst and Verdugo Woodlands

  • As we finalize details, notifications will be sent for RSVP’s.

TREASURER REPORT – Kathryn Engel

TGHS thanks our loyal members who provided almost 80% of our income this fiscal year. Without our usual events like the home tour, Gala, and Taste of Spain we have been solely dependent on member participation and our great sponsors. Sponsorships provided almost $10,000 of our income along with the flowers that you see today from our sponsor Forest Lawn.

TGHS expenses exceeded our revenue by about $19,000 due to the lack of events during the pandemic. Regular expenses occurred for ongoing administration such as insurance, audit services and software licenses. We invest in our membership support services including the newsletter publication to keep our members informed and engaged. The largest expense this year was $39,000 for legal fees for the Kenwood lawsuit, for which we anticipate to be reimbursed if TGHS is successful.

Fortunately, TGHS has had many years of excellent financial stewardship that provided the cash reserves to cover the costs. TGHS will end the year with approximately $270,000 in cash reserves.

TGHS also has three restricted funds. These funds are dedicated to the long-term growth and mission of the organization.

The Vrej Mardian Preservation Fund exists to support preservation initiatives such as the Kenwood lawsuit and matching funds for historic district applications. TGHS conducted an end of the year campaign last December to restock the depleted Fund. Thirteen donors along with a generous matching gift generated approximately $8,500.

During the same campaign, a gracious donor designated their gift for a new Executive Director Fund. This gift was also matched and generated $10,000 to begin the recruitment and hiring of an Executive Director for TGHS.

TGHS also has an endowment with the Community Foundation of the Verdugos. Funds gifted to the endowment are not spendable, but over time, generate interest income that can be used for TGHS purposes. The core endowment currently sits at about $106,000. TGHS has not needed the interest money for operating costs, so it has been reinvested in the Fund. This reinvestment has enabled the Endowment to weather this year’s financial downturn without touching the endowed gifts themselves. The total value of the endowment is about $127,000 as of June 30th.

This morning you will find envelopes on your table that may be used to make a gift to any of the restricted funds. You may fill out the form and write a check today and give it to any of the board members or you may take the slip and mail it back to us in the envelope provided. You will also note at the bottom of the form a place to commit to a planned giving opportunity. We encourage you to include TGHS in your will or estate plan. But please let us know you are doing this so we can follow up in the next 40-50 years. It is a great way to ensure the long-term continuity of TGHS.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT – Hilary Sbei

We currently have 1560 active members.

Membership survey results - thank you to those who completed it. Many members who filled it out have been members for 5 - 10 years, which is amazing. We're so grateful for your continued support. We also learned that our members want the virtual events to continue and to start up the Historic Homes Walking Tours again, which as John mentioned is in the works.

A very big thank you for your continued support, especially the last few years and we have tried our best to keep you engaged with our digital events, which we hope to continue.

RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING DIRECTORS

  • Cathy Grayson, 2020-2022

  • Steve Hunt, 2015-2022

  • Mary Kay Prather, 2020-2022

  • Kathryn Brunet, 2021-2022

  • Darren Merritt, 2020-2022

Thank you for your contributions and many hours spent in the leadership of TGHS. We look forward to your continued participation as members this next year.

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Kathryn Engel – Incumbent – two-year term

  • Ani Mnatsakanyan – Incumbent – Two-year term

  • Nancy Oshima – Two-year term

  • Maria Sahakian – Two-year term

  • Erik Van Breene – Two-year term

  • Kathrine Peters Yamada – Two-year term

TGHS BYLAWS, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 2, SAYS:

If the number of people nominated for the Board is not more than the number of Directors to be elected, the officer presiding at the meeting may, without further notice or action, declare at the meeting that those candidates nominated have been elected. Directors so elected shall take office on the first day of the first month following election. The term of office for Directors shall be two (2) years.

Steve Hunt, President, declared that all candidates are duly elected.

Congratulations to an outstanding group of dedicated and talented TGHS members.

As you may know I will be stepping down as President of TGHS at the end of this month. During my seven years on the Board, I have always been amazed at the depth of talent and dedication of our members, especially Board members. I would like to take just a few minutes to thank and recognize some of these members.

Thanks to Greg Grammer, Sean Bersell, and Marcia Hanford TGHS was, in 2018, a well-organized with 735 members, well-funded with $228,000 in operating funds and cash reserves, and highly recognized organization in our community. It was an honor to take over the reins of TGHS. My thanks to Greg, Sean, and Marcia.

Our preservation efforts have grown stronger in these past four years thanks to Cathy Jurca, Francesca Smith, John Schwab-Sims, and Andy Allison. Preservation is not easy, it is demanding, and it never stops. My thanks to Cathy, Francesca, John, and Andy.

In 2018 tracking membership was a chore. TGHS was using software not designed to track membership and it was difficult to share detailed information. Thanks to Robert Gordon, Derek Catao, and Hilary Sbei we made the necessary transition, conversion, to a software program designed to track membership. Membership reports today are accurate and easy to produce. My thanks to Robert, Derek, and Hilary.

COVID presented many challenges to all of us. Thanks to Joemy Wilson, newsletter editor, Matt Letcher newsletter graphic design and Katherine Peters Yamada, history contributor our quarterly newsletter continued to inform our members and others. Thank you, Joemy, Matt, and Katherine.

The calendar year 2019, our TGHS 40th anniversary year, was spectacular. Our planning to make 2020 even more interesting was a challenge. And then COVID. First of all, 2020 events were delayed, and then rescheduled, and finally cancelled. What do you do with 1,000 members and no events? Thanks to Jon Crook, Cathy Grayson, Hilary Sbei and David Eisenberg “digital” events were created. We have had many very successful “Zoom” events that have kept us connected to our membership. My thanks to Jon, Cathy, Hilary, and David.

I would be remiss if I didn’t talk a little more about Cathy Grayson. She was able to step back and look at TGHS and see a need for us to better represent our community. She created our Membership Outreach and Inclusion Committee (MOIC) that for the last two years has successfully reach out to young families, students, ethnic populations, and minorities. TGHS is a better organization because of Cathy. Thank you, Cathy.