GCBG Vs. City of Glendale Case Allowed to Proceed.
On July 15 the court held the first hearing on the pending case of the Glendale Coalition for Better Government (GCBG) against the city of Glendale. The court found the GCBG petition was legally sufficient as to its claim that the city violated the charter in transferring electric and water fees to be used for other than supplying Glendale customers with water and power. The coalition was seeking the return of electric funds for a period of 4 years under the charter and seeking recovery of the water fees for a 4 year under the charter and state constitution. While the court limited the recovery period to three years under the charter, it did allow it to proceed with the recovery of water fees for a 4 year period under the constitution.
Additionally the coalition sought to have the court declare the recent electric rate increase in violation of the constitution for failure to submit it to the electorate. The court allowed the claim to proceed subject to amendments to the claim which the coalition is confident can be asserted.
The Coalition is gratified and encouraged by the courts denial of the city’s challenge to the legal sufficiency of the petition. This is but the first step in the coalition’s effort to make the city obey the charter and the constitution. The process will continue and the Coalition will aggressively fight for the rule of law.
The effort of the coalition in bringing this lawsuit is in keeping with its mission of advocating for a sustainable, responsible, and transparent government.
