Women in Municipal Government

National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, Washington, DC.

Dear Cholla Residents,

Over this past week, I, along with several other councilmembers and Glendale City Staff, attended the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC. The National League of Cities (NLC) is an organization comprised of city, town, and village leaders that are focused on improving the quality of life for current and future constituents. Their mission is to relentlessly advocate for, and protect the interests of cities, towns, and villages by influencing federal policy, strengthening local leadership, and driving innovative solutions. Congressional City Conference takes place annually in the spring and allows local leaders to engage in policy, learn from experts, and make connections.

Here are just a few highlights from my time at the conference:

• As a member of the Information Technology and Communications (ITC) Committee, I met with broadband access providers and staff from various cities nationwide to discuss advocacy work to defend against federal preemption of broadband infrastructure siting authority, closing the digital divide, and protection against cyber threats.
• I met in person with other Large Cities Council members to share ideas and successful strategies that solve unique challenges affecting large cities.
• I attended a variety of informative breakout sessions led by experts and policy leaders pertaining to transportation including local government priorities in relation to the next transportation bill, rail policy, and federal aviation decision making.
• I participated as an at-large board member in the Women in Municipal Government constituency group, a caucus within NLC that serves as a forum for communication and networking among women local elected officials and their colleagues. We heard from Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE, as well as Sara Wall from Oncourse Home Solutions, a partner with utilities and municipalities for service protection plans.

I, along with other Glendale councilmembers and city staff, also met with Arizona representatives on Capitol Hill. Some of our discussions centered on:

• FY27 funding for a Glendale Police Department swat vehicle.
• Funding to perform comprehensive planning and public engagement to complete street improvements.
• Funding to address a failing airfield electrical system at Glendale Regional Airport by replacing all fixtures and the electrical system infrastructure.

Capitol Hill Day at the NLC Congressional Conference

Don't forget the upcoming Shred Event in the Foothills Library parking lot on Saturday, April 4 at 7 AM. Glendale residents can drop off up to 5 boxes of paper to shred. Glendale Fire Department staff will also be on hand for battery recycling. The event lasts from 7 AM - 9 AM, or until the trucks are full. More details are below in this newsletter.

In last week's newsletter, I mentioned using the GlendaleOne system to report issues or questions regarding fiber installations and public utility easements. At the time, there was no specific "type of issue" category for this request, and city staff recommended using "damaged utility box" as the request category type temporarily. Staff have now completed creating a new category under Miscellaneous - Fiber Installation Concern that residents can use to report issues or request assistance. Using the system will route your request directly to the appropriate staff in the City Engineering department for prompt assistance.

My office is always open and ready to assist you. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I value your input and opinion.

Warm Regards,

Lauren Tolmachoff

Glendale City Council, Cholla District

623-930-2247

LTolmachoff@GlendaleAZ.com

CHOLLA DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

CAFE Flutes in Concert at Foothills Library: Saturday, Mar. 21, 3 PM - 4 PM

Enjoy a delightful mix of musical styles during this interactive concert. The CAFE flutists will showcase the silver flute family, introduce each piece, pass around demonstration flutes, and host a Q&A segment. This concert is for all ages and musical tastes. Click here for more information.

Outbreak: Tales from a Disease Hunter at Foothills Library: Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2 PM - 3:30 PM

We will get an inside look into the life of an epidemiologist investigating notorious disease outbreaks – from hantavirus to West Nile, from Valley fever to plague, and from COVID to bird flu. We will go into the deep past to understand how pathogens have moved around the world, explore the threat of bioterrorism and man-made disease outbreaks, and learn what it might all mean for responding to future pandemics. Click here for more information.

Coffee with a Cop Foothills Division at Applebee's: Tuesday, Mar. 24, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Join us for lunch at Applebee's, 5880 W. Peoria Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302. Come meet your local police officers from the Foothills Division. Click here for more information.

Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center

This full-service facility is located at 5600 W. Union Hills Drive within the Cholla District and provides educational, recreational, fitness, and social opportunities for the Glendale community. For gym, aerobics, and swim schedules, visit the web site.

Foothills Library

The Foothills Library is located at 19055 N. 57th Avenue within the Cholla District and is adjacent to Foothills Park. For hours, general information, and upcoming events, visit the web site.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC ALERTS

Luke Days Road Closure Information on March 21 & 22

Glendale drivers should prepare for road closures surrounding Luke Days on March 21 and 22. Attendees are encouraged to identify alternate routes and parking areas prior to arriving to ensure proper navigation and reduce traffic congestion.

• Click here for detailed information on closures.
• Click here for a map of the restricted areas.

Cholla District Upcoming Pavement Work Scheduled
Click here for an interactive dashboard of City of Glendale Road Closures and Restrictions

• Streets north of Beardsley Road to south of Thunderbird Conservation Park, between 59th Avenue and 67th Avenue (excluding streets recently resurfaced or currently scheduled for mill and overlay) – Slurry Seal application is currently taking place.
• Streets between Union Hills Drive and Beardsley Road, and between 75th Avenue and the Loop 101 – Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to begin in mid-April.
• 59th Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive - Slurry Seal application in mid-April.
• 83rd Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive - Slurry Seal application during night hours in late April.
• Sack Drive and 64th Avenue on the northeast corner of Union Hills and 67th Avenue - Slurry Seal application in early May.
• 51st Avenue, between Beardsley Road and Tonopah Drive - Slurry Seal application has been postponed to late 2026 or early 2027 to accommodate the current Loop 101 Improvements Project.

67th Avenue Corridor Improvements Project Update (City of Peoria)

The City of Peoria's 67th Avenue Corridor Improvement Project, Pinnacle Peak Road to Happy Valley Road will widen 67th Avenue to three travel lanes in each direction and includes bike lanes, curb, gutter, sidewalk, streetlights, and drainage components to complete the streetscape. As this area is adjacent to the Cholla District, click here for all the latest construction updates to see how it impacts your drive.

Loop 101 Current and Upcoming Closures & Restrictions

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following closures as part of the Loop 101 widening project. You can subscribe to automatic project updates with this link.

Upcoming Restrictions & Closures:

• North and southbound 35th Avenue will continue to be closed nightly from 10 PM to 5 AM through the morning of Friday, March 20, and again Monday, March 23, through the morning of Thursday, March 26.
• DETOUR: Drivers may use the east and westbound frontage roads.
• North and southbound 31st Avenue will be closed nightly from 10 PM to 5 AM beginning Monday, March 23, and ending Wednesday morning, March 25.
• DETOUR: Drivers may use the east and westbound frontage roads.
• The eastbound Loop 101 Beardsley frontage road will be closed during the following times:
• Between 37th and 35th Avenues from 10 PM Sunday, March 22 to 5 AM Monday, March 23.
• Between 51st and 35th Avenues from 10 PM Friday, March 27 to 5 PM Sunday, March 29.
• The westbound Loop 101 off ramp at Union Hills Drive will be closed from 10 PM Monday, March 23 to 5 AM Tuesday, March 24.
• Westbound Loop 101 will be closed between I-17 and 51st Avenue from 10 PM, Friday, March 27, to 5 AM Monday, March 30. The following ramps also will be closed during this time:
• Westbound Loop 101 on ramps at 7th Avenue and 7th Street.
• North and southbound I-17 ramps to westbound Loop 101.
• DETOUR: Westbound drivers may consider using Union Hills Drive or Bell Road.
• Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to 2 lanes between Loop 101 and Pinnacle Peak Road from 10 PM Friday, March 27, to 5 PM Sunday, March 29.

Ongoing Restrictions & Closures:

• 75th Avenue will continue to be narrowed to one through lane in each direction between Rose Garden Lane and Arrowhead Clubhouse Drive through April.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider using 67th or 83rd Avenues to access 75th Avenue via Deer Valley Road or Union Hills Drive.
• The eastbound Loop 101 frontage road is reduced to one lane between 37th and 35th Avenues through mid-April.

Upcoming Long Term Ramp Closures:

• The eastbound Loop 101 off ramp at 59th Avenue will close for approximately 60 days, beginning 11:30 PM, Monday Mar. 23.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider exiting at 67th Avenue and using the eastbound frontage road to reach 59th Avenue.


Ongoing Long Term Ramp Closures:

• The eastbound Loop 101 on ramp at 67th Avenue is closed for approximately 60 days, beginning from Monday, Mar. 16.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider taking the eastbound frontage road (Beardsley) to 59th Avenue to access Loop 101.
• The westbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 75th Avenue is closed for approximately 60 days beginning from March 9.
• DETOUR: Westbound drivers may exit at 67th Avenue and travel north to Deer Valley Road or south to Union Hills Drive to reach their destination. 75th Avenue will have ongoing lane restrictions between Loop 101 and Rose Garden Lane that are expected to end in mid-April.
• The eastbound Loop 101 off ramp at 67th Avenue is anticipated to open in mid-March.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider exiting at 75th Avenue and taking the frontage road (Beardsley) to 67th Avenue or exiting at 59th Avenue.
• The eastbound Loop 101 on ramp at 51st is anticipated to open in mid-March.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider using the eastbound frontage road to access Loop 101 at 35th Avenue or using the eastbound on ramp at 59th Avenue.
• The eastbound off-ramp at 35th Avenue is anticipated to open in late March.
• DETOUR: Eastbound drivers may consider exiting at 51st or 27th Avenues.

Drivers should use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through any work zones.

CITYWIDE HIGHLIGHTS & CALENDAR

The City of Glendale is hosting public outreach sessions to gather community input on the City's Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Transition Plan. Feedback will help directly inform our strategy for improving sidewalks, curb ramps, and building access. Public sessions are scheduled for:

• March 20, 2026, 11 AM - 12:30 PM: Glendale Adult Center Palo Verde Room
  This session will focus on gathering feedback from our senior residents and individuals with disabilities and their care providers who utilize city facilities.
• March 21, 2026, 5 PM - 9 PM: Glendale Live Event
  A dedicated outreach booth will be present at the Glendale Live Event to engage a broader segment of the community in a high-traffic, public setting.

The Glendale Police Department is preparing for April which is Autism Awareness Month. GPD is proud to support efforts that strengthen awareness and informed response within our community. The 2026 Glendale Police Department Autism Awareness shirt is made up of artwork from children across our community, each sharing what autism means to them. Today (March 19) is the last day to purchase a patch or shirt. Proceeds will benefit patrol units with sensory bags and expanding awareness tools that support individuals and families during real-time interactions. Click here for information.

Watch Council Meetings Live on the City's Facebook, YouTube, or on Glendale Channel 11.