Nonprofit may get rent break

And like a business looking to hold on to valuable, repeat customers — the Armenian Relief Society’s festival represents the city’s most lucrative rental business — Chapjian’s department has already granted the organization a 14% discount.

Normal fees for a full-weekend rental would be $20,582, but the city is charging the relief society $17,682, according to a city staff report.

To discount the fee further would have a “significant impact on the auditorium’s operation costs and set a precedent for other community organizations to request similar reductions,” according to a city staff report.

The request was put on the agenda at the request of Councilmen Bob Yousefian and Frank Quintero.

“I think it’s worth taking a look at because it is a premier event that focuses on culture, so we want to do everything we can to promote the arts, promote culture in the city of Glendale,” Quintero said.

Yousefian had already decided on Monday to support a 25% discount for the Armenian Relief Society, much like the new city policy that applies for city services at other special events.

“They’ve been doing this festival for the last seven years, and most of the funds they raise go to a lot of charitable organizations,” Yousefian said.

“I will definitely be supporting them.”

 RYAN VAILLANCOURT covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at ryan.vaillancourt@latimes.com.