Turch, who has petitioned the federal government on Glendale’s behalf since 2003, was encouraged to reapply. His firm represents a number of Southland cities, including Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge.
Glendale has since been without a federal lobbyist, although city officials said a formal request for new candidates would be ready later this month.
Councilman Ara Najarian — who with Councilman Dave Weaver voted against the request for proposals and voiced his concern about the city’s lack of representation in Washington last week — said the situation was an “oversight” on the part of the council.
“I think its very unfortunate that we don’t have someone back there working for the city while the appropriations bills are working their way through the House and the Senate,” he said Wednesday. “It’s one thing to request that we go out for a request for proposals to interview lobbyists, but it’s another thing to take action that would vacate our lobbyist position, which is what we currently have.”
The council members who voted in favor of the request could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.
Turch, who said last week that he had not yet been contacted by the city about submitting a new bid, said the city’s request for new proposals was legitimate but questioned the timing.
“It’s just at this time of the year it’s a difficult time because of the really substantial issues that are facing the government right now, and part of that is transportation,” he said. “We were a little surprised. It seemed to might not be the time when you want to trade horses.”
