Nick’s News for March 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of "Nick's News," which is my monthly newsletter covering the latest developments at City Hall and events in the City of Burbank. In this month's issue of Nick's News, we will cover:
A brief recap of Burbank City Council meetings in February 2022.
A summary of the work that I'm doing outside of City Council meetings.
A preview of City Council meetings in March 2022.
A short summary of upcoming community activities and events.
In the meantime, please feel free to visit my community page to learn more about what's happening in Burbank and how you can get involved! You can also click on one of the icons at the bottom of this newsletter to get real-time updates by following one of my social media accounts.
Review of February 2022 City Council Activity
On February 8, 2022, the Burbank City Council conducted a regularly scheduled meeting. Both the agenda and video from the meeting are available for viewing on the City of Burbank's website. The highlights from this meeting include:
Adoption of a resolution approving contract documents and a related striping plan, and awarding of a construction contract for the resurfacing of streets in Magnolia Park and adjacent neighborhoods.
Adoption of the City of Burbank's 2022 Legislative Platform.
Updates on Burbank Water and Power's water supply reliability projects and proposals.
Review of the Burbank Municipal Code related to the City's existing firearms licensing processes.
Introduction of an ordinance and adoption of a resolution of intention to approve an amendment to a contract between the City of Burbank and the CalPERS Board of Administration regarding additional employee contributions from the Burbank City Employees' Association (BCEA) towards their pension costs.
On February 15, 2022, the Burbank City Council conducted a regularly scheduled meeting. Both the agenda and video from the meeting are available for viewing on the City of Burbank's website. The highlights from this meeting include:
A presentation from Metro regarding the updated status of the proposed North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Continuation of a public hearing from February 8th regarding a proposed ordinance updating standards and definitions related to single family residential zones and non-conforming structures.
Review of non-compliance with the City of Burbank's COVID-19 vaccination policy by Board, Commission, and Committee members.
Introduction of an ordinance repealing Burbank Municipal Code section 3-3-516, and an ordinance amending Burbank Municipal Code section 3-3-523.
Appointment of a Burbank resident to fill a vacancy on the Arts in Public Places Committee.
What am I working on?
Outside of City Council meetings, I am busy working to support each of the adopted city goals. Below is a short synopsis highlighting some of my work on these issues.
Economic Recovery - I recently had the opportunity to speak with the leadership from the Burbank Chamber of Commerce regarding my proposed creation of a Targeted Jobs Incentive Fund (TJIF) program, which would provide cash incentives for existing and new businesses in select industries undertaking a business expansion in the City of Burbank. Over the next few months, I plan to work closely with our business community partners to further explore this proposal.
Homelessness - The City of Burbank is currently creating a 5-year homelessness action plan to connect our unhoused population with resources and ultimately reduce our unhoused population. I am continuing to work with a group of community leaders and service providers to review the existing homelessness action plan and to provide city staff with critical feedback as they develop our new plan. I also requested a report from city staff regarding the creation of a safe overnight parking location for the provision of homeless services in the City of Burbank.
Pictured from left to right: Barry Gussow, Councilmember Nick Schultz, and Albert Hernandez celebrating the Burbank Noon Rotary Club's 99th anniversary. Photo credit to Ross Benson with MyBurbank.com.
Affordable Housing - I am continuing to represent the City of Burbank, as part of the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority, and as a voting member of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community, Economic and Human Development Committee. I have also requested a report from city staff regarding enhanced tenant protections; specifically a comparison of the eviction protections afforded under Assembly Bill 1482, the City of Culver City Tenant Protections Ordinance No. 2020-105, and the City of Glendale Ordinance No. 5922.
Transportation & Traffic Safety - Over the last several months, I have been working closely with a grassroots group called "Together We Can," as well as members of our Burbank Police Commission to discuss the prevalence of speeding and racing on our city streets. Last month, I requested a report from city staff regarding how the City of Burbank can become a Vision Zero City and develop a Vision Zero Plan which is a strategy to eliminate pedestrian, traffic, and bicyclist fatalities.
Lastly, I will be conducting virtual office hours at City Hall from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on March 15th. I will be available to address your questions or concerns by telephone or by Zoom. Please click here to register for Zoom. You can also reach me by phone by calling (818) 806-9392.
Upcoming City Council Meetings for March 2022
The Burbank City Council will be meeting twice this month. However, we will not be meeting on March 8th, 22nd, and 29th. As a reminder, you can view the agenda forecast and the meeting agendas by visiting the Burbank City Clerk's webpage. Below is a short summary of each upcoming meeting.
On March 1, 2022, the City Council will conduct a virtual meeting at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Presentation of a proclamation declaring March 2022 as “Women's History Month” in the City of Burbank.
Adoption of an ordinance repealing Burbank Municipal Code section 3-3-516, and an ordinance amending Burbank Municipal Code section 3-3-523.
Approval of an Automatic Aid Agreement for the exchange of fire protection, specialized, rescue and emergency medical services between the City of Los Angeles and the Cities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.
Introduction of an ordinance amending the Burbank Municipal Code relating to solid waste and organics recycling, pursuant to Senate Bill 1383.
Review of the General Fund's financial status as of December 31, 2021, as well as the adoption of resolutions amending the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget for mid-year adjustments.
On March 15, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Presentation of a proclamation declaring March 31, 2022 as “Cesar Chavez Day” in the City of Burbank.
Adoption of an ordinance amending the Burbank Municipal Code relating to solid waste and organics recycling, pursuant to Senate Bill 1383.
Adoption of an ordinance updating standards and definitions related to single family residential zones and non-conforming structures in the City of Burbank.
Appointment of Burbank residents to serve on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and the Charter Review Committee.
Approval of a five-year Homelessness Plan and implementation strategy for the period of 2022 to 2027.
Approval of a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) comment letter regarding Metro's proposed North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Burbank Activities and Events
As a reminder, you can view the complete calendar of events maintained by the City of Burbank by visiting our webpage. However, there are a few events that I'd like to briefly highlight.
On Monday, March 14th, the American Red Cross is having a blood drive at the Joslyn Adult Center (1301 W. Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In fact, the American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive every month at the Joslyn Adult Center and you can sign up by clicking here to make an appointment.
At 6:00 PM on March 15th, the Burbank Public Library is hosting an online program entitled "So You're Ready to Find a Therapist?" Making the decision to pursue professional support for your mental health is a big first step, but the next step can feel less clear. Psychotherapists Ben Fineman and Caroline Wiita are hosts of the podcast Very Bad Therapy and will join us online to discuss different styles of talk therapy, how to find the right therapist for you, and what to do if a therapist is a bad fit. They'll also discuss options for finding a low-fee therapist and will also have time for your questions.
At 6:00 PM on March 29th, experts from the Burbank Recycle Center will be hosting a "Curb Your Recycling" training over Zoom. This 90-minute Zoom session is an essential starter kit to help you navigate past the confusion of packaging with tips on how to reduce creating disposal in the first place. Please click here to learn more and to register for this event.
At 6:00 p.m. on March 30th, you are invited to join the experts from Burbank Recycle Center and LA Compost as they show you how to take your green "waste" and transform it into your yard's rich soil as part of this "compost at home" virtual workshop! Please click here to register today.
Thanks again for reading this month's edition of Nick's News. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me by using the button below. Stay safe and be well!