Nick’s News for May 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 April 2022.
A summary of the work that I'm doing outside of City Council meetings.
A preview of City Council meetings in May 2022.
A short summary of upcoming community activities and events.
I would like to begin, however, by expressing my gratitude for all our United States military personnel who lost their lives in service to the United States armed forces. These heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I hope that you will join me and the entire Burbank City Council for our Memorial Day 2022 ceremony at McCambridge Park. The ceremony of the rose will be followed by a Condor Squadron flyover. The event begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. Please click here for more information.
As always, 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 April 2022 City Council Activity
On April 5, 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 an ordinance amending the Burbank Municipal Code to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral language.
Adoption of a project list for the Road Repair and Accountability Act (Senate Bill 1) for fiscal year 2022-2023.
Adoption of a resolution approving the Burbank Housing Agency's Annual Plan for the Section 8 program, as well as updates to the proposed administrative plan.
Consideration of an urgency ordinance and fee resolution to establish interim development controls and fees for two-unit residential developments and urban lot splits in single family residential zones, in order to allow the City Council time to study the effects of Senate Bill 9.
Appointment of Christopher Malotte, Laura Tenenbaum, and Bill Luddy to fill vacancies on the Burbank Water and Power Board.
Authorization to issue a request for proposals to lease 2244 N. Buena Vista Street to a non-profit organization.
On April 12, 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 proclamation declaring April 24, 2022, as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” in the City of Burbank.
Presentation of a legislative update from Assemblymember Laura Friedman.
Approval of the 2021 General Plan Implementation and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports.
Approval of a Final Environmental Impact Report Comment Letter regarding Metro's proposed North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Implementation of the Burbank Police Department's parking patrol pilot program.
Introduction of an uncodified ordinance approving a military equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy pursuant to state law.
Adoption of a pilot program for hybrid public comment for in-person meetings of the City Council, Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
On April 18, 2022, the Burbank City Council conducted a special meeting to review the Community Development Director's determination of streamlined ministerial design review for a multi-family residential project located at 921-1001 West Riverside Drive (the Pickwick site). Please click here to view the video recording of the public hearing.
On April 26, 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 proclamation declaring April 28, 2022, as “Holocaust Remembrance Day” in the City of Burbank.
Adoption of an uncodified ordinance approving a military equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy pursuant to state law.
Review the proposed recommendations for the City of Burbank's fiscal year 2022-23 budget and citywide fee schedule.
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 have been speaking with City Manager Hess and Mayor Talamantes about the creation of a Targeted Jobs Incentive Fund, which would offer cash incentives for new and existing Burbank companies in select industries that undertake a business expansion. To qualify for the program, these businesses would commit to creating a certain number of new above-average paying jobs and/or making a minimum amount of capital investments. Over the next few months, I plan to work closely with our business community to further develop the metrics of this proposed program. I have also requested a "first step" report from city staff so that the entire City Council will have the opportunity to weigh in on this proposal. Stay tuned for further updates!
Affordable Housing - I have been in regular contact with our Community Development Director and community stakeholders about the development of a pre-approved ADU designs. I believe that these pre-approved floorplans will result in a simplified permitting process for the design and construction of ADUs that are built repeatedly. Moreover, the use of standard plans would reduce the time required for plan check resulting in faster permit issuance to promote the "gentle density" that our community needs. I am also continuing to represent the City of Burbank as a voting member of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community, Economic and Human Development Committee.
Public Safety - I have continued my conversations with City Attorney McDougall about the prevalence of human trafficking in Southern California and the state requirement that certain establishments post a human trafficking notice, as provided for in California Code of Civil Procedure 52.6. Moving forward, I will be asking city staff to bring back a "first step" report on the development of a local ordinance expanding the training and posting criteria set forth under state law, while also discussing how we can implement enforcement measures.
Lastly, I will be conducting virtual office hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 17th. I will be available to address your questions or concerns by telephone or by Zoom. Please send me an email if you'd like to register for a one-on-one meeting by Zoom. You can also call me at (818) 806-9392.
Overview of City Council Meetings for May 2022
The Burbank City Council will be meeting each week during May 2022. 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 May 3, 2022, the City Council conducted a regularly scheduled meeting at Burbank City Hall. 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 proclamation declaring May 2022 as "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in the City of Burbank.
Adoption of a negative declaration and approval of the updated Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (GGRP).
Appointment of Burbank resident Michael Elric to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board.
Continued review of the proposed recommendations for the City of Burbank's fiscal year 2022-23 budget and citywide fee schedule.
Update on the Interim Urgency Ordinance establishing development controls for residential developments and urban lot splits in single family residential zones in response to Senate Bill 9.
On May 17, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting in Burbank City Hall at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Approval of a design-build contract for the Golden State Substation rebuild project.
Consideration of the proposed increases to City fees and charges related to water, refuse, sewer, and electric services.
Approval of a 10 month and 15 day time extension for the adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance in response to Senate Bill 9.
Appointment of one individual to fill a vacancy on the Sustainable Burbank Commission.
Continued review of the proposed recommendations for the City of Burbank's fiscal year 2022-23 budget and citywide fee schedule.
Approval of recommended new projects to the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority (AVCJPA) for Metro Measure M sub-regional funding.
On May 24, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting in Burbank City Hall at which the following agenda items will be considered
Approval of a design-build contract for the Willow Substation rebuild project.
Approval of the proposed City of Burbank fiscal year 2022-23 budget and citywide fee schedule.
Approval of a city-wide "Lifting People Up" program
Consideration of a Media Industry Job Fair
Consideration of inviting the City of Arezzo, Italy, to become a "Sister City."
Burbank Activities and Events
Each month, I highlight some of the activities and events taking place in our community. As a reminder, you can view the complete calendar of events maintained by the City of Burbank by visiting our webpage. Below are just a few events that I'd like to bring to your attention.
On May 14th and 15th, you are invited to join the City of Burbank for the 2022 Downtown Burbank Arts Festival. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day on San Fernando Blvd. (between Magnolia and Olive). It will feature more than 150 local, hand-selected artisans. Shoppers can expect to find trendsetting indie goods, including original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art, photography, food, and much more. Please click here to learn more about this exciting event!
On May 16th at 5:00 p.m., the Burbank Transportation Commission will hold a meeting to receive community input on service alternatives to the BurbankBus North Hollywood to Media District ("Green") Route. Three options will be presented: (1) expanding the existing route to all day service, (2) creating a new route from the North Hollywood Metro Station to Downtown Burbank, and (3) eliminating the route altogether. Please click here to register for this meeting. Please click here for more information about this community meeting and the proposed Green Route alternatives.
On Monday, May 16th, 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 click here to make an appointment.
At 6:00 PM on May 17th, 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.
On May 19th at 7:00 p.m., you are invited to participate in the monthly "Community Circles" event, which is presented by the Burbank Public Library in partnership with the Burbank Human Relations Council and the Burbank YMCA. This month's discussion topic is entitled Burbank History and More. Join members of the Burbank community to learn, share, and explore issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The facilitated conversation will highlight underrepresented voices and identities, followed by the sharing of personal reflections and a supportive exploration of how we can embrace our differences.
Kick off the start of Summer 2022 at the Verdugo Aquatic Facility! Our Parks & Recreation Department is hosting this FREE event from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be free rec swim, pool activities and games, and a DJ. Registration is currently open for Burbank residents. Walk-in admission is dependent on space and is not guaranteed. You can register for the activity pool sessions at www.BurbankParks.com.
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!