Nick’s News for June 2022
Welcome to the June 2022 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, I will cover:
A brief recap of Burbank City Council meetings in May 2022.
A summary of the work that I'm doing outside of City Council meetings.
A preview of City Council meetings in June 2022.
A short summary of upcoming community activities and events.
I would like to begin, however, by expressing my profound grief for the families in Buffalo, Uvalde, and countless other communities devastated by gun violence. As I sit here writing this newsletter, I find myself without the words to fully express the grief, anger, disappointment, and many other emotions that I'm feeling right now, and that I'm sure all of you are feeling similarly.
Approximately 40,000 people are killed, and roughly 85,000 are wounded, from firearms each year in the United States. We have been experiencing a gun violence epidemic in our country for years, and yet we are still waiting for meaningful action from our federal government. People are rightfully angry and distrustful of promised government action. Therefore, it falls to leaders at the state and local levels of government to do more to deliver on these promises.
Later this Summer, the Burbank City Council will receive a report from city staff regarding the prevalence of gun stores in our community and their potential negative effects. At this point, there are several potential courses of local action for the City Council to consider, including but not necessarily limited to: the implementation of “buffer zones” to prohibit gun stores from operating within a certain distance of schools; a cap on the number of gun stores; local inspections to ensure gun stores' compliance with existing state and federal law; and an excise tax on gun store sales. In the meantime, please know that I hear the community loud and clear. We will do more, and we will take action! Thank you for your continued patience.
I also encourage you to consider attending a vigil for gun violence victims taking place TONIGHT in front of Burbank City Hall. It will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will feature several prominent speakers, including Assemblymember Laura Friedman and State Senator Anthony Portantino. Please see the flyer below for further details.
I would also like to remind everyone that today (June 7th) is Election Day! There are many ways to vote today including by mail, in-person, and by dropping off your completed and signed ballot at your closest ballot drop box or vote center location. You can find more useful information and tips by visiting the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder website.
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 May 2022 City Council Activity
On May 3, 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 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 2022-2023 budget and citywide fee schedule.
Updates 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 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:
Approval of a design-build contract for the Golden State Substation rebuild project.
Approval of a 10 month and 15 day time extension for the adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance in response to Senate Bill 9.
Approval of the proposed increases to City fees and charges related to water, refuse, sewer, and electric services.
Appointment of Burbank resident Jenny Deahl to fill a vacancy on the Sustainable Burbank Commission.
Continued review of the proposed recommendations for the City of Burbank's fiscal year 2022-2023 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 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:
Approval of a fourth amended Professional Services Agreement for the 2021-2029 Housing Element, Safety Element, and Environmental Justice General Plan Update.
Approval of the proposed City of Burbank fiscal year 2022-2023 budget and citywide fee schedule.
Consideration of a Media Industry Job Fair.
Consideration of inviting the City of Arezzo, Italy, to become a sister city.
Please note that the Burbank City Council did not meet on May 10, 2022, and on May 31, 2022.
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.
Affordable Housing - This past month, I had the chance to attend a meeting of the Burbank Association of Realtors to share my perspective that pre-approved ADU designs would be a beneficial program addition to the Burbank Community Development Department. I firmly believe that pre-approved floorplans would result in a simplified permitting process for the design and construction of ADUs, which would reduce the time required for plan check and result in faster permit issuance to promote the "gentle density" that our community needs. Additionally, I have continued to represent our community as a voting member of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community, Economic and Human Development Committee. At a recent meeting, we discussed the CEHD Committee's role in the state regional housing needs assessment (RHNA) audit and potential RHNA reform to address the concerns of local jurisdictions, like Burbank.
Public Safety - As detailed above, May 2022 brought several tragedies involving gun violence across our country. I have spent the past few weeks meeting with parents and community members concerned and upset by the shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and elsewhere. I have endeavored to answer questions about the city's current and future efforts to regulate gun stores and to prevent gun violence. I anticipate having more information to share with all of you in the weeks ahead. Additionally, I recently requested a first step report regarding the enactment of a local ordinance to codify the existing state requirement that certain commercial establishments post a human trafficking notice, and to create a local enforcement process.
Fiscal Responsibility - Late last month, the Burbank City Council unanimously approved our fiscal year 2022/2023 city budget, which was the first balanced budget in recent memory. We achieved this accomplishment while making critical investments in our first responders and city infrastructure, was well as increasing our general fund reserves. I also participated in a meeting of the Fiscal and Treasurer's Review Group with Councilmember Bob Frutos, City Treasurer Krystle Palmer, and other members of the group. We collectively reviewed the city's investment policy and portfolio. As we move forward to our mid-year review of the city budget, I look forward to overseeing staff expenditures and working with my colleagues to ensure that we maintain the balanced budget that we've fought so hard to achieve.
Lastly, I will be conducting office hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on June 21st. I will be available to meet with you in- person at City Hall, or by telephone or Zoom, to address your questions and concerns about our community. Please click here to send me an email to reserve a 20-minute meeting at either City Hall or Zoom. You can also call me at (818) 806-9392 if you'd prefer to discuss your concerns by telephone.
Overview of City Council Meetings for June 2022
The Burbank City Council will meet twice during the month of June 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 June 7, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at Burbank City Hall at which the following agenda items will be considered:
A proclamation declaring June 2022 as "Pride Month" in the City of Burbank.
A proclamation declaring June 19th as "Juneteenth" in the City of Burbank.
Approval of a design-build agreement for the Lake One Power Plant Emissions Retrofit Project.
Introduction of an ordinance updating the City of Burbank's development impact fees (DIFs).
Adoption of an Annual Action Plan allocating 2022-2023 community development block grant (CDBG) and HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Adoption of resolutions calling for a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Expansion of a citywide Lifting People Up Program in partnership with Home Again Los Angeles.
On June 21, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting in Burbank City Hall at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Adoption of an ordinance updating the City of Burbank's development impact fees (DIFs).
Approval of contract documents and awarding a construction contract for the landfill gas collection and control system expansion.
Approval of the City of Burbank's 2022 investment policy.
Review of the Burbank City Treasurer's investment portfolio for the first quarter of 2022.
Appointment of one Burbank resident to fill a vacancy on the Transportation Commission.
Updates on Burbank Water and Power's new low-income residential assistance program.
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.
You are invited to participate in a monthly "Community Circles" event at the Burbank YMCA's Social Impact Center on Wednesday, June 16th at 7:00 p.m. This event will be presented by the Burbank Human Relations Council in partnership with the Burbank Public Library. The facilitated conversation will present an individual or societal story highlighting underrepresented voices and identities. It will be followed by sharing our personal reflections and a supportive exploration of how individuals and the community can connect, embrace our differences, and make sure Burbank is welcoming.
The Burbank Public Library, in partnership with the Burbank YMCA's Social Impact Center, is hosting a panel discussion entitled "Fostering Allyship with the LGBTQIA+ Community" from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17th. The event will take place at the Burbank YMCA's Social Impact Center. The panel will feature LGBTQIA+ guests discussing the skills needed to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. The discussion will cover identity, community, allyship, cultivating safe environments, and how to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community. The panelists will offer realistic scenarios that allies may be faced with and offer practical tips and skills for handling those moments.
On Saturday June 18th, Maroon Arts & Culture is partnering with the RS Confidence Academy to present the second annual "Juneteenth Jubilee Cultural & Performing Arts Festival." It will feature dance performances, live music, DJ, storytelling, trivia games, raffles, prizes, vendors, and networking. It will run from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 3000 Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. For more information (including donations, volunteers, vending and performing) please visit www.maroonarts.com/juneteenth.
On Saturday, June 18th, the Friends of the Library are hosting a one-day "Book Sale" from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the second-floor auditorium at Burbank Central Library. Prices start at just 25 cents!
Join the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department staff for a virtual community workshop to discuss the future of the Brace Canyon Park Sports Field Redesign. The meeting will be conducted on Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21st. Please click here for the Zoom meeting link and access to the community survey.
The Burbank Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating "Go Skate Day" on June 21st. This free event will be fun for all ages. Enjoy food, games, music, and free skateboarding (no registration needed)! For more information, please visit www.BurbankCA.gov/Skatepark.
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!