Nick’s News for April 2021
Good morning everyone,
Welcome to the latest edition of "Nick's News," which is my monthly newsletter covering the latest stories, developments, and upcoming events in the City of Burbank. In this edition we will cover:
A brief recap of the developments at City Hall in March 2021.
A preview of upcoming and important City Council meetings.
Upcoming community activities and events.
First, I would like to reflect on a few important developments over the past month. In an effort to save our local restaurants, I proposed an ordinance to temporarily cap the delivery fees that third-party delivery providers (e.g., DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats) charge our local restaurants. At our last regular City Council meeting, a majority of the City Council voted to adopt this ordinance, which will go into effect 31 days after passage: May 1, 2021.
The City of Burbank is also working with our private sector partners to facilitate two incredibly important relief programs for our residents and businesses. The Burbank Small Business Assistance Program will offer forgivable small business loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Self-employed individuals and microenterprises can receive up to $10,000 under the program, while small businesses of fewer than 200 employees can receive up to $20,000. The application period closed on April 5th.
Additionally, the City of Burbank is offering direct assistance to renters facing financial hardships. The Burbank Rent Assistance Program will offer up to $1,000 per month for up to three (3) months, which can be used to pay for past due or future rent. Funds can also be used for past due utilities owed to Burbank Water and Power. Applications will be accepted starting on Monday, April 5th.
Our city is continuing to battle the spread of the virus with everything we've got. I'm happy to share that we have vaccinated our firefighters, police officers, teachers, and many of our frontline workers. However, I know there is much more work to do, including: adding affordable housing options, addressing our unhoused population, and continuing our sustainability efforts. I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle these challenges in the months ahead.
Recap of March 2021
Below is a brief recap of the Burbank City Council meetings held in March 2021:
March 2, 2021 - The City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting in which we adopted a resolution to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine program agreement with BUSD. During the course of the meeting, the City Council conducted a public hearing approving a fourth amendment to the Development Agreement for the Bob Hope Office Center Project. The City Council also received a report from city staff on our efforts to address homelessness in our community. Finally, we adopted a resolution rescinding our friendship city status with Hadrut in Nagorno-Karabakht. Please click here to view the video recording of this meeting.
March 16, 2021 - The City Council met to approve a project list for fiscal year 2021-2022 under the Road Repair & Accountability Act (SB 1). We also approved a design-build contract for new playground equipment and shade structures at Robert Gross, George Izay, and Miller Parks. The City Council adopted a resolution recognizing the Independent Republic of Artsakh, and later conducted a public hearing on an AT&T appeal for wireless telecommunications equipment in the City of Burbank. The City Council also received an informational update from city staff on commercial cannabis. Finally, we appointed a city resident to fill a vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees. Please click here to view the video recording of this meeting.
March 18, 2021 - The City Council held a special community meeting with Assemblymember Laura Friedman. We discussed Burbank's economic recovery plans, homelessness initiatives, legislative priorities concerning housing, major transportation projects, and our stance on state speeding legislation. Please click here to view the video recording of this meeting.
March 30, 2021 - The City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting and received a presentation on the Metro NoHo-Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. A public hearing was conducted regarding the Burbank Housing Agency's annual plan and proposed administrative plan updates for Section 8 housing. We reviewed the annual report concerning operations of the DeBell Golf Course. Lastly, the City Council received an informational update regarding the Raising Cane's restaurant at 1750 W. Olive Avenue. City staff will continue the discussion of a potential neighborhood protection plan to mitigate the impacts of this establishment in the area. Please click here to view the video recording of this meeting.
Outside of City Council meetings, I have continued to represent the City of Burbank on the Board of Directors for the Valley Economic Alliance. I have also been regularly attending meetings of both the Sustainable Burbank Commission and the Burbank Police Commission to serve as a resource for the commissioners.
I was recently appointed to serve on the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG) Community, Economic, and Human Development (CEHD) Committee. As part of the CEHD Committee, I am working with my regional colleagues to study and promote economic recovery strategies that expand housing opportunities in the City of Burbank.
Upcoming Events
Please join me for my monthly "Community Conversation" at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24th. We will be discussing:
Efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Burbank.
Possibilities for creating and/or hiring a Sustainability Coordinator.
The latest work of the Burbank City Council's Economic Recovery Sub-Committee.
If you would like to join us for this exciting event, please RSVP by visiting: https://www.nickforburbank.com/events.
I also encourage you to visit the City of Burbank's calendar of events to learn more about some of the latest happenings in our community, including upcoming Board and Commission meetings.
For example, the Burbank Human Relations Council (BHRC) is encouraging every home and business to place an artistic rendering of a candle in their windows during the entire month of April 2021 as we recognize the Holocaust Days of Remembrance (April 4-11) and community commemoration (April 27), as well as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24). To learn more please visit: https://burbankhumanrelationscouncil.org/
Upcoming City Council Meetings
The Burbank City Council will be meeting twice during April 2021. Below is a list of the meeting dates and tentative agenda items:
April 6, 2021 - There will be no City Council meeting.
April 13, 2021 - The City Council will begin the meeting recognizing "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" by issuing a proclamation. Next, the City Council will introduce an ordinance to change the size, composition, and meeting frequency of the Burbank Police Commission. We will also award a construction contract for a sidewalk repair project, approve the Downtown Burbank Partnership annual report, and consider approval of a digital media policy to facilitate the submission and use of videos for public comment.
The City Council will also consider the enactment of hazard/hero pay for frontline workers. We will review a license agreement to operate community gardens in the City of Burbank. There will be a discussion regarding utility shutoff procedures to enforce COVID-19 regulations, as well as approval of a Chamber of Commerce "Dine Burbank" campaign. Lastly, the City Council will review and approve the Burbank2035 General Plan and Housing Element annual progress reports. Please click here to view the meeting agenda once it is posted.
April 20, 2021 - There will be no City Council meeting.
April 27, 2021 - The City Council will begin the meeting recognizing "National Holocaust Remembrance Day" by issuing a proclamation. There will be a presentation by the Sustainable Burbank Commission in observance of Earth Day, followed by consideration of a resolution extending the local state of emergency caused by COVID-19. Lastly, we will review the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 city budget. Please click here to view the meeting agenda once it is posted.
Staying in Touch
As a reminder, you will find my latest press releases, blog posts, and upcoming events on my community page. I encourage you to keep in regular contact with me by regularly visiting my community page or by following my social media accounts (see links below).
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your family and friends. If you know someone who would like to be added to the recipient list, please ask them to visit my community page and sign-up to receive it. In the meantime, please stay safe and be well. Thank you for reading!
Your Friend,
Nick
To view the newsletter in html format, please visit: https://mailchi.mp/e7b81f59c3bc/nicks-news-april-2021