Nick’s News for February 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of "Nick's News!" The City of Burbank is off to a very fast start in 2022. I'm proud to share that the City Council recently held our annual goal setting meeting and collectively established the following goals/priorities for the year: (1) economic recovery and responsible development; (2) housing and homelessness; (3) sustainability; (4) city services; (5) transportation and traffic safety; (6) quality of life; and (7) infrastructure. I'll dive deeper into these policy areas in various newsletters in the months ahead.
In this month's issue of Nick's News we will cover:
A brief recap of Burbank City Council meetings in January 2022.
A summary of the work that I'm doing outside of City Council meetings.
A preview of City Council meetings in February 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 January 2022 City Council Activity
On January 4, 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 included:
Adoption of an Ordinance for a Zone Map Amendment to the Zoning for 228 S. Naomi Street from Media District High Density Residential to Media District General Business.
Adoption of an Ordinance to Establish the Streamlined Ministerial Review and Public Oversight Process for Development Projects Submitted Under Senate Bill 35-Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process.
An overview of Burbank Water and Power's Water Conservation Programs.
On January 11, 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 included:
Authorization to apply for CalRecycle Edible Food Recovery Grant for Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Adoption of an Ordinance prohibiting the sale of metallic or mylar balloons in the City of Burbank, subject to certain exceptions.
Approve a comment letter to the California High Speed Rail Authority regarding the Final Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement.
Preparation of a letter of support for the Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative.
On January 25, 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 included:
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern California Association of Governments for a Regional Early Action Plan Grant to update the Media District Specific Plan.
Introduction of an Ordinance to manage parking at off-street city lots and structures, as well as updated parking violation fees.
Approval to rename the Verdugo Recreation Center the "Mary Alvord Recreation Center."
Update on the transition of the Burbank Animal Shelter from the Burbank Police Department to the Parks & Recreation Department.
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 - Last month, I had the opportunity to speak with numerous Burbank business leaders about creative ways to reduce barriers to locally owned and small business, including streamlined permit review processes, reduced costs, and policies that provide flexibility to our recovering businesses (e.g., dining in parking lots). These goals were incorporated into the City Council's goals for 2022, and I expect that it will lead to some exciting developments later this year. Stay tuned for updates!
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 plan and to provide city staff with critical feedback as they develop our new plan.
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 am also working with city staff to explore creative options to facilitate the addition of affordable housing, including pre-approved ADU floorplans and incentives for developers to exceed affordable unit minimum requirements.
Sustainability - I was recently selected to represent the City of Burbank as a member of the League of California Cities Environmental Quality Policy Committee. Later this week, I will be participating in our first meeting in which we will approve our legislative agenda and adopt our 2022 work program. This year's focus will remain on air quality, climate change, hazardous materials, solid waste and recycling, electronic waste, single-use plastics, and much more!
Additionally, I will be conducting virtual office hours at City Hall from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on February 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.
Lastly, I invite you to join me for a Walk & Talk on Saturday, February 26th. Each month, I'll be visiting a Burbank park for a leisurely walk with my neighbors to answer questions and to hear your concerns. This month, I'll be visiting Johnny Carson Park from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will be meeting at the park entrance on Bob Hope Drive across from Warner Blvd. For more information, please visit my social media pages or send me an email.
Upcoming City Council Meetings for February 2022
The Burbank City Council will be meeting on twice this month. We will not be meeting on Tuesday, February 22nd. 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 February 8, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Presentation of a Proclamation declaring February 2022 as “Black History Month” in the City of Burbank.
Adoption of a Resolution approving a striping plan and awarding a construction contract for the resurfacing of residential streets in Magnolia Park and adjacent neighborhoods.
Approval of the City of Burbank 2022 Legislative Platform.
Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the Burbank Municipal Code related to definitions and standards for Single Family Residential Zones, and Nonconforming Structures.
Review of the City of Burbank's existing firearms licensing processes.
On February 15, 2022, the City Council will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at which the following agenda items will be considered:
Update from Metro on the proposed North Hollywood - Burbank - Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project.
Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Burbank Municipal Code related to definitions and standards for Single Family Residential Zones, and Nonconforming Structures.
Creation of a Foundation to Support or Supplement Arts in the City of Burbank.
Update on proposed state legislation to create the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Regional Housing Trust, which would be a Joint Powers Authority to generate new affordable housing funding.
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.
You can join the Burbank Police Department for their "Coffee with a Cop" at the Ugly Mug Coffee House from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11th.
On Monday, February 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. Notably, the American Red Cross is hosting a monthly blood drive at the Joslyn Adult Center and you can sign up by clicking here to make an appointment.
At 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 16th, the City of Burbank's Community Development Department is hosting an informational community virtual meeting regarding the proposed construction of a 5,750 square foot first story and a 1,650 square foot second story (mezzanine) commercial building, with twenty-four parking spaces in the rear of a commercial zoned lot, located at 1709 North San Fernando Blvd. The purpose of this meeting is to inform area property owners and residents of the pending project, and to solicit input in advance of a decision being made on the Project. Please click here for more information.
At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23rd, 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.
Lastly, the Destiny Education Project is a BIPOC-led non-profit organization empowering school boards, teachers, administrators, staff, students, parents, and community members to elevate public education. The Destiny Education Project is teaming up with Opportunity Exposed to bring you a week of fun guests, alumni, colleges, sorority, and fraternity members who will share their experiences as part of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week. From February 14th to 18th, you can learn more about enrollment, financial aid, and other student workshops. Please click here to learn more about this organization and this incredible event.
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!