myBurbank Talks
myBurbank Talks
The Week That Was and That Will Be - September 23, 2024
What if your city council candidates could speak directly to you about their platforms? This week on myBurbank Talks Weekly Podcast, we will tell you about the podcasts with Dr. Emily Weisberg and Emma Panero for exclusive interviews that offer firsthand insights into their visions for Burbank. We also hear about Lew Stone, a former firefighter captain and high school basketball coach, in a heartfelt Coach's Corner segment. Additionally, our Women of Burbank highlight dives into the captivating world of the Dark and Dirty Hearts fantasy book league. From the Burbank School Board's United Against Hate Week to thrilling high school football game recaps, we have a jam-packed episode that keeps you connected with your community.
Curious about how Burbank selects its mayor and vice mayor? This episode explores the often contentious and opaque process, shedding light on its implications for re-election visibility. We also cover a range of local events and governance issues, from a Holiday in the Park fundraiser at Tequila's to the Advisory Council on Disabilities meeting via Zoom. Don’t miss our discussion on the importance of informed voting, as we scrutinize the Burbank Teachers Association's early endorsements and urge you to do your homework before casting your vote. Whether it's community events, local governance, or civic engagement, this episode equips you with the knowledge to stay informed and active in Burbank.
My Burbank Talks presents another edition of the Week that Was and the Week that Will Be a weekly podcast featuring highlights and commentary on local events and issues taking place right here in Burbank. Now let's see what's on today's agenda as we join our program.
Speaker 3:Thank you, thank you everybody, thank you, hello Burbank. Craig Short here with you once again from the my Burbank Command Center and, as always, we have a humble request that you like this video and please subscribe to the channel so YouTube continues to recommend this video to others like yourself. And also think about a channel membership to support us here at my Burbank. You always get to see our videos first that way, so think about it. So last week on the YouTube channel we uploaded candidate videos of Dr Emily Weisberg, who is running unopposed for school board and you actually cannot vote for her due to a county rule about running unopposed Very interesting. So if you are unopposed, they do not let you put your name on the ballot, so it does not give you the chance to vote for her or even really against her. That's kind of interesting. Also, we had a video with Emma Panero, who is running for city council Very interesting podcast, a newcomer but very exciting. She does know the city and she does know the issues, so please check that out. We also did a Coach's Corner video with myself and our co-host, bob Hart, where we talked about a long time Burbank firefighter captain and union president Lou Stone, who was actually a very successful high school basketball coach back in the day, and Ashley Erickson also did a Women of Burbank video featuring two women who have formed a fantasy book league Dark and Dirty Hearts yes, a fantasy league for books Very cool. The Word of the Week is also back. We are hoping to get some new gift certificates very soon and we'll hand them out to winners as soon as they come in.
Speaker 3:So let's move on to the week that was. So Thursday last week Gave us one of the few events and that was the Burbank School Board meeting, and they Are basically marking September 21st through 27th as United against hate week. So I'm sure you've seen the banners hanging on the schools and it's nice to do that. So that was basically the only thing that to me, there was any consequence. Friday, burbank High football played and lost a tough one to Muir 35-13 at Muir. But we have to lost a tough one to Muir 35-13 at Muir. But we have to give a shout out to Tyler Hudson, who had 14 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. Burroughs had a little better luck as they defeated Arcadia 21-13 at Burroughs. A big game for Mateo Tarka, as he rushed for 268 yards, three touchdowns on 24 carries and he is only a junior, so big things to come from him next year. That's kind of it for last week. It was a very, very slow weekend, so very slow week, so what we're going to do is take our quick commercial now.
Speaker 2:We've got a lot to get into for next week, so we'll be back with you in just a second, enjoying the show right now, thinking you may want to do your own podcast. Viberate Talks is renting out our podcast studio on an hourly rate. You can do audio podcasts or both audio and video, and even bring in guests to talk with. We will help you get set up on podcast platforms and start a YouTube channel, and we can edit your productions to make you look and sound your very best. If you are arrested, please drop us an email at studiorentalsatmyburbankcom. That's studiorentalsatmyburbankcom, and we will get back to you. Now back to our show.
Speaker 3:Okay, back with you. So Monday, which is today, and if you're watching this today, the day this comes out, then you'll know what to do today, or what you can do or not do, depending on what you want to do, because this is the week that will be. Anyhow, tonight's Planning Commission meeting has been canceled, so there is no planning going on, but there is a housing rights workshop will be held tonight from 6 to 7.30 at the Community Services Building. They'll be talking about fair housing laws, discrimination and the Burbank Tenant Protection Ordinance, which the City Council passed a while ago. So it might be interesting, if you are a renter or even a landlord, to go check that out.
Speaker 3:Tuesday. We do have a city council meeting this week. It's at 6 pm at City Hall. So be advised that the new speaker system will be in place. So don't show up to speak once public comment starts. If you don't call in in advance, they will not let you speak either. If you don't call in in advance, they will not let you speak. Either you have to actually be there in advance of public comment and put a card in, or call in advance of public comment, or they're not going to let you speak anymore. I got a feeling that's going to change down the line, because I don't think it's really fair. Somebody's a little late. They're going to be denied the right to speak because they didn't get there at a certain time. Hopefully they didn't have to take a Burbank bus and have to wait all day. So I love the Burbank bus. Yeah, I do.
Speaker 3:Something interesting, though. They're going to read first, in closed session and about the council districts Potential lawsuit by the mysterious Nicholas Gutierrez, who has yet to even prove that he actually exists. He wants to sue for representation but will not even represent himself. Can you smell a scam? I don't know. I think that city council has to take it seriously to the point of making sure they get their ducks in a row. But it's very interesting that this guy has never shown up. He's been invited to show up. My break has invited him to submit something that we can get his information Nothing. So Very interesting. So very interesting. So you know, like I say, can you smell a scam?
Speaker 3:There is going to be an introduction of an ordinance prohibiting or carrying any specified items while attending or participating in a public demonstration, rally, protest, picket line or public assembly. So already on the books you cannot have items including any length of lumber, wood lath or any wood products and any bar shaft, rod, cable wire or other such length of hard metal, hard plastic or other hard synthetic material. Now they also want to include, but are not limited to, baseball bats, pepper spray, glass bottles, laser pointers, aerosol spray cans and other items. So I guess they're worried that if there's protests in the future, they want to make sure people don't have anything on them. Once again, how are they going to know if they have something on them or not? Are they going to search people before a protest, or are they going to wait until after the person uses it, which is already going to damage somebody or something, and then arrest them at that point? I don't know. But I guess it's good to have more laws in the books, because that's what we need.
Speaker 3:There's also going to be a review of the Sea Treasurer's investment portfolio. So always if you understand that type of thing, you should pay attention. It goes right over my head, but Crystal Palmer, our treasurer, does a great job. I fully trust her. She had my vote. She has my vote. There's going to be a discussion and an overview on short-term rental regulations.
Speaker 3:So right now, the Burbank Municipal Code is generally silent on these kinds of rentals. However, based on research of industry websites and discussions with a consultant that specializes in these short-term rentals, there are an estimated 300 to 400 unpermitted short-term rentals currently operating in the city of Burbank. Enforcement of unpermitted rentals is challenging since short-itted rentals is challenging since short-term rental platforms do not include the property address in the listing. Therefore, issues pertaining to short-term rentals are currently addressed relatively reactively once complaints are filed by the city's Code and Compliance Division. In the last two years, there have been a total of 174 code enforcement cases of unpermitted short-term rentals in the city. Further, the city cannot levy their 10% bed tax. They charge hotels and motel guests for stays of less than 30 days, since these short-term rentals are permitted or unpermitted.
Speaker 3:I should say Short-term rentals are permitted or unpermitted. I should say I think it's interesting that once again we want to put another regulation onto the books and we have no way of enforcing it. They right now wait for somebody to call and complain. They say there's 300 to 400 short-term rentals in the city right now, but there's no addresses. Hey, guess what? Maybe pick up the phone and call. Yes, take a little extra time and have one person call and say I'd like to rent your place, when is it at? And when they give you the address, there you go. That's how you find out, that's how everybody else finds out. So when you say you can't find out because the address aren't listed, well, people don't get a short-term rental and just drive around town until they find something, they pair up the phone and they get the address. So that's one way to get the addresses from these places is to actually dial the number and find out where it is.
Speaker 3:Um, but once again, how are we going to enforce it? We're going to hire more people to enforce things. I I really, once again, more laws in the books with no ways to enforce them and no nothing in place to enforce them. So you know, hire more people for enforcement or think about what you're doing. It's just, once again we're putting the. The horses have left the stable and now we're going to figure out how to fix it. Well, let's fix it while the horses still are in the stable, before they run away. I don't know, what do I know we're also going to have a review.
Speaker 3:This is very interesting for most of you people here. They say well, the mayor of Burbank does this, that and everything else? Well, not really. That's not how Burbank works. Pay attention to this here. Once again, the council is going to get into this. They're going to talk about how the selection of mayor and vice mayor is now made. So a little background on this.
Speaker 3:At the January City Council meeting, council Member Taka Hashi requested a first-step report on City Council's yearly selection process of mayor and vice mayor. The Charter of the City of Burbank provides the following in regard to Council's yearly selection of mayor and vice mayor At the reorganization meeting, the new members shall then be inducted into office, whereupon the Council, as thus newly constituted, shall choose one of their members to serve as Mayor. The Mayor shall have the same voting power as any other Council member. The Council shall also choose one of their members to serve as Vice Mayor, who shall act as mayor pro tempore. In case of the absence of the mayor, sickness or other disabilities, the official so chosen shall hold the respective offices subject to the pleasure of the council. Okay, yeah, I get it. That's how it works.
Speaker 3:Every year, they select a mayor and vice mayor, and I think some people felt hurt that they didn't get devoted, for you know what's the process. I'm not sure how usually it's. It's it's all. All members get a chance to serve and every year it's somebody different. But it used to be an unwritten rule that the mayor or vice mayor would not be selected that year if they were up for re-election. But that has now been disregarded in recent years. Well, there's no policy, so I don't see that brought back.
Speaker 3:You know you can't say you can't be chosen mayor if you're going to run for city council or up for re-election that year. So you can't put on the ballot mayor, or have a rule that says you have to have a council member on the ballot. But if you are the mayor and you're running for re-election that year, you have more visibility. So it's kind of an unfair thing. And remember the mayor has no power. That and all he is. It's a figurehead. It's a figurehead for a year. That's all the mayor is or the vice mayor is, and every year they just pick somebody else and they move up. Very rarely does somebody have picked his vice mayor and then they don't get to become mayor the next year. They've really got to piss somebody off on the council to go from vice mayor to nothing. So it's happened. But I just don't think it's just interesting that they're going to squabble about themselves who gets to be the mayor. They'll all get the chance over the four, over the four-year period, but some of them might have to run for re-election, might have to. It's happened before, for one person's not been selected for four years in the council and they have to be on. They get re-elected and then, of course, they get selected. So I don't know anyhow.
Speaker 3:That's tuesday's council meeting. Let's move on to Wednesday. Start with Holiday in the Park is going to hold a fundraiser at Tequila's from 11.30 to 9pm and will receive 20% of all the sales. So this is great if you would like to support and stop in and dine and enjoy. Stop in and enjoy the dining room with the great murals, or you can pick up your food and take it home. Either way, the Magnolia Park, magnolia Park merchants will receive a donation, but remember to mention the fundraiser and that way they know to credit the. You know the 20%. So that's on this coming Wednesday.
Speaker 3:What else? On Wednesday the Senior Citizen Board will meet at 1pm at the Jocelyn Center and they'll be talking about their goals, objectives and review some reports and events. Always good to have the Senior Citizen Board going on. The Civil Service Board meeting was scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled. It's good to have the Citizens Board going on. The Civil Service Board meeting was scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled. Okay, so, no Civil Service Board for all you fans out there, but the Transportation Commission will meet at 5 pm at the Community Services Building.
Speaker 3:They're going to be talking about the Burbank bus performance Now. The map I showed on there shows that between March and May their ridership had decreased on all three routes. So interesting. I also read in the fiscal year 2023-2024, the city received $7.4 million to fund the Burbank bus system. Now that includes the fixed route, the senior and disabled uh, and any active transportation, the complete streets plan project, first class, first street class for bike lane and front street bikeway. So we got a lot of money for that. You know that we're putting in in our half cent sales tax. I still like to see the Burbank bus system revamped. We could do better with it, but that's another battle of another day.
Speaker 3:There's also on Wednesday, because Wednesday's going to be a busy day. There's more on Wednesday this coming week than there was the entire last week. Altogether, wednesday there's also going to be a rent cap meeting on Wednesday from 5 to 7, 30 pm at Hotel Burbank, you know so, the old former Holiday Inn at 150 East Angelino. You might want to check out the video on our YouTube page if you want to see what is presented. It's going to be the same meeting that they had then but once again it's the same information. But you can go ask questions if you have a question that was not asked at that initial meeting. So we don't know what's going to happen yet. The council has not made any kind of decision. They're not leading one way or another. All that's going to be interesting to see what happens on these state propositions and see what happens with rent control and everything else. So we've got a lot of things to flex with that right now.
Speaker 3:But anyhow, get yourself heard. Find out information. Okay, easy to complain. Also easy to go find out things. Take an hour and go sit in a meeting. It does not. It's not a bad thing, but all it's now.
Speaker 3:At 5 pm on wednesday here's something fun for especially business owners and members of the Chamber of Commerce Community Chevrolet will be holding their 65th anniversary celebration and there will be a chamber mixer there until 7.30 pm. So if you're a member of the Chamber of Commerce, stop by Community Chevrolet. They'll celebrate their 65th anniversary. Chamber mixers are always fun A lot of members there, a lot of people you can mingle with. Anniversary chair mixes are always fun, a lot of members there, a lot of people you can mingle with. See what's going on. We want a thursday now. The advisory council on disabilities must be meeting, will be held via zoom from 1 30 to 3 pm, and then after that let's see.
Speaker 3:Also on thursday, we have ourselves a um rock hulu, wait, a Rock Hulu, wait a second Hulu. I mean Hula. Wow, what does that mean? Not only do we have Rock Hula returning to the Verdugo Aquatic Facility, but that's our word of the week. So once again, send an email to contest at myburbankcom. Use the word Hula H-U-L-A, not Hulu, like the streaming service Hula In the subject line, and we'll enter you for a $25 gift card. So there you go, it returns Anyhow. So Raku is going to return to the Verdugo Aquatic Facility from 4 to 6 pm. For adults 55 and older. This is a free event for swimming, dancing, music, food games, raffles and, of course, hula All right. And of course, hula Alright. At 6 pm.
Speaker 3:Thursday, the Infrastructure Oversight Board will meet at the Community Services Building. They're going to get an overview of the proposed downtown parking plan and the meters and update on facility improvements. Friday is Native American Day celebration, so go enjoy American dances, crafts, games and much more. It runs from 6.30 to 8pm at the Stout Canyon Nature Center. And guess what? Free. We love free, okay, the weekend.
Speaker 3:Saturday, the Kitten Fair returns to the Animal Shelter From 10am to 2 pm. We must have kittens galores in Burbank because there are so many kittens we have to do this every couple weeks. So go get a kitten. You know, unless you have a dog. If you have a dog, ask the dog first, Make sure it's okay. You know, cats and dogs living together is one long story.
Speaker 3:Sunday here's something interesting for you. There's going to be a hike, so you can join them on this Dosen-led hike, so you can join them on this docent-led hike and learn about the Verdugo Mountains and the wildlife that calls the mountains home. All ages are welcome and it goes from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm at the Stout Canyon Nature Center. So that's up there near the very top of Walnut. Go past the bell, it's at the top. So if you've never been up there before, it's really a really nice place, and they're also at the start of the trails right there too, so that's something for you to do.
Speaker 3:Okay, that brings us to the end. I know that makes you very happy, very happy. I know that makes you very happy, very happy. I get that, okay, and do a sound effect for you. Anyhow.
Speaker 3:That brings you to Craig's comment, and my comment tonight is about endorsements, because right now, all the candidates are counting endorsements, and I'm going to give you an example here of how ridiculous some of these endorsements are and how you really shouldn't even pay attention to them, because if you're relying on somebody wow, this person likes them I better vote for them. You know what? You're basically a fool, because endorsements are favors. Please endorse me. Okay, they probably have no idea what some of these people really stand for.
Speaker 3:Here's a good example the Burbank Teachers Association endorsed all the school board members running for re-election, and they endorsed them before the candidate filing period, so they had no idea who else was going to even run against them, but they endorsed the three people who were already on the school board. You tell me if that's a good system of endorsing. They never interviewed the other people because they endorsed them. And here's the thing they endorsed Steve Ferguson, who quit the board and is not even running. So you tell me about endorsements. There's things like the Burbank Republican Party. Okay, I'm not going to get into, you know the politics, but the Burbank Republican Party is not recognized by the Republican Party. I actually sent an email to the San Fernando chapter of the Republican Party to ask them about the Burbank Republican Party and why they had the views they had. They said we have nothing to do with them, we don't support them Anything. So once again, endorsements, you know, and you get these people in office and all the people in office to say, yeah, okay, put me down for endorsement, put me down for endorsement. And all the people in office just say, yeah, okay, put me down for endorsement, put me down for endorsement. You know, I really think you should do your homework Now.
Speaker 3:My Burbank has done a lot of podcasts with a lot of candidates. Our podcasts run about 40 to 50 minutes and we talk not only about their background and who they are and where they come from, but we bring up all the issues and let them say it in their own words. We don't cut them off. We let them talk. At the end they do their own little spiel for your vote. That's how you find out who to vote for. Do some research. Your vote is important. Your vote is important. Your vote is not only your right, but it's an obligation. Don't complain about things if you don't vote. Don't complain about how things run if you do vote and you didn't research your candidate. City council elections, school district elections actually do come down to a few votes. We're not talking millions of votes here. We're talking about very specific numbers. So find out about the candidates.
Speaker 3:Don't rely on somebody who was a mayor 20 years ago or somebody who was a congressman at one time or an assembly member at one time or some organization. I've heard the Democratic Club has like five or six members in it and after the election, where do they go? For four years they're gone. You don't even hear from them again. Why listen to these small groups of people when it's your vote, when it matters for you? Take the time. Research it's like the state measures too. We'll talk about the state measures another time. Research it's like the state measures too. We'll talk about the state measures another time.
Speaker 3:But it just really irritates me when people just don't spend the time to learn. It's sad that we have so many people who don't pay attention to the city council meetings and all the other meetings going on, but they're going to bitch Everybody's going to bitch about things until something happens in their neighborhood and then they're all going to race down to city council or the school board and sit there and complain and be the NIMBYs. I get it, that's how things work. But research the candidates, learn about the candidates. Who closest, who matches your view the closest? That's what you have to look into, and if you don't, and you're going by somebody else's word, you're basically voting on somebody's word, you're voting blind.
Speaker 3:So that's what I have to say about endorsements, and my Burbank does not endorse charitates. We never have, we never will. We may endorse for higher offices if somebody asks, but not for city, not for Burbank, not when there's newcomers. We don't know anything about them, we don't know their history, we don't know how they're going to act in a, in a situation. So we're not going to. You know, just say, vote for somebody because, oh, they did a good job before. Well, you know what? Maybe there's somebody out there who could do a better job and we don't know about them and they have no record and, yeah, we ended. We can hear them and interview everything else, but until they spend four years on the, on the, on the dais, that then you don't know really what they're gonna do. So that's why I always say you know, that's why my brain does not endorse the official endorsements.
Speaker 3:But on the other hand I think endorsements just don't mean anything. It's your opinion, it's your vote. It should be personal to you and it should be important to you. Anyhow, that's my opinion. Thank you for what it is. That's my comment.
Speaker 3:I get fired up on some of this stuff because I just hate to see sheep. I hate the sheep. That's why we do this show, because hopefully you know what's going on in the city every week, hopefully you understand what's going on in Burbank and not just, you know, get up in the morning, come home at night, I don't know, do your thing, but at least if you listen to the show maybe listen to your car on your way to work or your way home, or you're watching on YouTube in the background or something at least you have an idea what's going on If you take that much time to at least hear what's going on in the city. Then take the time to figure out who you're going to vote for, be an informed voter and if you see these people around town and you will them then talk to them. Talk to them once they get elected. Talk to them. They're all good people, okay, and you have a right to talk to them. Okay, once again, off the soapbox, but it is my comment period, so there you go. Anyhow, that's it for another. The week that was the week that will be, as always.
Speaker 3:Please like and subscribe and consider a channel membership to help support us here at my Burbank. Channel memberships mean a lot. When we have a new video come out, we give them to the members first, you know, so they get a first shot at them. We really need stuff on our channel that you can get, you know, swag and stuff like that. But the support is it really helps us okay. We even have a little super likes in the bottom. You can find those on the screen. Send us a couple dollars. It'd be great. Any new support? This would be helpful. We love doing this, but it is an expensive proposition and they take time and money, so we would appreciate the support. That's it for another show For the week that was the week that will be. This is Craig Schubert, from the Command Center of MyBurbank, saying thank you for watching, thank you for listening if you're on the podcast platforms and we'll see you next week.
Speaker 2:Thank you're on the podcast platforms and we'll see you next week.