Candidate for
Council Member; City of Burbank

1. Airport- New Terminal and the Opportunity Site. I think that our city needs to be at the negotiating table regarding these issues and our residents need to have input in this process. The opportunity site will be very important to our city in the next 25 to 50 years. As a member of the Planning Board for our City, I cannot comment on a project that will be coming before the Planning Board. I'm open to listen to both issues and will thoroughly review both projects when they come before me. We need to make sure our resident's needs are met in both instances.

2. Budget- Our city budget will continue to be an ongoing work in process as we have projected future shortfalls. Maintaining safety through our police and fire department is priority one. How do we continue to pay for streets, infrastructure, services, programs for seniors, and maintain parking garages? We will either need to keep cutting our services if we continue down the present road or we must create new revenue sources to at least maintain our present day services that our residents expect. We should never have another cycle where our city streets are neglected for a long period of time.

3. Business- We need a strong business retention and business development department. It's very important to maintain a business relationship with our current partners within our city and make sure their needs are being met as our city evolves. We need to take a strong look at our approximate 19% vacancy rate and look at that as an opportunity to meet budget short falls. If we do not build another building, but reduce that 19% rate, it will have a strong positive impact on our city budget. Our Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful source to partner with to help achieve these goals.

4. Traffic- Projects that are under parked and mixed use projects that impact our residential neighborhoods. As property is recycled within our city, we need to continue to protect our residential neighborhoods. Our city needs to explore shared parking programs more in-depth and detail. As our city continues to change, we need to be mindful of traffic and traffic patterns as those patterns continue to change. We must be diligent in our constant pursuit of live, work, bike, walk and or public transportation modes as we address new development opportunities.

5. Sustainability- We need to think about our future as more and more of our resources are depleted. Our city currently meets the mandates for renewable energy. As we move into the future, a decision will need to be made as to which energy sources, (wind, solar and geothermal) will be the most cost effective solutions for our residents. Delivering this energy in the most effective and consistent way is vital. Finding a combination of resources while finding a balance for our environment and our residents will be essential. It should be priority that we expand our recycled water program so that all of our schools, parks, and large business campuses are delivered recycled water to irrigate fields, etc.

6. Schools- Working hand in hand with our School District to maintain our California Distinguished School status should always be a priority. Having flexibility and a cross over relationship for both athletic and academic needs is valuable, such as joint the use agreement between our city and school district for the use of athletic fields. School Resource Officers, (SRO) should be a priority to our city and School District.

7. Land Use- Land Use Issues will continue to be a point of controversy. Our city is virtually 100 percent built out, as properties turn over and are recycled; we need to make sure these properties have the right uses for our city and residents in today's world as it relates to the city's General Plan. For example, if a property owner is given a right to build a restaurant where a restaurant never existed and parking is a challenge, this could be a potential impact to the area and residents. Having a real estate background to understand land use is important. As a current member of the Planning Board we listen to our residents needs, work with our city staff and work on major projects within our city. I believe this knowledge and experience is an important benefit to our residents.