18. September 2008 by Ana Connell.

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8. September 2008 by Ana Connell.

Sunday it was announced that the government, through the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was making the landmark, although not altogether unanticipated, decision to take over the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA-Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).  After suffering from the biggest number of mortgage defaults in 30 years, the two giants are in serious danger of failing and delivering a major blow on the already stressed housing market .  In a nutshell, they’re worried the mortgage market will fall apart.  The end goal is to restore confidence, mainly abroad and at home, for those financial institutions that hold these companies’ securities.  Read more….

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10. December 2007 by Ana Connell.

Items of note from the last Burbank City Council meeting:

• The council unanimously approved to hire American Homeland Solutions in order to review the Burbank Police Department’s organizational structure and make recommendations.  The review is expected to take 6 months and is part of an ongoing review process that occurs every 5 years.
• The Joslyn Adult Center was renamed for Mary Brady, a volunteer who donated her time and activism to the center for 24 years.
• The council unanimously approved the seismic retrofitting of the Police Pistol Range, Starlight Amphitheater and Fire Station 16.  The cost of the repairs is slightly over $1 million dollars and will comply with state mandates.

Items of note for this week’s City Council meeting:

• Report on the city’s financial status.
• Continuation of Energy Efficient Programs-In addition to continuing the Business Bucks program the city is considering distributing energy efficient light bulbs to all city addresses.
• Acceptance of $3,336 from US Department of Justice-For the purchase of bullet proof vests.

The Burbank City Council meets at City Council Chambers in City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. Tuesday at 6:00pm.

Don’t forget that you can watch the City Council meetings live on Charter Communications Channel 6 or online at City of Burbank’s website.

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20. November 2007 by Ana Connell.

Items of note from the last Burbank City Council meeting:

• Quiet zone was established on the Metrolink Ventura Subdivision at Buena Vista Street and Vanowen crossing. Vote was unanimous.
• The new California building and fire codes were unanimously adopted. Because of past complaints this ordinance will change the Burbank Municipal Code with respect to construction hours. The new hours will be Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No work will be allowed on Sundays and holidays. For homeowners working on their own houses, they will be allowed to work on Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Unanimous adoption of the wind power agreement between Burbank and the Pebble Springs Wind project in Oregon. Through these and other efforts our power rates could increase less than 1% next year.

Items of note for this week’s City Council meeting:

• New Area Code update-Staffers to update the Burbank City Council about the October 22nd held by the California Public Utilities Commission to seek public comment and input on this issue.
• Citizen’s Option for Public Safety(Cops) Grant-The City of Burbank received a $207,000 grant from the state for the Cops program which provides funding for local law enforcement agencies.
• Alley Vacation-Conditional vacation requested for the alley near the 3800 block of Olive Avenue. This vacation would allow the developer of a proposed 33,420 sq. ft. project to build 14 parking spaces. This will be a mixed use development with office space, restaurant and residential units.

The Burbank City Council meets at City Council Chambers in City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. Tuesday at 6:00pm.

Don’t forget that you can watch the City Council meetings live on Charter Communications Channel 6 or online at City of Burbank’s website.

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5. November 2007 by Ana Connell.

Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos gave a positive report on the state of Burbank.    In her annual State of the City address she emphasized how “robust”  Burbank’s economic outlook is along with with the City Council’s committment to maintain a community with positive opportunities for it’s residents.

Unemployment in  Burbank is at 3.9%, which is lower than the California state average of 5.3%.  Mayor Ramos highlighted that five years ago the median price of a home was $256,000, today it’s $650,000 and that despite the current downturn area prices remain an excellent investment.

Focus was given to the communications system that allows police, fire and other safety agencies to remain in contact during emergencies.  It was also mentioned that the Lake/Alameda area will get a walking path with lighting, native plants and doggie stations.

Items of note for this week’s City Council meeting:

Study session for Downtown parking.  Looking for ways to improve shopping and parking in the downtown area.

Platt Project - Rick Platt, developer of the project, a planned 220 residential units and 20,451 sq. ft. of shops at 3400 Olive, filed for bankruptcy.   City has the right to terminate the current agreement, staff is expected to recommend that council waive the cancellation hearings.

Last week the council did approve the purchase of 5 new Compressed Natural Gas buses(City will receive a $1M+ grant from LA County MTA with a local match of $450,000).

Also approved was the landscaping of portions of Downtown Burbank with $355,000 in redevelopment funds.

The Burbank City Council meets at City Council Chambers in City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. Tuesday at 6:00pm.

Don’t forget that you can watch the City Council meetings live on Charter Communications Channel 6 or online at City of Burbank’s website.

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