Letter to the Editor:
Just over 100 days ago, I took my oath of office and was sworn in as your City Councilmember. While there has been much to learn in my short time on the City Council, I feel increasingly optimistic that our community is well-positioned to build back strong from this unprecedented public health and economic crisis.
As a candidate, I advocated for the creation of a Burbank Economic Recovery Taskforce. Last month, the City Council voted unanimously to re-purpose one of our existing sub-committees and create an Economic Recovery Sub-Committee comprised of Vice Mayor Talamantes, Councilmember Springer, and city staff. Earlier this week, the Sub-Committee hosted their first community meeting with restaurant owners and operators.
The Sub-Committee will work over the following months to ensure that we adopt comprehensive economic recovery plans for Burbank that balance the protection of employees and the public, with the continued economic livelihood of our community.
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. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, April 5th.
Additionally, we’re 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.
Finally, we have vaccinated our firefighters, police officers, teachers, and many of our frontline workers. However, there is much more work to do, including: adding affordable housing options, addressing our unhoused population, and continuing our sustainability efforts. Regardless, City Council has shown we’re ready to tackle these problems in the days and months ahead.
Nick Schultz
Councilman Schultz:
I voted for you.
That said, there is a large white space here and that relates to the major backlog of the permit/plan check workflow at the City.
The Tinhorn Flats saga has been a very time-consuming and extremely expensive exercise that I do not support at all. The County and City are both in lawsuits which is a duplication in my view and the City has dropped the ball on accelerating plan checks for new business starts. Too busy spanking the Tinhorn people? The same staff names that work plan check pop up on the Tinhorn Flats project…so perhaps get back to business and stop delaying new business starts…?
The City has focused too much on handouts and freebies and should remember that the City is currently operating at a deficit that’s millions of dollars. Taxpayers are going to have the face the music on that and the only solution I see is:
1. Higher taxes (no thank you)
2. Helping all new businesses open at warp speed (yes please)
The City is not accomplishing 2.
The needless delays in approving new business remodeling is hurting property owners who are unable lease until basics like ADA upgrades are approved and completed. I know if one such property owner who has been waiting since January.
Please add to the agenda at every Council meeting the needed solutions for opening new businesses to fill the hundreds of commercial vacancies.
With that we can all rest assured taxes will not rise and we will have the City’s budget back in the black sooner than later.
Dear neighbors, please review the City’s spending here: https://burbankca.opengov.com/data/#/1296/query=03C2F7B458764DE4B134A502AED44A07&embed=n
You will be quite astonished. CalPERS represents 36.83%
Look at the rest…
The City did not take a haircut and the budget is bleeding red ink badly.
Let’s get new businesses up and running today…without 8 to 12 week plan check delays.
Wow…Christopher thank you for sharing the link to the City’s spending. I think the city needs to move on from the Tin Horn Flats issue (like Ventura County did for a few of their businesses) unless they want to lose another small business that brings revenue to the city. Start opening new businesses or try to bring back some that we lost during 2020.
I don’t see how the opinion that the city council has taken too much time with Tinhorn flats is valid when they have been dragging their feet to take action and have accomplished nothing. The right course of action is to take stronger measures to keep them closed, and then move on from this nonsense as quickly as possible. The fact that a business is being allowed to operate illegally here is a blight on Burbank and the city council (especially if Schultz and the other members want us to take them seriously moving forward).
Chris, indoor dining has reopened in Burbank. Other than to expend taxpayer dollars, I see no point to a protracted litigation. A “blight” on the community is an interesting word choice. I am not a customer of Tinhorn Flats but I am a taxpayer and have zero interest in seeing taxes going up yet again. Our local sales tax has been a problem for large-ticket product sellers such as car dealers. You may wish to speak with them as I have. Crushing Tinhorn Flats at this point serves no public benefit and protects no one.
Councilman Schultz,
I voted for you as well. Thank you for this letter. It hopefully aids our community during these challenging times.
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