The purpose of this report is to receive City Council approval to telecast on Channel 6 statements for or against Measure L, on an on-going basis, until the Burbank Primary Election on February 25, 2003.

The State's Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act authorizes the awarding of library construction grants on a competitive basis to communities for new or expanded library facilities. The maximum grant is $20 million per project or 65 percent of the cost of the construction with a local match of 35 percent. It is the intent of the Library Services Department to apply for a grant to construct a new Central Library.

The B.U.I.L.D. (Burbank United in Library Development) Committee, comprised of twenty-four residents active in the community, recommended that the City's 35 percent local match would need to be financed through the authorization of general obligation bonds. These bonds would be used to finance the local match required by the State Grant to construct a new Central Library and to finance the entire construction costs of building a new Northwest Branch Library.

In January 2002 and on November 5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 26^th, Council approved and authorized the planning element of the grant application by entering into a PSA with CWA, AIA, the appointment of a financial team, a budget amendment up to $25,000 for a Communications Consultant, a Resolution determining that public interest and necessity demand the acquisition, construction and completion of a new Central Library and the completion of a New Northwest Branch Library and the submission of a measure for incurring bonded indebtedness for inclusion on the February 25, 2003 Primary Nominating Election Ballot, now known as Measure L, and an opinion by the City Attorney.

The General Obligation bonds proposed to finance the local match for a new Central Library and to finance a new Northwest Branch Library shall not exceed $14 million. These bonds are contingent upon receiving the State Grant and will not be issued if the Grant is not awarded to the City of Burbank.

Currently, as in the past, Channel 6 is running candidate statements. In the interest of educating the public on the pros and cons of Measure L, so that they can make an informed decision at the polls, Measure L should have the same opportunity to be heard on a Citywide basis.

The weekly Burbank Close-Up program, currently produced by the Public Information Office, would be an appropriate vehicle to air discussion of this issue. This program can be shown several times a day, up to the February 25, 2003 primary election.

It is important to note that no opposing viewpoint has been filed with the City Clerk.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Since the weekly Burbank Close-Up program is currently funded and is using existing resources, there will be no additional fiscal impact on the City�s budget.

Staff recommends that Council give approval to telecast on Channel 6 statements for or against Measure L, on an on-going basis, until the Burbank Primary Election on February 25, 2003.

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