Present-

Council Members Campbell, Golonski and Ramos.

Absent - - - -

Council Members Murphy and Vander Borght.

Also Present -

Ms. Alvord, City Manager; Mr. Barlow, City Attorney; and, Mrs. Campos, City Clerk.  Supervisor Antonovich, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, was also present.

Oral

Communications

Mayor Ramos called for oral communications on Closed Session matters at this time.

Citizen

Comment

Appearing to comment were Howard Rothenbach, on the County Sales Tax Initiative; and, Mike Nolan, expressing appreciation to Supervisor Antonovich on behalf of veterans with parking problems at the Disabled American Veterans hospital and on traffic congestion at the Barham Corridor.

County Sales

Tax Initiative

Mayor Ramos requested an update on the County Sales Tax Initiative as several changes had been made to the proposal presented to the Board of Supervisors.  Supervisor Antonovich delineated the amendments, noting that the Initiative was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Antonovich voting �no.�  He explained his position on the vote, including his belief that the County currently has funds available if resources would be reallocated.  Anna Pembedjian, Justice Deputy, discussed the Initiative in detail. Ms. Alvord, City Manager, inquired whether fire services were included in the proposal, and Ms. Pembedjian responded that County Counsel determined that fire services would qualify under public safety, noting if the Initiative passed, Los Angeles County would have the highest Sales Tax rate in the State at 8.75 percent.

Mr. Golonski noted his understanding that the funds were contingent upon a maintenance of service provision to provide additional levels of service, not existing levels, and therefore Burbank, which currently funds at adequate levels, would be penalized.

West Nile

Virus

Dr. Nandini Sodhi, Area Medical Director, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, reported that as of July 16, 2004, seven cases of the West Nile Virus had been reported in Los Angeles County, noting most of the cases were in the eastern parts of the County. She stated that at the present time, the County is only collecting dead birds from areas specified under the State-wide surveillance plan, including the 91506 zip code in Burbank.  She added that infection to humans is through an infected mosquito bite and briefly explained the symptoms, noting that only about one percent of those infected will get serious illnesses such as meningitis or encephalitis.  She emphasized the importance of clearing drainages and educating the public to ensure that mosquito breeding sites are eliminated. She also suggested precautionary measures such as wearing long sleeves and using mosquito repellent containing DEET when outdoors after dusk.

Dr. Brit Oiulfstad, Medical Epidemiologist, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, agreed that the best way to address the issue is through prevention, such as public education through neighborhood watch groups.  She then briefly discussed the virus� effect on horses, noting infected horses have been found in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.  She encouraged the City to work with the Vector Control District on the matter.  Ms. Alvord inquired about initiating mosquito control spraying and Dr. Oiulfstad responded that spraying is done through the Vector Control District, adding that residents have the option of declining to have their property sprayed.  Mr. Campbell expressed his concerns with the use of DEET, especially by children, but agreed that at the present time there is no effective alternative. Dr. Oiulfstad stated that the only problems so far with the use of DEET have been due to massive overdoses. 

Mr. Campbell inquired as to the best course of action for the City with regard to stagnant water in parks, and Dr. Oiulfstad responded that the City should work with the Greater Los Angeles Mosquito Abatement District for suggestions.  Mr. Feng, Deputy City Manager/Capital Projects and Public Works, inquired as to the long-range forecast for the virus, and Dr. Sodhi responded that the virus will remain indefinitely, but as younger people are infected, they will develop antibodies.

Chandler Blvd.

Bikeway

Ms. Alvord distributed an informational packet on the Chandler Boulevard Bikeway project which has been completed in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Human Relations

Recognition �

Teens in Action

and Police-Youth

Relations

Mayor Ramos summarized the Teens in Action program, noting that one of their projects focused on producing videos on topics of interest to teenagers.  She added that one such project is a video on prejudice and discrimination, and stated that the teens are currently seeking ways to distribute it within the community.  Mr. Bratton, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director, commented on the efforts of the Police-Youth Relations team, including the upcoming National Night Out event scheduled for August 3, 2004 at Johnny Carson Park.  He outlined the projects undertaken by the team, including the Ball-B-Q event and campus forums which allow the teens to have an open dialogue with Police Officers in order to build positive relationships and interaction with law enforcement.  Ms. Alvord added that the impetus for the program came from the youth summits conducted by the City where teens prioritized their issues of importance, one of which was the relationship between youth and law enforcement.  She noted that one of the videos, a segment on drugs and alcohol, recently received an Emmy Award nomination, and that the videos serve another youth priority which is communicating youth-related issues.  Supervisor Antonovich discussed the John Hanson Ford Award and stated that the County will be conducting a recognition ceremony in a month�s time.  Mayor Ramos stated that Burbank�s Teens in Action program exemplified a good collaborative program between the police and youth.

Status of County

Health Center

Building on

Magnolia Blvd.

Mayor Ramos inquired as to the status of the County health center located on Magnolia Boulevard.  Dr. Sodhi responded that budget constraints compelled the County to consolidate the health services formerly provided at the Burbank site to the Glendale site.  She added that the facility is currently occupied by environmental health staff and public health nurses who deal with high-risk pregnancies.  Ms. Alvord inquired whether it was the County Health Department�s intention to continue those services at the Burbank location, and Dr. Sodhi responded in the affirmative.

Maglev Project

Mayor Ramos stated that a Council subcommittee has been appointed on the issue of the Maglev project.  Supervisor Antonovich stated that the County has initiated discussions with cities on the Maglev project and noted that:  the project was in the conceptual stages; the matter was currently before a conference committee in Washington, D.C.; and, funding is currently available for design and engineering through a research and development portion of Federal legislation.  He added that with technology advancement, such a transportation system is valid to develop if cost effective.

Mr. Golonski expressed concern with the argument that the project will alleviate congested corridors, noting that the current target route is to Ontario Airport.  Supervisor Antonovich responded that the Board of Supervisors is advocating for expanding the project to the Antelope Valley, recognizing traffic congestion at airports.  He noted that providing better means of transportation to the Antelope Valley makes sense with the Maglev system.  Mr. Golonski noted the high cost of developing the initial spur to Ontario Airport and inquired as to the time frame for such a service to Palmdale.  Supervisor Antonovich responded that such concerns are the reason for developing a program which will engage the region�s congressional delegation to advocate for the project. 

With regard to the Gold Line, Supervisor Antonovich expressed his desire for extending the service from the Marengo Station in Pasadena via Glendale to the Burbank Media Center, with a spur to the Red Line; and continuing the service to the U.S. 101 Freeway and Ventura County.  He noted the cost difference of 13.7 miles for $750 million versus the subway which produced 17 miles for $5 billion.  He also referenced the success of the Metrolink which provides service to several counties, noting 900,000 people use the Metrolink on a weekly basis.  He emphasized that utilizing the Gold Line and implementing the Maglev project are among the County�s interests. 

Mr. Campbell conveyed his concerns with the proposed Maglev project, noting his struggle with the strategy that the project will generate high passenger numbers for outlying airports.  He stated that the Arroyo-Verdugo Subregion Transportation Subcommittee is supportive of the County�s efforts of connecting the Gold Line to the Red Line.  He added that the Committee considers such projects as being much more cost effective and valuable than the Maglev system.

Mayor Ramos stated that the City�s concern with the Maglev project was its cost effectiveness and reasonable time frame for development.

9:05 A.M.

Mr. Golonski left the meeting at this time.

MTA Study of

County-wide

Dev. Impact Fee

to Fund Regional

Transportation Improvements

Jim de la Loza, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Executive Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, stated that the MTA has undertaken a Congestion Mitigation Fee Nexus Study which will seek input from cities in identifying how to fund regional and local priorities.

Brad McAllester, MTA Deputy Executive Officer/Long Range Planning and Coordination, noted the County�s population growth which will exacerbate traffic congestion.  He stated that the MTA is evaluating the feasibility of new development paying for construction of needed improvements.  He added that some counties have already implemented such fees and others are considering doing so, and that the MTA Board will also consider taking action to amend the Congestion Management Plan by adopting a regional development impact fee.

Mrs. Georgino, Community Development Director, stated that Burbank is conducting a nexus study for the City�s local fees and noted that the cumulative effect of a regional fee is of concern.  Mr. de la Loza responded that the County�s program will seek improvements County-wide tailored subregionally, which will benefit the cities as well as the heavy commute areas.

County

Transportation

Issues � Barham

Corridor/

Universal Studios

Dave Pilker, County Department of Public Works, Head, City and Unincorporated Area Services Programs Development Division, reported that the City of Los Angeles is acting as the lead agency and the City of Burbank as the Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for the project.  He stated that Phase I of the project involved the preparation of the Preliminary Traffic Study; Phase 2 involved the preparation of the Project Study Report; and, Phase 3 involved the preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and plans, specifications and estimate.  He noted that the EIR was certified and the project approved by the Los Angeles City Council on November 26, 2002.

Mr. Pilker explained that funding for the project has been provided from various sources, as follows: the Board of Supervisors approved a contribution of $43,333 in Proposition C funds for Phase 1, and $100,000 for Phase 3 was provided by Universal Studios and Warner Bros.  He added that the street improvements on the east and west side of Cahuenga Boulevard at Barham Boulevard, the widening of  Barham Boulevard at Coral Drive, the signal improvements, and widening at Odin Street and Cahuenga Boulevard are being funded by $1.2 million in grant funds from the MTA�s 2001 Call for Projects.  He noted that the remaining street improvements and the bridge widening at Barham Boulevard over the U.S. 101 freeway from 48 feet to 60 feet were anticipated to be funded by grant funds through the MTA�s 2003 Call for Projects; however, since the MTA cancelled the 2003 Call for Projects, the City of Los Angeles is continuing its efforts to identify funding for the project.

On behalf of Mr. Golonski, Ms. Alvord requested that representatives from the County Health Department make a presentation on the West Nile Virus at an upcoming Council meeting, and Supervisor Antonovich agreed. 

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 a.m.

                                               Margarita Campos, City Clerk