PURPOSE

At the November 8^th, 2005 City Council meeting, Council Member Dave Golonski requested an update on local assistance efforts to aid the victims of Hurricanes in the Gulf states region. Prior to taking any formal action, this item has been placed on the agenda as the first step in a two step process, for additional Council discussion and consideration.   

BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc in the early Fall of 2005. The human, infrastructure, and economic impacts have been huge and recovery efforts will continue for years to come. The immediate and long term costs associated with recovery are staggering and will run into billions of dollars. As with most disasters, the federal government will shoulder much of the cost through the Federal Emergency Management Agency�s (FEMA) public and individual assistance programs

Council Member Golonski indicated in a September 13^th, 2005 request that he would like to assess the possibility of the City assisting with some type of relief effort that would be directed towards the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  This report is an update of City, labor, and community efforts since the initial staff report to the City Council was presented on September 27^th, 2005.

Staff initially surveyed the cites of Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, Inglewood, and Santa Monica to see what, if anything, those municipalities were doing to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The result of that survey were included in the September 27^th, staff report. Staff has not resurveyed those cities for this update. A current summary of Burbank�s efforts are listed below.

City of Burbank

Almost immediately following the realization of Katrina�s devastating impacts, various City departments, labor groups, and community partners began efforts to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The following list provides a synopsis of known efforts to date as well as actions that are planned in the future.

• The Community Development Department made contingency plans for the potential housing of evacuees that might relocate to Burbank.

• The Burbank Firefighters Local 778 made an initial $10,000 donation and conducted a three day �fill the boot� event. Proceeds went to the Bush/Clinton relief efforts as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters to assist more than 2000 displaced firefighters who were victims of the hurricane.  Also, firefighters personally donated money to the relief fund. 

• The Burbank Police Department �adopted� the Waveland, Mississippi Police Department and supplied them with surplus law enforcement equipment, food and clothing. Also, they worked with a local business man to donate two brand new patrol cars.  The Burbank Police Officers Association funded the shipping costs associated with this effort. $800 was collected from Police Department staff.

• The Burbank Police and Fire Departments supported NBC and the Red Cross in holding two �fill the boot� fundraising drives the first week of September. The drives were held in the AMC Plaza and a total of $124,000 was raised. The Burbank Management Association assisted in helping to raise the awareness level of these events.

• The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers collected over $3,000 at a Labor Day rally and the Burbank City Employees Association contributed $3,100 and new clothing towards helping the victims.

• To the extent possible, the City continues to work with and support local citizens and businesses, including 11 year old resident Matt Smith, in their own fundraising activities.

• The City of Burbank, through the efforts of the Community Development Department, was a partner with NBC News �Today� and Warner Music Group as part of the Make a Difference Today project. The project, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity,  involved framing six houses on a vacant lot across from NBC which were then transported to the Gulf Region for completion and eventual ownership by a family in need. The houses were delivered to the disaster area the first week of October. Local community and labor organizations including Burbank Firefighter�s Local 778 volunteered their time in the building process.

FISCAL IMPACT

As the first step in the two-step agenda process, this item is being presented for discussion and additional Council direction only.  There is no fiscal impact as a result of this agenda item.  The decision made by Council as a result of this report will determine future fiscal impacts and potential costs.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Council initiate discussion on the possibility of providing relief assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and provide direction for future action.

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