Ramos elected city mayor

CITY HALL — Six-year City Council veteran Marsha Ramos was unanimously elected mayor Tuesday during a ceremony that bid farewell to two outgoing council members and installed two new members on the dais.

Once newly elected members Gary Bric and Anja Reinke assumed the seats vacated by Mayor Todd Campbell and Jef Vander Borght, the reorganized council's first action was to unanimously elect Ramos.

Dave Golonski, who has served on the council for 14 years, was unanimously voted vice mayor.

In an emotional farewell, Campbell and Vander Borght, who both opted against reelection bids, were treated to gifts commemorating their council terms and heard an outpouring of gratitude and support from their colleagues.

"You've brought a lot of ideas and leadership to this council and to this community," Golonski said.

"And I just want you to know that your ideas and leadership will last much longer than your service — and they will continue on, as a wave of benefit to the community."

Others praised the enthusiasm Campbell brought to his job as head of the city's governing body, noting the strides that the city has made during his mayoral term.

"I know the work of the mayor is not always easy," Ramos said.

"It's very time-consuming … and certainly you gave it plenty of energy."

Remarks from City Manager Mary Alvord outlined several legacy projects that were accomplished under Campbell's watch, including the dedication of the Mary Alice O'Connor Family Center, the crafting of a draft plan to move toward environmental and economic sustainability in Burbank and the groundbreaking on the long-awaited Community Services Building.

Vander Borght, who served as Burbank's mayor from 2005 to 2006, was praised during the festivities as a driving force behind improving public transportation in Burbank.

"You really brought on Burbank Bus," Campbell said.

"You brought it on and you brought it on with steam. And thankfully we have great, great colleagues who also have a vision and we were able to support that vision."

Before Bric and Reinke took their oaths of office, Campbell offered his well-wishes to the freshman council members.

"I am confident that you will excel and lead our city to new heights," he said.

At the end of the proceedings, the council adjourned to its yearly goal-setting workshop, which takes place in Council Chambers at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

In her first address as mayor, Ramos anticipated the challenges that will confront the new council and expressed optimism for the future.

"Burbank, I believe, is a place of heart," she said.

"A place where our citizens have strived for generations to enhance the well being of all members of our community…. I believe that today this city and all its good citizens are once again ready to put aside the political differences and renew a common commitment to building a very healthy city."

QUESTION

What are the most pressing issues will this newly formed City Council have to confront? E-mail your responses to burbankleader @latimes.com; mail them to the Burbank Leader, 221 N. Brand Blvd., 2nd Floor, Glendale, CA 91203. Please spell your name and include your address and phone number for verification purposes only.