NEW SAFETY ZONE
The City Council on Tuesday will consider approving a new Fire Hazard Severity Zone to better address recent state building codes for structures that border wild lands.
The Wildland-Urban Interface Codes from the state Building Commission took effect in January and require new structures that abut wildfire-prone areas to use ignition-resistant materials and construction standards.
While city officials already enforce the new rules, the boundaries of so-called urban wildland interface would be re-established under the new ordinance, reflect new state modeling and replace what is now called the Mountain Fire Zone.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The council, having already approved two previous code amendments to comply with and better address the state regulations, will likely approve the ordinance.
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to fill 24 seats on six civic boards and commissions.
Vacancies are on the Senior Citizen Board, the Community Development Goals Committee, the Traffic and Transportation Committee, Heritage Commission, Civic Pride Committee and Art in Public Places Committee — all of which have two to five open seats with terms that expire June 1.
Four of the six commissions have four-year terms, with the remaining seats limited to two years. The deadline to apply for the seats was May 2.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The City Council is expected to tackle the appointment process in time for the civic volunteers, some of whom could include incumbents, to take their seats June 1.
161 STUDY
City attorneys will update the council on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority’s ongoing quest to obtain federal approval for a nighttime curfew on flights in and out of Bob Hope Airport.
The application, supported through the Part 161 Study, is in its public review and comment period before being sent to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Council members will be updated on the status of the application before they discuss how to better facilitate the process.
The special airport counsel, Robert Kirsch, will also be at the meeting to answer questions and provide input.
WHAT TO EXPECT
While it is too early for the public or the airport authority’s members to send any direct communication to the FAA regarding the application, the council will likely discuss how to better engage the public and facilitate a positive federal review.
TRANSIT FUNDING
A new master agreement between the city and the California Department of Transportation is slated to go to the council Tuesday for final consideration.
It would replace the existing 1997 agreement and include new terms that would better position the city to receive federal transportation funds through Caltrans.
The agreement would establish terms and conditions regarding the operation and maintenance of a completed project.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The City Council will likely approve the new agreement so as to capture future federal funds for local transportation projects.
