City Clerk

Many of the activities operated in our park and recreational areas really are public-private partnerships in one way or another (think tennis at McCambridge Park, the golf course, the Colony Theatre and The Castaway). Perhaps we should take a careful look every few years to review where we are with them to ensure that we don't push them to a point of diminishing returns when fiscal and neighborhood quality of life values are considered. What do you suggest? A lot of city business is covered in closed meetings.

Group is set to work on reviewing, revamping the document controlling city functions, organizations. DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- The city's Charter Review Committee will get to work beginning Monday on a revamp of city functions and organization that could reform city government. Recommendations of the 15-member committee will be put before voters for approval in the 2007 election. "Anything we write, it's not only for us [on the committee]," committee Chairwoman Carolyn Jackson said.

Freedom of speech not 'squeezed' out I find David W. Gordon's community commentary, "Public comment is under siege," May 18, most interesting with respect to free speech at Burbank City Council meetings. After learning the City Council's agenda on May 24 included the consideration of adopting new building standards in R-1 and R-1-H single-family residential zones, I believed this was a meeting not to be missed. I am not a regular at City Council meetings, but I observed that every person who submitted a card to the City Clerk was given the opportunity to speak.

Mark R. Madler With the city's first all-mail ballot primary behind her, City Clerk Margarita Campos is hoping the second go at the system on Tuesday will go smoother. Voters will select two City Council members from a field of two incumbents and two challengers and two new school board members from a field of four. For the general election Tuesday, Campos has doubled the number of workers who verify ballots with a signature comparison, sort the ballots by precinct and inspect them for damage so they can be scanned properly.

Carolyn Berlin In the Saturday, March 26-27 issue of the Leader, you asked for recommended changes to the Burbank City Charter. Below are three suggestions and comments: 1. The elected city clerk should be given more latitude and responsibility in carrying out election responsibilities. As our elections official, the elected city clerk should be able to interpret the municipal code regarding elections. If there is an ordinance that calls for an election under certain circumstances, our city clerk should be able to call for an election by the people.

A job well done by city clerk's office The Burbank city clerk, Margarita Campos, and her fine staff are to be highly commended for the great job they did in the primary election. Although the all-mail-in process had been used before for a Burbank special election, this was the first time this election system has been used for a primary election, presenting a number of challenges for the city clerk's office. First, of course, was the need to inform the voters about the new process, and numerous innovative approaches were taken by the office to reach out to the voters to educate them as to the requirements of this process.

Mark R. Madler With a chance to give themselves a raise, City Council members decided instead to use a proposed salary increase for the city clerk and city treasurer. All told, the council approved at its Tuesday meeting $827,000 in raises for unionized employees, unrepresented managers, appointed officials, the clerk and treasurer. Councilman Todd Campbell suggested that he and his fellow council members forego a raise to their $975 monthly salary to set an example during struggling economic times.

The city is accepting applications for appointment to the Charter Review Committee. It is anticipated that the committee will have 11 members who will meet as often as necessary to complete a review of the city's charter, and make specific recommendations for changes. Any changes to the charter must be placed before the voters. Applications can be picked up at the city clerk's office at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. The forms are also available on the city's Web site, www.ci.

Tim Willert After two decades with the city, Management Services Director John Nicoll is moving on. Nicoll is leaving next month to become chief deputy executive officer for Ventura County, where he will be responsible for labor relations and risk management. "It is an opportunity to expand my career," Nicoll, 54, said Thursday. "I get to focus specifically on something I enjoy, the labor relations aspect of government relations." Nicoll, who has been Burbank's director of management services since 1988, oversees the department's administration, employee relations and risk management divisions.

Laura Sturza As a member of the city's Landlord-Tenant Commission, Janis Bunch has mediated disputes between renters and landlords, and assisted with concerns ranging from rent increases to mold problems. "I do it because I do want to help the people of the city of Burbank," said Bunch, who said she is well-versed in relevant laws since she worked in the property- management field for 30 years. Bunch is among nearly 100 unpaid locals appointed by the City Council to serve on the city's boards, commissions and committees.