City Manager

CITY HALL — Michael Flad, a nearly lifelong Burbank professional, became the city’s 15th city manager Tuesday night as a throng of well-wishers who filled council chambers praised the newest executive. “I’m confident Mike will do a fine job helping to lead this city,” Councilwoman Anja Reinke said. “His spirit is imbued with the spirit of Burbank.” As city manager, Flad faces a host of short- and long-term issues that will demand his attention.

As the sister to three brothers, Mary Alvord learned to hold her own at an early age. Now, Alvord presides over Burbank as its city manager and is the Zonta Club’s 2007 Woman of the Year. “It’s a huge honor,” she said. “I’ve had a very fulfilling career, so this is very exciting, like icing on a cake.” The Zonta Club, an organization of executives and professionals dedicated to improving the status of women, will honor Alvord on Nov. 3 at The Castaway Restaurant.

RADIO AGREEMENT The City Council unanimously authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communication System, a collaboration of Southern California law enforcement agencies, fire services and health professionals. As part of the new communication system, Burbank is in a position to vote for members of the system board next month. The city also granted its manager the opportunity to opt out if the system does not live up to the agreement.

Burbank City Manager Bud Ovrom was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday to head that city's Community Redevelopment Agency, starting March 3. Ovrom's last day as city manager will be March 1, but he will continue to live in Burbank, he said. "There's a lot of comfort level with being in the same job for 18 years," Ovrom said. "It's got to be a little scary for any type of change, and L.A. is definitely big city politics."

David Gordon A not-so-innocent, yet innocent-sounding amendment to Burbank's Charter (Measure 2) has made its way through the corridors of City Hall, the City Council chambers and on to the ballot of the city's Tuesday election. What voters are being told, according to the "impartial" analysis offered by the city attorney, is that the amendment will, "eliminate obsolete language, provide consistency, and clarify the powers and duties of certain departments, boards and employees."

At an event designed like a Hollywood gala -- replete with spotlights, a red-carpet entrance and former city manager Bud Ovrom's name on the marquee -- people attending Ovrom's farewell dinner who didn't know his background got an earful. "He is, by far, the most obsessive-compulsive person I know," said Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird, who was Monrovia's assistant city manager when Ovrom was its city manager. "Coupled with that, he is a tremendous hypochondriac."

Ryan Carter After three years as director of Park, Recreation and Community Services, Mike Flad is moving up. Flad has been appointed assistant city manager and will begin his new duties effective today, City Manager Mary Alvord said Tuesday. "I think he is the right person at the right time," said Alvord, who selected Flad last week following a lengthy recruitment process. "I think he has got a wealth of experience that varies from a stint in finance to risk management."

A month ago, I sent a copy of the same letter that appeared in the Burbank Leader Community Forum on Feb. 27 to each council member and the Burbank city manager. This letter as about the lack of MTA bus stops within the Burbank Empire Center. I thought my fellow Burbank citizens should be aware of the responses I received from the Burbank city manager and the City Council members: Zilch. Zero. Nada. Not one of these Burbank city officials had the decency to even pick up the telephone and call me. Not one of them has had the decency to answer the letter I sent to them.

ON THE AGENDA The following items will be discussed at Tuesday?s Burbank City Council meeting: ? The council is slated to consider a bill that would halt construction on all projects in Burbank that require the use of water. Councilman David Gordon has put forth the suggestion, which comes in the face of record water shortages in the region. Some have partly blamed the shortage on increased construction throughout California. WHAT TO EXPECT Community Development staff members are seeking direction from the council and, if directed, are due to come back with more definitive plans for a possible moratorium at a future meeting.

Lolita Harper BURBANK -- If council members were having trouble putting food on their tables before, they can rest a little easier. Burbank voters narrowly passed Measure 1 on Tuesday 4,996 votes (52%) to 4,615 votes, approving a 5% increase in City Council member's salaries -- equaling $44 more per month. In addition to the pay raise, voters overwhelmingly approved a number of changes in the Burbank City Charter, as proposed by Measure 2. The measure passed with more than 62% of the vote -- 5,798 to 3,486.

Hooray for you. I for one will stand behind your objection to the city not revealing detailed information on employee bonuses. This money belongs to the citizens of Burbank and the bonuses need to be revealed. This is not the time for anyone to be getting bonuses, raises, etc. People are struggling to get by and without a doubt these bonuses will create higher utility rates down the road. I am very disappointed in our city manager. Glendale has the right attitude, as I know from when I was employed there.

City employees could receive up to $1.89 million in bonuses this year, even after City Hall for the first time tapped a rainy-day fund this summer to cover a multimillion-dollar budget gap. Facing a $5.8-million deficit in June, the City Council approved a plan that included spending cuts, fee hikes and taking $1.44 million from the city's rainy-day fund. Another $1.25 million was diverted from library and police programs — less than the budget for employee bonuses. Still, City Manager Mike Flad said the bonuses are how the city has long decided to compensate its employees.

City officials this week veered toward hiring a police auditor who would report internal issues to the Police Commission — sidestepping a recommendation from two high-priced consultants in favor of a proposal that would keep more of the existing players in place. Seven police commissioners joined the City Council on Tuesday in asking officials to return with several options, including two that received the majority of the discussion: one that would create an Office of Independent Investigation and Review, and one that would create the auditor, much like an inspector general.

To explore the outer limits of open government, look no further than Burbank City Hall, where there are things under lock and key that even City Council members aren't privileged to see. So powerful are state laws preventing disclosure of police personnel records that it appears only a handful of people are able to view the complete findings of a recent probe into allegations of misconduct at the Burbank Police Department. And even though it was the council who in January authorized the $200,000 needed for former San Luis Obispo Police Chief James Gardiner to conduct his investigation, they're not on that exclusive list.

DOWNTOWN — City officials failed to communicate internal police discrimination issues to the City Council and avoided attempts to address the problem, according to transcripts of depositions taken by attorneys representing five officers suing the department for civil rights violations. Former Mayor Marsha Ramos testified that she was instructed by the city attorney not to speak to anyone about the allegations months before they became public. She was told by then-City Manager Mary Alvord that the allegations would be handled within the confines of a police audit, according to interviews and a transcript of the deposition last month that was released last week.

Burbank Temporary Aid Center officials staged their seventh annual gala fundraiser at the Castaway honoring City Manager Mike Flad Mike Flad with Burbank’s Top Award for Citizenship Friday evening. As supporters crossed the threshold of the hillside banquet facility’s Verdugo Room they were thrust into the middle of an “Appetizer Showdown.” Local chefs from McCormick & Schmick’s, Morton’s — the Steakhouse, and Third and Olive were pitted against one another as they presented their signature hors d’oeuvres for guests to enjoy and then cast votes for their favorite.

DOWNTOWN — For Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the LAPD trusted with reforming the Burbank Police Department, the job has always been more about people than policy. “I have the background to be able to lead people toward good times,” said LaChasse, 61, who went on to serve as vice president of security and emergency services at Paramount Pictures Corp. “Too often, people in these situations think about themselves rather than saying, ‘Hey, this is bigger than just me.’ In a case like this you really have the need to subordinate yourself to the greater good.

The Burbank City Council meeting Nov. 3 was one of the most disgusting displays of municipal manipulation I have ever seen (“Police chief called out,” Nov. 4). It is abundantly clear the City Council, with the exception of Councilman David Gordon, is intent on using every method at their disposal to dismiss any attempt to hold the council responsible for what has been happening in our Police Department for years. Accusations of impropriety, misconduct or inattention are always dismissed as unfounded at these meetings.