Paul Clinton

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Burbank's collection of research materials chronicling the golden days of Hollywood at Warner Bros. is headed back home. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved turning over the collection to the studio, which has produced a slew of Hollywood classics at its Olive Avenue studio since arriving in 1928. The studio turned over the Warner Research Collection to Burbank in 1975 after it closed its library. With a renewed interest in its own history, the studio later reopened the library and, in May, agreed to accept the books, magazines, journals and other materials from the city.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- It took three years, but organizers of the annual Burbank on Parade finally asked for financial assistance, which they received from the City Council. To help stem growing financial losses that crossed the $4,000 mark during last April's parade, the council agreed to boost its funding from $9,180 to $15,000 per year. The city will also waive the $2,500 cost to hire the Police Department to monitor the event. It was the first increase in city funding since 1984.

Paul Clinton BURBANK VILLAGE -- Construction crews working to divert sewer lines have caused some traffic delays in the Village, but City Hall officials say they have received few complaints. The six-week project began Oct. 9 when a private company hired by the city tore up asphalt on Olive Avenue at San Fernando Boulevard in the heart of the Village. The Public Works project will divert sewer lines that originate in the Hillside District. Two lines that head down Olive -- one of which runs between City Hall and the Municipal Services Building -- will be moved to Third Street.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Sue Georgino is coming home. Georgino, who worked in City Hall for seven years in the 1980s, will replace outgoing Community Development Director Bob Tague in January. Tague is leaving the city after nine years. Georgino, 50, left Burbank in 1989 to take the top redevelopment staff post for Brea, in Orange County. She will become the first woman to head Community Development. Georgino lives in Burbank with her husband, Victor, a Ventura County developer.

Paul Clinton BURBANK -- Organizers of the Burbank International Children's Film Festival expect great things from the event the first time out. With a full schedule of movies that began showing Friday night and will continue through Oct. 19, the festival is generating a buzz in Burbank and Hollywood. "This has become more than a film festival," festival spokeswoman Carole Myers said. "It really is a celebration of children." Myers said about 100,000 visitors are expected during the weeklong event, headquartered at the Media City Center mall.

Paul Clinton MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Instead of delivering a release print to a studio office or rushing between production meetings, the Hollywood workers at Warner Bros. were moving their feet for a different cause. During Sunday's MS Walk 2000, members of the studio and public raised money to fight multiple sclerosis. Nearly 5,000 walkers raised more than $800,000 to help fight the crippling disease, said event spokeswoman Beverly Magid. "It was admirable," Magid said.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Speaking from the dais Tuesday, Councilman Dave Golonski apologized for calling a former city official a "jerk." Golonski criticized Mike Nolan on March 21 after the activist verbally attacked City Manager Bud Ovrom during the public comment period. Shortly after Nolan had called Ovrom a jerk, Golonski said Nolan was "acting like a jerk." A more penitent Golonski addressed his earlier remarks Tuesday. "I want to apologize," Golonski said.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- The Planning Board will hold a public hearing May 1 on the Burbank Empire Center. Following the hearing, the five-member board will evaluate the project and its environmental impact report. The board must decide whether to recommend approval of the $200-million retail project -- possibly the largest development in the city's history -- to the City Council. Los Angeles-based Zelman Development Co. plans to build a mix of retail stores, office space and two hotels on the 103-acre former Lockheed Martin Corp.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Giving two thumbs up to local programming, a national association awarded Burbank's government affairs productions seven trophies at the association's industry awards show. Competing against cities and counties in California and Nevada, Burbank won more awards than any other city at the fourth annual STAR Awards April 20 in Santa Monica. But Glendale, with six awards, scored a higher point total on the strength of a first-place finish.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Shelving a proposal to cut the time the public is allowed to speak at its meetings, the City Council unanimously approved moving up the start of its Tuesday meetings from 7 to 6:30 p.m. The change will take place as soon as city officials can draft an ordinance, a minimum of four to six weeks, city officials said. Council members approved the time shift in an effort to streamline meetings, which have been known to wrap up near midnight.