Paul Clinton

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- The City Council endorsed a state Senate bill that would set up funding for production companies that keep their business in California. The council, which rarely endorses legislation, voted unanimously Tuesday to support Senate Bill 1490. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) introduced the legislation earlier this year. The bill, known as the California Film Finance Act, would shift nearly $25 million from the state's general fund into an account that would provide loans to production companies.

Paul Clinton MAGNOLIA PARK -- Burbank's brightest lights came out for the annual Boys and Girls Club of Burbank cocktail-party fund-raiser. Hosted by councilman Dave Golonski, the Friday-evening event was attended by all five council members, a handful of other City Hall employees, former city officials and representatives from a rainbow of other community groups and businesses. The event raised $13,655 for the club, which provides a variety of educational and recreational activities for children, club executive director Alex Fey said.

Paul Clinton BURBANK VILLAGE -- A planned move by Technicolor into the former J.J. Newberry Co. department store in the heart of the Village has collapsed. Greg Whitney, who represents New York-based property owner Auburndale Properties, confirmed the deal was off the table. Technicolor decided the 15,355-square-foot storefront was not sufficient. The media giant needs at least 30,000 square feet of space, he said. A real estate agent for Technicolor declined to comment.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- The City Council has approved the purchase of a property used by Central Library employees for parking. With the approval, the city will buy 7,314 square feet of land at 375 E. Olive Ave. The property is at the corner of Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue. City officials negotiated the sale with property owners Giddens Living Trust for $498,750, city real estate manager Gino Gaudio said. Giddens has leased the property to Burbank for the past decade for $4,400 per year.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Council conspiracy theorists may ascribe it to electrical retribution but city officials had a less mysterious explanation for three fire alarms that interrupted speakers and sent everyone in the council chamber scurrying for the exit. Technical difficulties. Moments after speaker Ralph Gee blasted the dais microphone as "horrible ... lousy ... unacceptable" during a public comment period Tuesday, the fire alarm sounded, clearing the startled attendees from the room with flashing lights and blaring sirens.

Paul Clinton WOODLAND HILLS -- Electing to stay at home, managed care giant Health Net announced it has stopped looking at Burbank and several other cities as sites for a possible relocation. Headquartered in Woodland Hills since 1984, Health Net had said it was considering several potential sites in Burbank in February. The company has now turned to negotiations with its Warner Center landlord, company spokesman Brad Kieffer said Tuesday. The company leases a 300,000 square-foot office in Woodland Hills but officials said it will look for more space when that deal is up at the end of the year.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Burbank will seek additional property tax revenue to finish redevelopment in the Media District, which began more than 20 years ago. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the first stage of a proposed amendment of the West Olive Project. With the additional money, the Redevelopment Agency plans to pay off debt and fund several Public Works projects in the 128-acre project area. When the project was established, in 1976, the agency was awarded a $60-million tax slice to eradicate blight in the neighborhood.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Burbank Police officer Russell Williamson, wearing a plain black suit, sat nervously in a City Council chamber Wednesday as he waited to defend himself against his city bosses. Once decorated in the very same chamber for his on-the-job heroism, Williamson is fighting the department's 30-hour suspension against him. Williamson, who has remained silent in public, took his case to the Civil Service Board, a five-member citizens panel.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- The City Council is taking applications until March 17 for a committee that will review the Burbank's campaign finance laws. Known as the Blue Ribbon Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, the five-member panel reports to City Clerk Judie Sarquiz. The City Council unanimously approved Mayor Stacey Murphy's proposal to reconvene the committee to close certain loopholes in Ordinance No. 3447 before the municipal elections in 2001.

Paul Clinton AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Now Burbank residents won't be the only ones who can secure relief from noisy jet aircraft. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority began soundproofing homes in Los Angeles on Thursday for the first time in its 23-year history. Sun Valley residents Lorenzo and Alejandra Salazar, at 7833 Ferncola Ave., were the first to receive about $40,000 in work to their home. The Airport Authority began installing double-paned windows, sound-resistance doors, roof installation and a new central air-conditioning system for the Salazars, who join 74 other Los Angeles homes set for the improvements.