The Burbank City Council confirmed the extension of social distancing rules to match those of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and reviewed possible reopening dates for outdoor areas during its virtual meeting on Tuesday.
The confirmation of the social distancing order, first issued by City Manager Justin Hess on April 23, will mirror L.A. County’s extension of its “Safer at Home” order to the same day, which also keeps Burbank eligible for potential state and federal reimbursement and aid for costs brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
After Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state’s transition into Stage 2 of reopening procedures on May 4, L.A. County and Burbank began allowing certain retail businesses to reopen for curbside pickup. In a staff report on Tuesday, Fire Chief Eric Garcia emphasized that though Burbank is working on its own set of initiatives to further reopen, the city will not go beyond the county’s guidelines.
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Burbank’s Firefighter of Year is Honored
Captain Ryan Cortina, a 12-year veteran with the Burbank Fire Department, has been recognized as its Firefighter of the Year, it has been announced.
“His passion and commitment as a company officer is second to none and may only be superseded by his investment in the Paramedic Program,” a fire department spokesperson said. “He spends countless hours both on and off duty working towards the improvement, innovation and ownership of this program. He always goes above and beyond as a paramedic coordinator by maintaining personnel needs, equipment and supplies. He is a key component in the department’s successful relationships with outside agencies and provides continuing education for the Emergency Medical Services Program.
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BUSD Stands by Grading Policy Despite Backlash
The Burbank Unified School District stood firm in its decision to go with a “Credit/No Credit” grading policy for the spring semester despite backlash and pleas from parents during the Board of Education meeting on Thursday.
Superintendent Matt Hill and the five board members responded to numerous letters from concerned — and angered — parents regarding the Burbank Teacher’s Association and district’s controversial decision. All local schools closed March 16 because the COVID-19 pandemic and students were given Chromebooks for distance learning.
“I completely understand the passion and advocacy for your children,” Hill addressed parents during the meeting. “The approach we took with our teachers was looking at all of the options and thinking of different scenarios for each option.
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Reynolds Selected Woman of Year By State Senator
Dr. Roberta Reynolds, a local resident who has served on the Burbank Board of Education since 2007 and recently completed her third term as its president, has been selected by state Sen. Anthony Portantino as the 25th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year, it has been announced.
Each year, the California Legislature recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding women during Women’s History Month. This year, the ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reynolds has previously served as PTSA president at Burbank High School, president of Burbank Council PTA, vice president of the First District PTA, and Reflections chairperson for First District PTA. Reynolds has been the recipient of a PTA Honorary Service Award from the Burbank High School PTSA, Burbank Council PTA, and First District PTA.
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Burbank Eviction Ordinance Extended Until May 31
The Burbank City Council has extended its Urgency Ordinance, initially approved on March 17, prohibiting the evictions of residential and commercial tenants for non-payment of rent caused by the coronavirus. The ordinance is retroactive to May 1 and allows both residential and specified commercial tenants to defer rent until Nov. 30.
On April 21, the City Council had voted to not extend the moratorium but adopted another urgency ordinance changing the repayment of back rent due, including late fees and/or penalties and interest, if any, to Nov. 30. This week’s decision reverses the sunset of the moratorium. (The Rent Repayment Ordinance terms adopted on April 21 did not change.)
Additionally, the City Council added restrictions to the applicability of the ordinance to exclude commercial property leased by a tenant that is a multi-national company, a publicly traded company, or a company that is not eligible for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. These types of companies were able to invoke the moratorium in April but will be excluded in the new ordinance currently in affect for May.
The County of Los Angeles also has an eviction moratorium that applies to cities which do not have their own eviction moratorium. With the extension of Burbank’s Eviction Moratorium Ordinance, the L.A. County Moratorium Order does not apply in Burbank.