Ask the Mayor - July 2023

Welcome to the July 2023 episode of "Ask the Mayor," a special edition of the myBurbank Talks podcast hosted by Craig Sherwood. In this episode, City of Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony joins us to address a variety of insightful questions from our engaged community. The episode kicks off with a question from Orlando via Twitter, who is curious about Burbank's decision not to display the American flag along major streets and overpasses on significant holidays, such as Flag Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Mayor Anthony sheds light on the city's policies and the reasons behind their current approach to flag displays, drawing comparisons to neighboring Glendale's practices. Next up is a query from INoahGuy on Twitter, asking if the Mayor is still working on addressing payment issues for actors and writers at Warner Bros and Disney. Mayor Anthony shares the ongoing efforts and outlines the proposed plans aimed at ensuring fair compensation for these essential contributors to the entertainment industry. Johnny's email raises concerns about the removal of trees on Niagara Avenue. The Mayor elaborates on the reasons behind this decision and explores any potential measures to preserve some of the trees amidst development. Monica, another concerned resident, inquires about the City's role in supporting the School District. Mayor Anthony shares initiatives and collaborations between the City and the School District to promote education and community well-being. The conversation then turns to the development on Empire Avenue and the multiple SB-35 projects. These projects, including those at 2814 Empire Ave. (148 units), 3000 Empire Ave. (337 units), and 3001 Empire Ave. (131 units), are discussed in light of the City’s Zoom informational meeting scheduled for Thursday. An interesting topic is brought up - the lack of resident participation in the election district process and how it compares to their concerns about trees versus local government. The Mayor explores the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing civic engagement in Burbank. Additionally, he provides an update on the reconfiguration of elections in the city, pending Council approval. The episode concludes with a segment titled "What's on the Mayor's Mind," where Mayor Anthony shares his thoughts on various topics and provides insight into his vision for the future of Burbank.Support the show