On January 23, 2025, the Burbank City Council held a Goal Setting Special Meeting to establish its priorities for the year. These goals will guide and determine the types of initiatives and policies that City staff will focus on throughout the next two years.
The Meeting kicked off with a presentation lead by City-contracted facilitator, Riva Feldman former City Manager of Malibu. The City Council then reviewed, amended, and adopted three documents: “How We Work Together as a Team,” “Expectations of Staff,” and “Council Code of Conduct.”
The session continued with a discussion of goals within seven key categories. These categories include:
2) Maintain a balanced general fund budget
3) Develop long term financial goals
4) Streamline/standardize online applications
5) Prioritize information accessibility
6) Maintain and enhance the 311 app
7) Collaborate with community partners and school district
City Services Priority Action Plan
2) Create incentives to attract, retain, and support media and studio industries and enhance relationships with existing companies
3) Complete outstanding specific plans
4) Expand concierge services
5) Improve business retention and encourage the addition of high quality retail and restaurants
6) Increase visitor serving amenities to attract tourism associated with Elevate BUR, 2028 Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl
Economic Development Priority Action Plan
2) Increase supply of housing
3) Analyze opportunities to rezone vacant commercial properties
4) Encourage and incentivize mixed-use development and for sale housing units
5) Collaborate with partners to effectively address and reduce homelessness
6) Review and analyze the use of city property for housing
Housing Priority Action Plan
2) Consider restrictions on the use of landscape equipment
3) Require 100% electrification of new construction
4) Encourage installation of additional EV charging stations
5) Implement strategies to address urban heat
6) Explore innovative solutions related to water and power usage and conservation
7) Maintain and enhance the City's tree canopy and green space
Sustainability & Resiliency Priority Action Plan
2) Increase number of community events and community spaces for all ages
3) Increase visibility, support, and access to arts and creative endeavors
4) Support increasing child care opportunities
Quality of Life Priority Action Plan
2) Enhance regional coordination with partner agencies to be prepared for a major disaster
3) Maintain staffing of police and fire departments and increase appropriately as the City grows
4) Launch Community Service Officers program
5) Enhance Mental Health Evaluation Team Services
Public Safety Priority Action Plan
2) Encourage bus rapid transit systems
3) Prioritize multi-modal transportation systems including bike lanes and safe walking paths
4) Consider parking availability and solutions associated with new developments
5) Analyze new and alternate modes of transportation and potential impacts to the City
Transportation & Traffic Priority Action Plan
Each Councilmember contributed their unique input and priorities, ensuring a diverse platform of ideas and perspectives. Each of the established priorities will be developed with actionable goals and presented for Council approval at a future date.
“The Council’s leadership and active participation in the goal-setting process are vital to shaping Burbank’s future,” said City Manager Justin Hess. “By establishing these clear priorities, the Council helps lay the foundation for the City ensuring that we’re moving forward in a direction that keeps Burbank thriving as a great place to live and do business for years to come.”
Watch the Goal Setting Meeting on YouTube.
City Council Priority Action Plan.