Burbank Urges Airport Panel to Meet Later So Day Workers Can Attend

The Burbank City Council on Tuesday asked the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority to switch its twice-monthly meetings from morning to evening to make attendance easier for San Fernando Valley residents who work during the day.

The council voted 5 to 0 to adopt a resolution making the request. The council also called for the governing bodies of Glendale and Pasadena, which run the airport with Burbank, to submit similar requests.

“There have been complaints off and on from homeowners groups. It’s difficult for anyone to attend the morning meetings because of work,” said Burbank Mayor Mary Lou Howard, who sits on the nine-member airport authority. Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank each elect three members to the authority, which sets airport policy.

Tuesday, representatives from several homeowners groups praised the council’s efforts.

“I think it’s an excellent idea. The public really can’t have input at these meetings unless it has an easy ability to attend,” said Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowner’s Assn. Martie Bernhart, who has been active with the Burbank Anti-Noise Group, also applauded the council’s actions.

However, authority President Robert Garcin said he opposes evening meetings and would vote “no” if the matter came before the board.

“Morning meetings provide ample access for the public,” Garcin said, adding that evenings are inconvenient for him. Garcin said he knew of only three people who favored the time change.

Asked if he would support Burbank’s resolution, Glendale Mayor Jerold F. Milner said he would “consider it.” Pasadena Mayor William Bogaard said he would study the issue and talk to the city’s airport authority members before making a decision.

Leland Ayers, the authority’s vice president, said he didn’t care what time the commission met.