Burbank : Financial Disclosure OKd for City Panels

Despite the objections of Mayor George Battey Jr., the Burbank City Council changed the conflict-of-interest laws to require members of the Parks and Recreation Board and the new Transportation Commission to declare relevant financial assets.

“We want to get the best people we can to participate in city government,” Battey said. “This would deter people from volunteering. I think it’s an intrusion into their private life that’s unnecessary.”

But Battey was outvoted 3 to 2, with Councilman Bob Bowne siding with him.

“I guess I would rather err on the side of more openness in government,” Councilman Dave Golonski said.

The Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals was added to the list of city boards and commissions required to file a conflict-of-interest statement. That board had been required to file a statement until last year, when they were accidentally dropped from the list during a code change, City Clerk Margaret Lauerman said.

Members of the city planning board have been required to file conflict-of-interest statements, which include information about stocks, investments and property ownership aside from their home. The declaration only involves those investments or properties within Burbank and a two-mile radius from the city’s borders.

The Transportation Commission is a new, seven-member body that will be named Aug. 10. Those interested in joining the commission, which will deal with a broad range of transportation issues, can apply until Aug. 2.

Chief Assistant City Atty. Juli Scott said the changes were needed because the groups make recommendations on issues involving large amounts of money, and their advice is routinely accepted by the City Council. For example, the Parks and Recreation Board recommends contracts and bidders on major projects.