New Councilman Zeros In on Cost-Cutting Measures : Burbank: Bob Kramer pushes for changes meant to save the public money, from a review of utility rates to lower copying fees.

He is widely considered a crusader for taxpayers’ rights who has played a powerful role in setting the agenda for the Burbank City Council since he took office in May.

Bob Kramer has asked for at least 23 items to be placed on the council’s agenda for discussion in less than two months.

Many of the items are proposals intended to save the public money, ranging from a review of the city’s utility rates to the elimination of valet parking in downtown Burbank in spaces that used to be free to the public.

Last Tuesday, Kramer chalked up his latest win for anyone seeking copies of public records at City Hall: The cost for such service will soon be 50 cents for the first page and 5 cents for each additional page, down from 30 cents for each additional page.

“Many of our staff reports are 100 pages long,” said Kramer, 48. “So when someone comes to City Hall, it’s ridiculous to charge them $30 for a 100-page report when it is costing us 2 1/2 cents [a page].”

Kramer used to be on the public’s side of the counter as a columnist for the Burbank Leader who regularly criticized city officials.

He lost a bid for a seat on the City Council by less than 100 votes in 1993, but came back to win overwhelmingly in February’s primary.

At every council session, Kramer reads from a laundry list of things he wants the city to do, such as offer free coffee to the public during all council meetings, raise money for the city’s public schools, and review--and perhaps end--policies that enable top city officials to take home city-owned cars for personal use.

“Bob brings a real down-to-earth perspective to the City Council,” said Vice Mayor Susan Spanos. “What I see Bob doing now is cleaning house after grumbling about the condition of the house for so many years. Now, he’s in the position of having control over many of the issues he found to be onerous before he was elected.”

Another issue Kramer hopes to bring to the council’s attention is the possibility of rebuilding and renovating the public schools by using a portion of the city’s redevelopment funds, which under state law should go toward low- and moderate-income housing instead.

“My feeling is that the average citizen in Burbank would rather see that money used on the schools,” he said. “I guess I feel like taxpayers, through paying for their taxes, pay for everything we have in the city. It’s through taxes that we have all our public services. My opinion is taxpayers ought to be in control.”

Though proud of his record thus far, Kramer added: “I always feel like we could do more. . . . I’m an impatient guy. I like to get things rolling.”