Burbank Council Names New Mayor

The City Council on Friday chose Vice Mayor David Golonski to serve as mayor of Burbank, a post that is largely ceremonial but also plays a large role in shaping debate on municipal issues and policies.

First elected to the City Council five years ago, Golonski served as Burbank mayor from 1995-96 and succeeds Bob Kramer, a popular city leader whose term expired in the annual rotation of the mayor’s job.

By presiding over council meetings and attending public events such as dedication ceremonies, the mayor is considered the most visible official of city government. But under the 71-year-old city charter, the mayor has no veto power or any other authority greater than other members of the five-member council.

Golonski, 40, a computer systems manager for Health Net in Woodland Hills, is described by his council colleagues as intelligent, hard working and pragmatic. During his tenure on the council, Golonski has championed efforts to manage growth to protect city neighborhoods and expand opportunities for young people, city officials said.

In his upcoming term, Golonski pledged to diversify the city economy, ensure that the city-owned electric utility is prepared to compete in California’s deregulated market and seek a resolution to the long-running dispute over Burbank Airport’s plans to build a new terminal building.

But Golonski warned that any negotiations would include efforts to protect the quality of life in the city. Brokering a deal on the airport “shouldn’t be mistaken as a lack of resolve to stand up for the interests of the community,” he said.

“Ten years ago the city was recovering from the loss of Lockheed, and the big challenge was to attract new business to Burbank to fill the void,” Golonski said. “Since then we’ve attracted a tremendous amount of entertainment business, completed the Media City Center and revitalized downtown Burbank. Now our focus has to be on managing our success.”

In choosing Golonski and Councilwoman Stacey Murphy to serve as vice mayor, the council passed over Burbank City Councilman Ted McConkey, who expressed dissatisfaction with the mayoral selection process.

“I’m disappointed,” McConkey said. “I don’t like the system because it allows a particular group on the council to negate the wishes of the overall electorate. It’s too much politics and too much personalities. It’s a flawed system.”