Former City Manager Ron Davis may have his name enshrined on a city building
Former Burbank City Manager Ron Davis has only been out of office for four months, but the Burbank City Council is already planning to pay its respects to the previous head city official.
Council members unanimously voted on Tuesday to direct city staff to come back with a list of city facilities or parks that they could name in honor of Davis, who retired last September after more than 20 years with the city of Burbank.
The action came at the behest of Councilman Tim Murphy, who in December asked city staff what it would take to name a city building or park after Davis.
Marisa Garcia, Burbank’s parks and recreation director, briefed the City Council on its public-facilities-naming policy, which gives council members or any board or commission the ability to request such action at any time to the city clerk’s office.
On the other hand, residents who want to propose a facility dedication can only do so between Jan. 1 and March 31 of any year.
City properties that are eligible to be named include any public structure, building, park, overpass or statue.
Facilities that are ineligible are City Hall, any veterans’ memorials or properties that are under the jurisdiction of another governing body, Garcia said.
She said the request is then given to the respective board or commission for review and consideration.
For example, if the request was for a park to be dedicated, the proposal would go before the Parks and Recreation Board, or if it was for a city-owned utility facility, it would be reviewed by the Burbank Water and Power board.
After the appropriate board or commission has made its recommendation, the City Council will have the final say regarding the naming, Garcia said.
Davis is credited for his significant impacts in Burbank over his 20-year career with the city.
He spent his first 17 years with Burbank Water and Power as its general manager and was responsible for saving the city-owned utility from financial ruin, turning it into one of the top utilities in the region.
After his stint with the utility, Davis was hired as the city manager to help Burbank address its systemic budget deficit, which he accomplished in about 3½ years.
Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy suggested the city name a Burbank Water and Power facility after Davis, honoring his work with the utility.
