I would like to announce tonight that, beginning next week, the City Council will start a public discussion that we hope will lead to a resolution to the issues surrounding Burbank Airport. My fellow council members and I have felt for some months that there is a need for this, and we agreed tonight in closed session that all of us want to make sure there is broad public involvement in any plan that moves forward.

The pending 40,000 square foot security project at the Airport indicates how outdated the current terminal is, and how difficult it will be to bring this terminal into the post-Sept. 11^th era. The security project, in short, highlights the need for a new terminal. Therefore, we want to initiate a broad public discussion of how we can resolve the new airport terminal issue in a way that adequately protects the interest of Burbank residents. Creating a new terminal plan is a balancing act in which we need to protect Burbank’s interests while seeking solutions that will be supported by the Airport Authority, the Federal Aviation Administration and the newly created federal Transportation Safety Administration. We probably won’t be able to incorporate every suggestion we hear into the plan because of the need to achieve balance, but we’re convinced a thorough public airing of options is the right way to start.

We are anticipating that this discussion will take place in public sessions and through community outreach and workshops, and have directed staff to return next week with an outreach plan for our review. Of course, there are still some things related to litigation that will have to be discussed in closed session. We have instructed the City Attorney to make sure these are kept to an absolute minimum. Once a new plan is ready, it will be put to a vote of the people.

My fellow Council members and I are looking forward to working with residents on this new process. We want the issue of a new terminal to be resolved for the benefit of our community. The City Council welcomes your input on this, so please feel free to share your views with us, either by phoning a Council members or attending one of the many public meetings that will be held in the months ahead.