Bob Frutos

Tell us about your background. How does this qualify you to lead the city?

I have been serving the Burbank community for over 13 years. In 2003, I was appointed to the Burbank Police Commission and I served as its Chairman for three years.  I also served as a member of the Burbank Charter Review Committee and sub-committee.  I served for over five years on the Board of Directors of the Kids Community Dental Clinic and I was elected to the Burbank City Council in 2013.  

 

I have been committed to community service at a very early age. Growing up I was an active member of the Boy Scouts and the Police Explorer program that molded my professional career.  During my 28 years of public service in Law Enforcement, I learned the value of working with residents, businesses and neighborhoods in a collaborative effort to find solutions to complex community issues.   As a former Community Liaison Officer, I have experience in bringing the community and local agencies together to find solutions that address problems to make a difference.  I worked with the Explorers as a Youth Services Program Coordinator for nine years and I was successful in building strong community ties with local businesses and residents to build support for the programs that I have overseen.  I know the value of investing in our youth through collaborative efforts with the school district and partnerships with local non-profit organizations.  I am currently retired and I am more committed than ever to work tirelessly to meet the needs of our community. 

 

In my career as a Los Angeles Police Officer, I developed innovative and creative leadership skills which I applied in Council and this has resulted in various Burbank community events which have generated overwhelming community participation:  

 

As Vice Mayor, in 2014, I suggested hosting the city’s first-ever “Rock-a-Hula” pool party for Seniors. This has become an annual event.   

 

As Vice Mayor, I suggested Burbank participate as a Host Town to the Athletes of the Special Olympics World Games.  I was named Mayor in July 2015 and I had the honor to welcoming delegations from Zimbabwe and Botswana. Burbank was part of a World Wide Event.

 

As Mayor, in June 2015, City Council held the first ever Open House to reach out to the community.  I continue to encourage residents to get involved in local government.   

 

I had the honor of applying my creative and leadership skills to work along with the professional and talented staff in the Public Information Office to produce an Emmy Award winning video, “Drawing Power of Burbank”, the 2015 State of the City address..  

 

Why are you running for city council? What are the outcomes you intend to work towards if elected?  

I am running for a second term on the Burbank City Council because I have lived happily and proudly in Burbank for 24 years.  I ran for the city council 4 years ago because I wanted to give back to the city I love.  I am committed to making a difference for the good of the community and I have demonstrated my 100% dedication to the residents of Burbank by retiring from my 29 year career with Los Angeles Police Department.  I bring in new ideas and a fresh perspective to city council, while maintaining a professional demeanor.  

 

I have a track record of working with all members of council and I am accessible to members of our community to continue to ensure Burbank thrives.  

 

I look forward to continuing my work on the following issues; Traffic mitigation, Neighborhood protection, balanced parking control, balanced development, support for Seniors Services and Support for small businesses. In addition, It would be my goal to work towards having a new Central Library built, as the existing location is outdated and it is not meeting the demands of our residents.     

 

What are the biggest challenges facing Burbank? 

Our city is currently facing a serious budget deficit forecast. Projected over $8 million over the next five years.   

 

Residents love Burbank for its "Mayberry" feel. How do we preserve it? 

While a world-class entertainment center, Burbank is, at heart, a small town, built and designed to enhance family life, small businesses and steady, responsible, environmentally sound growth.  Even in the bustle of greater Los Angeles County, we in Burbank treasure our “small town” feel and sensitivities.  We preserve this atmosphere by building responsibly, by creating local jobs, and supporting small business.

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Everyone in our neighborhood loves Magnolia Park but we see many small businesses struggle. What can the city do to help this situation?

In my first term in Council I have worked closely with the Magnolia Park Merchant’s Association to listen to their concerns and I have built a collobarate working relationship. I am open to dialogue and ideas to support our small businesses as they are the fabric and structure of our city.  I have enjoyed participating in many events and activities that have been organized by the President of the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.  I have made myself available to keep an open line of communication with the merchants and the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.  Our city needs to be responsive as Magnolia Park has been redefined as a Mecca of positive activity for members of our community to engage in.    

 

 

Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable in Burbank but many residents also don't want to see the population and housing becoming denser. Is there any way to reconcile this problem? What is your position on what needs to be done. How would an increase in population affect our schools?

I believe that we need more housing availability, however, it must be developed carefully and responsibly with an eye towards traffic patterns and congestion, environmental  concerns and affordability. Gradually, planned population increase should not noticeably affect the quality of our schools because not all new Burbank residents will have children, as youngsters enter our schools, others are graduating, so a balance pretty much remains,   Educating our children must remain a top priority.

 

With the new airport, planned hotels and high density residences on Hollywood Way many residents are concerned about traffic congestion . What is your position on this?    

I will work hard to make sure that I follow the environmental report on traffic mitigation on Hollywood way.  Right now we are experiencing a high volume of traffic in our city some of it is due to the construction on the I-5 and once the construction is completed we should see a reduction.  The city is actively monitoring traffic signals, monitoring  on- going traffic issues and making adjustments to improve the flow of traffic. We ask the residents to be patient and although it is a regionally problem, the city is actively looking for improvements in traffic patterns.       

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Speaking of the new airport, what is planned for the property adjacent to the airport which was sold to Overton Moore Properties? And what is becoming of the planned transportation hub now that the bullet train is being built from the North to the South with the Burbank portion not being completed until at least 2029? A commercial development is planned for the adjacent property.  The city is currently engaged in a study relating to high speed rail and future transportation at the airport.   As of today, the bullet train is only going North to the bay area.   

 

The voter participation rate for the last city council election was 16.6% in 2015. It seems unhealthy for a democracy to have such a low rate of participation. What can the city council do to increase citizens involvement in their local government.  

Unfortunately, the low voter participation is not unique to Burbank as it is a nationwide problem . However, We have a current City Clerk who is actively pursuing different avenues to increase voter participation.