Sharon Springer
Sharon Springer for Burbank City Council 21017
818-388-8483
Facebook Page Sharon Springer 2017
website: www.SharonSpringer2017.com
​
Tell us about your background. How does this qualify you to lead the city?
My resume is included at the end
of this questionnaire. I have lived in Burbank for 25 years. I became actively involved in our community about
10 years ago through a traffic calming project that I led on my street. We had a very dangerous speed problem
with many accidents, two of them serious. I had to keep my neighbors together for two years, four City
Council meetings, and four Traffic Commission meetings for the situation to improve. Eighteen of us went to
City Council on a Tuesday night and returned home Wednesday morning. I felt that the relationship between
the city and our neighborhood was adversarial and I was appalled at the obstacles that seemed to be placed
before us.
​
Why are you running for city council?
What are the outcomes you intend to work towards if elected?
I am disappointed that critical issues are not being addressed: Traffic and transportation, housing, our budget
deficit, work force development, air quality, and neighborhood participation and protection. Outcomes:
​
• Traffic and Transportation – We need a traffic and transportation plan that gets cars off the road. We
need to actively help those people who want to “get out of their cars” by providing better public
transportation, and safe pedestrian access and bike ways. This will help those who want to, or must
drive, by relieving vehicular traffic congestion. Passage of Measure M in November 2016 will help.
The Orange Line will be extended from NoHo through Burbank, Glendale and on to Pasadena.
Glendale recently applied for a grant to study light rail connecting downtown Glendale, to downtown
Burbank to Bob Hope Airport. They will know in February 2016 if they’re awarded the funding. A
potential alignment could be Glenoaks Boulevard.
If Glendale light rail plan becomes a reality, I propose a street car on Magnolia that would link
downtown Burbank to Magnolia Park, the NoHo Arts District and on to the NoHo Red Line Station. This
would supply a critical missing link to the NoHo Red Line.
​
• Housing and Neighborhood Protection – Housing across all income levels is an issue and incudes
addressing our homeless population. Housing must be responsibly and mindfully planned and located
proximate to transit and employment centers. I will make sure that our homeless have assigned
caseworkers so that they have the help, guidance and support that they are willing to accept.
​
• Balanced Budget – We must have a balanced budget and do it without cutting services. Our city must
have more money coming in than going out. We are facing a looming budget deficit by 2020 and it will
require consideration of alternative additional funding sources over and above property taxes, sales
taxes and rate payer fees, although these traditional sources are critically important. In March 2016,
Burbank City Council gave away the naming rights of First Street (to IKEA Way) in Burbank to IKEA, a
corporation that had $4 billion profit in 2011. I addressed City Council on the importance of selling the
naming rights of the street, a tax payer funded asset, not giving them away. At the time, I was in
contact with Kyle Canter, COO of the Superlative Group, Inc. a company that appraises naming rights.
They were working on a similar scenario, which was worth approximately $4 million for the state of
Ohio. Following is a link to my Op-Ed in the Burbank Leader. I note that all three incumbent, running
for reelection, voted in favor of giving away the naming rights, versus selling them for our benefit.
​
• http://www.latimes.com/socal/burbank-leader/opinion/tn-blr-me-opedspringer-20160226-story.html
​
• Work Force Development – I will make sure there are programs in place that provide training so our
residents and students, so that they are adequately prepared to work in Burbank’s high paying job
sector. I will also make sure that employment opportunities are available to our experienced and
hardworking senior and disabled populations. Often retired seniors and the disabled need a little extra
to help them survive from check to check, but biases hinder them from even participating in the work
place. I will support collaborative partnerships with Burbank employers, BUSD, Leadership Burbank
and Woodbury University, etc.
​
• Air quality – I will vote no on businesses that worsen our air quality without providing offsetting
mitigation.
​
• Neighborhood Protection and Participation - Neighborhood Councils would help with this. Regular
neighborhood meetings attended by city council members will help neighbors stay informed about
proposed developments and other activities in our city. These groups could encourage the
neighborhood to vote! I also discuss neighborhood councils below under Residents love Burbank for
its "Mayberry" feel. For example, before the November 2016 national election, friends and neighbors
met at my house to discuss candidates, issues and propositions and then, we marked our ballots.
Neighborhood Councils would make it more likely that residents are informed. Airport residents felt
that they were not adequately informed about Measure B. With monthly forums, pending
developments could be discussed and visiting city council could fill in the information gaps.
Magnolia Park has a parking problem in the commercial area around Magnolia Boulevard and
Hollywood Way. The residents with whom I’ve spoken note that they love the businesses on
Magnolia, but hate the parking that spills on to their residential streets, especially when they have to
park half a block away and there is no street parking for guests.
​
What are the biggest challenges facing Burbank?
Managing growth and maintaining the sense of community,
while balancing the budget and moving forward into the 21st century.
Residents love Burbank for its "Mayberry" feel. How do we preserve it?
I think an important component of protecting our neighborhoods and instilling a sense of community is to have
neighborhood councils, which Burbank currently does not have. Neighboring Los Angeles does, and the following
is the mission: To promote public participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs
by creating, nurturing, and supporting a citywide system of grass-roots, independent, and participatory neighborhood
councils.
​
Neighborhood Councils could meet regularly in the neighborhood and be attended by a city council person
who could update the residents on pending projects in the city, especially those directly affecting that specific
neighborhood. The simple act of meeting on a regular basis with a common goal, neighborhood protection,
builds community and camaraderie.
​
Everyone in our neighborhood loves Magnolia Park but we see many small businesses struggle. What can
the city do to help this situation?
It could be that patron “critical mass” has not been reached for some types
of businesses. This could be achieved by attracting more shoppers, diners, etc. to the area from other parts of
Burbank. Parking, both commercial and residential, is an issue in some parts of Magnolia Park. There seems to
be significant overflow from Porto’s and the new brush shop, Morphe. Maybe a strategically placed parking lot
would help alleviate the problem, or employers could offer employee incentives to use alternate means of
transportation that do not require parking. I note that the Magnolia Park residents with whom I’ve spoken are
not unhappy with the growth, but with the fact that sometimes they have to park a half a block away on their
own street and have no room for guests to park.
​
Moving forward, I would like to explore the feasibility of a street car on Magnolia that extends from Glenoaks
down through Magnolia Park, through Los Angeles and on to the NoHo Red Line Station. This would help ease
congestion and reduce the need for more and more parking. Recently, Glendale applied for a grant to study
light rail from Downtown Glendale to Downtown Burbank to Hollywood Burbank Airport. They will know in
February if they are awarded the grant. If funded, the study will begin in June or July 2017. A street car on
Magnolia could intersect with very nicely with Glendale’s rail plan if it becomes a reality.
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?
We cannot be zero growth. To reduce traffic and parking impacts, and enhance affordability, new housing should be located
proximate to transit and employment centers. The City of Burbank Housing Element must show that its fair
share of regional housing can be built. The state of California allocates each region’s fair share of housing and
regional councils of government determine how that is allotted to each city. In our region the council of
government is Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Each city is required to show in their
General Planning housing element that their allocation can be accommodated. Cities are not required to build
the housing. Only show that it can be accommodated by the zoning.
​
Housing located next to transit, coupled with vastly improved public transit, should reduce traffic. Again,
Measure M will help. If we help people get out of their cars, it will reduce traffic for those who want and need
their cars. Safe pedestrian and bicycle corridors will also help. Developer and community collaboration could
reduce construction costs and subsequently rents.
I will explore the feasibility of Live/Work Units in Burbank. This could be a component of mixed use
development.
​
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?
Our public transportation needs to be
greatly enhanced. There is a new Metrolink station planned for the Antelope Valley Line at San Fernando and
Hollywood Way. Moving forward, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or light rail might be feasible on Hollywood Way.
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? The area is in transition and community input will be vitally important. The 59 acre site was sold
unentitled to Overton Moore. There will likely be community outreach during the design and planning
process. The Hollywood Burbank Airport, High Speed Rail and the new Antelope Valley stop at Hollywood Way
and San Fernando, will transform the location into a major transportation hub.
The city is in the very early planning processes of the Golden State Freeway Specific Plan, which will
encompass 600 acres. The project area is bounded by the airport to the west and Ontario Street, Buena Vista
Street to the east, with Cohasset Street and Golden State (5) Freeway to the north and Empire and Pacific
avenues and Vanowen Street to the south.
​
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.
I agree. Voter turnout is abysmal and needs to improve.
Neighborhood Councils could help, and I can help set these up. Prior to the November 2016 election, we had a
discussion about the various candidates, measure, and propositions and marked our ballots in the process.
This was an effective process and could be done at neighborhood council meetings.
S H A R O N A. S P R I N G E R
Facebook: Sharon Springer 2017 • (818) 388-8483 • SharonSpringer2017@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE:
Member Burbank City Council – My experience, education and temperament qualify me for the job.
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS
• Appointed California Senior Legislator (CSL) by the LA County Commission For Older Adults
• Burbank Water & Power Board – Member
• Sustainable Burbank Commission – Past Chair and current liaison from the BWP Board.
• School Facilities Oversight Committee – Alternate Member
• Site Council & Action Safety Plan Burbank Community Day School – Chair
• Burbank Advisory Council on Disabilities – Secretary
• Burbank Senior Board – Regular attendee
• Burbank Farmers Market Advisory Board – Board Member
• Arts for All Foundation – Member
• PFLAG – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays and Transgender individuals
• Burbank Coordinating Council – Member
• Burbank Valley Garden Club – Member
• Walk Bike Burbank – Steering Committee member
• Bike Angels – Bike Detailer
• Certified Master Gardener University of California Cooperative Extension
• Smilers Walking and Running Group – Member
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Knowledgeable of local and regional environmental, social, transportation and economic issues and
works with residents, various professionals, elected officials, governmental and nonprofit agencies.
• Effectively addresses stakeholder concerns and advocates for mitigation of negative impacts.
• Works with seniors and residents with disabilities and advocates for safe access, transportation,
nutrition, social engagement, multi-generational activities, fitness, art and housing opportunities.
• Volunteers with youth at risk within the Burbank Unified School District; addresses City Council and
advocates and encourages funding for on-site counseling for the students.
• Efficiently conducts meetings so that through collaborative effort a clear path and plan for
moving forward are identified and implemented.
• Ability to create and implement relevant programs, successfully monitors ongoing projects and
identifies potential enhancements, and effectively addresses and corrects emerging problems.
• Proven leadership ability; works openly, reliably and enthusiastically as a collaborative team member to
achieve the best possible, most equitable and sustainable outcome.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to stay focused on a goal and achieve it.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English and conversant in Spanish.
• Relates well with residents, staff, policy makers and elected officials.
• 12 years of site and real property valuation, feasibility studies and cost benefit analyses.
PUBLISHED LETTERS & COMMUNITY COMMENTARIES:
• OpEd: Selling naming rights would make sense for Burbank
http://www.latimes.com/socal/burbank-leader/opinion/tn-blr-me-opedspringer-20160226-story.html
• Letter: Questions mark planned sober-living facility
facility-20160312-story.html
• OpEd: Building a better plan for IKEA
http://www.latimes.com/tn-blr-me-op-ed-building-a-better-plan-for-ikea-20140211-story.html
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Worked way through undergraduate school; awarded full assistantship to graduate school.
• Awarded five patents and generated $500,000 in sales.
• As a Sustainable Burbank Commission team member encouraged the Burbank Department of Parks and
Recreation and City Council to include stream bed restoration into the renovation plans for Johnny
Carson Park resulting in $1,780,000 in Prop 84 grant funds.
• Helped design and install a collaborative vegetable garden at the Burbank Community Day School, a
campus for youth at risk; Outcome - a $10,000 kitchen grant and culinary arts program at the school.
• Led a traffic calming project that resulted in a unanimous vote by the Burbank City Council and a safer
street for residents.
• Origami for Animals – facilitated collaboration between three young Girl Scouts and seniors to raise
$1,160 for the Burbank Animal Shelter; our contribution was recognized by City Council.
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:
03.2012–12.2016–Non Profit Administration – EngAGE, Inc.
1996 to 2011 – President & CEO - Spring Gard’n Designs, Inc., Burbank, CA
• Founded and built the company – Obtained 5 patents, a licensing agreement with a multinational
corporation, and generated sales to 10 catalog and hundreds of other customers
1993 to 1996 – Vice President/Assistant Chief Appraiser - First Interstate Bank, Los Angeles, CA
• Hired, trained and managed a staff of appraisers as well as outside fee based appraisers.
FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY BUILDING & EDUCATION
November 2016 - High Speed Rail - Community Open House Burbank to LA Project Station
October 2016 - MWD Inspection and Educational Field Trip to the State Water Project/Bay Delta
September 2016 High Speed Rail – Proposed Routes Community Open House
July 2016 – Burbank John Muir Middle School site visit for the School Facilities Oversight Committee
February 2016 – Creative Caregiving Regional Symposium
October 2015 – Inspection Trip with BWP – Intermountain Power Project (IPP)
September 2015 – MWD Inspection Trip of Hoover Dam & the Colorado River Aqueduct
2015 – 2016 – Five Airport Meetings including Airport site visit with the Advisory Council on Disabilities.
October 2014 – Innovations in Aging – Senator Carol Liu’s Bus Tour to Burbank - Sacramento
May 2013 – Watershed Symposium - Bay Delta Conservation Plan – Burbank Water & Power
August 2011 – StormCon - The North American Surface Water Quality Conference & Exposition
August 2011 – Low Impact Development: Introduction, Applications, and Technical Implementation
February 2010 - American Public Transportation Association - International Practicum on Implementing High-
Speed Rail in the United States
March 2008 – October 2009 – Urban Land Institute: Global Real Estate Conference – Developing Green, The
Future is Now ♦ Urban Marketplace, Make a Deal Make a Difference ♦ Implementing Sustainable Development
Practicesin Your Community ♦ LA Urban Marketplace Goes Green
May 2008 – The Appraisal Institute - The Los Angeles Infrastructure Seminar
EDUCATION:
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Master of Science in City & Regional Planning
University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Spanish Language Study
University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography
