The Burbank City Council discussed hazardous chemicals in groundwater supply, the Ralph Foy Park Toddler Replacement Playground Project, a city board appointment and potential measures to reduce construction impacts in the Rancho Equestrian District at its meeting Tuesday.
The meeting kicked off with three recognitions, honoring the Burbank Historical Society’s 50 years of operation, declaring the month of October as Home Again Los Angeles month, and recognizing former Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes’ 46 years of service to the city.
A public comment session followed. Notable comments were made by various members of the Rancho neighborhood, who called in to speak about the impacts construction will have on the horse community near the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
CONSTRUCTION IMPACT MITIGATION IN THE RANCHO
The residents of the Rancho Equestrian Neighborhood have voiced concerns over increasing housing development in the neighborhood over the past few years.
Construction noise and seismic vibrations spooking horses and causing dangerous situations for their riders is a significant concern to many in the neighborhood, which is home to thousands of horses and their owners who ride along the trails leading to Griffith Park.
The city promised to mitigate construction impacts as part of the ongoing community outreach efforts that came with the mounting development trends in the Rancho.
As part of these efforts, city planners hired an environmental consultant to evaluate best practices to address construction impacts on horses, and an initial report on the findings was given to the Council Tuesday.
“The consultant was only able to identify a few measures that might be able to address construction impacts to equestrian activity and equine. Unfortunately, staff could not find any examples where these types of construction measures have been tested or have proven to successfully address the areas of potential concern,” said Joseph Onyebuchi, an associate planner for the city.
The construction impact mitigation measures identified in the report included sound blankets, flagmen at construction entrances, quiet generators, rubberized mats inside dump trucks and signage at important intersections and property lines.
The best measure identified by staff, however, is that horse owners use judgment and discretion when approaching construction sites. To achieve this, educational efforts could be taken by the city to ensure owners know about ongoing development.
“Clear communication with equine owners about the temporary construction impacts associated with the approved project, coupled with encouragement to avoid the area and use alternative access points to equestrian facilities and trails and paths will ensure that owners will be able to make appropriate choices to protect their equines and limit the equine exposure to any construction related activities. Any measures identified herein that the City Council would like to implement for future projects could be considered as part of a future Burbank Rancho Neighborhood Specific Plan,” the report states.
CHEMICALS IN GROUNDWATER SOURCES
Richard Wilson, assistant general management for water systems at Burbank Water and Power, delivered a report informing the City Council that a groundwater well had exceeded the notification level for a chemical that is hazardous to humans: Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid, or PFHxS.
Drinking water will not become hazardous to humans at any point as the well the chemical was found in was an untreated groundwater well, said Wilson. The department has already developed a plan to dilute PFHxS from department wells before treatment.
“It reduces the concentration in the untreated well water and it allows us greater operational flexibility, but will require more sampling and testing,” Wilson said.
Once water feeds from the diluted well to the treatment plant, it is tested and treated, removing all PFHxS from the supply that is delivered to BWP customers.
“The water in Burbank is well below detection levels on a whole host of things that many other municipal water companies treat for,” said Mayor Konstantine Anthony. “We are doing well and have been tackling this for many years.”
The report was a “note-and-file” report, and no action was taken by the Council.
RALPH FOY PARK PLAYGROUND PROJECT
The Burbank City Council approved $249,053 for a toddler playground that will replace an existing play structure at Ralph Foy park.
“The Parks and Recreation (Department) prides itself on creating unique play areas and experiences for all park users. It is the department’s goal that park amenities and playgrounds throughout Burbank have a different element, look and feel. The playground equipment selected for parks provide children with an innovative play area to exercise and develop other critical social skills,” wrote city Administrative Analyst Lupe Santarriaga in a staff report to the City Council.
The department believes that the proposed playground equipment system detailed in the staff report accomplishes the goal of creating unique and fun play areas.
The replacement equipment is for children ages 2 to 5 and construction is slated to begin in January and be completed by March.
COUNCIL APPOINTS LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER
The City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Lili Rossi to the Library Board in what was initially a 3-2 vote, splitting the council between Rossi and Ellen Portantino. Zizette Mullins initiated a consensus measure following Rossi’s appointment, making the vote unanimous after the initial count.
“I love this city and its uncanny ability to maintain so many elements of a small town within the larger geography of the Los Angeles area,” said Rossi.
“On the surface, the library speaks to me as a self-proclaimed book nerd. … but I also know that libraries are more than a brick-and-mortar space. They are touchpoints on the community, they serve people of all ages and interests, they are physical books and virtual networks and maker spaces and gathering spaces where people come together,” she added.
First published in the October 28 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
