Burbank City Council considers declaring city a sanctuary for immigrants

The Burbank City Council convened on January 28, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including advocacy for increased funding for the California film tax credit and discussions surrounding housing development incentives.

The meeting began with a series of advocacy letters aimed at enhancing community interests. The first letter proposed increasing funding for the governor's initiative to boost the California film tax credit. The second letter sought a permanent extension of an exemption related to development in the Rancho area, as outlined in California government code section 65913.4. Lastly, the council discussed recommending incentives to lower capital gains taxes to encourage property turnover, which aims to promote affordable housing and property right-sizing.

Following these discussions, the council moved to approve the consent calendar, excluding item 14, which was set to be addressed later. The motion received unanimous support from all council members present.

The agenda also included a report regarding the potential declaration of Burbank as a sanctuary city. Assistant City Manager Courtney Padgett presented this first step report, indicating that further discussions would follow in future meetings. Notably, an item concerning electric vehicle overstay fees was pulled from the agenda for later consideration.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for public comment, allowing community members to voice their opinions on the sanctuary city proposal after the staff presentation. Overall, the council's discussions reflected a commitment to addressing community needs and exploring significant policy changes in Burbank.