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Tag Archives | Burbank Water and Power

Ron Davis City Manager -- photo courtesy City of Burbank

BWP’s Ron Davis new interim Burbank City Manager

By on Friday, January 22, 2016

Burbank Water and Power General Manager, Ron Davis, will soon be on top as the city employee with the biggest salary and the most power.  One-foot-out-the-door City Manager, Mark Scott, the previous holder of both titles, officially moves on to San Bernardino in early February.  Yesterday a city news release announced the selection of Davis as the new interim city manager. “Ron Davis has a proven track record of success here in Burbank,” said Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos in the release. “Council was unanimous in our decision to select... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Artist Jennifer Turnbull worked her magic on a utility box between Verdugo and Olive Avenues in Burbank October 16, 2015

Seven utility boxes in Burbank get creative paint jobs

By on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Have you noticed several utility boxes in Burbank have been turned into original art pieces? A call went out last summer for seven artists to showcase their talent on seven utility boxes under the theme, “Just Imagine.” Artist, Jennifer Turnbull, was selected to work her magic on the utility box on Beachwood Drive between Verdugo and Olive Avenues. It was an overcast morning with some drizzle back in October, when Turnbull got down to the business of giving the box an awesome  paint job. “The Burbank Arts Beautification Program is... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Water and Power 164 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank

City Buzz: Burbank Water and Power letter snafu

By on Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Burbank Water and Power is under fire for a warning letter it sent out to thousands of users — a letter threatening further action including fines if water wasting habits are not corrected.  Mayor Bob Frutos and Vice-Mayor Jess Talamantes are among the recipients. However in a major screw-up, some residents who are complying with the city ordinance to save water got that letter, too. Many have bombarded BWP and city officials with emails and phone calls. “The number of calls completely overwhelmed BWP for a couple of... Read More →

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Large drop of water from faucet clip art

Burbank cracks down on water wasters

By on Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Burbank is cracking down hard on water wasters. Last week, Burbank Water and Power reportedly fined 16  repeat offenders , all residents, $100 each after they “… were contacted several times previously but continued to waste water, such as watering on the wrong day or during daylight hours,” according to a news release from the BWP today. Last month, the Burbank City Council gave the utility the go-ahead to begin “assessing fines against Burbank residents and businesses,” who continue to waste water after being told they are... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- BWP crew and giant crane install new utility poles near 100 block of South Lamer Street Burbank April 7, 2015

Burbank Scene: Big crane helps install new utility poles

By on Tuesday, April 14, 2015

It took a giant crane and some high-flying maneuvers by Burbank Water and Power crews to install some new utility poles in Burbank last week. The operation is pretty dramatic with the crane lifting the poles over tree and roof tops “into pre-dug holes”  along property lines. It happened in a neighborhood, which included the 300 block of Griffith Park Drive and the 100 block of South Lamer Street. It’s all “…part of BWP’s long term project of replacing poles to rebuild parts of the electric system to... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- fuse blew in transformer near 1030 West Olive Avenue Burbank March 9, 2015

Mysterious boom rattles nerves in Burbank

By on Monday, March 9, 2015

Some residents near 1030 West Olive Avenue in Burbank may still have some rattled nerves this afternoon. A loud boom, at 2:30 a.m in the vicinity of that property, jolted a number of people out of a sound sleep. Some say it sounded like an explosion or even a shotgun blast. There was no assault nor attack. It was a blown fuse in a transformer. “Fuse going out can sound like a gunshot,” according to Joe Flores of Burbank Water and Power. Flores says the blown fuse knocked out power... Read More →

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Heart and flowers clipart

Valentine’s Day: Desires and warnings

By on Friday, February 13, 2015

When it comes to Valentine’s Day apparently many Americans have mixed emotions. On the one hand, 48 percent of those surveyed in a recent Harris Poll felt Valentine’s Day is a good time to communicate those special feelings to a significant other. However, about two-thirds of those questioned thought commercialism surrounding the holiday had ruin the romance associated with the day. One must keep in mind, the selling of the holiday would not be worth millions if so many people were not into celebrating it. Now... Read More →

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cold snap graphic

Cold weather to warm up after causing havoc in Burbank

By on Saturday, January 3, 2015

A cold snap has held the Southland in a frigid grip for several days with night temps in near or below freezing in many places. Tonight, the temperature is expected to dip down into the chilly zone in many places. Burbank, which has had lows in the 30s this week, will see the temperature drop into the low 40s tonight. The high today in B-town reached into the low 60s. The weather watchers are promising even warmer temps by the beginning of next Monday and Tuesday. They say... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Burbank Water and Power crew seen wearing pink hard hats on West Olive Avenue near South Brighton Street Burbank October 7, 2014

UPDATED: Burbank Water and Power crews go pink for October

By on Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Burbank Water and Power crews are wearing pink hard hats to draw attention to October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women. Each year, it is estimated that over 220,000 women in this country will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. However, many believe breast cancer is only a female disease. It’s not. Annually, around 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die, according to the National Breast... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A green lawn gets watered on South Keystone Street in Burbank July 24, 2014

Burbank residents face mandatory water restrictions and utility rate hikes

By on Saturday, July 26, 2014

As the summer temperatures soar into the 90s, Burbank residents are being pressured to cutback on water. Last January, Governor Jerry Brown declared a Drought State of Emergency after three extremely dry years. The governor’s order called for “… Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.” Earlier this month, the California State Water Board reportedly adopted emergency regulations requiring water suppliers like the City of Burbank to implement mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use, effective the first of August. Then last Tuesday, the Burbank City Council voted... Read More →

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gardening clip art wheel barrel of flowers and gardening tools

Popular Burbank landscape workshop set for this Saturday

By on Wednesday, July 9, 2014

One of those popular free landscape workshops is set for this Saturday at the Community Services Building in Burbank. If you were thinking about signing up — it’s too late. This workshop is closed. Erika Sandoval of Burbank Water and Power says the July 12 workshop really filled up  “quickly.”   Due to the great demand, they’re putting together two for next month. The three-hour session is taught by horticulturist Tim Wheeler. This  is a “how to ” workshop covering basic landscape design, turf removal, fundamentals of irrigation... Read More →

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Burbank Water and Power graphic

Second Burbank Water and Power town hall is tomorrow

By on Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The second Burbank Water and Power town hall is tomorrow. This is a chance for Burbank residents to go on the record and let the utility officials know how they feel about plans to raise the rates again. Other issues to be discussed include: future energy sources and whether those who do not have solar systems must subsidized those who do. Burbank Water and Power is community owned, therefore, its first priority should be the needs and concerns of its customers. The town hall will be... Read More →

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Burbank Water and Power graphic

Reminder: Burbank Water and Power town hall meetings

By on Friday, April 4, 2014

Do you think utility users, who do not have solar systems, should subsidize those who do? What about the rates charged by Burbank Water and Power? Some feel they are too high, especially for a “community-owned” utility. Just some of the topics that will most likely come up at tomorrow’s Burbank Water and Power town hall meeting from 10:30 a.m- noon at the Buena Vista Library 300 North Buena Vista Street in Burbank. A second BWP town hall meeting is set for the same location,... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Payment drop off box in the parking lot of Burbank Water and Power 164 West Magnolia Boulevard Burbank

City Buzz: Burbank Water and Power payment snafus

By on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Have you checked your Burbank Water and Power bill –CAREFULLY – lately? Some folks have done so and made some surprising discoveries. I’m hearing some residents have noticed monthly utility bills are now $100 more since the installation of those so-called and very controversial smart meters. Also last month, a senior citizen, on a fixed income, was hit with a bill from BWP of more than $500!  This feisty senior called up customer service to get an explanation. It turned out an error of more than $200 had been made... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Joanne Fletcher of Burbank Water and Power before the Burbank City Council March 20, 2012

Opt-out smart meter plan approved for Burbank

By on Friday, March 23, 2012

Despite fierce opposition from a small relentless group of smart meter opponents, the Burbank City Council voted to install a new opt-out fee schedule at its meeting on Tuesday, March 20. During public comments, the opponents lambasted the smart meter technology as unhealthy, dangerous, and a privacy invader. As they have done many times in the past months, the council members listened, but were not moved by the emotional speeches enough to dump the new digital technology and go back to the old analog meters. What the council did do... Read More →

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Burbank Water and Power graphic

Things to do in Burbank: BWP major event

By on Friday, January 27, 2012

This morning I got a reminder from Burbank Water and Power executive, Joanne Fletcher, about the dedication of their EcoCampus and community fair tomorrow in the Media City. The BWP is inviting the public to come celebrate the opening of what it’s touting as the state’s first sustainable utility campus. The program will be hosted by green media maven, Sarah Backhouse, who is also Discovery Channel’s “Planet 100” host.  Special guests include Senator Carol Liu and representatives of the US Department of Energy. The event will have... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Smart meter in Burbank

Smart Meter Public Forum coming up

By on Thursday, November 3, 2011

Some Burbank residents are stepping up their battle against the controversial smart meters, which are designed to relay usage data to a utility center.  They call themselves “Burbank Action.” There is growing concern about charges the smart meters invade the privacy of residents, cause illnesses, and result in higher utility rates. The California Public Utilities Commission is looking into the issue. Burbank Action is one of several groups sponsoring the forum for Southland residents at the Glendale Moose Lodge 357 Arden Avenue Glendale 91203 next Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m.  The... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Electric smart meter in Burbank

Talk of the Town: Those controversial new smart meters

By on Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A lot of complaints and grumbling about, and verbal attacks on, the new smart meters in Burbank.  Officials at Burbank Water and Power are raving about the new water and electric meters — but many of the residents aren’t buying the hype. Some of the public suspicion, disapproval, and down right hostility for the meters was heard during public comments at last Tuesday’s Burbank City Council meeting on August 30. Most of the carping is about the electric smart meter and its environmental, health, and privacy issues. BWP honcho, Ron Davis, stepped to the podium... Read More →

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Photo credit Anonymous -- The pool of Burbank Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis on Brace Canyon Drive Burbank

Talk of the Town: Ron Davis and his pool drama

By on Saturday, July 23, 2011

Burbank Water and Power General Manager, Ron Davis, is the talk of the town.  Not only because of his hefty salary and merit pay bonuses — reportedly totaling $263, 018 last year — but because of an illegal action involving water discharged from his swimming pool. For days now, folks have been talking about Davis draining a portion of his pool water. Outraged neighbors jawing about the incident — complained the infraction “… for a day was filling the street with roaring water.” I was sent this photo of the BWP honcho’s half-empty pool anonymously.... Read More →

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Photo credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept./L.A. Times -- Mug shot of Bell Mayor Oscar Hernandez September 21, 2010

Eight arrested in Bell city hall corruption scandal. Is Burbank next?

By on Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is cracking down on corruption in the city of Bell. Yesterday the mayor, Oscar Hernandez, and seven other current and former Bell officials were arrested by police and D.A. investigators. The Los Angeles Times, which broke the story, reported “…a battering ram” had to be used to break into the home of Mayor Hernandez, in order to arrest him.  Hernandez was taken into custody Tuesday morning along with city council members Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and George Mirabal as well as ex-council members George Cole and Victor... Read More →

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City Buzz

By on Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A quake rattles Burbank and other parts of SoCal Some rocking, rolling, and shaking in the Southland late today. I was sitting in my car waiting for the red light to change at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue, in front of the Burbank Central Library, when a 5.4 quake hit at 4:53 p.m. My cruiser rocked so much, I thought for a moment one of those cell phone/texting distracted drivers had bumped into the ride.  Not this time. It was a natural occurrence, a reminder, that we live in earthquake country. The quake was centered... Read More →

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