2 VIE FOR COUNCIL IN RUNOFF ELECTION TODAY IN BURBANK.

Byline: Mary Lou Aurelio Daily News Staff Writer

In today's runoff City Council election, Burbank voters have a choice between one-term incumbent Ted McConkey and challenger David Laurell, a magazine editor who led McConkey by fewer than 200 votes in the Feb. 23 primary.

The winner will be sworn in May 3 and will serve for four years.

Among the city's population of 104,000, about half are registered voters, said Chris Ominski, deputy city clerk.

In the primary, Councilman Bob Kramer also was on the ballot and won re-election outright. But McConkey, 69, was forced into a rematch with Laurell, 42, who serves on the parks and recreation board. McConkey received 3,146 votes and Laurell had 3,334.

McConkey is a retired technical writer for the aerospace industry. Laurell edits magazines geared toward collectors of autographs and sports, political, space and other memorabilia.

Both candidates agree that efforts to resolve the Burbank Airport expansion issue with the cities of Glendale and Pasadena is foremost on voters' minds.

Burbank officials have been engaged in a dispute with the Airport Authority over the proposed number of new gates, noise and a night curfew.

Today's victor will join Mayor Dave Golonski, Stacey Murphy, Bill Wiggins and Kramer on the five-person council.

Kramer and the winner of today's election will begin serving their new terms May 1, a Saturday. A swearing-in ceremony will be held May 3.

There were 8,350 votes cast in the primary out of the 52,450 possible, a lackluster turnout,Ominski said.

``That's not very good, really,'' she said. ``I sure hope they all get out and vote. This is their city.''

There are 40 precincts in the city. About 20 percent of Burbank voters cast absentee ballots.

Ominski said 3,000 absentee ballots were issued for this election and that, as of Monday, 2,300 had been returned to the city for processing. They will be counted throughout the day and the first results will be posted shortly after the polls close at 7 p.m.

Burbank residents can watch the results on Channel 6 on cable TV. The election returns will be updated during the City Council meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m.

BURBANK ELECTION

WHAT: Runoff election today for Burbank City Council.

WHO: Incumbent Ted McConkey and David Laurell are on the ballot. The candidate with more votes will win a four-year term on the Burbank City Council.

WHEN: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: If you are a registered voter, you can vote at the polling location printed on the sample ballot mailed to you. If you've lost your sample ballot or have other questions about polling places, call the City Clerk's Office at [phone].

RESULTS: Election returns will be updated throughout the live telecast of the City Council meeting on cable TV Channel 6, starting at 7 tonight.

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