CITIES' LEADERS TO MEET OVER BURBANK AIRPORT EXPANSION GLENDALE'S DELEGATION MAY PREVENT SESSION FROM BEING HELD IN PRIVATE.

Byline: Sabrina Decker Staff Writer

BURBANK - The three cities that own the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport have agreed to meet Aug. 16 to grapple with the expansion controversy, although the question remains whether the session will be public or private.

While Burbank and Pasadena agreed to send a representative or two to the session, the Glendale City Council voted unanimously late Tuesday to have all five members attend the meeting.

And under the Brown Act - the state law regulating government meetings - a session cannot be held behind closed doors if a majority of an elected board is present.

``These are matters that are very important to the public,'' Glendale Mayor Gus Gomez said in explaining the council's decision. ``I just don't see the rationale for doing these things behind closed doors.''

But Burbank officials - who had asked for the meeting in the hope of reaching consensus on the issue of airport expansion - said they hoped to revolve the issue.

``These are intended to be frank and candid discussions about concepts and I don't think you can have frank and candid discussions - almost brainstorming sessions - in public without people jumping to conclusions,'' Burbank City Manager Robert ``Bud'' Ovrom said.

Burbank had hoped to schedule a public meeting of all three city councils later in the decision-making process.

Gomez said he believes the issue of airport expansion is too important to leave to just a handful of officials, and that all of the council members should be involved from the outset.

``We can do a brainstorming session with all three councils and all members present,'' Gomez said.

The city of Burbank is trying to resolve a dispute with the Airport Authority - a separate board appointed by the councils that is responsible for the operation of the airport.

Burbank officials are seeking a mandatory overnight curfew, a cap on the number of flights, and a greater say over construction of a new passenger terminal. Until recently, Burbank was on its own in battling the Airport Authority, but Glendale has since vowed to help its neighbor resolve the difficulties.

Pasadena has also indicated a willingness to become more involved in the process.

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council voted 4-0 to send Mayor Bill Bogaard, City Manager Cynthia Kurtz and City Attorney Michele Bagneris to the three-city meetings. Councilwoman Joyce Streator, who also sits on the Airport Authority, was absent.

Burbank plans to send City Council members Dave Golonski and Stacey Murphy, along with City Attorney Dennis Barlow.

Chris Holden, a Pasadena councilman who also is president of the Airport Commission, is expected to attend as well. He could be joined by the commission's executive director, Dios Marrero, and airport attorney Richard Simon.

During the three-city meeting, officials are expected to discuss separate priority lists presented last month by the Burbank council and the Airport Authority. Most of the goals are related to the future development of the regional airport, particularly regarding the airport's desire for a new passenger terminal to replace the current facility, which sits too close to the runway to meet current FAA standards.

Through this meeting, Burbank hopes to gain support directly from the cities, and get them more involved in setting airport policy.

``The important thing is that a meeting is going to take place,'' Burbank Mayor Bob Kramer said.