CITY COUNCIL MUST ACT TO FILL VACANCY ONE ALREADY POISED TO RUN.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

BURBANK - As the Burbank City Council gears up to declare vacant the seat left open by the resignation of former Councilwoman Stacey Murphy, it raises the question of who might take her place.

Under the City Charter, Murphy's resignation could lead to a special election as early as January. But before that can happen, the City Council must officially declare her seat vacant and pass an ordinance to call for an election, decisions likely to come this month.

``That triggers everything I have to do,'' said Burbank City Clerk Margarita Campos. ``I can't do anything until they make that decision.''

But Campos is already preparing for the election she knows is likely to come. She and her staff of six are contacting mom-and-pop grocery store owners, local restaurateurs and other businesses, asking to post city-made fliers announcing the opening on the council and the special election in store windows. Staffers are also reserving space at street intersections to put up banners that read, ``Don't forget to vote,'' and they're ordering scores of election forms.

``I have no idea how many people are going to come in here requesting papers,'' she said.

The election's cost is estimated at $150,000.

The nomination period could open as early as October. Candidates must be registered to vote in Burbank and can't have a felony criminal record. Candidates must also have proof of residency 29 days before they file their papers. The filing fee is $25.

Candidates must collect at least 50 signatures from other Burbank registered voters nominating them for candidacy.

Once the nominating period is over - it takes about 30 days - the candidates are required to file disclosure statements - lists of money collected and from whom, and how much money is spent. Under city rules, a person can only contribute up to $250 per candidate.

Ballots could go out to Burbank's more than 54,000 registered voters as early as January. Typical turnout in the city is between 20 percent and 25 percent. The candidate with the most votes will win outright, and there'll be no runoff.

So far, at least one resident has emerged to say he's running - Glendale attorney and 26-year Burbank resident Vahe Hovanessian. He made an unsuccessful run in February's council election, the same election in which Murphy was the only candidate to win a majority vote of 60 percent.

``I'm already preparing for this upcoming election,'' said Hovanessian, 30. ``It's very exciting. This will be my third election in the last 12 months.''

Murphy, 47, resigned last Tuesday as she faces felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor child endangerment charges in a case connected to the Vineland Boys street gang.

She has pleaded not guilty. She is free on a written promise to appear in court on Sept. 28.

Murphy was arrested July 13 at her home by a police task force probing the Vineland Boys. Police said they found three guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and two baggies of cocaine. She was booked on child endangering charges because the guns and ammo were accessible to her 12-year-old son.

Murphy's longtime boyfriend, Scott Schaffer, 51, the former co-owner of Sun Valley-based City Cab Co., was arrested earlier after a gun registered to him was found at the Granada Hills home of a Vineland Boys gangster.

If convicted of the felony narcotics charge, Murphy could face state prison time. If convicted of the child endangering charge, she faces a mandatory minimum of 48 months' probation and one year of counseling, and she could lose custody of her son, authorities say.

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com