The meeting opened with nine announcements. They included a summary of the three local measures on the November 3 ballot: Measure C, which would raise the hotel tax from 10% to 12%, and Measures CC and CD, which concern how council members are elected, including whether to move from at-large to by-district elections. Also announced: an October 6 virtual webinar on changing accessory dwelling unit standards to match state law, application deadlines for three city boards and commissions, and community events on October 3.
A task force of entertainment industry figures, set up at the council's direction in June 2025, delivered three recommendations: make filming easier (including making film permits free for a year and waiving city facility rental fees), create a physical creative hub for creators and companies, and hire a specialized marketing firm to pitch Burbank to creative companies. Staff said several permitting changes are already in place and recommended keeping current fees for now, saying waiving permit and facility fees would cost about $408,000 a year on top of a $2.7 million recurring budget deficit. Council members were split on how fast to act on fees. The council voted 5-0 to have staff return in December, with the first-quarter budget report, with fee waiver options for a vote. Work on the hub and the marketing plan continues. No fees were changed at this meeting.
A council member moved that staff bring back in December, for a vote, a discussion of film permit fee waivers for the one-year pilot program the task force recommended, with options for the different permit lengths, looking to a January 1 start; a council member seconded. Result: passed, 5-0.