Burbank agrees to give shelter

BURBANK — A 150-bed county winter homeless shelter for the tri-city area will open next week in Burbank after the City Council there voted 4-0 Tuesday to support the program at the National Guard armory.

The vote capped off a two-week lobbying effort on the part of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to use the Burbank site after the California National Guard announced on Oct. 29 that the armory in Glendale — which has hosted the shelter for the past 10 years — would be closed for repairs.

After a failed attempt to piece together an alternative in Glendale, the county homeless agency engaged Burbank officials to support the shelter program at 3800 W. Valhalla Drive — even though it had the authority, under state mandate, to use the state-owned building without the city’s consent.

But county officials said they would honor the wishes of the Burbank City Council, which on Tuesday expressed its frustration over being backed into a corner.

“We’re all a little upset with the lack of time we we’ve been given,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “It’s not how we do things. We could have done a better job if we knew about this six weeks ago. But we are where we are, and I’m confident all the agencies involved will work with [city departments] to work out whatever issues arise.

“This is something we need to do.”

The short notice also miffed Councilman David Gordon, who declined to vote no on the issue, preferring instead to abstain.

Glendale homeless service providers — who have historically pooled their resources to operate the winter shelter — welcomed news of the council’s decision with relief and gratitude.

“I’m really pleased that they’re stepping up to the plate,” Glendale Salvation Army Capt. Jim Sloan said. “I think it’ll be healthy for all of us.”

But at the council meeting, not all residents who spoke on the matter agreed.

Nancy Durkey, whose child attends preschool at Pacific Park, next to the armory, was torn between her support for the homeless and concern for her children’s safety.