Burbank Replaces Its MWD Director : Water: Officials say Michael Nolan embarrassed the city by running up $75,000 in unsubstantiated traveling expenses. But some colleagues defend his work.

Metropolitan Water District board member Michael Nolan, who failed to submit expense reports after traveling more than any other board member during the past two years, was ousted from the panel Tuesday.

The Burbank City Council voted 4-1 to replace Nolan, 44, who had served since 1985 as Burbank’s representative on the 51-member board, which governs an agency that supplies water to 13 million Southern Californians.

Nolan’s term was not scheduled to expire until 1993, but several council members said last week that the expense account revelations had embarrassed the city.

Over the protests of several residents and board members who spoke in Nolan’s behalf, the council voted to replace him with former Burbank Mayor Larry L. Stamper, who lost his seat on the City Council in the 1985 election.

“I promised I would work hard and I have,” Nolan said, pleading to be retained. “I have been open with you. I have shared with you and I have been honest with you.”

An MWD commissioner, Tim Brick, who represents Pasadena, told the council that Nolan was “one of the best directors Southern California has ever had. He is a champion of accountability and openness.”

The vote on Nolan came as the new council, changed by the elections in April, reconsidered all appointments to boards and commissions.

The Times revealed last week that MWD directors collectively spent more than $255,000 on travel last year, with Nolan running up the largest amount, $39,792.

Also, records showed that over a longer period, Nolan listed $75,000 in expenses that, as of last week, had not been accounted for, including a lunch at the Sacramento Hyatt for $360 and a dinner in Palm Springs for $428.

Several council members said last week that the Nolan controversy reflected badly on the city.

“It’s absolutely an embarrassment for Burbank,” Vice Mayor Robert R. Bowne said of Nolan’s expenses, which were more than $13,000 higher than those of the director with the second-highest total.

Ironically, Nolan was known for many years before his appointment as an outspoken critic of council members and other city officials for what he called “outrageous” expense accounts. He repeatedly complained that the officials were spending too much of the public’s money on meals and travel.

Some council watchers said Nolan’s board appointment in 1985 was an attempt by the council to placate him and silence his criticisms.

MWD board members were split on Nolan’s effectiveness. Some saw him as a diligent and dedicated commissioner unafraid to challenge district staff workers if he thought they had not done their homework. Even his critics said he sometimes discovered errors that led to the savings of thousands of dollars.

However, some members said those characteristics were undercut by an abrasive and sometimes bullying attitude.

Observers said Nolan’s position was already in jeopardy before the spending controversy because he is considered an ally of former Burbank council member Mary Lou Howard, who often clashed with the council majority. Howard lost her reelection bid in April.

Nolan is the brother of Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale), one of four legislators whose Sacramento offices were searched by the FBI in an August, 1988, raid on the Capitol following a sting operation in which campaign contributions were made by representatives of a phony company seeking legislative favors. Although no charges have been brought against him, Pat Nolan remains under investigation, sources in the federal prosecutor’s offices have said.