A summary of significant Los Angeles City Hall decisions affecting the Westside in the last week. : CITY COUNCIL

* HISTORIC: Approved an ordinance that establishes a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone for a residential area in the Hollywood Hills known as Whitley Heights. The 23-acre area is bounded by the Hollywood Freeway, Las Palmas Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard. The action protects and preserves the area. Any remodeling done within the area must be approved by a citizens committee.

* GRAFFITI: Approved a proposal by Councilwoman Ruth Galanter to give $5,000 to the Venice Boys and Girls Club to use for graffiti cleanup in the Venice area.

* PILOT PROGRAM: Approved spending $101,909 to install computers that will keep track of the money collected at three city-owned parking lots, including one at 1623 Vine St. in Hollywood. If the one-year pilot project is successful, all city-owned lots will be equipped with computers to keep better account of parking-lot revenue. Under the program, all parking-lot charges will be recorded by computer. Currently, some lots “may have nothing more than a shoe box,” an official said.

* STREET CLOSURE: Approved the temporary closure of 43rd Place between Crenshaw and Leimert boulevards and Degnan Street between 43rd Avenue and 43rd Place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for a rally in the Crenshaw area. The First African Methodist Episcopal Church is sponsoring a anti-gang rally for African-American men.

* GATED COMMUNITY: Approved a proposal to withdraw certain streets in Los Feliz Estates from public use and to let residents install gates to keep outsiders out. The enclosed area includes eight streets between Hobart and Winona boulevards. The Los Feliz Home Owners Assn. requested the withdrawal to decrease crime and traffic congestion.

* TREES: Approved a proposal to waive the fees for planting trees on Rose Avenue in Venice. The Venice Action Committee, a volunteer group, will plant about 25 Queen Palm trees between Ocean Front Walk and Pacific Avenue.

HOW THEY VOTED

* ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF VERNON: Approved spending $200,000 to pay a private law firm that represented the city in a lawsuit brought by Assistant Police Chief Robert Vernon, who alleged that a Police Department investigation violated his religious freedom. A federal court rejected Vernon’s claim earlier this month. The council also decided that the total legal cost, including any appeals, should not exceed $455,000. Passed: 15-0. Voting yes: Marvin Braude, John Ferraro, Ruth Galanter, Nate Holden, Joel Wachs, Michael Woo and Zev Yaroslavsky.

* SOLVING PLANNING PROBLEMS: Approved personnel department recommendations to achieve affirmative-action goals in hiring and preventing discrimination against minorities in the Planning Department. The council also asked the recently hired planning director to report on a regular basis on the progress being made on implementing the recommendations. Passed: 15-0. Voting yes: Braude, Ferraro, Galanter, Holden, Wachs, Woo and Yaroslavsky.

* BUDGET HEARINGS: Approved a proposal to schedule a public hearing on the mayor’s proposed 1992-93 budget at 10 a.m. May 8A proposal was also approved will allow for two special meetings May 11 and May 14 at 10 a.m. at which the council will discuss the proposed budget. Passed: 12-0. Voting yes: Braude, Ferraro, Galanter, Wachs, Woo and Yaroslavsky. Holden was absent.