LOCAL LAWS ’92

Tragedy shaped some of our new laws, while economic hardship fueled others. Swept up in the horror over the riots, Los Angeles mounted a campaign to streamline procedures for most businesses wishing to rebuild and boost investments in economically depressed areas. Cash-poor local governments, trying to recover from a financial crisis, increased fees for taxpayers. Here is a sampling of what local legislative boards did during 1992. Los Angeles Animals--To help offset the $7-million annual cost for animal regulation, dog license fees for neutered dogs were raised from $8 to $10, and from $18 to $20 for unaltered canines. Boycott--Unless the city cannot acquire the products and services elsewhere, an ordinance prohibits it from doing business with foreign firms that participate in the Arab boycott. Federal law already prohibits U.S. companies from taking part in the boycott, but many foreign corporations have no such restrictions. Business Tax--The business license tax was increased 7 1/2% in hopes of raising $18.7 million during the current fiscal year. Ethics--Spurred by complaints from city employees that their privacy was being invaded, the City Council amended the Los Angeles ethics ordinance so that city employees will have to report less about their personal finances--in most cases only dealings with companies or individuals who might do business with their city department. The rules maintain exhaustive disclosure requirements for elected officials. Garbage--Garbage collection fees doubled from $36 to $72 a year for homeowners, and from $24 to $48 a year for apartment and condominium dwellers. Hillsides--New rules were put into place to halt the trend of building large houses on small hillside lots. The measure sets structural height limits and requires widening of substandard streets, extra parking for houses larger than 2,400 square feet and installation of automatic sprinkler systems in new homes. Loud Parties--Police were empowered to bill hosts of loud parties up to $175 if they fail to heed a warning to quiet down. Also, a rate of $8 a minute can be charged if a police helicopter is needed to join in investigating a loud party. Minority-Owned Banks--With the goal of boosting investment in poor areas, the City Council approved increasing city deposits in minority-owned financial institutions. Price Gouging--After reports of excessive cost increases for consumer items during the riots, an ordinance was passed making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine to raise the cost of food items, repair services, emergency supplies or gasoline by more than 10% of the price charged immediately before a proclamation of emergency. Rebuilding--Public hearings were ordered waived for non-controversial reconstruction projects in the wake of the riots, in an effort to streamline the process. But at the same time, neighborhood hearings and possible new operating conditions were required for liquor stores, swap meets and gun dealers. Recycled Goods--City departments were directed to seek out recycled goods when possible and eliminate bid specifications that favor the purchase of new goods. Redistricting--To comply with federal law, plans were adopted for reapportioning school board seats under the 1990 Census as a way to boost Latino representation. Water--A two-tier rate system was established for most residents and businesses and rates were increased for wasteful users. Incentives were also added for those who conserve water. Los Angeles County Auto Registration--A $1 surcharge was imposed on automobile registrations to help pay for car-theft prevention programs. The fees could generate an estimated $6.5 million a year. Beaches--In an effort to increase public awareness of potential health risks of swimming in the ocean after heavy rains, sewage spills and environmental accidents, the county ordered the Department of Health Services to issue warnings, use ocean water samples as a basis for closing beaches, post signs and impose special rules at Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Drug Testing--Pre-employment testing was imposed for applicants for county jobs who would carry firearms or operate heavy machinery. Also, if there is a “reasonable suspicion of substance abuse” by a county worker, he or she can be ordered to submit to a urine test. Housing--An emergency ordinance was passed requiring the county Housing Authority to forgive $40,000 in rent that hundreds of tenants paid with worthless money orders. The failure of the General Money Order Co. left an estimated 100,000 poor people in debt after they paid bills with the money orders. Lobbyists--As part of a wide-ranging ethics reform package, lobbyists were required to submit periodic reports on their salaries and expenses incurred while trying to influence legislators. When they register with the county, lobbyists are to be photographed and their pictures placed in a directory. Pygmy Pigs--An ordinance authorizes only one Vietnamese potbellied pig per household and calls for a $50 license fee and a $125 breeding fee. It also stipulates that the pets be “no higher than 20 inches at the shoulder . . . no longer than 40 inches from the tip of the head to the end of the buttocks and no more than 120 pounds.” Trails--Users of the county’s 330 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails were ordered to carry an annual pass costing $23. Violators could be fined about $50. Also, a $3 parking fee was imposed at nature parks. Welfare--General Relief payments intended for single adults who do not qualify for the federally subsidized Aid to Families With Dependent Children were cut from $341 monthly to $302. Bell Gardens Home Repair--The City Council approved financial incentives for homeowners to fix up their houses in some of the city’s most dilapidated neighborhoods. The council approved subsidies of up to $2,500 to pay for such improvements as painting, plumbing fixtures, roof repairs and new windows. The subsidies may cover up to half the total cost of repairs. Burbank Development--The City Council voted to eliminate most citizen appeals of development proposals that already comply with city zoning codes. The ordinance overhauls the city’s appeal process for small and medium-sized projects to avoid a more stringent review process required under the California Environmental Quality Act. Carson and Lomita Felines--Cat licensing laws were enacted to encourage owners to keep a rein on their pets. The fees are $10 for cats that have not been spayed or neutered and $5 for those that have. Culver City Buying Local--Local businesses were given a competitive edge in the public bidding process for city contracts. The “buy local” ordinance is based on the theory that 1% of city money spent in Culver City comes back to city coffers via the local sales tax. Therefore, local bids can be 1% higher than outside bids and still be considered equal. Glendale Housing Aid--The Housing Authority approved a plan to use city housing funds to provide interest-free mortgage loans to help moderate-income families, particularly city employees, buy their first homes in Glendale. The move was prompted by worries that police, fire and other emergency personnel--many of whom live in Simi Valley and Santa Clarita--would be unable to get to Glendale in the event of a disaster. Long Beach Equine Crackdown--A speed limit was imposed for horses. Under the restrictions, horses are not allowed to travel faster than 25 m.p.h. on streets in Long Beach, and drivers of horse-drawn carriages must be prepared to clean horse waste off streets immediately. The restrictions are aimed at regulating a Belmont Shore business that offers horse-drawn carriage rides. Monterey Park Public Exposure--An ordinance was passed prohibiting urinating or defecating in public view. Pasadena Tortillas--The “Silly String Ordinance” forbids throwing or propelling objects at participants in such events as the Rose Parade and the Doo Dah Parade. Those who “drop, roll, throw, toss, squirt or propel any gaseous, liquid, semi-solid or solid substance or object” toward a parade participant can receive up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The law was aimed at halting the practice of throwing tortillas and string at the Doo Dah Parade. No one was arrested at the 1992 parade, although violations did occur. Pomona Food on Pushcarts--Vendors were required to obtain city licenses, sell only food that has been packaged at a facility approved by the county health department and refrain from selling near schools and churches. San Gabriel Valley Crime and Karaoke--Several cities reacted to concern that prostitution and crime are accompanying the karaoke craze in which people sing to prerecorded accompaniment. The San Gabriel Planning Commission established 21 rules regarding karaoke television clubs. The sale of alcohol is banned. Private rooms must have clear glass windows and doors must not have locks. Video cameras must be installed in the hallways, with tapes made available to police, and security guards posted at the entrance. Clubs must close by 2 a.m. Arcadia, El Monte and Monterey Park adopted moratoriums on new clubs to allow time to develop ordinances. Monterey Park is in the process of outlawing private karaoke rooms by defining karaoke as singing to accompaniment in an open area. Santa Clarita Saving the Forests--City government and its contractors were banned from using 43 tropical hardwood trees, thereby joining a campaign to save rain forests around the world. Santa Monica Homeless--Seeking to prevent homeless people from gathering in large numbers in the city’s parks, the Santa Monica City Council prohibited the staking out of an area as living accommodations. The law is being challenged by public interest lawyers, who say it is unconstitutional. South Pasadena Minding the Kids--The Police Department received approval to recoup the costs of “baby-sitting.” The measure allows the police to bill parents by the hour for police time if their minor children are arrested and held in a detention area for more than an hour. West Hollywood Food Vendors--Licensed sellers are permitted to hawk prepared food while parked on commercially zoned streets for up to two hours, but the ordinance bans sales of fresh produce on public land. Car Alarms--Another ordinance permits the fining of car-alarm owners when their alarms go off more than three times a day or stay on longer than five minutes. Fines are $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second and $500 for the third in a year.