A summary of significant City Hall decisions...

A summary of significant City Hall decisions last week affecting Central Los Angeles.

CITY COUNCIL

CRIME: Authorized a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers of Felipe Vargas, who was gunned down during the holidays as he and his wife delivered gifts near the Jordan Downs housing development. Another $25,000 reward was authorized for the killers of Thomas Miza, 48, and his nephew, Eliseo, 18, who were fatally shot Jan. 16 as they and five other family members were robbed at Nickerson Gardens. A $10,000 reward was offered for the people responsible for two violent robberies in Watts of RTD bus passengers.

COMMERCE: Council’s Government Efficiency Committee called for more information on a proposal to streamline the operations of all city programs and offices with roles in business development. The proposal broaches the possibility of establishing a single office for business strategy and a one-stop permitting center to speed development of new businesses. The matter will return to the committee at its next meeting, Feb. 16.

CENTRAL AVENUE: Postponed a decision for two weeks on a proposal to build a market, at which sale of alcoholic beverages would be allowed, and retail shops at 4322 S. Central Ave. The development would require demolition of a market, 10-unit apartment building and a newspaper office. The delay was requested by Councilwoman Rita Walters, whose district includes the site.

CITY OFFICES: Directed city staff members to lease 5,000 square feet of office space in a facility to be built at 103rd Street and Compton Avenue. The 18,000-square-foot building is a project of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency and the Westminster Neighborhood Assn., which has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The office space will be used by the Police Department, city clerk, community development department, mayor’s office and department of aging. The lease will cost the city $6,750 a month.

CITY HALL: Approved plans for the CRA to provide $525,000 toward the $8-million restoration of City Hall. The CRA funds were authorized because City Hall is a historic monument and because officials determined that no other funds were available for the refurbishment, known as Project Restore.

COMMUNITY: Authorized the CRA to provide $79,650 to increase the hours that public showers and toilets will be open for the homeless at a nonprofit shelter in the Downtown area. The funds will enable LAMP Village, at 526 S. San Pedro St., to provide the facilities Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Previously, the facilities closed at 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and were not open weekends. The council also directed the CRA to develop a public relations program to make the needy aware of the facilities.