LADERA HEIGHTS : Fee Threatens Block Parties, Critics Say

A proposal that would force the city to collect fees each time it blocks off streets for special events has some Ladera Heights residents worried.

“It would probably put an end to block parties,” said Nancy Hayward, an eight-year resident of 63rd Street, one of five streets that would be affected by the measure. “We already have to pay the city $100 for insurance. We can’t afford to pay much more.”

After the traffic-snarling Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in February, Councilwoman Ruth Galanter proposed that the city stop waiving the $312 fee it is entitled to collect from groups or individuals who request street closures for special events. The measure, which would take effect July 1 and last a year if passed, was proposed to offset a revenue shortfall in the fiscal 1994 city budget, said Galanter spokesman Jeff Kruger.

The council is awaiting a report and recommendation from the city administrative officer.

Galanter estimated that the city forgoes between $1 million and $2 million annually in uncollected fees for street closures, which are usually waived for community, sports and entertainment attractions and for large public events--in effect, just about any event that is required to pay the fee. At the end of 12 months, the measure would be evaluated and possibly continued.

The fee would affect parts of five blocks in Ladera Heights that are city territory--63rd and 64th streets, and Damask, Mosley and Acacia avenues. If the motion passes, the 63rd Street block party may move its 1994 event to a block within unincorporated county territory or simply leave streets open during the event, an option that Hayward said would not be safe for children.

This year’s party is scheduled for June 20 and would not be affected by passage of the measure, which would be implemented for fiscal 1994.

Faz Elahi, president of 63rd Street Neighborhood Watch, said small community events such as block parties should continue to be exempt from paying the $312 fee.

“We have no funds other than the $5 we collect from families to pay for food,” Elahi said.

Elahi and Hayward also participate in the Pacific Area Advisory Committee, a community-based policing group that includes Ladera Heights. Elahi said charging a fee to close streets for block parties would inhibit the relationship that he and other residents are trying to forge with local law enforcement.

“The whole point of the block party is to unify residents with the police, Fire Department, politicians and whoever else wants to come,” he said. “This fee would discourage parties from happening.”