Office Politics : Council Members Maneuver for Prime Spaces at City Hall

Even before the election for Los Angeles City Council seats was over this month, another race was heating up--for council offices.

With newcomers replacing four veteran officeholders on the 15-member body--the largest shake-up in a generation--the June 8 election results prompted intense, behind-the-scenes maneuvering for prime City Hall work spaces.

At issue were the large office suites on the second, third and mezzanine levels of City Hall, which have been left in various states of repair by remodeling efforts over the years.

Although there is no established pecking order, some offices have prime downtown views, private bathrooms and are closer to the council chambers, where the members gather three times a week, and the private elevator that carries them from the underground garage. There are also disparities in size, layout and ambience.

One sought-after suite belonged to failed mayoral candidate Michael Woo. His peach-colored office--with Art Deco design, faux columns, a skylight and other touches recommended by an interior designer--became a campaign issue because of the $260,000 remodeling cost.

Councilman Nate Holden, one of Woo’s critics during the campaign, was scouting Woo’s second-floor office on Election Day--long before the polls were closed. Turned away by Woo aides, Holden sent a secretary, who was permitted an after-hours inspection of the premises with a security guard present.

Just as in the U.S. Congress, where freshmen members are cast into the Capitol hinterlands, seniority is the guide in doling out City Hall office space. The longest-serving members get first crack at vacant offices; incoming members take the remnants.

In recent weeks, most veteran members have looked at the available offices and decided that they were happy where they were. That moved a delighted Holden to the top of the list.

Although he never got a personal glimpse of Woo’s spread, Holden found the color--which he termed pink--distasteful and opted instead for the more subdued suite of Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, a 12-year veteran who was defeated by businessman Rudy Svorinich.

Although Flores does not step down until next Wednesday, Holden staffers have been busy in recent days, measuring her office and laying claim to the various cubicles. Holden will give up the private bathroom in his current office, although he says he may have a new one installed.

Councilman Mike Hernandez, elected in 1991, was next in line.

After some research, he was able to rattle off the square footage of his office (2,346), compared to those of his colleagues. Veteran Councilman Joel Wachs has 3,357 square feet in his mezzanine suite, one floor up from the council chambers.

Tired of his cramped third-floor space with dark, wood paneling, Hernandez snatched up Woo’s airy office, which resembles a spacious architect’s studio. Hernandez also gained a private bathroom and will no longer have to share the public stalls.

“It’s about 250 square feet bigger than my current office,” Hernandez said. “And the design allows for a greater working relationship between employees.”

To be fair to the newcomers, who move in Thursday, Council President John Ferraro held a lottery this week for the remaining space. They had taken tours of the offices and ranked their preferences.

Councilwoman-elect Jackie Golderg, who will replace Woo, got her second choice, the slightly old-fashioned haunt of retiring Councilman Ernani Bernardi. Svorinich will take over Holden’s office, which is considered functional.

Councilwoman-elect Laura Chick got her wish--to stay in the offices held by the woman she defeated, Councilwoman Joy Picus. It will be easier on the constituents with the second-floor office, Chick said.

Councilman-elect Richard Alarcon, who replaces Bernardi and finished last in the lottery, will take over Hernandez’s old digs, an unkempt area with purple carpeting described by one worker as “a pit.”