A summary of selected City Hall actions this past week affecting Central Los Angeles. : CITY COUNCIL

* FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Approved the use of a city-owned parking lot for food distribution to the needy in Watts. The United Clergy Coalition will distribute food from the lot adjacent to 1519 E. 103rd St. on Nov. 23.

* IMMIGRATION QUESTION: Approved a proposal by Councilwoman Rita Walters requesting the federal government to clarify how pending federal legislation might affect the city and other local agencies in dealing with undocumented residents. Walters said she was concerned that legislation could force cities to become an enforcement arm of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

* GUN CONTROL: Councilman Marvin Braude requested that the council lobby the Legislature to give local government the authority to enact local gun control laws. Gun violence has reached such crisis proportions that local jurisdictions can no longer leave it only to federal and state governments to regulate guns, Braude said.

* DOMESTIC PARTNERS: Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg introduced a proposal that would grant unmarried domestic partners of city employees the same health and dental benefits as spouses. The city already grants bereavement and sick leave to domestic partners.

* REWARD: Approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in an arson fire at a hotel at 1120 S. Grand Ave. where three people died and 19 were injured. Police have arrested a man for allegedly threatening to set a fire at the building, but detectives say the reward offer could aid the investigation.

HOW THEY VOTED

How South-Central and Eastside City Council representatives voted on selected issues.

* COMMUNITY POLICING: Approved applying to the federal government for a $95,000 grant that would go toward the purchase of a motor home to be used as a Police Department sub-station serving Koreatown. The motor home would be used as part of the department’s community policing program that attempts to form a stronger bond between officers and the communities that they serve. Passed: 15-0. Voting yes: Richard Alatorre, Goldberg, Mike Hernandez, Nate Holden, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Rudy Svorinich Jr. and Walters.

* FIREFIGHTERS: Approved a proposal by Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky lifting the hiring freeze that was imposed on the Los Angeles Fire Department and allowing the department to renew hiring firefighters and civilian employees. Recent brush fires, increased calls for paramedic service and a growing fire inspection workload make this necessary, Yaroslavsky said. Passed: 15-0. Voting yes: Braude, Ferraro, Ruth Galanter, Goldberg, Holden, Ridley-Thomas and Yaroslavsky.