A summary of selected City Hall actions...

A summary of selected City Hall actions last week that affect the Westside.

CITY COUNCIL

* ROCKINGHAM AVENUE--Approved a resolution that gives the Police Department authority to temporarily restrict traffic on streets in the area of O.J. Simpson’s North Rockingham Avenue home. Although there are no immediate plans for street closures, the resolution empowers the Police Department to do so if they deem it necessary to restrict the number of people coming to look at Simpson’s estate. The council authorized establishing a preferred parking district contingent on approval from two-thirds of the area’s residents in the area bounded by Sunset Boulevard, Rockingham Avenue, Carmelina Avenue and Anita Avenue. The area would be posted with signs that would read “No Parking Any Time; Vehicles With District 73 Permits Exempted.” Residents could purchase permits for $15.

* FALSE ALARMS--Directed the city attorney to revise a proposed ordinance intended to cut down on the number of false alarms responded to by police. Among the revisions was a requirement that alarm companies call customers to verify that a police response is needed. If a customer does not answer the call, police would be notified to respond. At present, police respond regardless of whether the customer has been called. The ordinance would also reduce from four to two the number of false alarms each customer is allowed. A penalty of $80 would be charged for each false alarm over two. Councilman Marvin Braude said there were 161,804 alarm calls in the city last year, of which 153,107 were false alarms.

HOW THEY VOTED

* HOUSING PROGRAMS--Authorized the Community Redevelopment Agency to distribute $48 million from the Bunker Hill Housing Trust Fund as follows: $18 million for earthquake recovery, $14 million for areas affected by the 1992 riots, $10 million for citywide housing and $5 million to replace housing for people displaced by the earthquake, based on income criteria. The council agreed to reconsider this action because three council representatives from the San Fernando Valley epicenter area were absent for a previous vote on the issue. Passed 9-5. Voting yes: Braude, Zev Yaroslavsky, John Ferraro and Jackie Goldberg. Voting no: Mark Ridley-Thomas, Nate Holden. Absent: Ruth Galanter.