A summary of selected City Hall actions...

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

CITY COUNCIL

* EXCEPTION DENIED--Overturned a City Planning Commission action that would have allowed the construction of two 25-foot-tall houses at 8000-8010 Mulholland Drive, thereby exempting them from the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Plan that calls for a 15-foot height limit on homes. Many residents and members of the Mulholland Scenic Parkway organization spoke against construction of the houses, saying that they and the planned 23-foot-tall wall around them would be an eyesore.

* EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM--Approved a $136,000 contract with Emergency Response System Inc. to monitor and maintain 700 electronic devices for low-income residents who are 60 or older, frail or handicapped and who live alone. The devices alert a response center when the person is in need of emergency assistance.

* BLEACHER REPAIR--Approved $250 from the city’s general purpose fund to be used for bleacher repair in the Venice High School gymnasium.

HOW THEY VOTED

* AIDS PROGRAMS--Authorized the Community Development Department to provide 19 AIDS prevention programs with funds totaling $850,000. Among the programs selected and the money they are to receive are Prototypes ($75,000), Jovenes ($65,000), California Drug Consultants ($60,000), Clinica Oscar Romero ($55,000), AIDS Project LA ($50,000) and the Watts Health Foundation ($50,000). Also approved a $150,000 contract with Childrens Hospital for a survey assessing the efficacy of AIDS prevention strategies for youth. Passed 12 to 0.

Voting yes: John Ferraro, Ruth Galanter, Jackie Goldberg, Nate Holden and Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Absent: Marvin Braude, Zev Yaroslavsky.