A summary of selected City Hall actions...
A summary of selected City Hall actions last week that affect the Westside.
CITY COUNCIL
* WESTWOOD VILLAGE--Took initial steps toward forming a Westwood Village Business Improvement District, directing the city clerk to mail hearing notices concerning the proposal to businesses in the area. The improvement district, which must be approved by the majority of businesses in the area, imposes a tax used to provide security, maintenance, lighting and landscape improvements.
* CHRISTMAS TREE WARNINGS--Approved an ordinance that requires retail sellers of Christmas trees to attach a tag to each tree explaining the fire danger of trees inside the home and suggesting various safety measures to be taken by the purchaser. The Fire Department will pay for the tags.
* COUNCIL TV--Instructed the city clerk to prepare written summaries of City Council agendas, to be shown on Channel 35 before meetings are televised.
HOW THEY VOTED
* TAXICAB SERVICES--Approved an ordinance that extends for five years the authority for seven taxicab services to operate in specific areas of the city.
Beverly Hills Cab Co. will continue to provide services in the part of Los Angeles bounded by the San Diego Freeway on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, Culver City on the south and La Cienega Boulevard on the east.
The Independent Cab Co. and United Independent Cab Co. will cover the area roughly bounded by the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles International Airport, Mulholland Drive, and Topanga Canyon and La Cienega boulevards.
The Board of Transportation Commissioners had recommended a 10-year renewal period, but the council limited it to five years. A spokesman for the Department of Transportation said L.A. Taxi, which covers the central, eastern and South Central sections of the city, provides the best cab service in town, while San Fernando Valley Checker Cab provides the worst.
Passed: 14-0
Voting yes: John Ferraro, Marvin Braude, Zev Yaroslavsky, Ruth Galanter, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Nate Holden, Jackie Goldberg.
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