A summary of selected City Hall actions last week affecting central Los Angeles.

CITY COUNCIL

* SIQUEIROS MURAL: Approved a motion to use $40,000 of Cultural Affairs Department money to partially fund construction of the foundation for a platform viewing area and canopy for David Alfaro Siqueiros’ “America Tropical” mural at Olvera Street. The 18-foot-by-80-foot mural depicts a Native American on a crucifix with an American eagle above him, and two revolutionaries, one pointing a rifle at the eagle. The mural so outraged city officials at its unveiling in 1932 that shortly afterward, a portion was painted over, and a few years later the entire work was covered. In 1987, officials from the Getty Conservation Institute took the first steps to restore the mural. Dr. Neville Agnew, associate director of the institute, said the restoration could be completed by the end of next year. Cost for the project is about $2 million, with the bulk of that coming from Getty fund raising.

* NUISANCE ALLEYS: In an effort to reduce criminal activity, approved a resolution that will close the following alleys to vehicular traffic: the alley east of Westlake Avenue between Wilshire Boulevard and 7th Street; the alley east of Burlington Avenue between 8th and 9th streets; and the alley west of Western Avenue between 43rd Place and Vernon Avenue. Councilman Mike Hernandez said he has targeted 20 alleys in his 1st District area, and of those, the one behind Westlake Avenue--a block from MacArthur Park--is the worst. An abandoned, foreclosed building there has become a haven for drug dealing, prostitution and transients.

* FIRE HAZARDS: Denied the appeal of 17 homeowners who had objected to the fines imposed on them for having fire hazards removed from their property at the city’s expense. Fire Inspector Mike Theule said that of the 1,065 people told to remove weeds, brush and other possible fire hazards, those 17 residents refused to comply. “They just didn’t want to be told what to do with their property by the Fire Department,” Theule said. The fines ranged from $300 to $2,900 for a West Los Angeles property owner who had 450 cubic feet of recyclable materials at his home. Theule said the city hired a contractor who spent a full day hauling the newspapers and other recyclables away.

* RESPONSE PROGRAM: Authorized the Department of Aging to use $139,000 to extend for three months a contract with Response USA for the EARS program, which provides electronic devices to low-income individuals at least 60 years old who are frail and live alone. When activated by the user in an emergency, the device alerts a response center, which dispatches assistance.

* GREEN LINE OPENING: Approved a motion that will waive $9,200 in fees for 200 banners to be displayed announcing the opening of the Aviation Metro Green Line Station on Aug. 12. The Metro Green Line will run from Marine Avenue and Aviation Boulevard in Redondo Beach, north to Aviation Boulevard and the 105 Freeway, then east along the 105 Freeway to the city of Norwalk. The ride will be free on Aug. 12 and 13.