Write Council Member for Review of Product

Q: Recently I filed a patent for a product that would help fight crime and violence. How do I get my proposal heard before the Los Angeles City Council’s Public Safety Committee?

--Jimmy Sharp

Spring Valley

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A: If someone has an idea or a product that they believe will improve public safety, they can send a written proposal to their own council member or to Councilwoman Laura Chick, who represents the western San Fernando Valley and chairs the Public Safety Committee.

The council committee, one of 15, oversees the police and fire departments, animal regulation and building and safety matters.

The committee would refer the product to the chief of police or the Los Angeles Police Commission for review and evaluation of its effectiveness. If it’s a specialized product, it would probably be reviewed by a second city agency. For example, computer software would probably be reviewed by the city’s Information Technology Services.

Send a letter describing the product to Councilwoman Chick’s attention at 200 N. Spring St., Room 281, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

--Karen Constine, chief of staff

City Councilwoman Laura Chick

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Q: My hazardous-waste license fee of $405 is due. I don’t understand why my one-man motorcycle service shop, which generates 50 to 100 gallons of waste oil annually, is required to pay the same fee as a 19-employee business with the potential to generate much more waste. Is there anyone I can take this issue up with at City Hall?

--Raymond A. Bercovitz

CycleTime Co., Los Angeles

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A: A group in the mayor’s office at City Hall was established 2 1/2 years ago specifically to attract businesses to Los Angeles, retain them and help them expand. L.A.’s Business Team and representatives from the team are available to help businesses minimize problems in their dealings with the city.

A lot of people might think that just by calling us, they will get their problem solved, but unfortunately that’s not always true. But we can intervene to help businesses with taxes, permits, licensing and other issues. We refer small businesses to nonprofit agencies that can help them with management problems. We investigate complaints, like yours, about assessments and fees and help you contact the right person to talk to about them.

You can reach us at (800) 472-2278.

--Debbie La Franchi, assistant deputy mayor, Mayor’s Office

of Economic Development

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Q: I am interested in starting my own business, a service to appeal to the fine wine industry. Where can I find out if this field is saturated, the most promising geographic areas and the legal issues I should be aware of? I plan to enroll in a class to write a business plan to start off.

--Diana Johnston, Los Angeles

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A: You are right to want to research thoroughly before you open a new business venture. To collect data on the drinkers and collectors of premium wines, you can contact the Beverage Marketing Corp. at (212) 688-7640 or call Find/SVP Published Products at (212) 807-2611 or visit its Web site at https://www.findsvp.com

Since demographic data will be crucial in selecting your business site, you can use the U.S. Census Bureau report “Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Area” to locate data on metropolitan areas in places of 10,000 people or more. The data in the report pertain to population, age, sex, race, marital status, educational attainment, income and more. The California Assn. of Winegrape Growers at (916) 924-5370. and the University of California Cooperative Extension Service at (707) 253-4221 may be able to provide you with technical background information. Additionally, you should look at the advertisements listed in the Wine Spectator ([212] 684-4224) and the articles printed in Practical Winery Vineyard ([415] 479-5819) to boost your overall knowledge of the industry.

Knowing your competition will require you to select your geographic area and contact storage facilities and specialty wine stores to determine capacity, cost and referral sources. The American Society of Appraisers ([703] 478-2228) may be able to provide valuation and operational ratios. Lastly, you can research the legal requirements for your business by consulting the California Code of Regulations and your local city and county business codes.

--Cookie Lewis

President, Infomania

If you have a question about how to start or operate a small business, please mail it to Karen E. Klein in care of the Business Section, Los Angeles Times, 1333 S. Mayflower Ave., Suite 100, Monrovia, CA 91016, or e-mail it to kklein6349@aol.com. Include your name, address and telephone number. The column is designed to answer questions of general interest. It should not be construed as legal advice.