Panel Debates $2.2 Billion in Bond Requests

Just four months before the November election and with little political support, a special City Council panel opened discussions Tuesday on a $2.2-billion ballot measure intended to pay for new police and fire stations, libraries, even sidewalks and a fiber-optic cable network.

But with Mayor Richard Riordan, Council President John Ferraro and other lawmakers questioning the tight schedule and the massive costs being proposed to voters, the measure’s chances of making the ballot appear to be fading, City Hall sources said.

“You’re not talking about $100 million, you’re talking about more than $1 billion,” Ferraro said in an interview. “This is coming in kind of late.”

Still, the six-member panel, which must take its first action by next week to make the November ballot, heard presentations Tuesday from the department heads seeking the funds.

A proposal to repair 4,620 miles of sidewalks and to make other pavement improvements is the largest of the requests, at nearly $699 million. The Police Department is seeking $638 million, followed closely by the Fire Department, which is seeking $636 million.

After a nearly two-hour hearing, it appeared that only the library system’s $168.6-million proposal had support from the council members.

Most lawmakers raised questions about the size and scope of the other requests. Some called for pared-down versions, if they are to be considered at all.

“I am very opposed to our going forward with the kind of dollar amounts that are being presented here without more time and scrutiny,” said Councilwoman Laura Chick, who chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee.

Councilman Mike Feuer went further: “We can’t do this huge thing at one time and expect it to be successful.”

While mayoral aides would say only that Riordan is evaluating the package, they and others acknowledged that his support is crucial to its success. Ballot bond measures need a two-thirds majority of voters to pass.

“I think it’s important for the mayor and the council to stand together on this,” said Ron Deaton, the city’s chief legislative analyst. “I’m hoping that the response from the mayor will be that these are compelling needs for the city.”

The ballot measure package began initially with the library department, which has spent nearly two years analyzing its needs and finances and gathering community support.

Other city departments came forward more recently with their requests.

Under the library proposal, 28 branches would be remodeled or expanded and four more facilities would be built.

The Police Department had originally sought more than $913 million but reduced that amount at the request of top city officials. The Fire Department is seeking to replace 35 fire stations and build one in San Pedro. It also wants a new public safety complex that would include an administration building. The Information Technology Department is seeking nearly $80 million for more than 250 miles of fiber-optic cable to link city offices.

The sidewalks proposal is for a special tax on homeowners, to be levied for 20 years at rates ranging from 59 cents to $2.15 per 100 square feet. The owner of a typical 1,200-square-foot home would pay a tax ranging from $7.07 to $25.76 a year.

It was the magnitude of the departments’ requests that concerned lawmakers; they did not dispute the needs.

The committee agreed to meet again Thursday to review the proposals and to discuss priorities for the ballot package.

But one council aide held out little hope: “I think it’s dead,” he said as the meeting neared an end.