Panel Urges Joint Control of Secession Data

Making clear their desire not to be excluded, Los Angeles City Council members insisted Friday that city data produced for studies of San Fernando Valley and Harbor cityhood should be released under supervision of both the council and mayor.

Members of the council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Special Reorganization rejected a proposal by City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka to have the joint supervision process expire July 1, when a new City Charter could give Mayor Riordan authority to take control of the release of data for the cityhood studies.

“I believe that there should be collaboration,” said Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. “There is a downside when any one part of the city government works alone. I’ve seen it far too often.”

Councilman Joel Wachs, another member of the panel, said release of the data must be done in a public setting like the one provided by the council committee.

Putting the data collection and release in the hands of the mayor and city bureaucrats alone would prevent important public scrutiny and awareness, Wachs said.

Fujioka said he recommended the July 1 expiration date at the request of the mayor’s office, which noted that that is when a new charter changes the rules of management in the city. It makes the mayor responsible for representing the city in dealings with other local agencies, including the Local Agency Formation Commission, which is conducting the cityhood studies.

Fujioka told the council panel that there is still a disagreement in City Hall about what the process should be like after the new charter takes effect.

“There is a difference of opinion over who has authority over intergovernmental relations,” Fujioka said afterward.

The idea that the process for supervising the release of data might change after July 1 sparked concern and protests from some City Hall officials who feared Riordan would take control of the dissemination of information to the exclusion of the council.

Chief Legislative Analyst Ron Deaton refused to join Fujioka in signing the memo recommending the July 1 expiration date for the process involving the council.

“I didn’t see why things would change on July 1,” said Deaton, the council’s top advisor. “I don’t understand what would happen after July 1. Why go through a big process to develop a system that is only going to last two months.”

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Two other city officials said they were told by Riordan representatives that the mayor’s office would legally have sole responsibility for the release of data to the Local Agency Formation Commission when the new charter takes effect.

However, Deputy Mayor Bill Violante denied that there was a potential power struggle.

Violante said Riordan is happy with the process that includes the City Council and he does not anticipate a change that would exclude the council after July 1.

“It is true that the mayor has responsibility for intergovernmental relations,” Violante said, but added: “If the process is working, I don’t see any reason for change.”

Riordan has been a leading opponent of Valley secession, and believes any study will show that it would not be in the Valley’s best interest to break away.

Many City Council members have also voiced opposition to the breakup of the city.

For that reason, Valley VOTE officials said they would be concerned if there were an attempt by anyone to take control of the data collection and disbursal and remove it from public view.

“We don’t want to get in the middle of a power play between the mayor and City Council,” said Richard Close, chairman of Valley VOTE. “Our concern is, whether it’s the council or someone else, is someone going to try to massage the numbers.”

Close said he is concerned that city officials may try to edit, filter or hide information that is embarrassing, such as data showing that the city overpays for goods and services.

Larry Calemine, LAFCO’s executive director, said he plans to submit the first request for city financial data in two weeks.