Councilwomen to Push for Borough Commission

Two Los Angeles City Council members said Monday they will propose a November ballot measure to create an elected commission that would devise a borough system of government as an alternative to secession.

Councilwomen Wendy Greuel and Janice Hahn said they hoped to introduce a motion today that would detail plans for a 15-member commission. The full council would have to approve putting such a referendum on the ballot.

The commission would be required to place a borough plan on the ballot by November 2004. It would be similar to the charter reform commission elected five years ago.

On Wednesday, a state panel is set to decide on whether to place San Fernando Valley secession on the Nov. 5 ballot this year. It is also considering putting secession proposals for Hollywood and the harbor area on the same ballot.

A borough system would give local regions of the city more say in budget and planning decisions, Greuel said. Each borough would have an elected board and president, she said.

Under the plan, the City Council would continue to deal with citywide matters.

Jeff Brain, president of the secession group Valley VOTE, dismissed the borough plan as a “political ploy” designed to confuse voters about secession.