WOODLAND HILLS : VICA Backs City Charter Proposals

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. on Friday endorsed proposed amendments to the Los Angeles City Charter that are up for a vote April 11, saying passage would boost the San Fernando Valley’s economy.

“Most of them aren’t things people get real excited about,” said VICA spokesman Bob Scott, “but they’re important nonetheless. If Los Angeles hopes to retain and attract more clean-air industry and jobs to the city, it has to provide an infrastructure that is more flexible, cost-efficient and accountable to taxpayers.”

VICA, a nonprofit business-advocacy group, is supporting all eight charter amendments on the April 11 ballot, but specifically endorsed the five it says would have the greatest impact on the local business climate.

Among them: Proposition 1, which would streamline contracting and purchasing procedures and could save the city as much as $30 million a year, by some estimates; Proposition 2, which would make it easier to hire and fire top administrative officers; and Proposition 3, which would appoint an inspector general to the Police Commission.

The other proposals would make changes such as altering the retirement fund system for city employees and reworking the accounting system for Los Angeles airports.