Council OKs Funds to Study Valley Cityhood

Despite reservations, the Los Angeles City Council approved $265,000 on Wednesday as its share of the cost of studies to determine the financial effects of the San Fernando Valley’s and Harbor area’s potential break from Los Angeles.

The council voted 10 to 1, with Councilman Nate Holden in opposition, to provide $225,000 toward the Local Agency Formation Commission’s $2.2-million study of Valley cityhood and $40,000 toward the agency’s $400,000 study of Harbor cityhood. The remaining money had already been allocated by the state and county.

Councilman Mike Feuer, an opponent of secession, supported the measure.

“It recognizes the importance of getting good hard facts that will be analyzed with great care,” Feuer said.

Councilwoman Laura Chick of Tarzana, who is neutral on secession, said the study will yield good information on cost and on how services would be split.

“Whether it moves the San Fernando Valley or Harbor area toward becoming a separate city or not, I’m hopeful the information can be used to self-improve,” Chick said.

Councilman Nate Holden said any study will show that there would be more disadvantages than benefits for the Valley if it becomes a separate city.

“It’s going to be a waste of the taxpayers’ money in the long run,” Holden said of the study. “I don’t think there is going to be a vote for [secession]. When those communities learn how much they will have to pay for additional services, they are going to give up on the idea.”

Richard Close, the chairman of Valley VOTE, disagreed on the eventual outcome of the study.

“Based on my analysis, I think it’s unquestionable the Valley can operate as a separate city,” Close said.

Steve Shorr, a member of the Harbor secession group, said, “I think the study will show it is viable and I think the city will clean up its act while the study is going on.”

LAFCO must determine that secession will not financially harm the new city or the old city before the agency can call for a vote.

The release of the city money will allow the local commission to hire consultants in February and complete the study in about two years, said Larry Calemine, executive director of LAFCO.

If the study goes smoothly and there are no legal challenges, the issue of Valley cityhood could be placed on the ballot in 2002, Calemine said.

Some council members said the study could show that non-Valley areas would benefit from a breakup.

“How come there are no funds for the inner city to secede?” asked Councilman Mike Hernandez. “I’m honestly beginning to believe we ought to become 35 cities, not two. That would give us populations of 100,000 each.”