Note: This is a news release from Cindy Miscikowski provided electronically to ValleyVote by her office
Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski today called for the formation of a City Council Ad Hoc Committee on San Fernando Valley Secession, saying it's time to acknowledge and begin to address the issues that have promulgated the separation movement.
At a City Hall press conference the Councilwoman, whose district is more than half in the Valley, said she introduced a motion today, asking Council President John Ferraro to convene a committee to establish a forum for public debate on the issues of the secession movement and to facilitate a fair and open dialogue on the subject.
Miscikowski's motion calls for the Ad Hoc committee to serve as a clearinghouse for secession-related data, to analyze information and disseminate the results of that analysis to the public. In addition, the committee would be the Council's formal means of communication with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the County agency which will study the feasibility and economic implications of forming a new city in the San Fernando Valley, as well as with Valley Vote, the citizens's group advocating secession.
"Part of the greatness of Los Angeles must be our willingness to work together to solve the problems which threaten to divide us," Miscikowski said. "There are legitimate concerns which the Valley secession movement's leaders have raised, but the City has yet to focus the kind of concerted effort it is capable of mounting on finding ways to solve them. That's what I believe this committee can do.
"Until now, there has been no public forum for either the official presentation by Valley Vote of their issues, or for official reaction to those issues by City officials," Miscikowski said. "Other than quotes in the news media, we have really had no way of talking with each other. The formation of this ad hoc committee will create the forum necessary for this vital dialogue to take place."
Under her motion, the new committee (most Council ad hoc committees consist of five members) would be made up of a majority of City Council members who represent the Valley, and the Mayor or his designee as an ex-officio member. The committee would meet at least one time a month, with at least half its meetings in the Valley, and when possible during the evening. All meetings would be open to the public, and public comment on any issue related to secession would be welcome at all sessions. The Councilwoman's motion also asks that all the committee's meetings be aired on Channel 35, the City's cable TV station.
"I envision this committee taking a wide range of actions, including hearing public testimony and requesting detailed reports from City departments. These steps would be aimed at getting to the heart of why so many Valley residents believe their communities don't receive their fair share of City services or get the attention they deserve," Miscikowski said. "If those beliefs are shown to be accurate, this committee should make specific, detailed recommendations to the Council how service imbalances can be corrected, what it will take to make that happen and how quickly fair and equitable treatment for all of our City can be achieved."
In a related action, Miscikowski introduced a motion today urging that the Council endorse State legislation under which the State would pay up to 80 percent of the cost of the LAFCO study on Valley secession. Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa is believed to be planning to introduce such legislation.
Los Angeles City government needs to address effectively the growing movement for San Fernando Valley secession. The City Council, in a fair and evenhanded manner, needs to consider all secession-related issues. We find ourselves today at this crossroads where we, as the city’s leaders, need to acknowledge the legitimacy of the many concerns which have fueled the secession movement.
As such, a forum for public debate on the merits of secession must be established. This forum will serve to receive all information; subject it to impartial, thorough and complete analysis; and finally, disseminate the conclusions to the public.
This process and its conclusion will provide an invaluable body of factual information free from prejudice, rumor and misinformation, elements which would only serve to promote fear and mistrust. This process and its conclusions will serve the public well in the event an election is called on the question of Valley secession.
I THEREFORE move that the Council President appoint an Ad Hoc Council Committee on San Fernando Valley Secession within 30 days. The Committee is to include a voting majority of Council members who represent districts in the Valley, and the Mayor or his representative as an ex-officio member;
I FURTHER MOVE that this committee’s charge include: 1) reviewing those issues raised about accessibility, accountability and fairness in Los Angeles City government which in part inspired the secession movement, and recommending how the problems which caused those complaints can be solved in ways which acknowledge their merit and seriousness; 2) serving as the council’s means of communication with the Local Agency Formation Commission; and 3) functioning as a clearinghouse of secession-related information, where it can be reviewed and analyzed and through which the results of this analysis can be disseminated to the citizens.
I FURTHER MOVE that this Ad Hoc Committee meet no less than once a month. At least half of its meetings are to be held in the San Fernando Valley, and on occasion, during evening hours.
I FURTHER MOVE that the Information Technology Agency be directed to telecast all the meetings of this ad hoc committee on Channel 35.
Presented by _________________________________
Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski
Seconded by __________________________________
June 8, 1999
The successful effort of San Fernando Valley residents to submit to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) petitions with sufficient registered voter signatures to precipitate a study of possible secession from the City of Los Angeles has raised a public debate over how this costly study might best be financed, and what role the City of Los Angeles should have in paying for it.
A potential solution would be for the State of California to shoulder a significant portion of the expense for this study and allow other local entities, LAFCO and the petitioners to determine the funding for other parts of the study. Legislation consistent with this format is being discussed in Sacramento and may soon be introduced. Adoption of such legislation would facilitate the study needed to determine the economics of secession and whether a division of the City could be accomplished in a manner that is revenue-neutral. Adoption of this legislation would also provide a reasonable funding method for making this determination.
I THEREFORE MOVE that the Council include in the City?s 1999-00 Legislative Program SUPPORT of legislation to facilitate the funding of studies by LAFCO or similar agencies of secession or incorporation efforts throughout California. These measures could include providing state financing for 80 percent of the costs of the LAFCO study needed to determine the feasibility of the San Fernando Valley?s secession from the City of Los Angeles.
Presented by ___________________________________
Cindy Miscikowski
Councilwoman, 11th District
Seconded by ___________________________________
June 8, 1999