LA playing scenes from Chinatown & Tank Girl: Once Again, Council to Ask DWP for Money

Once Again, Council to Ask DWP for Money

The proposal comes after the DWP refused to transfer $73.5 million to the city

A day after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called on the city to shut down non-revenue-generating services -- such as parks and libraries -- the city council will try to persuade the Department of Water and Power to transfer needed funds.

If that doesn't happen, the services could be shut down for two days a week, beginning April 12. Villaraigosa said the police and fire departments would not be affected by the closures.

Libraries and street services, and the officers of city clerk, public works and city planning would be affected.

The city council will -- once again -- plead with the DWP to transfer $73 million to the city's general fund to keep the city running.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/DWP-Refuses-to-Transfer-735-Million-to-the-City-89948147.html



Power Play: City Hall Showdown Over DWP Rates

"This wasn't a negotiation," the council president says

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wanted a higher increase in electricity rates. So did the Department of Water and Power.

But the City Council -- in a late-night session Wednesday -- pulled the plug on their plan. Instead, the council ignored the wishes of the DWP and mayor, and asked the department to try again next time.

California law allows the DWP to raise its Energy Cost Adjustment Factor surcharge only at the beginning of each quarter. Because of the council's unanimous veto late Wendesday, the DWP will miss a deadline to impose the rate hike April 1 and cannot have another rate hike until July 1 at the earliest -- and then only if the council agrees.

The dispute was over the size of the rate hike.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Council-Rejects-Rate-Hikes-Backed-by-Mayor-DWP-89681362.html