A summary of significant Los Angeles City...

A summary of significant Los Angeles City Hall decisions affecting Central Los Angeles.

CITY COUNCIL

CIVIL RIGHTS SETTLEMENT: Approved a $90,000-settlement for a Boyle Heights couple who sued the city and the Police Department for civil-rights violations. The couple said police invaded their home on Feb. 8, 1991, causing property damage and physical and emotional injuries during a search for narcotics. No drugs were found. The 34-year-old man and his 28-year-old wife received psychiatric treatment as a result of the incident.

POLICE SETTLEMENT: Approved spending $69,750 to settle a lawsuit by a man who said he was kicked in the ribs by a police officer during a gang investigation in South-Central in August, 1987. The man, a detention officer for the city Probation Department, said injuries from the incident kept him off work about six weeks.

RIOT EQUIPMENT: Councilmen Marvin Braude and John Ferraro introduced a proposal to allow the Police Department to spend $1 million for additional equipment, including helmets, shields, vehicles and foam-rubber bullets, in preparation of any unrest that might result from two high-profile trials taking place in the next few months. The trials are those of the four police officers accused of violating the civil rights of motorist Rodney G. King and of the four men accused of beating truck driver Reginald O. Denny in last spring’s riots.

HOW THEY VOTED

How Southside and Eastside representatives voted on selected issues:

RACISM: Approved a six-point proposal declaring Los Angeles a “Racism Free City” and encouraging schools, churches, offices and homes to declare themselves “Racism Free Zones” where prejudice is not tolerated. It also asks elected officials and public figures to promote racial harmony and “not engage in racially insensitive acts.” Passed 12-0. Voting yes: Richard Alatorre, Joan Milke Flores, Mike Hernandez, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Rita Walters. Nate Holden was absent.

SENIOR TRANSIT: Approved a proposal to triple the cost of transit discount coupons for senior citizens who use buses, taxis and the city’s Dial-a-Ride services. Seniors had been paying $5 for $60 worth of coupons, but will pay $15 starting April 1. For low-income seniors, the coupons will cost $6. Passed 11-0. Voting yes: Flores, Hernandez, Ridley-Thomas and Walters. Alatorre and Holden were absent.

ECONOMIC SUMMIT: Approved a proposal to broadcast parts of the state Assembly’s two-day economic summit scheduled for Feb. 16-17 at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Portions of the summit will air on the city’s Channel 35 cable-TV station. Passed 11-0. Voting yes: Flores, Hernandez, Ridley-Thomas and Walters. Alatorre and Holden were absent.