A summary of significant Los Angeles City...

A summary of significant Los Angeles City Hall decisions affecting the Westside in the last week.

CITY COUNCIL

* ALLEY CLOSURES: Approved the closure of several alleys with the installation of gates in the La Brea-Crenshaw communities to reduce crime, graffiti and illegal dumping. The alleys are located within an area bounded by Crenshaw, Jefferson and Exposition boulevards and La Brea Avenue.

* BRAZIL CARNAVAL: Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky is requesting that the city absorb $4,935 in permit fees to allow the display of banners announcing the annual Brazil Carnaval, scheduled for Feb. 11-12. Proceeds from the event are to support two groups--Aid for AIDS, a local financial assistance organization and the nonprofit Rainforest Action Network.

HOW THEY VOTED

How Westside representatives voted on selected issues.

* DOMESTIC PARTNERS: Approved a proposal by Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg that grants unmarried domestic partners of city employees the same health and dental benefits as spouses. The city already grants bereavement and sick leave to domestic partners. PASSED: 10-3.

VOTING YES: John Ferraro, Ruth Galanter, Goldberg, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky.

ABSENT: Marvin Braude and Nate Holden.

* SPRINKLERS: Rejected a proposal to retrofit residential high-rise buildings with sprinklers because it would have been too costly to renters, many of them elderly Westside residents living on fixed incomes. PASSED: 14-0.

VOTING YES: Braude, Ferraro, Galanter, Goldberg, Ridley-Thomas and Yaroslavsky.

ABSENT: Holden.

* SANDBAGS: Approved a proposal by Braude to spend $63,000 to buy sandbags to be distributed to residents to help prevent water damage to their properties during the rainy season. The Fire Department estimates it will distribute approximately 190,000 bags. PASSED: 13-0.

VOTING YES: Braude, Ferraro, Galanter, Goldberg, Ridley-Thomas and Yaroslavsky.

ABSENT: Holden.

* SOUTHWEST MUSEUM: Approved a proposal aimed at keeping the Southwest Museum at the foot of Mt. Washington. The proposal requests that city departments develop a list of potential funding sources to contribute to the expansion of the museum, which has been at the site since 1914. Museum officials have been looking for a new site for the facility’s world-renowned collection of American Indian art. PASSED: 13-0.

VOTING YES: Braude, Ferraro, Galanter, Goldberg, Ridley-Thomas and Yaroslavsky.

ABSENT: Holden.