Council Hits Snag on Plan for Debris : Earthquake: A $3.5-million proposal to end illegal dumping on streets is criticized for its cost and lack of appeal process.

A plan to halt the illegal dumping of earthquake debris on city streets hit a snag Tuesday when Los Angeles City Council members voted to delay the proposal after debating its fairness, cost and impact. Several council members, while declaring their eagerness for debris removal, criticized the $3.5-million proposal that would include educating the public about the end of a federally funded cleanup program and directing city authorities to enforce laws prohibiting the inappropriate dumping of debris.

One such concern was the lack of an appeal process for property owners who are cited for debris, several council members said.

“Somehow there’s a big piece missing here,” said Laura Chick, who represents parts of the west San Fernando Valley. “I’m concerned about going after people who are truly not responsible.”

Other council members worried about the cost of the project, the behavior of unscrupulous contractors and others who dump debris illegally, the location of neighborhoods targeted for cleanup and the speed with which the cleanup should occur.

The full council agreed to revisit the proposal Friday, after further review and adjustments by the council’s Ad Hoc Earthquake Recovery Committee.

Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents parts of the northwest Valley and chairs the earthquake recovery committee, became visibly agitated about the objections.

“We will have to pick up this debris one way or another,” Bernson said. “I think this is a good plan.”

City officials said that since the federal program ran out of funds July 17, more than 100,000 tons of quake debris have piled up on city streets, even as street maintenance workers have been hauling away about 300 tons each week.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ended its cleanup program after spending about $233 million to haul away roughly 2.4 million tons of debris since the Northridge temblor in January, 1994.

Council members said the remaining debris could be hazardous to residents’ health because it creates a breeding ground for rats and other vermin.

Some council members emphasized that although the earthquake’s epicenter was in the Valley, the problem of discarded rubble exists in neighborhoods in all parts of Los Angeles.

“The areas [in need] should be seen as citywide rather than being viewed as the San Fernando Valley,” said Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents parts of south Los Angeles. “There are areas throughout the city that were very seriously impacted.”

Officials said that since the end of the federal program, the city has been citing property owners for debris on streets and sidewalks. Anyone cited for debris is given 10 days to comply, but can face up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail, or they can be charged the roughly $800- to $1,200-per-ton cost of cleanup, officials said.

Andres Santamaria, an engineer with the city’s Department of Public Works, said about 75% of the debris removal money spent by the city likely would be recovered from residents charged for their property cleanups. About 25% of the city expense would be impossible to recoup, he said.

Despite fears about an impending health hazard, the council decided that a more efficient plan would be better in the long run. “I think we may be moving too fast and are not finding the best way to do this,” said Richard Alarcon, who represents the northeast Valley.