Council Panel Recommends Spending Prop. K Park Funds

Despite protests from homeowner groups, a Los Angeles City Council panel took the first step Monday in spending funds from a $776-million measure approved by voters to improve city parks.

The Arts, Health and Humanities Committee recommended that the city spend $25 million for the first year of funding from Proposition K. The money will pay for 28 projects, eight of which are in the San Fernando Valley.

But leaders from the Federation of Hillside and Canyon Assns. blasted the actions, saying the public should have more say over how the money is spent. They also charged that some of the projects will not benefit city park-goers.

At the behest of Councilman Joel Wachs, the panel instructed city staff to recommend a method to form citizen committees that can advise the council on how to spend the money next year.

Because the city has until June 30 to select the projects for the first year, Wachs said the council did not have time to create a citizens panel to advise the council on those projects.

This is not the first controversy to befall the measure. A week ago, the City Council voted to oppose the suggestions by some city officials to use of Proposition K money to settle a lawsuit over an equestrian center in Lake View Terrace.

The project list includes:

* A soccer complex and trail improvements at Hansen Dam.

* Stabilization and grading of Potrero Canyon.

* Creation of a senior citizen center at North Hollywood Multi-Purpose Center.

* Construction of a child-care facility at Tarzana Recreation Center.

* Parking lot and restroom improvements at West Hills Recreation Center.

* Paving a roller-hockey rink at Studio City Recreation Center.

* Construction of a recreation center in Granada Hills.