CITY COUNCIL SETS DOWN RULES ON CAMPAIGN SIGNS, DONATIONS.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

SAN FERNANDO - Ahead of March elections, the City Council on Monday set a $500 limit on all campaign contributions and placed restrictions on political lawn signs.

The new rules - proposed by two councilwomen who are not running for re-election this term - take effect Feb. 3.

The first rule, unanimously approved by the council, caps campaign contributions, both monetary and in-kind, from individuals or groups at $500.

The limit drew fire from some candidates who said it was a political ploy to slow their fund-raising efforts. But Councilwoman Nury Martinez - who proposed the limit and last year raised more than $16,000 in campaign contributions, often in increments of $1,000 - said it was sorely needed.

``San Fernando has never had campaign limits,'' she said. ``It's important to have limits, to keep ourselves honest,''

Under a second rule spearheaded by Councilwoman Julie Ruelas, anybody placing or posting signs on property without first obtaining the written consent of the owner or resident could be fined $500.

The rule was approved by a majority of the five-member panel, with council members Mayor Maribel de la Torre and Councilman Steve Veres abstaining.

Both said that because there is no way to prove when a lawn sign was placed at a residence, a candidate could be responsible for one that was put there before the new rule takes effect Feb. 3, even if the candidate obtained an oral agreement from the resident.

``How do you know if it was placed there on Feb. 3 or before? The burden of proof is on you,'' de la Torre said.

``It's politically driven to try and make it difficult to campaign,'' said de la Torre, whose seat is being contested this year.

Council candidate Gilbert Berriozabal said both rules reflect political motivations.

``These are political vendettas, and they are taking things to the extreme,'' he said, noting the timing of the rules.

Prompted by the new rules, Berriozabal said he will seek larger contributions before the Feb. 3 deadline.

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com