CITY COUNCIL VOTES FOR LONGER TERMS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council took another step Tuesday toward asking voters next March to approve extending the limits on city officials' terms in office from eight to 12 years.

In an often-heated debate, the council agreed to ask voters to allow elected city officials to serve a third four-year term - one more than the current maximum.

It was a compromise plan, less ambitious than Councilman Nate Holden's effort to place three measures on the ballot for voters to repeal all term limits or give officials four terms.

``I can't believe what I'm hearing around here,'' Holden said. ``When we talk in private, everyone says they hate term limits. But when you're in public you sing a different tune.''

Holden said he believes term limits - approved by voters in 1993 when they passed a measure sponsored by former Mayor Richard Riordan - had proven to be unworkable.

``I think people should have the right to re-elect someone if they are doing a good job,'' Holden said. ``Look at the mess we have in Sacramento where it's just musical chairs and no one knowing how to get anything done.''

The council had been scheduled to take final action on the measure - applying it only to themselves - on Tuesday. However, they agreed to also seek voter approval of extending to three terms the offices of mayor, city attorney and controller.

``If we are going to ask voters to do this, it should be clean and like what they approved before,'' Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said. ``We shouldn't create a different system for council members.''

Councilman Hal Bernson, who has been elected six times, said he also opposes all forced term limits.

``Maybe what we should put on the ballot is a measure that says you are limited to one four-year term unless a majority of voters decide to re-elect you,'' Bernson said. ``That's a natural term limit. If voters don't like you, they won't re-elect you.''

Councilwoman Janice Hahn disagreed but still voted for the three-term limit measure.

As a former member of the elected Charter Reform Commission, Hahn pointed to numerous public hearings the panel held around the city concerning the issue.

``People want term limits because they've lost faith in government,'' Hahn said.

``We may feel voters want to repeal term limits or extend our terms, but I have to say I haven't heard that from the people in my district. The problem is that this came from politicians and politicians are saying we ought to extend our terms.''