CITY OKS PLAN TO STREAMLINE PURCHASES.Byline: Rick Orlov Orlov (Орлóв) is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's Daily News Staff Writer Five years after the city began looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. ways to save money on its purchasing, the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. on Tuesday Tuesday: see week. approved a
sweeping new program designed to modernize mod·ern·ize v. mo·dern·ized, mo·dern·iz·ing, mo·dern·iz·es v.tr. To make modern in appearance, style, or character; update. v.intr. To accept or adopt modern ways, ideas, or style. how the city government buys and stores supplies. ``This takes what was one of the most embarrassing systems in the country and turns it into what could be a model for big city governments,'' said Councilman Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management . ``If we are successful with this, the city can save $32 million a year. That's enough to hire and pay for 457 new police officers a year or whatever other priority this council decides.'' Wachs began the effort to change the city's purchasing system after an aide walked across the street from City Hall to purchase a legal pad legal pad n. A pad of ruled, usually yellow writing paper that measures 8 1/2 by 14 inches. and later learned the city paid three times that amount. ``We found a system so archaic, so driven by the processing of paperwork, that it resulted in the city paying more and not being able to pay its bills on time,'' Wachs said. Since then, the city has had an independent study confirming the problems and suggesting a streamlining of the city's procedures. John Mukri, assistant general manager of the Department of General Services, was placed in charge of the program and has been negotiating with other city departments to develop a common approach. Among his findings were that 14 separate city departments had their own warehouses, five of them doing their own purchasing. Other obstacles stood in the way of developing a common approach. ``What we will have is a dynamic system and a plan that fixes the problem,'' Mukri said. ``We are changing the culture of the city toward purchasing.'' Among the plans are to consolidate all warehouses and reduce their number from 100 to six, as well as replacing antiquated computers, consolidating accounts-payable functions, and developing contracts with individual departments to ensure they are provided with supplies. Some concerns were voiced by representatives of the city Fire Department concerning its ability to maintain its supplies in the event of emergencies. |
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