CITY SAYS IT WILL DELIVER ON MEASURE F.

Byline: Alexa Haussler Staff Writer

Now Los Angeles voters have given the go-ahead for $532 million in fire, paramedic and animal-services facilities, city officials are repeating earlier assurances that the construction and renovations will be completed on time and within budget.

Officials say two oversight committees and new internal safeguards will prevent a repeat of a bungled 1989 bond measure, which promised police facilities that were not built.

``There was a lot of criticism that certain projects have been promised in the past and not delivered. A lot of those were based on estimates that were thrown together very quickly,'' said Bill Mercer, chief administrative analyst for the Office of Administrative Research.

``We've learned and we think we've got everything included in these cost estimates so that kind of surprise won't happen again.''

By a 3-1 margin, city voters on Tuesday approved Measure F, a bond issue to provide funds to build and renovate fire stations and animal shelters across the city.

The measure includes $378 million to build 19 neighborhood fire and paramedic stations and a permanent emergency helicopter and air operations and maintenance facility at Van Nuys Airport.

It also includes $154 million to build, expand, renovate or replace eight animal shelters.

City officials estimate the cost of repaying the borrowed funds, with interest, will increase the average homeowner's property tax by $33.60 annually for 25 years.

The city has assembled an internal oversight committee with officials from the Fire and Animal Services departments and Department of Finance, Chief Legislative Analyst's Office and the Office of Administrative Research.

A second oversight panel will be composed of citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Council.

Plus, Mercer said, one person from the city's Engineering Department will be named the chief project manager for the bond package.

``That person is given the responsibility and the accountability for getting things done, and then our oversight committee makes sure that program manager actually does get the authority and the cooperation to make sure that things get done,'' Mercer said.

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, chairwoman of the council's Public Safety Committee, said residents should focus on a recent library bond measure that had similar safeguards as the fire and animal services package.

``They may actually be able to squeeze another library out of it,'' she said. ``In the case of the library, they were able to do more than they said they could.''

Measure F will make it possible for the city to undertake a number of projects:

--Acquire land and build one new fire station in San Pedro and 18 replacement fire and paramedic stations including six in the Valley. Those six are in Arleta, Encino, North Hollywood, Northridge, Studio City and Woodland Hills.

--Renovate and expand three animal shelters including one in the West Valley.

--Acquire land and replace three animal shelters including one in the East Valley.

--Acquire land and build two new shelters including one in the East Valley.

Miscikowski characterized the passage of Measure F as a major citywide victory, partly because the measure was the last item on a lengthy ballot. ``Voters got to it, and they felt this was something well worth their confidence,'' she said.

Councilman Mike Feuer, chairman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee, called the victory ``huge'' and said it will mean sorely needed upgrades in the fire and animal services departments.

``We are going to be getting animals off the streets and treating them humanely for the first time in a long time,'' he said.