COUNCIL FAILS TO KILL TERM-LIMITS VETO.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council failed to override Mayor James Hahn's veto of their attempt to extend their political lives from two to three terms, but then voted to plead for an exemption from the deadline for ballot measures.

That appeal was immediately rebuffed by county officials, apparently killing the council's effort to weaken the term limits law overwhelmingly approved by voters eight years ago. Council members said they would try again if they couldn't get the measure on the March ballot.

With political maneuvering of its rules, the council tried to keep alive the possibility of overriding Hahn's veto after it returns from recess on Dec. 11 - four days after the legal deadline to place items on the ballot.

However, a spokeswoman for the county Registrar of Voters said the city must act by Friday if it wants to place the measure on the March 2002 ballot.

``We have no choice in the matter,'' said Deborah Wright, executive liaison to Registrar Conny McCormack. ``The state Election Code is specific that we need a resolution to us 88 days before the election. We have no leeway in the matter.''

The council is not meeting next week because it will not have a quorum, as many members will be attending the National League of Cities meeting in Atlanta.

Councilman Nate Holden, author of the extension proposal, said he will call county officials to make sure whether there is any leeway to allow the council to get the measure before voters.

``The whole purpose of the state law is to prevent anyone from stalling the election,'' Holden said. ``That's not what we're doing. We're trying to get something on the ballot. Nothing will have been printed if they wait a week.''

If the city is unsuccessful, Holden said he will consider trying to get the measure on the November ballot.

The vote to override Hahn's veto was 7-4, with 10 votes needed to reverse the mayor's action. Since there was no conclusive vote to override or file away the matter, the issue remains alive through mid-January.

Voting to override the mayor were council members Nick Pacheco, Tom LaBonge, Cindy Miscikowski, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes and Jack Weiss. Opposing the override were council members Ruth Galanter, Janice Hahn, Holden and Dennis Zine.

City Clerk Mike Carey had warned the council that the county might refuse to accept the request to delay action - as it has in the past in similar situations.

Officials with the City Attorney's Office offered similar advice, pointing to the Election Code, but saying it was up to the county to determine whether it should give the city extra time.

The confusing situation developed when Hahn vetoed the measure because it included citywide elected officials as well as council members.

Rather than wait to issue the veto next week when the council is gone, the mayor said he wanted to give council members the opportunity on Friday to override him.

``The mayor is pleased there was no override and that there will be the same result when it comes back on Dec. 11,'' spokesman Matt Middlebrook said.

In his veto, Hahn said he believed term limits were only beginning to take effect and it would be wrong to ask for a change from voters at this time. He also questioned the political wisdom of putting the measure before voters when the city will also be seeking approval of a $600 million bond issue for new police and fire stations.

``The city of Los Angeles faces significant challenges in the months ahead,'' Hahn said, pointing to the demands as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

``Additionally, we must address the concerns that have led to secession efforts in parts of the city. During this critical time, I do not want to distract attention from the critically needed public safety facilities bond measure on the March 2002 ballot.''

The council did adopt Pacheco's motion requesting additional time.

``It was clear the mayor wanted to give us time to debate this,'' Pacheco said. ``Otherwise, he could have held on to this until next week when we're not here before issuing his veto. All we're asking for is time to consider this fully.''

HOW THEY VOTED

Here is the Los Angeles City Council vote on the override of Mayor James Hahn's veto of a term-limits proposal:

To override: Tom LaBonge, Cindy Miscikowski, Nick Pacheco, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes, Jack Weiss.

To uphold veto: Ruth Galanter, Janice Hahn, Nate Holden, Dennis Zine.

Here is the council vote on asking the county registrar-recorder to extend its deadline for putting the term-limits plan on the ballot:For extension: Ruth Galanter, Janice Hahn, Nate Holden, Cindy Miscikowski, Nick Pacheco, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes.

Against extension: Tom LaBonge, Jack Weiss, Dennis Zine.

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HOW THEY VOTED (see text)