COUNCIL MAY TAKE OVER GOLF CONCESSION DECISION.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

A frustrated Los Angeles City Council is threatening to take over action on a disputed golf concession at the Encino-Balboa golf course after the city Recreation and Parks Commission delayed making a move.

During the council's night meeting in Encino on Wednesday, Councilwoman Rita Walters called on her colleagues to replace American Golf Corp. with Family Golf Centers as the interim concessionaire.

Walters said by agreeing to a 30-day delay in making a decision, the commission went against the wishes of the council and its own advisory panel, which recommended that Family Golf Centers take over the pro shop and driving range until a decision is made on which company should get a 10-year contract.

The council is scheduled to consider the proposal Tuesday.

Parks Chairman Steve Soboroff recommended a 30-day delay on the award of the temporary contract because it failed to spell out how much the minimum rent should be.

``I just thought there were some gross errors and until there's a level playing field, we shouldn't make a decision,'' Soboroff said. ``It is important we get the maximum amount out of this.''

Bill Schickler, senior vice president of Family Golf Centers, however, said the request for proposals did not include provisions for a minimum rent.

``We bid in accordance with that even though we tried to include that,'' Schickler said. ``But, I think that was just a smoke screen because the bid was very specific on certain items.''

The City Council has been debating the contract for nearly three months, after the Daily News reported that American Golf was selected by the commission even though it had finished fourth in the bidding.

Parks officials said they took the action because American Golf had not been properly ranked.