COUNCIL SPEEDS PROCESSING OF SHOOTOUT DAMAGE CLAIMS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council took steps Friday to help people who suffered damage in the North Hollywood bank robbery shootout to get their homes repaired and damage claims quickly paid.

``We are trying to make whole the people who have been damaged directly as a result of the incident,'' Councilman Joel Wachs said prior to the council's 12-0 vote. ``We don't want people to go through legal hoops so the burden and pain becomes even more onerous.``To put people through any legal wrangling is simply untenable.''

Under the council's actions, the City Attorney's Office was asked to speed up its procedures for reviewing claims and make recommendations on settling them as soon as possible.

In addition, the council authorized the use of those involved in its Handi-worker program to make repairs on homes and apartments that sustained damage.

``We had thousands and thousands of shells fired,'' Councilman Richard Alarcon said. ``Part of what we have to do for recovery is patching the holes as quickly as possible.''

The council action will allow the repair of apartments of seniors and low-income residents in addition to the repair of homes.

``This is the same thing we did after the Northridge Earthquake,'' Alarcon said. ``I think we need to take the same type of action for this disaster.''

Senior Assistant City Attorney Dan Woodard, who heads the claims section, said the city has received 11 claims, with nine of those for damage to cars.Woodard said the claims range from $82 to repair a bullet hole to one person who wants $9,200 to buy a new vehicle.