COUNCIL WAIVES NATION OF ISLAM FEE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council agreed Wednesday to waive a $30,000 fee for the Nation of Islam to use the Convention Center next week, while promising to review its policy on which groups receive the benefit.

``We have no legal reason to revoke the waiver, but we still need clear articulable guidelines on when we should or shouldn't waive fees for special events,'' City Councilman Jack Weiss said. ``We need to do this as a policy matter, as well as looking at the financial implications of what we're doing.''

The Anti-Defamation League last week protested the city's waiver of the fees for the Feb. 14-16 program, which involves the training of young people to work as conciliators for gang members. In particular, it cited concerns over the role the Rev. Louis Farrakhan would play at the event.

The Rev. Tony Mohammed, the local organizer of the convention, said it is not a religious event but will involve representatives from all communities to train young people.

``The theme is healing the wounds to bring about the universal family,'' Mohammed said. ``The commitment is not religious in scope.''

ADL spokeswoman Amy Levy said her group was disappointed the fees were waived but pleased the council will review its policy.

``We understand there were flaws in the policy as it was written,'' Levy said. ``We are eager to assist the council in any possible way in drafting a new policy.''

Under the present policy, the city is not to grant any fee waivers to religious groups, but has provisions allowing a majority vote of the council to grant exemptions.

Councilman Nate Holden cautioned his colleagues against developing too stringent a policy, noting that the city waives fees for a number of events, including last week's Golden Globes ceremony and the upcoming Academy Awards.