Lobbying Firms Take In Record Sums for City Efforts.

FIRMS lobbying L.A. City Hall took in $15.25 million in client fees last year, up $2 million from 1999 and more than double their take five years ago. Lobbyists spent $10.3 million pushing their various causes at City Hall, also up $2 million from 1999.

What's more, for the first time ever, four lobbying companies raked in over $1 million each in client compensation on city-related matters.

Topping the list was Rose & Kindel, which took in $1.29 million. Close behind was the law firm of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro, with $1.24 million; followed by Afriat Consulting Group at $1.17 million; and Planning Associates Inc. with $1.12 million.

"No question about it, we've seen a steady increase in lobbying fees and expenditures over the last several years," said Barbara Freeman, director of public outreach for the city's Ethics Commission, which released the figures last week. Freeman credited the recent economic boom (a hot economy means more development projects, which in turn means more lobbying) and improved expenditure reporting procedures for the increase.

One other factor: both last year and in 1999, one issue - high-speed Internet access over cable lines - drew in unprecedented lobbying dollars. Last year, cable, telecom and Internet service provider companies spent a combined $2.24 million, on top of $1.92 million in 1999. No other issue has ever drawn more than $1 million in a single year, according to Ethics Commission officials.

Several local lobbying firms cashed in on the cable Internet access debate, including top-ranked Rose & Kindel, Cerrell Associates Inc. and the law firm of Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP.

Other big-ticket issues last year included: the Playa Vista development project, which generated $789,000 in lobbying fees; the placement of cell phone antennae, which generated $635,000; and $421,000 in lobbying for a reduction in the commercial portion of the next phase of the Porter Ranch development project in the northwest San Fernando Valley.

The Greek Theatre contract, which generated the most headlines throughout the year as the City Council reconsidered an earlier decision to grant the Nederlander family a five-year extension, generated a mere $322,000.