PANELIST TO WEIGH FIRING POWER; REFORM COMMISSIONS SEEK CHARTER CONSENSUS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

In an effort to agree on a joint proposal for a new City Charter, representatives of Los Angeles' two charter reform commissions will consider today giving the mayor power to fire department managers subject to veto only by a two-thirds vote of the City Council.

``This is a major departure for us,'' said George Kieffer, chairman of the appointed Charter Reform Commission, which had adopted a plan to allow a simple majority of the council to overturn the mayor's firing of managers.

``Now we're saying it should be two-thirds having the veto over a firing,'' Kieffer said. ``That's a big difference - and it would come only if a general manager asks for a hearing.''

Representatives of the separate elected and appointed charter commissions also are expected to consider other proposals at a joint meeting today. One proposal is expansion of the Airport Commission to seven members, an increase of two.

Also, the joint committee will consider how to present to voters the possibility of expanding the council.

The appointed panel's proposed charter has included increasing the 15-member council to 21. The elected commission would keep it at 15, but will offer voters a separate measure to increase the council to 25 members.

``What we're trying to do is reach agreement on major points to come up with one charter reform package we could submit to the voters,'' Kieffer said. ``To do that, we've both had to compromise but are trying to remain true to the principles of our commissions.''

Erwin Chemerinsky, chairman of the elected Charter Reform Commission, said he was optimistic the two panels could reach some agreement.

``The goal must be to try to devise a unified charter proposal that each commission can consider,'' Chemerinsky said. ``Even if we can't reach agreement on an overall charter, I intend to bring some of these to the attention of the commission to see if they can be incorporated.''

The elected panel's final recommendation will go directly to voters next year. The appointed panel's recommendation will be submitted to the City Council, which can make changes to it before deciding whether to ask for voter approval.