SLOWING DOWN LAX FAST TRACK HAHN, COUNCIL AGREE TO HOLD OFF ON CONSULTANTS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Avoiding a direct confrontation over the immediate future of his $9.1 billion plan for Los Angeles International Airport, Mayor James Hahn and the City Council compromised Tuesday on a plan to hire more consultants.

Hahn agreed to delay the hiring of consultants until after public hearings end in two months as well as the award of any contracts until next year.

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who represents the area around LAX, reluctantly agreed to hold off on her plan to block the hiring but said she will closely monitor events on the plan.

Slamming her hand down on a 2-foot-high stack of environmental reports on the LAX plans, Miscikowski said she was frustrated by the lack of response from the Department of Airports and the Mayor's Office.

``We lost almost a year and a half because of this department and staff,'' Miscikowski said. ``They are blaming us for delays when it is their own doing. Don't let them put this on us.''

Miscikowski had objected to a plan to hire consultants - at a cost of $1 million a month - to carry out what is known as ``fast-track'' planning for the LAX modernization plan.

Hahn's office has said the consultants are needed to save money in the future and make sure the next stage of work is carried out properly.

But Miscikowski disputed that.

``There is plenty of work that could have been done,'' she said.

Miscikowski and others, wary of the speed with which the mayor and Airport Commission have attempted to push through the plan, forced a six-month extension of the public hearings on the proposal.

Under the proposal, runways would be widened and extended and new facilities built for rental cars and other services.

The more controversial aspects involve developing off-site passenger and baggage screening systems with passengers taking shuttles in the airport complex.

It also has drawn other concerns from officials.

Councilman Ed Reyes said he was disappointed that there has been no discussion about how the project would help residents.

``I don't see where we are doing anything to leverage this money to help residents,'' Reyes said, adding he wanted to see a program similar to one used at Staples Center to provide job training.

Airport Commission President Ted Stein said that model is being reviewed and will be used at the airport.

Also, Commissioner Miguel Contreras, who is also executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said it was his top priority.

``There are 49,000 jobs that are going to be created during the construction process,'' Contreras said. ``The question is how do we make sure these jobs help the economy here in Los Angeles, so that this economic engine that is the airport helps people throughout the city.''

He said he has airport staff working on programs to develop career training for young people.

``We have to make sure the benefits stay here and it's critical we attack some of the problems we face in Los Angeles. We see this as being the future of Los Angeles.''

Stein also insisted that the commission - and the process involving the LAX plans - would be open to public review.

In addition to the hearings now being held, there will be other meetings before the Airport Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com