TIPOFF CUSTOMERS AT MEETING SURE TO LET DWP KNOW ITS IMPACT.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Stepping into the lion's den, Part I:

The Board of Water and Power Commissioners, which is considering an 18-percent increase in water rates over the next two years, is scheduled to meet Tuesday in Van Nuys, one of the few times it gathers outside of downtown Los Angeles.

Although the meeting is designed to discuss general DWP issues, the board can expect to hear plenty from angry customers over its proposed rate hike, which could add up to $50 a month to water bills for most customers.

DWP board members are hoping to use the meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., as a way to tout the agency and its accomplishments.

``This is really an opportunity for customers to learn about LADWP water and power services in their areas,'' board President Dominick Rubalcava said.

``There's probably no one in Los Angeles who goes a day without being directly impacted by the DWP - from the time you brush your teeth in the morning to driving to that first street-signal light.''

For the record, the board will be having separate hearings on the rate- increase proposals.

Stepping into the lion's den, Part II:

Mayor James Hahn, who has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the San Fernando Valley, is trying to warm up things by agreeing to be the featured speaker at the Valley Industry and Commerce Association annual meeting Dec. 11.

Hahn will be delivering what is being called a ``State of the Valley'' address to the business leaders. VICA is one of the few groups that gets along with Hahn, with many of its leaders serving on panels looking at how to change the city's business tax.

With Hahn at the mid-point of his term and already raising a lot of money for his re-election campaign, there continues to be a lot of talk about who will oppose him in his bid for re-election in 2005.

Councilman Bernard Parks, who was rejected by Hahn for a second term as police chief, is most frequently mentioned and the names of several others, including former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys and Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, come up a lot.

Parks said he doesn't intend to think about the matter until January.

Until then, he said, ``people have to get a life'' and deal with other issues.

Another oft-mentioned potential mayoral candidate, either in 2005 or 2009, is Controller Laura Chick.

Chick has been keeping her options open and has been working to become increasingly visible in recent weeks, criticizing the DWP and promising to deliver a tough audit of the Department of Airports and its contracting policies in a few weeks.

And, in a move to shore up support among women, Chick is planning a special forum Tuesday at Los Angeles City Hall in what she is calling ``Symposium: Unfinished Business. The past, present and future of women in Los Angeles.''

The panel includes former California first lady Sharon Davis, Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-Mission Hills, union leader Julie Butcher, former Airports Director Lydia Kennard, attorney Cynthia McClain Hill and television reporter Linda Breakstone.

The Los Angeles City Council's own crime-fighting duo of Councilmen Dennis Zine and Greig Smith - the modern-day self-styled Starsky and Hutch - have received clearance from the City Attorney's Office to continue as reserve officers.

The activities of the two came into question after they were involved with the arrest of a robbery suspect at Galpin Ford this year, with Police Commissioner Alan Skobin in tow.

Some council members were concerned about the liability issue of having the two on patrol. Both have since been reassigned to non-uniformed patrol duties - Zine in the fugitive warrants section and Smith working on a stolen-car detail.

``We are like ambassadors to the public to get involved,'' Zine said, adding he doesn't serve the warrants - which usually involve arrests - in his district.

``That's all I need, is to arrest someone who could vote for me,'' Zine said, jokingly.

Zine also is planning a fund-raiser soon for his 2005 re-election campaign. The site will be Galpin Ford with the theme of ``Return to the scene of the crime.''

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com