VICA ENDORSES PROP. Q VALLEY BUSINESS GROUP ACCEPTS CITY LEADERS' ASSURANCES.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Assured by Los Angeles officials that Proposition Q complies with state law, a leading San Fernando Valley business group decided Tuesday to back the city's $600 million public safety bond measure on the March 5 ballot.

``We spoke with several city officials and they gave us assurances Proposition Q will comply with the state truth-in-bonding act,'' said Fred Gaines, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, after its executive board voted 26-8 to back the measure. ``City Council President Alex Padilla assured me it will comply, as did the City Attorney's Office.''

VICA's endorsement comes as the state Legislative Analyst's Office is reviewing the measure's language after a VICA staff report issued last week questioned its legality. The report said the bond measure fails to specify how much money is allocated to the various projects, including police and fire stations and emergency response facilities.

The decision came a day after another Valley business association, the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, announced its opposition to Proposition Q. The association of 25 chambers said the ballot measure should wait until after a possible Valley cityhood election in November.

``Not even one firefighter, cop or paramedic will be added by this measure,'' said Chris Hamilton, head of the United Chambers committee on government affairs.

Officials estimate if the measure is approved - it requires two-thirds voter support - it will add $34.49 a year to property tax bills on the average $189,000 home. Paying off the bond over the next 24 years will require annual payments of $41 million out of the city's general fund.

The plan would provide $120 million for a new emergency operations-fire dispatch center, $100 million for a Metro jail, $20 million for bomb squads including one based in the San Fernando Valley, $70 million for a new Valley traffic headquarters building, $45 million for a mid-Wilshire station and $170 million for repair and replacement of fire stations, including a new Valley station, replacement of the West Valley facility and improvements at the Van Nuys station.