California Faultline

The City of Industry attempts to pursuade that state to divert $820 million from property taxes to help with city redevelopment efforts was smacked down after strong opposition from LA County supervisors, creating another hurdle in ongoing efforts to lure an NFL team to the area.

Opponents said the extension would give Industry more time to build public-works projects, including streets, sewers and traffic lights, that would serve a stadium — and provide more commercial development to make the area more attractive to the NFL.

Industry City Manager Phil Iriarte said the stadium proposal calls for private financing of the stadium and he does not believe any redevelopment money spent to enhance the area and its streets would be a deciding factor for the NFL. [LA Times]

It should be noted that the population of the City of Industry is 800. That’s right - eight hundred. And they’re asking for $820 million. Interesting town

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association, which the LA Weekly called ” the most powerful business group north of Mulholland,” has released a list of ten ideas for the City of Los Angeles to generate additional revenue, and another 40 ideas to balance the city budget. Some of my favorites:

Require the City to act on its plan for parking meter upgrades, and institute a standard of 99 percent operation of meters at all times (current operation is at approximately 85 percent). Revenue: $20-$45 million at a cost of $5 million to implement per year for the next five years.

Attract a National Football League team to Los Angeles.

Eliminate positions for calligraphers to decorate City proclamations and honors and program computers to do this. Savings: $500,000.

But please, don’t even touch this one:

Eliminate irrelevant programs for City workers such as “stick-play and sphincter control classes.”

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