Change oversight of DWP? Will this make a difference of more of mess?

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The Los Angeles City Council today tentatively
approved ballot measure language that would move oversight of some Department
and Water and Power duties from the council to the utility’s board of
commissioners.
If given final approval, the measure will be placed on the November
ballot, in which voters will be asked if various changes to DWP governance
should be made, such as the expansion of the utility’s voluntary citizen
oversight board from five volunteers to seven members who will receive a
stipend and must meet certain requirements.
DWP officials say the measure also is intended to allow the utility to
move faster in awarding contracts and hiring employees.
The Board of Water and Power Commissioners would be able to move forward
on rate hikes and more contracts without needing final approval from the City
Council and the mayor.
The proposed changes include the board being able to implement
individual components of the utility’s four-year spending and revenue plan —
which include projects and utility rate changes — without needing the approval
of the City Council or the mayor. The overall plan would still need approval
from the mayor and City Council.
The proposed measure could also change the way the utility hires its
workers by giving DWP employees the ability to be exempted from all or part of
the civil service system.
This idea is opposed by unions representing city employees. Ellen
Greenstone, an attorney for the Coalition of L.A. City Unions, said that if
approved, this provision “effectively privatizes and places DWP jobs off
limits to employees of other city departments — both managers and rank-and-
file — who now use promotional opportunities to advance their careers and to
benefit the city by deploying their expertise across all city departments.”
The Board of Water and Power Commissioners would also be expanded and
receive higher pay, with the voluntary five-member body changed into a panel
with seven paid members. If the measure is approved by the voters, the council
could consider setting the monthly stipend for board members at $2,000.
The board members could also become more experienced, with each needing
background in at least one of several areas, ranging broadly from experience
with utility management and water and power policy, to being a stakeholder,
such as a consumer advocate or a member of a neighborhood council or community
organization.
The members also would be barred from being a registered lobbyist on DWP-
related issues during the 12 months before being appointed.
Councilman Felipe Fuentes, who proposed the ballot measure, said that
the resulting language — which came about through “numerous, thoughtful
discussions with community members” — will now be “in the hands of the
voters, and the rate-payers.”
“This November, I urge their support in creating a more independent and
efficient utility,” he said. “It’s up to Angelenos to decide if the state’s
largest municipal utility will receive the necessary tools to create a stronger
governing board, expedite procurement and contracting, and make it easier to
hire workers for critical positions. It’s time to finally focus on the
customers and the ratepayers in preparation of Los Angeles’ future.”
Council President Wesson described the measure as “well-crafted” and
said it “will make the DWP more efficient and responsive to its customer’s
needs.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti said city leaders are delivering on a promise to
move forward a “reform package,” and this measure does part of the job
turning the DWP into a “utility that is nimble, efficient, and prepared to
meet the 21st century needs of our residents.”
“A modern department must have more flexibility to hire and maintain a
strong and accountable board,” he said, adding that “While there is still
more work to be done, I look forward to this measure being finalized so that
voters can have their say.”