City OKs $3.3-Million Refund to LAOOC : Council Gives Up Attempt to Influence Grants to Youth Groups

Surrendering in a tug-of-war over surplus Olympic funds, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved a final $3.3-million refund to the committee that organized the games.

The action, which returns unused funds advanced by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for security and other services, officially closes the books on the city’s participation in the 1984 Summer Games.

The organizing committee, concerned about apparent delays in release of the funds, recently filed a formal claim against the city for the $3.3 million. Such claims often portend lawsuits, although the council’s action Friday ruled that out.

Two-Month Review

Release of the funds, which passed without debate Friday, had been under review for about two months in the Finance and Revenue Committee chaired by Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky.

LAOOC officials complained that the delay was holding up the disbanding of the Olympic committee. They also said it was stalling the final transfer of funds to the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, the organization established to disburse about $90 million to local youth organizations.

Some council members were piqued that the foundation had not given their council districts adequate attention.

“The city and everyone else ought to be embarrassed by the arrogance of the (foundation) board,” said Councilman David Cunningham, who also sits on the finance committee. “The board made no effort to try to ascertain the needs in my community from me.”

Target of Criticism

Yaroslavsky, who had criticized the foundation in the past, declined to comment Friday on whatever differences may remain. He denied his committee has delayed the release of the funds and said that those who claimed otherwise were “making a mountain out of a mole hill.”

Nonetheless, council members had sought unsuccessfully to have a large share of the surplus funds set aside in a special trust fund--$1 million for each of the 15 council districts to be distributed to neighborhood sports organizations. Council members would have appointed advisory panels to oversee the disbursement of funds.

Stanton Wheeler, president of the Amateur Athletic Foundation, said the foundation board, which includes Mayor Tom Bradley, considered and rejected the council proposal. The board wanted to make direct grants to youth groups without council participation.

Of the council’s release of the funds, Wheeler said, “We’re very pleased.”