Council Seeks Power Over Independent Boards : Politics: Mayor Bradley vetoed a similar ballot measure last year, calling it a ‘naked power grab.’

Chipping away at the authority of Mayor Tom Bradley, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a ballot measure that would give the council greater control over the city’s independent boards and commissions, including the port and airport.

But a spokesman for Bradley hinted that the mayor may veto the measure because he has “serious concerns” about its potential effect on the agencies’ bond ratings.

Last year, Bradley vetoed a similar ballot measure, calling it a “naked power grab” that would increase the influence of campaign contributors and allow the council to “grab control of millions of dollars in contracts now awarded by citizen commissions.”

The new measure, which would go before the voters in June, was revived last week after Bradley agreed to a compromise giving the council greater authority over the huge Community Redevelopment Agency.

The council had threatened to take over the CRA entirely after the agency’s board of commissioners, appointed by Bradley, agreed to a $1.5-million severance package for outgoing administrator John Tuite.

The Charter amendment approved by the council Tuesday by a 9-2 vote would permit the council to review decisions of the independent agencies on a case-by-case basis. The measure affects Bradley-appointed panels that govern the airport, harbor, library system, recreation and parks, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Department of Water and Power.

Under the amendment, the council would have 10 days to request a review of any board action, which would become final if the council failed to reverse it within 45 days.

“This is not a takeover,” said Councilman Hal Bernson. “This is like an emergency brake. If there’s something we need to stop, we can do that.”

Councilman Michael Woo voted against the measure, saying that such a change should be part of a general overhaul of the City Charter. Councilman Ernani Bernardi also voted against the measure.

Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, who sponsored the measure, said Tuesday that there are enough votes on the council to override a veto by Bradley. Nine members voted for it on Tuesday and three were absent. Ten votes are needed for an override.

The mayor’s concern about bond ratings is exaggerated, she said. Questionable management actions--such as the Tuite buyout--are more likely to affect bond ratings than implementing council oversight of the agencies, Flores said.

Bradley said through a spokesman Tuesday that the council’s “rush to action would greatly impact the bond ratings” of the airport and harbor departments because it would impede the ability of managers to move quickly in making investments. Bradley plans to review the measure before deciding whether to veto it, the spokesman said.

The council also voted to place a $297-million bond measure on the June ballot to pay for a potpourri of recreational and cultural projects as well as the acquisition of open space. The measure is similar to the county’s Proposition B parks bond measure, which was turned down by voters last November.