$200,000 OKd for Community Groups

The Los Angeles City Council approved nearly $200,000 for 11 north Valley community and environmental groups Wednesday in the first round of grants from the Sunshine Canyon Community Amenities Trust Fund.

The fund was established in November 1996 as part of an agreement between the city and the dump’s owner, Browning-Ferris Industries of California Inc.

The company had filed a $400-million lawsuit against the city after it blocked use of an access road into Sunshine Canyon, which straddles the city and county border north of Granada Hills. The city closed the landfill on the city side in 1991, but Browning-Ferris continued to expand the dump on the county side.

The agreement allows Browning-Ferris to use the access road but required the company to pay $500,000 to establish the trust fund and to make annual contributions starting at $55,000 for the first five years and increasing over time.

Jane Stanton, director of the North Valley Family YMCA, said her organization would use the $16,666 it was awarded to help pay for a new Northridge facility scheduled to open next year.

“This will help tremendously,” Stanton said. “We can use all the help we can get.”

A citizens committee appointed by Councilman Hal Bernson reviewed grant applicants and made recommendations to the City Council. On Wednesday, the council approved the committee’s recommendations on a 14-0 vote.

Bernson, who voted in favor of the recommendations, remained upset about the agreement. Problems such as dust and noise from trucks, bad smells and other environmental problems associated with the dump continue to harm the area, he said.

“These organizations can use this money of course,” Bernson said. “But it’s not a fair shake for the city because we are losing more than we are gaining.”