Ken Bernstein, Editor of The Planning Report, reports how the Los Angeles CRA is going to decrease its administrative budget by 10% -- removing posts as a result.
Ken Bernstein
The reorganization is designed to shave 10% from the Agency’s administrative budget and to demonstrate its commitment to “non-traditional CRA areas.”
The transit agency reorganization spelled out above is not the only bureaucratic reshuffling in Los Angeles this month. The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency is also poised to announce a major reorganization, designed to shave 10% from the Agency’s administrative budget and to demonstrate its commitment to what CRA Administrator Ed Avila calls “non-traditional CRA areas.”
The position of Chief of Operations is being eliminated, with Avila assuming a direct role in operations. Avila will also assume the title “Administrator/Chief of Operations.”
The position of Chief Deputy Administrator has also been eliminated. Judith Broverman, who has filled that post, becomes Deputy Administrator for Housing and Engineering. With the increased role of the City Controller in the Agency’s affairs, the CRA Controller Position is also being eliminated.
To increase the Agency’s role in “non-traditional areas,” three new positions are being created in the Administrator’s office for economic development, human services, and preservation. “This is a statement that this Agency is at the forefront of these critical issues,” says Avila.
The new preservation official will have an increasingly large task, with the recent legal go-ahead for Hollywood redevelopment, and the Agency's increased focus on the downtown historic core.
The economic development specialist will be charged with job attraction and retention programs, and forging a relationship with County economic development programs. The human services official will focus on CRA’s social service efforts, including the “LA’s Best” after-school program.
The administrative trimming is designed to free up dollars for other uses. “When we cut 10% from our budget,” explains Avila, “we are providing more dollars for our programs, which is what we want.”
According to Avila, these changes will not only be included in the Agency’s proposed 1993 budget, but also go into effect right away, in the current budget. The entire reorganization package will be sent to Council during December and will likely be considered by the Council sometime in January.
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