Council Rejects Bond Funds to Settle Suit

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to oppose the use of park bond money to settle a lawsuit over the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center.

The vote, at the behest of Councilman Richard Alarcon, was intended to put an end to suggestions within the city attorney’s office to use $2.3 million in park bond money to settle the suit.

Proposition K, a bond measure approved by voters in November, was intended to raise $25 million annually to build and expand parks in Los Angeles.

But Alarcon said Deputy City Atty. Marcia Kamine suggested to him that some bond money be used to settle a suit filed by Eddie Milligan, the operator of Hansen Dam Equestrian Center near Lake View Terrace.

Milligan sued the city last year, claiming it has failed to provide him a 30-year lease on the center as he says he was promised. The city leases the property from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Alarcon said the unanimous vote sends a message that any other use of Proposition K money besides building and expanding parks would be wrong.

“This project was not specifically listed on the ballot measure,” Alarcon said.