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SB 1060 would replace Coliseum Commission

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The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic  Development Monday approved Senate Bill 1060 by Senator Mark  Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), which would create an Exposition Park  Authority vested with the responsibility of managing and operating  Exposition Park. The governing body would also be tasked with developing  a long-term economic plan for the area.
The committee approval drew a  strong response from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors which  Tuesday voted to oppose the legislation on the grounds that the bill is  illegal and a totally unwarranted and ill-conceived state  encroachment into the local municipal affairs of this county and city of  Los Angeles. . .
The key question is whether the state can legally  dissolve a joint-authority agreement without the consent of other  members of the agreement.
The purpose of the legislation is to  capture the powerful economics of college sports and help rebuild one of  Californias most economically challenged communities through the  additional development of office space, affordable housing and  commercial and retail establishments in the surrounding and outlying  areas.
Under the measure, the Exposition Park Authority would be  responsible for the management and operation of all state-owned  properties within the Exposition Park area, including the Los Angeles  Memorial Coliseum, as well as the long-term planning and economic  development activities in the park. The bill would also require the  Authority to sell the aging Sports Arena to allow for private  development on the site.
Specifically, SB 1060 creates a  centralized governance structure for Exposition Park that would replace  the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission. The new governing body, the  Exposition Park Authority, would consist of nine members: three public  members, one each appointed by the Governor, Senate and Assembly; the  State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary or designee; the California  Science Center Executive Director or designee; the Los Angeles County  Supervisor representing the Second Supervisorial District; the City  Council Member representing Los Angeles Eighth Council District; and  two public members appointed by the Authority based upon their level of  financial contribution/development to the Park.
SB 1060 passed its  first legislative review with a 5-3 vote and advances to the Senate  Government Organization Committee for further deliberation.
Under of a  lease agreement worked out earlier this year, USC will gain  representation on the Commission, and this will hold true should the new  Authority gain control of the area.
The Board of Supervisors has  urged county officials to ask legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger  to oppose SB1060.

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