Motion by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

June 15, 1999

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

The pending implementation of a new 424 overlay area code in the portions of Los Angeles County currently served by the 310 area code has generated a great deal of controversy and public dissatisfaction.

Last Wednesday, a group of petitioners led by Assemblyman Wally Knox and Rep. Henry Waxman asked the California Public Utilities Commission to stay the scheduled July17, 1999 implementation date of the new area code, and revert from the current mandatory 11-digit dialing to the earlier permissive seven-digit dialing mode pending completion of a full investigation of the issue as called for under AB 818, an urgency measure sponsored by Assemblyman Knox currently moving through the Legislature.

Subsequent to the posting of today’s supplemental agenda, it has come to my attention that Assigned Public Utilities Commissioner Henry M. Duque and Administrative Law Judge Thomas R. Pulsifer issued a ruling on Friday, June 11, which attempts to address and clarify some of the issues surrounding the pending implementation of the new area code. Specifically, the ruling affirmed Petitioners’ request to shorten the time for responses to the petition’s twin requests to suspend the new area code and reduce the number of digits now required for dialing within the 310 area code. The first phase of response, addressing proposed suspension of the 424 area code, are due by June 18; the second phase, addressing the overall substantive merits of the request, including a reversion to the previous seven-digit dialing requirement, are due by June 25.

I believe this Board should take a strong stand with the Petitioners against further changes in the already confusing area code policy until a thorough examination has been conducted of the need for such changes, and careful consideration of less burdensome alternatives.

I, THEREFORE, MOVE THAT the Board of Supervisors direct County Counsel to prepare the appropriate response to the CPUC in support of the Petitioners’ requests to block the new code from taking effect and relieve the existing burden on residents served by the 310 area code, and to transmit this response in a timely manner to Kate Riley in the Office of Assemblyman Wally Knox, as designated by the Petitioners and affirmed by the AC/ALJ ruling of June 11.