Zine Slams Employees’ Use of City Cell Phones

Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine took on the tone of an angry father today when he used the Audits and Governmental Efficiency Committee meeting as an opportunity to question why so many city employees carry government-issued cell phones.

The Third District councilman took issue with departments that work out of City Hall and other municipal buildings, yet still carry cell phones.

“I don’t understand why the (chief legislative analyst’s office) needs 11 cell phones, because the CLA works inside a facility where there’s phones. The (city administrative officer), 17 cell phones. Why do they need 17 cell phones when all their activities are within buildings? They’re not out in the field,” Zine said.

Other departments called out by the councilman included the Library (28 phones) and El Pueblo (seven phones).

A report from the CAO listed Street Services as the department with the most expensive cell phone tab, coming in at $298,591 in fiscal year 2010-11.

During the cell phone discussion, it was noted that smartphones and email have created an expectation that employees are always reachable.

“I know that Mr. Zine calls me at all hours of the night, which is scary … but that’s another story,” Councilman Mitch Englander told the committee.

And Englander isn’t the only one getting after-hours calls from Zine.

“I’ve called Miguel Santana a couple of times,” Zine said. “I don’t want to say where he was.”

baDUM-ching.

The item will be back before committee in 45 days.

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