Did the City Council Violate L.A.'s Boycott of Arizona-Based Companies?

The City Council today awarded an $88 million, 15- year contract to Honeywell International Inc. to overhaul computer systems at the city's wastewater treatment plants, despite protests that the company has a big presence in Arizona.

The council approved the contract on a 9-2 vote, after rejecting a move to send the contract back to a committee for more discussion.

Councilman Ed Reyes argued the contract violates the spirit of city's 2010 resolution to boycott Arizona-based companies because of state laws regarding illegal immigrants.

Honeywell, headquartered in New Jersey, has about 9,000 employees in Arizona.

"It doesn't smell right from a moral level," Reyes said.

Councilmen Tony Cardenas, who represents a portion of North Hollywood, disputed the claim, saying that the contract is proof the city's boycott of Arizona-based companies is working. Honeywell agreed that no Arizona employees would work on the Los Angeles project. It also plans to hire about 80 employees locally and move the project manager here, Cardenas said.

The 15-year contract is to replace, maintain and upgrade computer control systems at four wastewater treatment plants and the city's wastewater collection system. Bureau of Sanitation Director Enrique Zaldivar said a complete overhaul is necessary, because the existing systems are old and not integrated with each other.

Zaldivar said the risks of not replacing computer included sewer backups and spills that could contaminate beaches and waterways.

The system at the Hyperion Treatment Plant is 22 years old -- seven years older than the average life expectancy of similar systems.