Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativeSession III Worksheet: Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

•Arethereitemslistedunder“DutiesoftheDepartment”thatshouldbeeliminated?Whichones?•Arethereitemsthatshouldbeamended?Whichonesandhow?•Arethereitemsthatshouldbeadded?Whatarethosepossibleadditions?• ShouldaprocessinwhichneighborhoodcouncilswouldconsidercandidatesforappointmenttotheGeneral ManagerpositionandmakerecommendationstotheMayorbeadopted?Whatshouldthatprocessentail?

LOS ANGELES ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 28

ARTICLE1DUTIESOFTHEDEPARTMENT

Sec.22.800.Purposes.ThereshallbeadepartmentintheCitygovernmentknownastheDepartmentofNeighborhoodEmpowermentwhichshallbereferredtointhischapterasthe“Department”.ThisDepartmentshallbechargedwiththegoalofpromotingincreasedpublicparticipationingovernmentandworkingtomakegovernmentmoreresponsivetolocalneeds.TheDepartmentshallensurethateverypartoftheCityiswithintheboundariesofaneighborhoodcouncil.TheDepartmentshallprovideequalopportunityforallbyenablingneighborhoodgroupstoformneigh-borhoodcouncils.TheDepartmentshallfacilitatethedeliveryofCityservicestotheneighborhoodsbyhelpingtoidentifyandcoordinatetheneedsofthecommunitieswiththeresponsibilitiesoftheCitydepartmentsbycoordi-natingandinvolvingtherelevantCitystaffinintegratedproblem-solvingwiththeneighborhoodcouncils.

Sec.22.801.DutiesoftheDepartment.TheDepartmentshall:(a)implementandoverseecompliancewithCityordinancesandregulationsrelatingtoasystemofneighborhoodcouncils;(b)prepareaNeighborhoodCouncilPlan(Plan)forthecreationofasystemofneighborhoodcouncilstoensurethateverypartoftheCityiswithintheboundaryofaneighborhoodcouncilandthateachneighborhoodhasanopportunitytoformaneighborhoodcouncil,inaccordancewithSection22.809;(c)determinemethodsforcertificationofneighborhoodcouncils;(d)assistneighborhoodsinpreparingpetitionsforrecognitionorcertification,identifyingboundariesthatminimizethedivisionofcommunitiesandorganizingthemselvesinaccordancewiththePlan;(e)helpneighborhoodcouncilstomeettogetheronacitywidebasisandfacilitatethesemeetingsifandwhenre-questedtodosobyrecognizedneighborhoodcouncils;(f)AssistneighborhoodcouncilswiththeselectionoftheirgoverningbodyandconducttheCity’sportionoftheoutreacheffortnecessarytomobilizestakeholderstovoteinneighborhoodcouncilelections.(g)assistneighborhoodcouncilstoshareresources,includingoffices,equipmentandotherformsofsupportandtocommunicatewithconstituents,otherneighborhoodcouncilsandwithgovernmentofficials;(h)arrangetrainingfordepartmentstaffandneighborhoodcouncils’officersandstaff,suchastraininginleader-ship,culturalawareness,disputemediation,civics,communications,equipmentutilizationandanyothertrainingnecessarytoachievethegoalssetforthinSection22.809;(i)arrangecommunityempowermenteducationfortoplevelCityofficials,includingelectedofficialsandcom-missioners;(j)withtheassistanceoftheInformationTechnologyAgency,createandmaintainaninternalandexternalinfor-mationandcommunicationnetwork,includingaCitywidedatabaseofneighborhoodorganizationsandsimilarinformation,thatwouldbeavailableforpublicuse;(k)helpcoordinatetherelationshipsbetweenexistingandnewlycreatedadvisorycommitteesandneighborhoodcouncils;(l)performotherdutiesasprovidedbyordinance;

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform Initiative(m)ensurethatnotificationrequiredinSection22.809(f)isprovidedtotheneighborhoodcouncilsalongwithsufficientcommitteeorstaffreportsonthemattersofinteresttofacilitatemeaningfulparticipation;and(n)facilitatecitywidemeetingstobeheld,onatleastasemi-annualbasis,ofrepresentativesofallneighborhoodcouncils.(o)ensurethatneighborhoodcouncilshaveadequateofficeandmeetingspacetoconducttheirbusinessbyfacili-tatingthesharedutilizationofCityownedorleasedspace,coordinatingtheacceptanceanduseofdonatedspacebyprivatedonors,aswellassecuringsuitableofficeandmeetingspaceonbehalfofcertifiedneighborhoodcoun-cils.TheDepartmentshallhavetheauthoritytoexecutestandardshort-termrentalandleaseagreementswithadurationofoneyearorlessforthepurposeoffulfillingitsobligationsunderthissubsection,pursuanttoDepart-mentofNeighborhoodEmpowermentguidelines.(p) reviewandevaluateproposedgrants fromneighborhoodcouncils tononprofitcorporationsand topublicschoolslocatedintheCityofLosAngeles,consistentwithSection22.817ofthisCode.

ARTICLE2CONTROLANDMANAGEMENT

Sec.22.802.GeneralManager.TheDepartmentshallbeunderthecontrolofaGeneralManager.

Sec.22.803.AppointmentandRemovaloftheGeneralManager.TheGeneralManagershallbeappointedbytheMayor,subjecttoconfirmationbytheCouncil,andmaybere-movedbytheMayor,asprovidedinCharterSection508.

Sec.22.804.PowersandDutiesoftheGeneralManager.ThepowersanddutiesoftheGeneralManagershallbethosespecifiedinCharterSection510.

LOS ANGELES CITY CHARTER ARTICLE V

Sec.508. AppointmentandRemovalofChiefAdministrativeOfficers.   (a)   Applicability. Subsections(a)through(e)ofthissectionshallapplytoallchiefadministrativeofficers,excepttheChiefofPolice,theExecutiveOfficeroftheCityEthicsCommission,theExecutiveDirectoroftheEm-ployeeRelationsBoard,thegeneralmanagersoftheFireandPolicePensionsandtheLosAngelesCityEmployeesRetirementSystem,andthegeneralmanagersoftheProprietaryDepartments. Thefollowingshallalsobecon-sideredchiefadministrativeofficersforthepurposesofthissection: theTreasurer;theExecutiveDirectorofanyCitycommissionoragencycreatedbyordinancethatperformsregulatoryfunctions;andtheexecutivedirectorofallotherordinancecreatedcommissionsoragenciesunlesstheordinancecreatingthecommissionoragencyprovidesotherwise. TheprovisionsofthissectionshallnotapplytotheChiefLegislativeAnalyst.   (b)   Appointment. EachchiefadministrativeofficertowhomthissectionappliesshallbeappointedbytheMayor,subjecttoconfirmationbytheCouncil.  IftheCouncildoesnotdisapprovetheappointmentwithin45daysafteritssubmissiontotheCouncil,theappointmentshallbedeemedapproved. TheMayormay,butshallnotberequiredto,usetheassistanceofthePersonnelDepartmentintherecruitmentandselectionofcandidatesforappointment. Nochiefadministrativeofficerappointedunderthissectionshallacquireanypropertyinterestinemploymentinthatposition.   (c)   TemporaryAppointments. TheMayormustfillanyvacancyinthepositionofchiefadministrativeofficerwithintendaysofthevacancy. TheMayormayappointatemporarychiefadministrativeofficerforsixmonths,whichperiodmaybeextendedwiththeconsentofCouncilforanadditionalsixmonths. Ifnopermanentap-pointmenthasbeensubmittedtotheCouncilduringtheinitialorextendedperiod,thetemporaryappointmentshallbedeemedsubmittedasapermanentappointment,andthetimeperiodforCouncilapprovalordisapprovalshallcommenceasofthatdate.(d)   AnnualReview. TheMayorshallevaluateeachchiefadministrativeofficerannually. TheMayorshall

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativesetoradjusttheamountofcompensationforthechiefadministrativeofficerwithintheguidelinesestablishedbyCouncil,afterrecommendationsconcerningthoseguidelineshavebeenmadetotheCouncilbytheDirectoroftheOfficeofAdministrativeandResearchServices.   (e)   Removal. TheMayormayremove,bywrittennotice,theCityClerkandtheTreasurer,subjecttoapprovalbytheCouncil. TheMayormayremove,bywrittennotice,allotherchiefadministrativeofficerstowhomthissectionapplieswithoutCouncilconfirmation. However,thoseremovalsmaybeappealedtotheCouncilinaccor-dancewiththissubsection. Withintencalendardaysoftheremoval,thechiefadministrativeofficermayappealtheremovaltotheCouncil. Within10Councilmeetingdaysofreceiptoftheappeal,theCouncilmayreinstatethechiefadministrativeofficerbyatwo-thirdsvoteoftheCouncil. FailureoftheCounciltoreinstatethechiefadministrativeofficerduringthistimeperiodshallconstituteadenialoftheappeal.   (f)   ChiefAdministrativeOfficersAppointedbyaCommission. AnychiefadministrativeofficerorexecutivedirectorthatisappointedbyaCommissionpursuanttoordinanceshallbeannuallyreviewedbytheappointingcommission. ThatcommissionshallsetoradjustthecompensationforthechiefadministrativeofficerorexecutivedirectorwithinthesalaryguidelinesestablishedbyCouncil,afterrecommendationsconcerningthoseguidelineshavebeenmadetotheCouncilbytheDirectoroftheOfficeofAdministrativeandResearchServices. Thecom-missionshallforwardacopyoftheevaluationandsalarydeterminationtotheMayorandCouncilforinformation.

Sec.510. PowersofChiefAdministrativeOfficerofDepartmentUndertheManagementandControlofChiefAdministrativeOfficer.   Eachchiefadministrativeofficerwhoistheheadofthedepartmentshall:   (a)   havefullchargeandcontrolofallworkofthedepartment;   (b)   beresponsiblefortheproperadministrationofitsaffairs;   (c)   appoint,discharge,suspendortransferallemployeesofthedepartment,subjecttothecivilserviceprovi-sionsoftheCharter;   (d)   issueinstructionstoemployeesinthelineoftheirduties,allsubjecttothecivilserviceprovisionsoftheCharter;   (e)   asauthorizedbyordinance,assignemployeesofthedepartmentasarerequiredforthecarryingoutofthepowersanddutiesoftheboardofcommissioners,ifany;   (f)   providetechnicalassistanceandinformationasrequestedinwritingbytheboardofcommissionersofthedepartment,ifany;   (g)   priortothebeginningofeachfiscalyearsubmitanannualbudgetcoveringtheanticipatedrevenuesandexpendituresofthedepartment,including,pursuanttotheinstructionsoftheboardofcommissioners,ifany,themoneyrequiredfortheproperconductoftheboard’saffairs;   (h)   expendthefundsofthedepartmentinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthebudgetappropriationsorofappropriationsmadeafteradoptionofthebudget,includingthoseappropriatedfortheboardofcommissioners,ifany;   (i)   filewiththeboardandtheMayorawrittenreportontheworkofthedepartmentonaregularbasisandasrequestedbytheMayororboard;and   (j)   exerciseanyfurtherpowersasmaybeconferreduponhimorher.

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativeSession III Worksheet: The Neighborhood Council Plan

• Shouldthecertificationprocessbeamended?Howso?• Shouldthede-certificationprocessbeamended?Howso?• Shouldthegrievanceprocessandcomplaintprocessbemergedintoasinglesetofprocedures?Ifso,whatshould thatprocessbe?• Shouldremediesforgrievancesbeenacted?Ifso,howshouldthoseremediesbedeterminedandadministered?• ShouldacomprehensiverewriteofSection22.810beundertaken?

LOS ANGELES ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 28

Sec.22.809.DevelopmentoftheNeighborhoodCouncilPlan.TheDepartmentofNeighborhoodEmpowermentshallseekpublicinputinitsdevelopmentofaPlanforaCity-widesystemofneighborhoodcouncils.ThePlanshallcontainastatementofgoals,policiesandobjectivesoftheNeighborhoodCouncilsystem,andshallcontainspecificregulations, indraftordinanceformat.Theseregula-tions,whenadoptedbyordinance,shallbesufficienttoimplementthePlanandshallconformwiththefollowing:(a)Theregulationsshallestablishthemethodbywhichboundariesofneighborhoodcouncilswillbedeterminedbased on standards adopted by theCommission and approved byCity Council.The system for determiningboundariesshallmaintainneighborhoodboundariestothemaximumextentfeasibleandmayconsidercommu-nityplanningdistrictboundarieswhereappropriate.(b)TheregulationsmustensurethatallareasoftheCityaregivenanequalopportunitytoformneighborhoodcouncils.(c)The regulations shall establish the procedure and criteria for recognitionor certificationof neighborhoodcouncils.(d)Theregulationsshallnotrestrictthemethodbywhichthemembersofaneighborhoodcouncilarechosen,iftheprocessotherwisesatisfiestherequirementsofthisarticle.(e)Theregulationsshallrequirethatneighborhoodcouncilsadoptfairandopenproceduresfortheconductoftheirbusiness.However,neighborhoodcouncilmeetingsarenotallrequiredtobeheldwithintheboundariesofthearearepresentedbytheneighborhoodcouncil.(f)EarlyNotificationProcedures.Theregulationsshallestablishproceduresforreceivinginputfromneighbor-hoodcouncilspriortodecisionsbytheCityCouncil,CityCouncilcommitteesandboardsandcommissions.Theproceduresshallinclude,butneednotbelimitedto,noticetoneighborhoodcouncilsassoonaspracticalandareasonableopportunitytoprovideinputbeforedecisionsaremade.ThatnoticeshallberequiredformattersthatwillbeconsideredbytheCityCouncil,CityCouncilcommittees,CityboardsorcommissionsandanyotherCityofficialwhoisrequiredtoholdanoticedpublichearing.However,failureofaneighborhoodcounciltoreceivenoticeshallnotinvalidateanyactionoftheCityCouncil,CityCouncilCommittees,CityboardsorcommissionsoranyotherCityofficial.

Sec.22.810.ImplementationofthePlan.TheDepartmentofNeighborhoodEmpowermentshallcompletedevelopmentofthePlanandpresentitandallnecessaryregulationsforasystemofneighborhoodcouncilstotheCouncilandMayorwithinoneyearofthees-tablishmentofthedepartmentandcommission.TheCouncilshallconsidertheregulationsand,withinsixmonthsafterpresentationofthePlantoCouncil,mayadoptordinancestoimplementtheregulationsasproposedorasmodifiedbytheCouncilconsistentwiththerequirementsoftheplansetforthaboveinSection22.809.Ifimple-mentingordinancesarenotadoptedwithinthetimeperiodsetforthinCharterSection905,thentheregulationsadoptedbytheBoardshallbecomeeffective,andtotheextentnotinconsistentwithlawshallbebindinguponallCitydepartmentsandoffices.

Sec.22.810.1.RegulationsImplementingthePlanforaCitywideSystemofNeighborhoodCouncils(Plan).(a)DepartmentResponsibilities.InadditiontotheresponsibilitiessetforthinArticleIXoftheCityCharterand

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativeSection22.801ofthisCode,theDepartmentofNeighborhoodEmpowerment(Department)shall:(1)AssistallgroupsandstakeholdersseekingcertificationsotheywillhaveanequalopportunitytoformanddevelopNeighborhoodCouncilsby:(A)ProvidingassistancetoareasoftheCitywithtraditionallylowratesofparticipationingovernment;(B)HelpingcommunitiesunderstandtheprocessesandproceduresforestablishingaNeighborhoodCouncil;(C)Assistingwithcompletionofcertificationdocumentation;and(D)Mitigatingbarrierstoparticipation,suchastheneedfortranslationandchildcareservices.(2)AssistneighborhoodsandNeighborhoodCouncilswithpublicandciviceducation,outreachandtrainingwithanemphasisgiventoareasthathavetraditionallylowratesofparticipationingovernment.(3)AssistapplicantsandneighborhoodstoprepareallpetitionsandformsreferencedinthePlan,toidentifysuit-ableNeighborhoodCouncilboundaries,andorganizeNeighborhoodCouncilsinaccordancewiththePlan.(4)AssistNeighborhoodCouncilswiththeselectionoftheirgoverningbodyandconducttheCity’sportionoftheoutreacheffortnecessarytomobilizestakeholderstovoteinNeighborhoodCouncilelections.(5)Helpcoordinatemeetingsand facilitatecommunicationamongNeighborhoodCouncils thatrequestassis-tance.(6)Helpcoordinate,arrange,andconvenethebiannualCongressofNeighborhoodCouncilsmeetings.(7)PromoteandfacilitateopencommunicationamongCityagenciesandNeighborhoodCouncils,andprovideeducation, guidance andassistance indeveloping strategies forproviding comments and feedback to theCityCouncilanditscommitteesandCityboardsandcommissions.(8)ProvideoperationalsupportandfacilitatethesharingofresourcesamongNeighborhoodCouncils,including,butnotlimitedto,meetingandofficespace,officeequipment,andmailandcommunicationsinordertocommu-nicateamongconstituents,NeighborhoodCouncils,andgovernmentofficials.(9)CreateandmaintainadatabaseofinformationaboutNeighborhoodCouncils,including,amongotherinfor-mation,namesandcontactinformationthatwillbeavailableforpublicuse.(10)ActasaninformationclearinghouseandresourcetoNeighborhoodCouncils.(11)CoordinateeffortstoestablishandensurecontinuedoperationoftheEarlyNotificationSystemasprescribedinthePlan.(12)ArrangetrainingforNeighborhoodCouncils’officersandstaff.(13)ReviewandevaluatetheNeighborhoodCouncilSystemonanannualbasis.Aspartofitsannualreport,theDepartmentshallprovideinformationonthesize,geographicscope,andeconomicanddemographicconditionsofareasinwhichNeighborhoodCouncilshaveandhavenotbeencertified.(14)Reportquarterly,commencingfromtheadoptiondateofthePlan,totheappropriateCouncilCommitteeontheDepartment’scertificationefforts,andonstrategiesandrecommendationsforcertifyingareaswithtradition-allylowratesofcivicparticipationingovernmenttoensureparticipationbyalltheCity’sneighborhoodsinthecertificationprocess.(15)Provideadequatelevelsofstaffing,withconsiderationtoresourceavailability,foreachNeighborhoodCoun-cil.(b)CertificationofNeighborhoodCouncils.(1)DepartmentResponsibilities.TheDepartmentshallhavethefollowingresponsibilities:(A)AnnounceandinformthepublicoftheNeighborhoodCouncilcertificationprocessCitywide.(B)ActivelypromotetheformationofNeighborhoodCouncilsCitywide,givingemphasistothoseareasandcom-munitystakeholdergroupswithtraditionallylowratesofcivicparticipationingovernment.(C)Facilitateandencouragecollaborationanddiscussionamongneighboringandoverlappingapplicantgroups.(D)Providetechnicalassistanceonhowtoproceedwithaunifiedcertificationapplication.(E)ProvidedisputeresolutionservicestoapplicantswheremorethanoneapplicationissubmittedforaNeighbor-hoodCouncilboundaryareatogainconsensusonaunifiedcertificationapplication.(2)QualificationandCriteriaforNeighborhoodCouncilCertification.Anygroupofpersonsinacommunitymay

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativeseekcertificationasaNeighborhoodCouncilbypresentinganapplicationtotheDepartmentthatincludesthefollowinginformation:(A)Aboundaryproposalthatsetsforththerationalefortheboundarychoice,andshowshowtheboundariescomplywiththefollowingBoundaryGoalCriteria:(i)Theproposedareahasaminimumof20,000residents.However,areasthathavefewerthan20,000residentsmaybeconsideredforcertificationprovidingtheymeetthefollowingcriteriaandotherwisemeetallotherre-quirementsofthePlan:(1)Theproposedareaisseparatedfromadjacentcommunitiesbysignificantgeographicorotherfeatures;or(2)TheproposedareaisidentifiedbynamewithinanyoftheadoptedcommunityplanswithintheCityofLosAngeles;or(3)Theproposedarearepresentsanhistoric, identifiableneighborhoodorcommunityand includes localCityserviceproviders,suchasapubliclibrary,parkorrecreationcenter,fireorpolicestationorapublicschool.(ii)Theproposedarea,tothemaximumextentfeasible,followshistoricandcontemporarycommunityandneigh-borhoodborders,utilizesnaturalboundariesorstreetlinesandisgeographicallycompactandcontiguous.(iii)NeighborhoodCouncilboundariesmaynotoverlapwithotherNeighborhoodCouncilboundariesunlesstheareaproposedforinclusionintoeachNeighborhoodCouncilisdesignatedforapublicuse,suchasapark,school,library,policeorfirestationormajorthoroughfareorcontainsalandmarkorfacilitywithhistoricalsignificance.TheapplicationproposalforoverlappingboundarieswithanotherNeighborhoodCouncilmustincludeadetailedrationaleforincorporatingtheproposedarea.(B)AdetaileddescriptionoftheoutreachprocessusedtoidentifycommunitystakeholderswithintheproposedNeighborhoodCouncilboundaryaswellasthefollowing:(i)Proofof thecollectionofno less than200andnomorethan500signatures fromcommunitystakeholderswithintheproposedNeighborhoodCouncilboundaries.(ii)Signaturesshall,tothemaximumextentfeasible,reflectthebroadestarrayofcommunitystakeholderswhowillbeactiveparticipantsintheNeighborhoodCouncil.(C) A copy of the Neighborhood Council’s approved by-laws which shall include the following:(i)TheNeighborhoodCouncilname.(ii)AstatementthattheNeighborhoodCouncilmembershipisopentoallcommunitystakeholders.(iii)Alistoftheofficesofitsgoverningbodyanditsmethodforregularlyelectingorselectingitsofficerswhoshallserveasthegoverningbodysubjecttothefollowing:(1)Thegoverningbodymust,totheextentpossible,reflectthediversityoftheNeighborhoodCouncil’scommu-nitystakeholders.NosinglestakeholdergroupmaycompriseamajorityoftheNeighborhoodCouncil’sgoverningbody,unlessapprovedbytheDepartmentuponashowingofextenuatingcircumstances.(2)Termsofmembersof thegoverningbodyshallbe for twoor fouryears, tobedecideduponby individualNeighborhoodCouncils.NeighborhoodCouncilsmaylimitthetotalnumberoftermsthatamemberofthegov-erningbodymayserve,ifthetermlimitationsaresetforthintheNeighborhoodCouncil’sbylawsaftertheeffectivedateofthisordinance.(3)Thegoverningbodyshallincludeanofficernamed“Treasurer,”whosedutiesshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,maintainingtheNeighborhoodCouncil’sbookofaccountsandsubmittingaccountstatementstotheDepart-mentnolessthanoncebutnotmorethanthreetimesduringthefiscalyear,asprescribedbytheDepartment.(iv)AdescriptionofitsmeetingprocedureswhichshallincludeprovisionsthateachNeighborhoodCouncilshalldothefollowing:(1)Meetatleastoncepercalendarquarter.(2)Obeyanyorallapplicablesectionsofthestate’sRalphM.BrownAct.(3)EstablishproceduresforcommunicatingwithallNeighborhoodCouncilcommunitystakeholdersonaregularbasisinamannerthatensuresthatinformationisdisseminatedthroughoutandinatimelymanner.(4)Adoptproceduresforrunningmeetings, includingprovisionsthat identify: thenumberofgoverningbody

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform Initiativemembersthatconstituteamajorityandaquorum;thenumberofvotesbywhichagoverningbodymaytakeanactiononamatterbeforeit;themannerinwhichanactionbythegoverningbodycanbereconsidered,ifatall.(v)Themethoditwillusetoaddressgrievancesandresolvedisputesbywhichanindividualcommunitystake-holderorgroupofcommunitystakeholdersofaNeighborhoodCouncilmayexpressconcernstotheirNeighbor-hoodCouncilaboutitsactions.(D)AdescriptionofitssystemoffinancialaccountabilitythatmeetstherequirementssetforthinArticleIII,Sec-tion2(d)ofthePlan.(E)AnacknowledgmentandagreementthattheNeighborhoodCouncilwillabidebyanyapplicableprovisionsoftheCity’sGovernmentalEthicsOrdinance,assetforthinLosAngelesMunicipalCodeSection49.5.1etseq.,andanacknowledgmentandagreementthatitwillabidebyallapplicablelawsofthefederal,stateandlocalgovern-ment.(F)ThenamesofnofewerthanthreeandnomorethanfiveindividualswhoshallactasofficialcontactsbetweentheapplicantsandtheDepartmentuntiltheNeighborhoodCounciliscertified.

(c) Certification Process.(1)Certification.TheDepartmentwillreviewandmakeanevaluationofthecertificationapplicationtodeterminewhethertheapplicationmeetsallofthecriteriasetoutinArticleIII,Section2ofthePlan.(2)DepartmentResponsibilities.Onceacertificationapplication is submitted to theDepartment, theDepart-mentshallevaluatetheapplicationtodeterminewhetheritiscomplete.AfterdeterminingthatanapplicationiscompleteandthatitdescribesaspecificsetofboundariesforaproposedNeighborhoodCouncil,theDepartmentshall forwardtheapplication,anyaccompanyinginformation,anditsrecommendationtotheBoardofNeigh-borhoodCommissioners(Commission)forconsiderationandnotifytheNeighborhoodCouncilinwritingthattheapplicationhasbeenforwardedtotheCommissionforitsconsideration.TheDepartmentshallevaluatethecertificationapplicationandmakearecommendationtotheCommissionpursuanttotheproceduressetforthinArticleIVofthePlan.(A)IftheDepartmentreceivestwoormorecertificationapplicationsthatidentifythesame,similar,oroverlappingNeighborhoodCouncilboundaries,theDepartmentshallimmediatelynotifyinwritingallcontacts,asrequiredtobeidentifiedinParagraph(F)ofSubdivision(2)ofSubsection(b)ofthissectionandArticleIII,Section2(f)ofthePlan,forallaffectedapplicantgroupsinanefforttoworkwithapplicantstoproduceaunifiedapplication.TheproceduressetforthinArticleIVSection2(b)ofthePlanshouldthenbefollowedtothemaximumextentfeasible.(B)IfatanytimeduringtheprocessasdescribedinArticleIVofthePlan,theDepartmentdeterminesthatanapplicationisnotcomplete,itshallreturntheapplicationtotheapplicantsalongwithawrittendescriptionofthemissingcomponentsrequiredforthecertificationapplication.Applicantsmaythereafteratanytimere-submittheapplicationafteramendingittomeetallthenecessarycriteria.(C)IftheDepartmentfailstoevaluateormakearecommendationontheapplicationassetforthinArticleIV,Sec-tion2ofthePlan,theDepartmentshallforwardtheapplicationtotheCommissionforitsconsiderationwithouttheDepartment’srecommendation.(3)BeforetheCommissionactsonaproposedcertification,themattershallbesetforapublichearing.TheDe-partmentshallpostpublicnotices,assetforthinArticleIV,Section3ofthePlan,settingforththetime,placeandpurposeofthehearing,whichshallbepostedwithintheboundariesoftheproposedNeighborhoodCouncilfor15days.ThenoticesshallbetranslatedinaccordancewiththeprovisionssetforthinArticleIV,Section3ofthePlan.Noticeofthetime,placeandpurposeofthehearingshallalsobemailedtotheapplicantandtothecontactsidenti-fiedintheapplicationasrequiredinParagraph(F)ofSubdivision(2)ofSubsection(b)ofthissection,withinthetimeframessetforthinArticleIV,Section3ofthePlan.TheCommissionshallactonthecertificationwithintendaysaftertheexpirationofthe15daypostingperiod,unlesstheCommission’sregularlyscheduledmeetingdoesnotfallwithinthistendayperiodorunlesstheCommissionandtheNeighborhoodCouncilapplicantsagreetoanextensionoftime.TheCommissionmeetingshouldbeconductedwithintheboundariesoftheproposedNeighborhoodCouncil,

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform Initiativeiffeasible.Inacasewheretwoormorecertificationapplicationshaveidentifiedthesame,similar,oroverlappingNeighborhoodCouncilboundaries,theCommissionshallmakeafinaldeterminationonhowthefinalboundariesofeachNeighborhoodCouncilshallbedrawn,givingconsiderationtothecriteriasetforthinArticleIII,Section2(a)ofthePlanandanyotherapplicableprovisionsofthePlan.TheCommissionshalleitherapproveordisap-provethecertificationapplicationbaseduponthecriteriasetforthaboveinSubdivision(2)ofSubsection(b)ofthissectionandthecriteriasetforthinthePlan.(4)Appeals.IftheCommissionapprovestheapplication,theproposedNeighborhoodCouncilshallberecognizedandcertifiedasaNeighborhoodCouncil.IftheCommissiondisapprovestheapplication,theapplicantsmayap-pealtotheCityCouncilwithinthetimeassetforthinArticleIV,Section9ofthePlan.TheCityCouncilmay,bytenvotes,sustain,reverseormodifytheCommission’sdecisiontodisapproveacertificationapplication.

(e) Complaints Concerning Neighborhood Councils, De-Certification.(1) Complaints Concerning Neighborhood Councils.IftheDepartmentreceivesacomplaintofaviolationofanyprovisionofthePlan,including,butnotlimitedto,aviolationofopenmeetingprocedures,afailuretocom-plywiththediversitygoalsofthePlan,violationsofthecodeofethics,and/orviolationsofanyelectionrulesorprocedurespromulgatedbytheOfficeoftheCityClerk,theDepartmentshallnotifytheNeighborhoodCouncilofthesecomplaintsandtakestepstoresolvethecomplaintwiththeNeighborhoodCouncil.EffortstoachievecompliancewiththePlanandanyotherapplicablestateandfederallawandlocalordinances,includingbutnotlimitedtocomplaintsinvolvingviolationofopenmeetingprocedures,afailuretocomplywiththediversitygoalsofthePlan,and/orviolationsofthecodeofethicsmustfirstbemadebytheDepartmentpriortoinitiatinganac-tiontodecertifyaNeighborhoodCouncil.ForviolationsofanyelectionrulesorprocedurespromulgatedbytheOfficeoftheCityClerktheDepartmentmay,onitsown,fileareportwiththeCommissionaskingittoconsiderdecertificationwithoutacomplaintwiththeDepartmenthavingfirstbeenfiled,providedthattheDepartmenthasalreadytakenstepswiththeNeighborhoodCouncilinanefforttoachievecompliancewithanyelectionrulesorprocedures.(2) Involuntary De-Certification. IftheDepartmentfindsthateffortstakenpursuanttoSubdivision(1),above,tobringtheNeighborhoodCouncilintocompliancewiththePlanorapplicablelocal,stateorfederallawshavefailed,theDepartmentmayinitiatede-certificationbyrecommendingtotheCommissionthattheNeighborhoodCouncilbede-certified.(A)DepartmentResponsibilities.OncetheDepartmenthasdeterminedthateffortstakenpursuanttoSubdivision(1),above,tobringtheneighborhoodintocompliancewiththePlanhavenotbeensuccessful,theDepartmentmayinitiatede-certificationbytakingthestepssetforthinArticleVI,Section5ofthePlan.(B)CommissionAction.BeforetheCommissionactsonaproposedde-certification,themattershallbesetforapublichearing.Fifteendayspriortothehearing,theDepartmentshallpostpublicnoticeswithintheboundariesoftheproposedNeighborhoodCouncil,statingthetime,placeandpurposeofthehearing,assetforthinArticleVI,Section5(b)ofthePlan.ThenoticesshallbetranslatedinaccordancewiththeprovisionssetforthinArticleVI,Section5(b)(iii)ofthePlan.AtthesametimethatnoticesarepostedpursuanttoArticleVI,Section5(b)ofthePlan,noticeofthetime,placeandpurposeofthehearingshallalsobemailedtotheNeighborhoodCouncil.TheCommissionmeetingshouldbeconductedwithintheboundariesoftheproposedNeighborhoodCouncil,iffeasible.TheCommissionshallactonthede-certificationwithintendaysaftertheexpirationofthe15-daypost-ingperiod,unlesstheCommission’snextregularlyscheduledmeetingdoesnotfallwithinthistendayperiodorunlesstheCommissionandtheNeighborhoodCouncilagreetoanextensionoftime.TheCommissionmayde-certifyaNeighborhoodCouncilbaseduponsubstantialevidenceanduponafindingthattheNeighborhoodCouncilhasfailedtodemonstratethewillingnessorabilitytocomplywiththeprovisionsofthePlanorafindingthattheNeighborhoodCouncilisunwillingorunabletocomplywithapplicablelocal,stateandfederallaws.IftheCommissionde-certifiesaNeighborhoodCouncil,itshallnolongerbeofficiallyrec-ognizedasacertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilintheCityofLosAngelesandshallreturnallCity-ownedresources,includingunexpendedCity-appropriatedfunds,totheCitywithinfivedaysaftertheCityhastakenitsfinalaction

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform Initiativetode-certifytheNeighborhoodCouncil.(C)Appeals.IftheCommissionde-certifiesaNeighborhoodCouncil,theNeighborhoodCouncilmayfileanap-pealpursuanttotheprovisionsofArticleVI,Section5(f)ofthePlan.TheCityCouncilmay,bytenvotes,sustain,reverseormodifytheCommission’sdecisiontode-certifytheNeighborhoodCouncil.

(3) Voluntary De-Certification.(A)ANeighborhoodCouncilmayfileapetitionwiththeCommissionforde-certification.Ade-certificationap-plicationmustbesignedbyatleast3/4ofthegoverningbodyoftheNeighborhoodCouncilseekingde-certifica-tionandmustalsoincludethefollowing:(i)Evidenceoftheprocessesusedforoutreachtostakeholdersandtheinvolvementofstakeholdersinthedecisiontode-certify;(ii)EvidencethatstakeholdersintheNeighborhoodCouncilareahavebeensurveyedonthede-certificationap-plication;(iii)EvidencethattheNeighborhoodCouncil’sgoverningbodyhaswidelypublicizedwithintheNeighborhoodCouncilareathefactthatthereisanapplicationforde-certificationpendingbeforetheCommissioninitsNeigh-borhoodCouncilarea;and(iv)EvidencethattheNeighborhoodCounciltookitsformalactiononthede-certificationaftergivinga15-daypublicnotice.(B)DepartmentResponsibilities.Fifteendayspriortothehearing,theDepartmentshallpostpublicnoticeswithintheboundariesoftheproposedNeighborhoodCouncil,statingthetime,placeandpurposeofthehearing,assetforthinArticleVI,Section6(b)ofthePlan.ThenoticesshallbetranslatedinaccordancewiththeprovisionssetforthinArticleVI,Section6(b)(iii)ofthePlan.AtthesametimethatnoticesarepostedpursuanttoArticleVI,Section6(b)ofthePlan,noticeofthetime,placeandpurposeofthehearingshallalsobemailedtotheNeighbor-hoodCouncil.(C)CommissionAction.TheCommissionmeetingshouldbeconductedwithintheboundariesoftheNeighbor-hoodCouncil,iffeasible.TheCommissionshallactonthede-certificationwithintendaysaftertheexpirationofthe15-daynoticeperiod,unlesstheCommission’snextregularlyscheduledmeetingdoesnotfallwithinthistendayperiodorunlesstheCommissionandtheNeighborhoodCouncilagreetoanextensionoftime.TheCommis-sionmayde-certifyaNeighborhoodCouncilbaseduponafindingthattheevidencesetforthinParagraph(A),above,hasbeenshownandafindingthat3/4ofthegoverningbodyoftheNeighborhoodCouncilhasconsentedtothede-certification.IftheCommissionapprovesthepetition,theNeighborhoodCouncilshallbede-certifiedandwillnolongerbeof-ficiallyrecognizedasacertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilintheCityofLosAngelesandshallreturnallCity-ownedresources,includingunexpendedCity-appropriatedfunds,totheCitywithinfivedaysaftertheCityhasmadeitsfinaldecisiontodecertifytheNeighborhoodCouncil.(D)Appeals.IftheCommissiondisapprovesthepetition,theNeighborhoodCouncilmayfileanappealpursuanttotheprovisionsofArticleVI,Section6(f)ofthePlan.TheCityCouncilmay,bytenvotes,sustain,reverseormodifytheCommission’sdecisiontodenydecertificationoftheNeighborhoodCouncil.

(f) Early Notification System (ENS).(1)ENSWebsite.TheDepartmentmayassisttheInformationTechnologyAgencyincoordinatingthedevelop-mentofanENSwebsitethroughwhichinformationmaybemadeavailabletocertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilsbytheCityCouncil,itscommittees,andCityboardsandcommissions.(2)ProceduresforSharingCityInformationwithandReceivingCommentfromNeighborhoodCouncils.(A)InformationfromtheCityshouldbesenttocertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilsassoonaspracticalsothatcerti-fiedNeighborhoodCouncilsareaffordedasmuchopportunityasispracticaltoprovidecommentbeforedecisionsaremade.(B)CertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilsmayprovidecommentandfeedbacktotheCityCouncil,itscommittees,andtoCityboardsandcommissionsbyusingtheENS.

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform Initiative(C)TheNeighborhoodCouncilmaycommunicate itsviewseitherbywayofmailedletter, fax,electronicmail(e-mail),orbyarepresentativeappearinginpersontomakeapresentationonanitembeforetheCity’sdecision-makers.ShouldeachcertifiedNeighborhoodCouncilbeprovidedwithane-mailaddress,pursuanttoArticleVIIIofthePlan,theuseofthise-mailaddressshallbestrictlylimitedtoofficialNeighborhoodCouncilbusiness,suchascommunicatingwithNeighborhoodCouncilmembersaboutmeetingtimesandplacesandcommunicatingwiththeCityregardingmattersofimportancetoNeighborhoodCouncils.

Note: some sections involving topics dealt with in previous or following sessions have removed (i.e., boundary adjust-ments, elections, funding issues). Section 22.801.1 Acceptance of Donations and Gifts by the Department is no longer in effect.

Neighborhood Council Plan Review and Reform InitiativeSession III Worksheet: Board of Neighborhood Commissioners

• ShouldaprocessinwhichneighborhoodcouncilswouldconsidercandidatesforappointmenttotheBoardof NeighborhoodCommissionersandmakerecommendationstotheMayorbeadopted?Whatshouldthatprocess entail?• ShouldtheCommissionbegrantedgreaterauthorityovertheDepartmentandneighborhoodcouncilboards? Shouldanyadditionalauthoritybegeneralinnatureormorenarrowinscope?Inwhatspecificareas,ifany, shouldtheCommissionbegrantedgreaterauthority?• ShouldtherequirementthattheCommissionmeettwicemonthlybeeliminatedorreduced?

LOS ANGELES ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 28

Sec.22.805.BoardofNeighborhoodCommissioners.(a)TheBoardofNeighborhoodCommissionersshallconsistofsevenboardmembersandbereferredtointhischapterasthe“Board”orthe“Commission”.(b)TheBoardshallbecomprisedofsevenmembersallofwhomshallrepresenttheCityinitsentirety.Themem-bersshallreflectthediversegeographicareasoftheCity,wherebytheappointedBoardmembersshalleachbearesidentorworkerwithinoneofthesevenAreaPlanningCommissionregions,andreflectthediversityofcom-munitiesofinterest,neighborhoods,ethnicity,race,gender,age,homeownerandrenterstatus,andsexualorienta-tion.TheMayorisencouragedtoconsidercurrentandformermembersofneighborhoodcouncilsinappointingtheBoardmembers.(c)TheBoardmembersshallbeappointedbytheMayorandconfirmedbytheCouncilandmayberemovedbytheMayorandvacanciesfilledinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCityCharter.

Sec.22.806.PowersandDutiesoftheBoard.TheBoardshallberesponsibleforsettingandoverseeingpolicy,approvingcontractsandleasesandpromulgatingrulesandregulations.Itshallnotberesponsiblefortheday-to-daymanagementoftheDepartment.

Sec.22.807.ConflictofInterest.MembersoftheBoardandBoardnomineesshallbesubjecttoallethicsandconflictofinterestlawsandregula-tionsapplicabletogoverningboardsandcommissionsintheCityofLosAngeles.

Sec.22.808.OrganizationandMeetingsoftheBoard.(a)TheBoardshalladoptrulesoforderandappointfromamongitsmembersapresidentandvice-presidentwhoeachshallholdofficeforoneyearoruntiltheirsuccessorsareelected,unlesstheirrespectivemembershipontheBoardceasessooner.TheBoardshallholdregularpublicmeetingsatleasttwiceeachmonthandmayholdmeet-ingsmoreoftenifnecessarytoconductbusiness.Allmeetingsshallbenoticedandheldinaccordancewithlaw.MembersoftheBoardshallbepaid$50permeetingforeachmeetingoftheBoardattended,nottoexceed$250inanyonecalendarmonth.(b)Atleastfourmembersshallconstituteaquorum,butasmallernumbermayadjournfromtimetotimeuntilaquorumispresent.TheBoardmayestablishacommitteeorcommitteescomposedofthreeofitsmemberstoconsidermattersfor,toconducthearingsonbehalfof,andmakerecommendationstotheboardonmattersrelat-ingtoneighborhoodempowerment.(c)ThepowersconferredontheBoardshallbeexercisedbyorderorresolutionadoptedbyamajorityofitsmem-bersandrecordedintheBoard’sminutes.

j/-/{)fiEDUCATION & NEIGHBORHOODS

MOTION

When a stakeholder files a complaint against the actiones) taken by a Neighborhood Council,there is no system-wide standardized process for handling that grievance. Furthermore, processesthat do exist are established by the Neighborhood Council against which a grievance is filed,which leads many stakeholders to question the validity of Neighborhood Council actions when itcomes to controversial issues.

In those circumstances, it is critical for the integrity of the Neighborhood Council system that thecomplaints be handled swiftly, transparently and fairly.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Council DIRECT the Department of NeighborhoodEmpowerment, the City Attorney, City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst toreport back to Council in 90 days with a plan for the implementation of a system of regionalcomplaint panels composed of board members of various Neighborhood Councils from similarregions that will convene to address stakeholder and board member grievances as-needed, and atthe request of the General Manager for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. Thereport should consider guidelines for panel selection, implementation and range of authority.

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Presented by:J~(tvv !\:--\); 0()--tU'-\PAUL KREKOluANCouncilmember, 2nd District

Seconded by: ---'4-~~'Z...~------

Agenda Item 10b