Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

October 22, 2002

Re: NC Funding Program, Workshop Transcripts, Neighborhood Council Staff Reports Online, Public Works Liaison, Bureau of Sanitation Liaison, Official City Telephone Directory Available Online.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL FUNDING PROGRAM HEADS TOWARD COUNCIL.

The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee unanimously approved our Neighborhood Council Funding Program. Very shortly, a date for the full City Council will be announced.

WORKSHOP TRANSCRIPTS (www.lacityneighborhoods.com)

Our Web site now includes the summary transcripts of several workshops from the Congress of Neighborhoods – Opening Session, Workshop Development, Strategic Planning, Accessing Information, Impacting the City Budget, Ethics and the Brown Act, Communication Through the Media, and Making Meetings Work.

Click on “Neighborhood Councils” and then look for the Workshop Transcripts.

If you feel that there is additional productive and helpful information that should be included, please let us know. We’ll provide space to add the additional comments to each workshop session.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL STAFF REPORTS

The period from 1996 to 1999 saw the meat part of the efforts to create a citywide system of Neighborhood Councils. Staff reports were generated by the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and the staff of the two charter reform commissions. I don’t believe that these reports exist anywhere else on the Web. As each report is listed, its contents are summarized to make it easier for you to find what’s important to you. This will enable you have a better understanding of the options and intent behind the details of the Neighborhood Council system.

Click on “Reference Library.”

PUBLIC WORKS STEPS UP TO THE PLATE

Mayor James Hahn has directed all city departments to provide an Executive Liaison to our department -- someone we can go to with questions and requests on behalf of the growing number of certified Neighborhood Councils. David Mays is the Executive Liaison for the Department of Public Works. But Public Works has gone a step further and designated him as the single point of contact for the Neighborhood Councils also. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to get things done through this critically important service delivery department, contact David. His e-mail address is pwrequest@bpw.lacity.org. Phone number is 213.978.0204. Fax is 213.978.0216. As you may know, you can reach any city office toll-free by calling one of three local numbers, and punching in the seven digit number you’re trying to reach when you hear the recording:

From the Valley: 818.756.8121
From the Harbor Area: 310.548.7621
From the Westside: 310.575.8321

GOOD NEWS FROM THE BUREAU OF SANITATION

One of the biggest bureaus within the Department of Public Works is Sanitation. They have similarly assigned Daniel Hackney to be both our Executive Liaison and the “go to” person for the Neighborhood Councils. It’s a demanding job, but it got Daniel an office right next to the Bureau Director Judith Wilson. She believes that accountability begins at the top. Daniel has the ability to communicate quickly her and the bureau’s Assistant Directors. His phone is 213.473.7999. Fax is 213.473.8100. E-mail him at dhackney@san.lacity.org.

CITY EMPLOYEES’ PHONE NUMBERS

If you want to find phone numbers, fax numbers, and addresses for city employees, go to the City’s Web site at www.lacity.org and click on “Phone Directory” toward the bottom on the left.

The PDF version of this directory, the one that we all use at City Hall, is available for printing from this site. Be aware that it’s over 300 pages. The directory is constantly updated by each department, so might want to get used to using the electronic version. Personally, I have a printed copy that I carry in my car so I can call from the road.

Greg Nelson

213 / 485-1360
866 / LA HELPS toll-free
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email