Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

November 1, 2002

Re: Funding Program Approved by City Council. Parking Passes and Free Computers for Certifieds.

The City Council unanimously approved our Neighborhood Council Funding Program today.

There are a couple of final details that need to be worked out, primarily involving how the City will help NCs establish their checking accounts. The City Controller, City Treasurer, and City Attorney are actively working to finalize those details as soon as possible.

As you all know, funds can only be provided to those Neighborhood Councils that have had their elections, and therefore have a Treasurer to be responsible for the taxpayers’ money.

The main contacts for the 20 Neighborhood Councils with elected boards have been contacted regarding the next steps.

PARKING PASSES

During the Congress of Neighborhoods, the Department of General Services was going to present a “gift” to the certified Neighborhood Councils. It was to be parking passes that they can use when visiting City Hall. Recently, the main contacts for the Neighborhood Councils that have been certified were contacted and offered an opportunity to request up to three passes that are transferable among their members. The passes permit easy access to parking in the P-2 lot off of Los Angeles Street, and under the Mall area. This eliminates the need to call ahead to a City Council office or somewhere, and make a reservation.

FREE COMPUTERS

Next we’ll be rolling out the plan through which we will provide the certified Neighborhood Councils with free computers. Special thanks go to Councilmember Janice Hahn and Council President Alex Padilla in arranging for the computers to be made available to you. In preparation for this, I urge Neighborhood Council leaders who feel a little shaky about using a computer to look for people within your area who will be willing help train you and hold your hand when the going gets rough. We will be providing a certain level of free training, but some of us need all the help we can get, because, believe me, computers have a way of sensing when you’re rushing to meet a deadline, and that’s when they start acting up.

Greg Nelson

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