EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE NO. AP-1

July 23, 2002

MAYOR HAHN EMPOWERS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS
WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE REQUIRING GENERAL MANAGERS
MEET QUARTERLY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS

Mayor's Executive Directive

Los Angeles - In an effort to give residents a direct voice in their city government, Mayor Hahn today issued an Executive Directive requiring all City General Managers to meet with neighborhood councils on a quarterly basis.

Mayor Hahn also announced that neighborhood councils will have a direct role in the planning of the Fiscal Year 2003-04 budget. More information about the process for gathering neighborhood council input on the budget will be available on August 3 at the Congress of Neighborhoods.

"General Managers need to know what residents think about their city government," said Mayor Hahn. "I want them to hear directly from neighborhood councils so they can work on the communities priorities based on their needs. This is just one way that we are working to close the distance between City Hall and our neighborhoods."

Mayor Hahn made his announcements today at El Pueblo, the birthplace of Los Angeles, where he was joined by neighborhood council representatives from areas stretching from Cypress Park to Boyle Heights. He was also joined by Councilmembers Nick Pacheco, Janice Hahn, and Tom LaBonge.

"We want to express our gratitude to Mayor Hahn for his effort to involve Neighborhood Councils in the budget process," said Ross Valencia, Interim Chairman of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, a lifelong resident of the area.

Valencia said that Mayor Hahn's effort will give neighborhood councils a chance to bring forth real solutions to problems in their community.

"We will be able to give perspective on where our strongest needs are, such as increasing officers in our area," Valencia stated.

"Who better than neighborhood councils should advise our general managers in the delivery of City services?" said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. "The development of a $4 billion City budget should begin with the priorities of our communities as determined by our neighborhood councils."

"Neighborhood council's are critical to maintaining my philosophy of community-based government," said Councilman Tom LaBonge. "Not only do I look forward to working closely with neighborhood councils in my district, I hope to expand their involvement under my plan to decentralize government."

Mayor Hahn urged residents to register to get involved in their local neighborhood council. Interested resident can call 1-866-LA-HELPS to learn more about neighborhood councils.

"We need to ensure that we are all doing our part to make our Los Angeles the best place to live," Mayor Hahn added.

Mayor's Executive Directive

Contact:
Hilda Marella Delgado
213 / 978-0605

Patrick Lee
Office of the Mayor
213 / 978-0741
213 / 978-0576 fax