Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

February 27, 2006

Re: FUNDING PROGRAM STREAMLINED.  FUNDING REMINDERS. NEW WEBCASTING REPORT.  THE PRIDE OF THE EASTSIDE.

FUNDING PROGRAM STREAMLINED

We won't bore you with the details here, but all presidents and treasurers have been send an information bulletin from our staff announcing streamling changes that have been made to the Neighborhood Council Funding Program.

Additionally, the bulletin reminded them that although the City Council is allowing unspent funds to "rollover" from year-to-year, there is a three-year cap on the ability to do that. The clock starts running with the first full fiscal year.

Those Neighborhood Councils that received funding starting on July 1, 2002 would have had to have spent that year's money by June 30, 2006. The good news is that all have done that.

Now, the money that was received between July 1, 2003 and June 30, June must be spent by June 30, June.

FUNDING REMINDERS

There is so much information that comes from our department and the city that information overload is becoming a pandemic, so from time-to-time we know that we must send reminders about important matters.

REIMBURSEMENTS: It's on our funding program FAQ, but all Neighborhood Council members should be reminded that the use of reimbursements is something that the City Controller frowns upon. Every attempt must first be made to use the Commercial Pre-Paid Card, city checks, or petty cash. Reimbursements should only be used as a last resort and for small amounts. Otherwise you run the risk of the city turning down the reimbursement request. This is the same system under which city departments live.

CONTRACTS: It's also in the FAQ. Neighborhood Council cannot legally enter into contracts. As city entities, doing so might create liability problems for the city, and because the City Charter specifics who can enter into contracts, and Neighborhood Councils are not on the list. Therefore, any contacts, such as for office space, hiring PDQ workers, etc. must be approved by the general manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment.

Also, you cannot spend money to receive therapy for your information overload problems. But we're working on that.

NEW WEBCASTING REPORT

Our home page has included a report from city staff regarding how a Neighborhood Councils could webcast its meetings either live or on video tape. A revised version of that report will appear on our home page later today. The report could be heard in the Education and Neighborhoods Committee later in March. Again, your input is invited. The report recommends a pilot project.

THE PRIDE OF THE EASTSIDE

When the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners planned their meeting in Lincoln Heights last Tuesday, a special attempt was made to get representatives from the local Neighborhood Council to come to the start of the meeting and talk about their accompishments, goals, hopes, and dreams. Five spoke to the commissioners, and it was great. It's no secret that far too often, those who speak at the meetings are those with problems or complaints. The commissioners wanted to hear the "good news" stories.

Afterwards, one commissioner was heard to say, "That was the best meeting we've ever had. They talked, we listened, and what we heard was inspiring."

It would be great, if when the commission meeting comes to a neighborhood near you, that you would be able to join them at the start of the meeting and share your accomplishments.

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Greg Nelson
gnelson@mailbox.lacity.org

866 / LA HELPS
213 / 485-1360
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email
www.lacityneighborhoods.com website