Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

April 13, 2006

Re: SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS GOING TO BONC. NEIGHBORHOOD PURPOSES GRANT PROGRAM SENT TO CITY COUNCIL.

SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS GOING TO BONC

On March 20, this newsletter told Neighborhood Councils about the legal requirement that each Neighborhood Council survey its stakeholders and assest itself through a system developed by the department.  As is our practice, we invited the Neighborhood Councils to provide input on one possible method of doing this.  It has been on our home page since that time.  We have received no responses whatsoever.  The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners has asked to have this put on its agenda for its next meeting which will probably be May 2.  My letter to the commission can be found on our website by clicking on Commission>Staff Reports.  It would be possible for the commission to make recommendations to the staff at that meeting.  If you feel that the Neighborhood Councils need more time to weigh in, you should communicate that to the commission at Shannon.Hoppes@lacity.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD PURPOSES GRANT PROGRAM SENT TO CITY COUNCIL

Our department has sent to the City Council, through the Education and Neighborhoods Committee, a proposal, generated by a motion by Councilman Dennis Zine, that would allow Neighborhood Councils to use their funds to give grants to nonprofit organizations that service their areas.  Presently, the funds can only be used for neighborhood improvement projects or operating expenses.  The department's letter proposes that the City Council request the Office of the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would permit this option.  The communication can be found on our home page. 

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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