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Our Open House was a great success thanks to the Neighborhood Council leaders who came to our Open House on Monday to celebrate our new office space on the 20th floor of City Hall and to the hard work of our staff in pulling it together. The Department has been literally elevated to another level thanks to the steady work of Neighborhood Council volunteers and
 | | Attendees enjoyed Empowerment Cake |
staff these past years. Over 120 people from all areas of the City showed up to tour our new space and celebrate together in the Bradley Tower for the reception and workshop.
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Over 120 people in Bradley Tower |
The room was abuzz with people networking, including Neighborhood Council and regional alliance leaders, Department staff, commissioners, and representatives from other City departments. Election Coordinator Stephen Box conducted a training on how to make an impact in your neighborhood. We also shared the great outreach video produced by the Del Rey Neighborhood Council in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Also this week, the Department's budget was heard in Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee is chaired by Councilman Paul Krekorian, the former chair of the Arts, Parks and Neighborhoods Committee and a good friend and supporter of the Neighborhood Council movement. Discussion took place around the proposed position reductions, elections, and possible alternatives to the reductions. The Department and CAO were requested to provide reports addressing possible alternatives for the committee's consideration. The committee will be taking the next two weeks to finalize their recommendations to full Council.
Thanks to the many Neighborhood Council leaders who spent their entire afternoon waiting in Council chambers and our office for our item to be heard in order to provide public comment. It was the strongest turnout of public comment amongst all the City departments. Thanks to those who provided written comments as well. | 
