General Manager's Update 

I hope this newsletter finds you well.If you haven't had a chance to take the 2013 LA Budget Challenge, please find a few moments to weigh in before the March 4th deadline. I just took it and appreciated the hard work the Mayor's Office and the Budget Advocates put into it.

 

We're one step closer to the possibility of transitioning to a checking account system for the Neighborhood Council Funding Program. I gave an update to the Education and Neighborhoods Committee this week that we've met with the CAO, CLA, Controller and Office of Finance to work out the possible banking structure and necessary rules and regulations. We have another meeting next week where I hope we can get more details in place so we can schedule some feedback sessions with Neighborhood Councils.

 

I had some fun visiting with North Hills West Neighborhood Council last night to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Councilmember Englander presented them with a certificate of recognition, and Deputy Mayor Torie Osborn also stopped by for the festivities.

A big congrats to them and all of our Councils who have or will be celebrating a decade of civic engagement!

 

Hope to see you at our EmpowerLA Leadership Academy workshop on the eastside or the VANC Controller and Mayoral Candidates Forum tomorrow!

  

Best,

 

 

Grayce Liu, 

General Manager

Department of Neighborhood Empowerment  

 

Empower Yourself.   

Empower Your Community. 

Empower LA.

    

2012 Elections Survey
- 8K Opinions!

7,776 Voters (40.87% of those who voted) filled out an exit survey, leaving their opinions on local priorities, outreach strategies, election features, and suggestions for improvement...

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IT's YOUR MONEY
IT's OUR WORK

The Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates (NCBAs) are 36 dedicated NC Stakeholders elected by more than 150 Budget Representatives who attended the Mayor's Budget Day, November 17, 2012. Every year, NCBAs review, analyze and report on the City's financial performance and plans. The NCBAs interact with the 95 Neighborhood Councils informing them and gathering their view and opinions on this year's Budget performance and next year's Budget Proposals. They have a face-to-face meeting with the Mayor and they report their recommendations to the City Council. It is one of the very few times when NC Representatives have a "seat at the table" and give a formal presentation to the City Council...

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The View from the Review,
"My plans for the Plan!"

On Wednesday, February 6th, the Neighborhood Council System launched its Plan Review process with the working groups made up of present and former NC members from across the City. As a representative in the Central/East Region I was accompanied by a group of NC heavy weights; some new to the system, eager to immerse themselves, and some seasoned veterans who had been part of the initial founding of neighborhood councils, had worked in and with several City departments and whose experience would be invaluable to the huge process we were about to undertake...

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What is your priority?

Don't just think about it. Act!
Take the La.BudgetChallenge.org.

You are invited to give your input into the City's budget process by taking the 2013 L.A. Budget Challenge. Developed with input from your Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, the survey gives you the opportunity to share your priorities. Let the Mayor and the City know what you think.

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VANC Candidates' Forum on Saturday, February 23

click on flyer or here to open and share the pdf 

Funding Update 2.21.13

IMPORTANT DATES / DEADLINES

* February 28, 2013 - Treasurer's Training
* May 15, 2013 - Last Day to Submit CompleteThe

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." - Aristotle
The Funding Unit will hold the next Treasurer's Training on Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 6pm - 9pm in City Hall, 20th Floor. Please contact the Department at (213) 978-1551 to make a reservation. We invite each and every one of you to attend a training, whether as a refresher or for the first time...

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News from Field Operations 2.21.13

By now, you might have received communication from staff introducing themselves and asking for time on your agenda. Staff have been attending, and will continue to attend your meetings as time and priorities permit. Our Neighborhood Empowerment Advocates (NEAs) will be approaching you to meet and greet you and observe and assess the operations of your Neighborhood Council. Please look upon staff as a resource and a partner to assist you on an array of issues...

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From City Hall to Venice Beach, LA's next CicLAvia
is bigger than ever!

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was joined by Councilman Bill Rosendahl, LADOT's General Manager Jaime de la Vega, City Planning's General Manager Michael LoGrande, and a host of cyclistas in releasing the bold and lengthy route for LA's 6thCicLAvia, one that connects City Hall with Venice Beach with vehicle-free streets on April 21 from 10 am to 3 pm...

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12th Annual Lantern Festival

Renowned for being a free annual festival in Los Angeles that offers the LARGEST variety of interactive arts, crafts and educational activities to mark the closing of Lunar New Year festivities, Lantern Festival 2013 will feature a colorful street fair that blends traditional and modern-day Chinese entertainment with a hands-on, educational twist!...

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Ground Breaking for the
NEW Skate Park at Peck Park

After years of working hard to build a skate park at Peck Park, will now become reality on Feb 23 at 10am. Bring the the family and friends. There will be a cool skateboarding demos, giveaways, BBQ/food, concert and more.

>>> download flyer here