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General Manager's Update
I hope this newsletter finds you well. The time sure does fly when you feel like you're actually flying because you're running so fast like Shaolin monks in a kung fu movie. It was a year on Tuesday since I took the General Manager reins, and as I look back, I'm super proud of our work together. I would not have survived this past year without the help of staff, Neighborhood Councils and our City family at my back. So many thanks to all!
So that I can better analyze our successes and not such successes, please take a moment to give me your feedback on how our department supported Neighborhood Councils this past year. I also want to hear where you think we need to focus our efforts, which will anchor our budget preparation process for fiscal year 2014-2015.
This week has been so busy that I barely paused to reflect on the past year. Starting with the LANCC on Saturday, I stopped by two other alliance meetings: HANC on Wednesday and VANC on Thursday where Board of Public Works President Kevin James came by to tell us his plans. After the LANCC meeting, we celebrated great LA Fire Department BBQing with Venice Neighborhood Council. 
Speaking of the LAFD, Leyla Campos, our Director of Field Operations, graduated from their four month strenuous and fantastic Leadership Academy training this week, which they offer free to City staff as well as to corporate leaders. Having gone through the program myself a few years ago, I think it's outstanding and require it for all my managers. Congratulations, Leyla! 
On Tuesday, I bumped into Councilmember Bonin at the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa when I went to go and speak about the Neighborhood Council system. There's a new community outreach air at City Hall (highlighted below) that's been great to see. Afterwards, I stopped by the Studio City Neighborhood Council's National Night Out event where Councilmember Krekorian and City Attorney Mike Feuer joined the nearly 1,000 stakeholders who participated in the packed event. 
One bittersweet moment this week was saying goodbye to our wonderful City Clerk June Lagmay, who retired today to spend more time with her ailing father. She has been incredibly supportive of me this past year and even made sure to personally swear me in when I was confirmed as General Manager in January. The City Council spent over 30 minutes today singing her well deserved praises where she was honored not only by them, but by the County Board of Supervisors as well. I wish her the best! 
Thanks for continuing to do the wonderful work for your community and your City. Neighborhood Council work carries on with PlanCheckNC tomorrow.
Have a great weekend!
 Best,
Grayce Liu,
General Manager
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Empower Yourself.
Empower Your Community.
Empower LA.
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Public Safety is the cornerstone of a Great City and the foundation of maintaining LA's title as America's Safest Big City is a solid network of community members who are trained, organized, and ready to support the many departments that deliver on LA's Public Safety commitment. The Mayor's Office is preparing for the Fall 2013 class of volunteers who will engage in seven weeks of training as members of the Mayor's Crisis Response Team... >>> continue reading
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Mayor Eric Garcetti's emphasis on "Back to the Basics" governance began with his listening tours, the simple act of engaging the community and then encouraging them to talk, to propose solutions to the problems that are important to them. Most importantly, he listened. This subtle revolution has resonated, and LA's City Hall leadership is now engaged in several innovations in communications that begins with a lot of listening... >>> continue reading
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LA's community gardeners can claim victory in the ongoing saga over parkway gardens, the use of that little strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk that some residents have turned into gardens that grow edibles. Mayor Eric Garcetti is quoted by Steve Lopez of the LA Times as telling city staff to "cool their jets" when it comes to enforcing the City of LA's restrictions on edible gardens on parkway space... >>> continue reading
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Mayor Eric Garcetti and Street Services Director Nazario Saucedo hit the ground running with LA's Operation Neighborhood Council Blitz, a program that engages the city's Neighborhood Councils in prioritizing small asphalt repairs (SAR) in within the boundaries of each Neighborhood Council. Program Supervisor Aida Valencia and Street Services General Superintendent John Sapone reported to a full house at the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) that the first round of Neighborhood Council Blitz were completed as prioritized by the local community... >>> continue reading
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The Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC) hosted Assemblyman Richard Bloom at this month's meeting of council leaders in a marathon session that covered topics from transportation and traffic to murals and NC elections. Assemblymember Bloom represents the 50th District which encompasses West Los Angeles to Hollywood...
>>> continue reading
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The Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) hosted Board of Public Works President Kevin James at its monthly meeting of council leaders from throughout the Valley, addressing issues that included his long relationship with the Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles and his journey to City Hall. Commissioner James also addressed Council File 13-1300-S1, the $3 Billion Street Repair and Safety General Obligation Bond Program...
>>> continue reading
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Councilmember Jose Huizar is hosting Saturday morning the long-awaited Grand Opening of the Boyle Heights City Hall in the "Chicago Building" on the corner of East 1st Street and Chicago Street in Boyle Heights, which has received a $22.4 million retrofit and major renovation under his leadership. The beautiful building was originally built in 1924 and originally housed a Masonic temple and later the Community Service Organization (CSO), a social justice service center headed by the legendary Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta... >>> continue reading
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Neighborhood Council Board Members have several opportunities to fulfill their Ethics and Funding requirements as well as hone their Planning skills in workshops that will be offered throughout the city over the next several weeks. The City Attorney's Office will be conducting live Ethics Training for Board Members, a requirement for all members of Neighborhood Councils, and which must be completed by September 1, 2013 or they will not be eligible to vote on funding matters... >>> continue reading
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Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed Victor Medina to the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners for the term ending June 30, 2015. Mr. Medina will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Douglas J. Epperhart and his appointment is expected to be considered by the Education and Neighborhoods Committee at its Tuesday, August 20 meeting and by the City Council soon thereafter... >>> continue reading
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The Funding Team is offering additional live training opportunities in the month of August for all Board Members to comply with the training requirements. All Board Members must take the first 20 minutes of the NC Checking Account training (either in person, or via our weblinks) and register with the Department by September 1st in order to be eligible to vote on funding matters. RSVP for the live trainings...
>>>continue reading
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The purpose of the Councils for Councils Program (C4C) is to strengthen the Neighborhood Council system through the recruitment, training and placement of "experienced" Neighborhood Council volunteers to serve as mentors/trainers to Neighborhood Councils. The C4C Program has been quite active in the last six months...
>>>continue reading
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The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (Commission) is requesting Neighborhood Councils to provide input by the end of this month on nine Neighborhood Council Plan Review motions that are currently under its consideration. The nine motions originated from the Commission's review committees and address the topics of... >>> continue reading
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DEADLINES
September 1
Approved Budgets for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 due
(extended deadline)
September 1
Funding Training and Ethics Compliance for NC Board Members
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RSVP
Ethics Trainings
Live (in person) Ethics Trainings offered on the evenings of August 15, 22, 28, and 29 in four areas of the City.
Planning trainings offered on Saturdays in Pacoima (August 17) and in Harbor City (August 24).
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UPCOMING
PlanCheckNC
Sat, August 10
Time 10 am-12 noon
Hollenbeck Police Station Community Room
2111 E. First St.
Boyle Heights 90033
********
South LA Alliance of NCs (SLAANC)
Thurs, August 15
Time 6:30-8:30 pm
Community Health
Councils
3731 Stocker, Suite 201
Los Angeles 90008
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Live Ethics Training
Thurs, August 15
Time 6:30-8:30 pm
Tom Bradley Youth & Family Center
5213 W. Pico Bl.
Los Angeles 90019 ********
NC Board Member Development
Series:
Planning and
Land Use 101
Sat, Aug 17
Time 8:00-12 noon
Pacoima Family
Source Center
11243 Glenoaks Bl. #3
Pacoima 91331
********
NC Checking Account Training
Sat, August 17
Time 12:15-1:30 pm
Pacoima Family
Source Center
11243 Glenoaks Bl. #3
Pacoima 91331
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NC Congress Planning Committee
Sat, August 17
Time 1:00 pm
Bob's Big Boy Restaurant
8274 Sunland Blvd
Sun Valley 91352
******** Board of Neighborhood Commissioners Mon, Aug 19
Time 1-3 pm
City Hall, Room 1060
200 N. Spring St
Los Angeles 90012 ******** NC Budget Advocates
Time 7:00 pm
Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment
City Hall, 20th Floor
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles 90012
******** Education and Neighborhoods Committee Meeting
Tue, Aug 20
Time 1-3 pm
City Hall, Room 1010
200 N. Spring St
Los Angeles 90012 ********
Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC)
Wed, Aug 21
Time 8:30-10:00 am
Lenny's Deli
2379 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles 90064
******** Live Ethics Training South LA & Harbor Areas
Thurs, August 22
Time 6:30-8:30 pm
135th Street Elem School
801 W 135th St
Gardena 90247
********
NC Board Member Development
Series:
Planning and
Land Use 101
Time 8:00-12 noon
Kaiser Permanente Conference Center
25965 Normandie Av.
Harbor City 90710
********
NC Checking Account Training
Time 12:15-1:30 pm
Kaiser Permanente Conference Center
25965 Normandie Av.
Harbor City 90710
******** NC Checking Account Training
Time 6-7:30 pm
Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment
City Hall, 20th Floor
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles 90012
********
Live Ethics Training
Wed, August 28
Time 6:30-8:30 pm
Glassell Park
Community Center
3650 Verdugo Rd.
Los Angeles 90065 ********
Live Ethics Training
North & South Valley Areas
Thurs, August 29
Time 6:30-8:30 pm
Encino Community Center Auditorium
4935 Balboa Blvd.
Encino 91316 ********
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Contact Us
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Phone: (213) 978-1551
Fax: (213) 978-1751
Our Address:
200 North Spring Street
20th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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