February 21, 2014
Empower LA Newsletter header

General Manager's Update 

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well. So the lovefest for Neighborhood Councils continued this week when City Attorney Mike Feuer and EmpowerLA hosted 19 visitors from countries around the world. They were visiting the U.S. as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program and wanted to learn about the Neighborhood Council system in relation to government ethics. City Attorney Feuer was ever so eloquent in speaking about the Neighborhood Councils' important role in providing transparency and inclusiveness within City government. He acknowledged that for some in the room, standing up to speak your mind is dangerous in their countries, and he praised them for having the courage to educate themselves about how to make their home governments better.

 

Our great Neighborhood Council Advice Division, led by Deputy City Attorney Darren Martinez, then did a mini ethics presentation. Deputy City Attorneys Carmen Hawkins and Alois Phillips helped to field questions from land use to gang problems. The international visitors and their State Department representatives left very impressed with the Neighborhood Council system. Many thanks to our City Attorney and his team along with our staffers who put this together, Melvin Canas and Tom Soong, for making this important cultural exchange happen!

 

 

I have to say that both in Memphis and with all of our international visitors, everyone has been amazed at the Community Impact Statements (CIS) that are unique to our Neighborhood Councils. The ability for the community to have such an official method to weigh in on City government issues is something Neighborhood Councils definitely need to take more advantage of at every meeting. Filing CISs is even impressing our own Neighborhood Council leaders, some of whom did not know about them. As I was writing this, our Policy Director, Joe Hari, ran into my office and exclaimed, "We just convinced a Neighborhood Council board member to run again just by telling her about the CISs!" Yes, this is the kind of stuff that we Neighborhood Council geeks here get excited about so file those CISs for your communities!

 

Our first elections start in the Valley next Saturday so we will be overlapping candidate filing with polling place work. Needless to say, it's going to be crazy. Thanks to our fantastic IEAs and elections team, led by Stephen Box, and to the City Clerk, who is processing candidates and posting pictures and statements as fast as they can onto the EmpowerLA website. Regions 5 and 6 candidate filings closed strongly, thanks to IEAs Jay Handal and Terrence Gomes. So onward!

 

I'm so pleased to share that Councilmember Paul Krekorian stopped by Studio City Neighborhood Council (SCNC) on Wednesday night to recognize the President of CBS, Michael Klausman and Executive Assistant Sandra Reed-Funnell, who have been supporters of the SCNC from its inception. You can read about their history here. Councilmember Krekorian also appointed SCNC President John Walker to the City's Quality & Productivity Commission that night, too! A big congratulations to John!! We are very thankful that another awesome Neighborhood Council leader has been appointed to a City commission and appreciate Councilmember Krekorian for his action.

 

 

I'll be stopping by SCNC's Green Living Fair tomorrow. If I don't see you there, have a relaxing weekend! 

 
Best,

 

Grayce Liu,

General Manager

Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

 

Empower Yourself.

Empower Your Community.

Empower LA.

    



 

Mayor Garcetti Directs Building & Safety, Planning Departments To Consolidate Key Functions To Cut Red Tape And Promote Economic Development   Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced he is directing the Departments of Building & Safety and Planning to consolidate key functions to better integrate services to cut red tape and promote economic development. "As Mayor of Los Angeles, I'm...

  

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Neighborhood Councils pick the location for their upcoming elections, a choice that was typically made before the November 22, 2014 deadline for their Election Stipulation Worksheets, along with several other decisions on the administration of their elections. Neighborhood Councils that did not select a location or did not turn in a worksheet will be using their "default" location, which is whatever... 

  

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How do we know that Los Angeles is a center of civic engagement? Because we're regular hosts to people from all over the world looking to empower their cities and encourage grassroots democracy. Whether cabinet ministers, journalists, investigators, parliamentarians, or party leaders, we've seen it all come through the door of EmpowerLA. They all want to know how it works here in Los Angeles.... 

  

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There are three powerful things a person can do to change the world. 1) Vote. This is a simple expression of your commitment to yourself, your family, your friends and neighbors, and to your neighborhood. Most of all, it's your opportunity to make your voice head and to speak on behalf of those with no voice. There is nothing as powerful as individuals who come together around an idea whose time....

 

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Election Season is underway and the Candidates have been certified for the four regions in the Valley, resulting in dozens of Candidate Forums taking place over the next four weeks. Now the voters will get to hear the Candidates address the community on the issues, their positions, and the reasons why they should be elected to the Neighborhood Council Board. Candidate Forums are an important part...

 

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During the 2014 Neighborhood Council elections, all of the 2014 seats will be up for election. Of the 95 Neighborhood Councils, 31 of them will be conducting their elections with staggered seats which means that the terms are for four years with approximately half of the board up for election every two years. To determine if your Neighborhood Council has staggered seats, visit your EmpowerLA Neighborhood...

 

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More and more Neighborhood Councils are activating their pages and making Nextdoor a regular part of their outreach. NCs report that it's practical, easy, and good for a variety of uses--from notifying members of the next NC meeting to connecting with neighbors about a yard sale or a new park in the area. One of the best things about staying connected in your community is knowing that neighbors...

 

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LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council unanimously confirmed Anaheim City Manager Marcie Edwards today as the new General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Ms. Edwards is the first woman to hold the LADWP's top job, and is coming back to the utility where she previously worked for 24 years. Edwards will bring decades of experience in the utility industry to...

 

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I hope our newsletter finds you well. As I might have shared with you previously, the month of February has been and continues to be a very hectic time for us in the Department and particularly, our field division. As you may know, some of us will be packing up our stations and moving to the Valley Office. The office will be fully operational effective March 1, 2014. The main line in the Valley office...

 

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Maximo "Macky" Fortu Became a member of the Department in 2008 and has brought with him a very strong background in accounting and business skills. He has held positions for the County of Los Angeles as well as other City Departments. He proudly has memberships with various professional affiliations, and on the Board for the Macky provides his expertise after completing his BS in Business...

 

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History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou Greetings, Neighborhood Council Treasurers, Board Members, and stakeholders! The election season is upon us and with it come the stresses of ensuring that your funding is in order to draw large numbers and a wide array of candidates and voters. The Funding Team asks that you contact...

 

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Yes, you can do all three, if you participate in the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department's Home as Your Kit community outreach video contest! The Emergency Management Department wants you and your family to know how to protect themselves in the case of an emergency or disaster, and they want YOU to show them how. They're looking for creative videos that show how common house hold items...

  

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It's that time of year again! Neighborhood Council leaders from throughout the city are partnering with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to bring the 2014 LA Congress of Neighborhoods to City Hall on Saturday, September 20th. The Congress of Neighborhoods is designed by Neighborhood Council leaders with "How-To" sessions that cover both basic information and more advanced topics of...

 

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DEADLINES

 

10 days after your
February NC Board Meeting
 
January Monthly Expenditure Reports due

  

SURVEYS

 

Let the Fire Department know what services are most important to you

Tell Recreation and Parks what the Greek Theatre means to you

 

    

PARKING PASS LINK:

 

Neighborhood Council Parking Passes

UPCOMING
 EVENTS

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Board of Neighborhood Commissioners Special Meeting
 
Mon, Feb. 24
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm

Board of Public Works Session Room
 200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles  90012

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Alliance of River Communities (ARC)

Thurs, Feb. 27
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Glassell Park Senior and Community Center

3750 Verdugo Road

Los Angeles 90065

 
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Region 2
Election Day
 
Sat, Mar. 1

Location: Region 2

Visit the North West Valley Elections Page

  

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Neighborhood Council-LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee Meeting
 
Sat, Mar. 1
Time: 8:45 am - 10 am

Hollywood Constituent Center
6501 Fountain Avenue
Los Angeles 90028
 
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Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition Meeting

Sat, Mar. 1

Time: 10 - 1 pm

Hollywood Constituent Center
6501 Fountain Avenue
Los Angeles 90028
  
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Email City Hall at
Council File
Hot Sheet

 

Active Council Files that affect Neighborhood Councils citywide, which your Neighborhood Council may want to weigh in on:

  

Neighborhood Council System:


Scheduled in Education and Neighborhoods Committee  2/18  

 

13-1685 Information and Communication Network / Neighborhood Council and Public Use / Creation and Maintenance

Scheduled in Education and Neighborhoods Committee  2/18

 

11-1017-S1 Investigate Allegations of Discrimination and Harassment; Training of NC Board Members

11/19  Education and Neighborhoods Committee  continued to date TBD  

   

12-1682-S1 New Neighborhood Council Stakeholder Definition

Pending in Education and Neighborhoods Committee   
  
11/19 Education and Neighborhoods Committee continued to date TBD

11/19 Education and
Neighborhoods Committee continued to date TBD; Department report dated 11/19 received

11-1018  Neighborhood Council Grievance Policy and Process
Approved by City Council 12/3; City Attorney to draft ordinance to be effective 7/1/14 

Citywide Issues:

 

Referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee 1/28

1/14 Department to report to Planning and Land Use Management Committee in 60 days

 

13-1152-S1 Hydraulic Fracturing / Fracking / Prohibition of Well Stimulation Activities

Referred to Energy and Environment Committee and Planning and Land Use Management Committees 9/4

 

13-1374 Prohibit growth of genetically modified crops within City

Referred to Arts, Parks, Health, Aging, and River

Committee 12/3 

 

13-1513 Increase Number of Cats Allowed Per Residence From Three To Five 

11/19 Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee

continued to date TBD 

 

13-0025-S1 Rewards for Hit-and-Run Crimes 

Referred to Budget and Finance; 2/14 Public Safety Committee continued for 60 days  

2/12 City Council  adopted Planning and Land Use Management Committee report as amended for Planning and Animal Services to report back to PLUM in 60 days

08-2020 Sign Ordinance Revision
Proposed ordinance pending in Planning and Land Use Committee; 10/17 Planning Director's and City Attorney's reports received 

13-0046 Consolidation of Planning and Building and Safety Departments, etc.    

Approved by City Council 5/29; Motion to delay consolidation introduced 9/13; Approved by City Council 11/6; Planning and Land Use Committee approved as amended 12/3; 12/11 City Council approved; Mayor approved 12/17 
 

13-1300-S1  Street Repair and Safety General Obligation Bond Program 

 24 recommendations approved by City Council 8/21; CLA and CAO report approved by Council 9/17; Mayor signed 9/27 

 

13-0953 Citywide Municipal WiFi Initiative

Approved as amended by City Council 11/5

 

 13-0941  Sidewalk Repair Adjoining Property Owner  Fee Elimination  

 Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee approved as amended 12/4; Budget and Finance Committee approved 2/10; Scheduled in City Council 2/18  

 

13-0909  DWP Unlimited
Sick Pay Policy

Referred to Energy and Environment Committee  7/26
  

09-2645 - Cell Tower (AGF) Regulations in Public
Right of Way

Approved as amended by  Planning and Land Use and Public Works and Gang Reduction Committees 10/8; City Attorney requested to prepare ordinance

 

Five year effort underway; updates at recode.la

    

11-0262 - State Licensed Facilities/Community Care Facilities

1/15 Ad Hoc Committee on Community Care Facilities continued to date TBD

 
 
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City Council Files

  

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