This Memo was received as an answer to our question on what we had to change i our by laws

Memorandum

To: Northridge Community Council, Formation Committee

CC: Romerol Malveaux, Field Division Director

From: Rita Moreno, Senior Project Coordinator

Date: 12/19/2002

Re: Proposed Northridge Community Council

I have conducted a quick review of your bylaws without comment from the City Attorney’s office. However, the same issues apply as to when the original bylaws were reviewed with the assistance of the City Attorney’s office. You may want to refer to the original memo as well.

ARTICLE I: NAME

Please delete the references to a non-profit. The City is certifying a Neighborhood Council, not a non-profit.

ARTICLE III: BOUNDARIES

Your boundaries definition is incorrect since 91327, 91328, and 91329 are not included. Additionally, the commercial corridor and industrially zoned areas along Reseda and Nordhoff that are included in the Old Northridge Neighborhood Council cannot be included in your boundaries. They do not fall under the category of "public use" for purposes of being shared, under the Plan, nor would they comply with the compact and contiguous requirement.

Please correctly state that any adjustments to the boundaries must be reviewed by D.O.N.E. and approved by the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners [Plan Article V(2)(a) & (b)].

ARTICLE IV: OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Be advised that the Council will be interfering with the internal affairs of individuals, groups or organizations every time it takes a position on a matter affecting any one of these groups.

ARTICLE V: COUNCIL FUNCTIONS

Only decisions made by the Council are binding, not those made by any other group. Be advised that the Council cannot support any other organization monetarily.

ARTICLE VI: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Please delete. The City is not certifying a non-profit agency.

ARTICLE X: MEMBERSHIP

You cannot further define the three mandated groups of stakeholders: those who live, work, or own property. Please delete references to a town hall type of governance. All members may be able to vote on some issues on certain occasions, but those must be specified. For example, ratification of the work plan at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE XI: DIRECTORS

Please delete references to a town hall type of governance. You must also state a definitive number of board members. You must more clearly state how the initial election will occur as well as subsequent elections, and when. The process for determining how seats are to be staggered must be clearly stated for the subsequent elections. You must also state how vacancies will be filled.

ARTICLE XII: OFFICERS

You must state how the initial and subsequent officers will be selected/elected. Be aware that your annual meeting may not coincide with your initial or annual elections. Please delete all references to the town hall.

ARTICLE XIV: MEETINGS

Please delete references to town hall format. Will have to review again after changes are made.

ARTICLE XVI: QUORUMS AND VOTING

Please delete references to town hall format. Will review again after changes are made. Please make sure that your quorum is ascertainable and that you state how decisions will be made (i.e. majority vote, two-thirds majority, etc.).

ARTICLE XVII: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

You have not stated how grievances will be handled and the time line to do such. You also included some language about how decisions can be reconsidered, but it is not sufficient as you don’t state time lines nor how the decision to reconsider will be made.

ARTICLE XIX: AMENDMENTS

Please correctly state that amendments must be approved by D.O.N.E. (Plan Article V Section 3).

To Index
NCC DONE page
To main page