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MINUTES, (Numbers match agenda)
APRIL 21, 2001 2:00 P.M. at the DEVONSHIRE HOUSE NORTHRIDGE PARK
1. Meeting of the Steering Committee called to order at 2:15 p.m. by Acting President Brad Smith. Welcome and introductions.
2. Minutes of March 17, 2001 meeting read by Acting Secretary. Minutes approved.
3. Megan Jones of D.O.N.E. was introduced. Ms Jones gave us her brief bio including the USC Neighborhood project. Informed us of several revisions and changes that are in the process concerning Neighborhood Councils and the by laws requirements including: outreach requirements verifying diversification of stakeholders' (250 to 500 signatures), Neighborhoods Councils by laws' code of ethics identical to the city of LA's code of ethics, possibly up to $50,000 funding available to certified councils with access to matching funds, identification different stakeholders' groups within each Council. and a delayed application date of October 1st.
Megan also addressed questions concerning how to handle any stockholder groups who may inadvertently be passed over in the start up phase. Council by laws should include amendments allowing to revisit and add new groups during the growth process. Good faith effort Ô was discussed. Council by laws must be flexible enough to accommodate changes that will present themselves as each Council expands and develops. She pledged her assistance to us. Megan clarified a variety of questions throughout the meeting.
4. Revisions on by laws requirements and organizational changes to be presented to LA Governmental Efficiency Committee on April 26 at 9 a.m. Public encouraged to attend. The committee suggested changes will heard.
5. Dorothy Boberg has completed another update of the Northridge stakeholders list which includes, residents, homeowners groups, schools, churches, business owners, and Councilman Bernson's office list of Northridge organizations. That list will continue to be expanded as more groups and individuals express interest.
6. The purpose of the Council was reviewed as stated in the interim by laws.
7. Paula Boland informed us that the original plan for the Neighborhood Council's, according to the revised City Charter, stated that Councils' would be the "first informed by City Hall" regarding changes effecting city residents. She urged that stakeholders' continue to express the need for this "express" method of communication between City Hall and the Neighborhood Councils'.
8. Review of organization by Steering Committee or Board of Directors by Walter Prince and John Weitkamp. Additional discussion of by laws and D.O.N.E.'s requirements to review and approve any by law changes. Concerns expressed that this review and control may adversely effect a Council's productivity and add to red tape which we want to diminish or eliminate.
Walter Prince suggested that we operate our Council by using a Steering Committee/Townhall organization similar to the Simi Valley system. Formality of a Board will not encourage participation but rather discourage it. The need for growth and larger attendance at meetings is critical. John Weitcamp expressed the need for a clean and clear set of by laws and the election of a Board of Directors. A formal Board will conduct business efficiently and accomplish more. He suggested we more carefully review our interim by laws as a multitude ™of DONE changes are in the process.
A lengthy discussion followed on Walter's comments on the need for a Steering Committee/Townhall Hall as the Council's governing body versus John Weitcamp's comments on the need for a traditional Board of Directors. Comments from a variety of stakeholders' included need for community outreach and more participation, IRS designation as in 501C 3-4-5-6-7, ability to raise funds and seek contributions, non profit and unincorporated status, and civic league tax classification. The main question which developed was, how do we want to organize ourselves for the present and for the future? Stakeholders' stated the need to establish a solid foundation on which to grow as this entire Neighborhood Council concept grows and develops. The need for flexibility as changes are received from City Hall was also expressed.
9. Acting President Brad Smith summarized the discussion into two different formats ; the Town Hall organization or the Board of Directors leadership. Each stakeholder present expressed their opinions. The consensus, as determined by a vote, was to continue with the interim, acting positions in a Town Hall/Steering Committee setting. We must continue to promote, advertise and generate greater stakeholder participation. Our final goal will be to establish a more formal governing body, i.e., a Board of Directors, by October 1st in preparation for our certification application to DONE. Dorothy Boberg requested the establishment of more committees and chair persons to assist the Acting President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Only a few people are doing most of the majority of the work.
10. Boundaries of the Northridge Council according to zip codes and street boundaries, specifically Winnetka to the West, were discussed with Jon Luritzen of Chatsworth. To be worked out later.
11. Charles Brink offered to set up electronic communications and a web site.
12. Remaining agenda items addressing the interim by laws (Agenda Items 4 through 8 and 12) were suspended as well as discussion of a stakeholder membership form and several organizational tools directly related to ensuring diversification of stakeholders and acknowledged receipt of interim by laws. These items to be addressed at a future meeting.
13. The flyer advertising the next community meeting at Northridge Hospital on May 22, 2001, was reviewed by Pat LoPresti. The two sided flyer serves as advertising and it also contains a questionnaire to be completed and mailed to Dorothy Boberg. Master copies were made available to all and everyone was encouraged to duplicate and distribute to their neighborhoods, schools, churches and organizations. The phone number for information was donated by the Old Northridge organization and is a voice mail message which will be answered by Don Larson. Request was made for Publicity Committee to organize and distribute the May 22 meeting information. Megan Jones reiterated the need for a Community Outreach Strategies Committee. Many suggestions were given about where and to whom we need to advertise the next meetings.
14. The June meeting will again be held at Northridge Hospital on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:30 p.m.
15. The Brown Act explanation and having a representative from the City Attorney's office will be put on future agendas
16. As the meeting began to wind down, individuals volunteered to chair the following committees:
Brad Smith volunteered to handle the press release distribution to newspapers.
Jane Lowenthall volunteered to do Outreach Strategy Establish a Speakers Bureau - no chair.
Information Committee/Web site - Charles Brink.
Finance Committee - composed of Andy Anderson, John Weitcamp, Charles Brink Precinct Outreach for June 5 mayoral election - Don Larson Meeting schedule will be set for months of July, August and September - Pat LoPresti.
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.