Northridge Community Council |
In organization. ; We welcome everyone in the area. Click here if you want to be added to our E-mail list. |
;MINUTES, (Numbers match agenda)
1. Acting President, Brad Smith called the meeting to order at 7:25 pm. He welcomed those attending and thanked Teddi Grant of Northridge Hospital for providing the meeting room and refreshments. He commended Don Larson, organizer of Old Northridge, for providing booth and handing out flyers at the Northridge Chamber of Commerce Faire. He also thanked Linda Dunham, Andrea Alvarado, Andy Anderson and Carol Jaffee for their work in handing out flyers there and/or at the Wednesday Farmers' Market. He said that we will work toward the deadline of October 1 to submit our request for certification.
2. The minutes were read by Dorothy Boberg. Jane Lowenthal asked for correction of the spelling of her name. Andy Anderson moved that the minutes be approved as corrected. Motion passed.
-- A member asked for introductions of all present with names of organizations to which they belonged which was done. (See attendance list attached).
3. Brad introduced Megan Jones, Valley Coordinator of DONE, who gave out 40 copies of the May 15 City Council issue of the Neighborhood Council Plan. She came to Los Angeles in 1998 and graduated from USC where she joined the Neighborhood Participation Project and then was hired by DONE.
The 1999 City Charter designated DONE to organize neighborhood councils. The purpose is to encourage civic participation. There has been little public participation and input to the City Council and the neighborhood councils are being formed to correct this. The Northridge Community Council is to gather all interests in Northridge to correspond with the City Council on matters like planning zoning, legislative issues, budget, anything. It is an opportunity to have out voices heard.
DONE was given one year to plan and present a plan to the City Council.
The Governmental Efficiency Committee of Laura Chick, Mike Feuer and Mark Gridley-Thomas each said there are remaining problems but passed the plan they approved on May 15th to the City Council. The Council must approve a plan by June 15 and can make changes later.
This is a far-reaching system and will affect all departments, budget, and agencies.
The benefits are: two way communication with communities. The needs of Northridge can be presented to the City Council. A Congress of Neighborhoods can share issues and call on each other for help.
The Neighborhood Councils serve diverse interest. They discuss and mediate issues. Funding will be significant, a main portion for outreach, mailing, updates, PR. There will be grants for community projects. DONE is scheduled for $5 million in the current budget.
Both candidates for Mayor have used about 75 % of their platform in favor of N. Cs. This is revolutionary.
You have a great steering committee. They need input as to what your council should look like such as identifying boundaries, doing outreach, structure. The Sunland Tujunga C. is using the Town hall structure: one vote per attendee. They have considered zoning, cell tower location, etc.
Under the California ; Brown act the councils are the official advisors of government and meetings must be open to the public. The agenda must be posted.
A question and answer period followed:
Q: There is a plan to have the Valley separate from LA. Will this council be a part of a new city? A: The council may continue as desired.
Q: How would we get information from the city in early stages of development? A: There will be an early information E-mail system . You will be the first ones told regarding issues. Then you could put out press releases, etc.
Q: Who will we report to on issues? A: There will be two-way communication. Your opinion will be put into the public record. You are not just an interest group. You will be a powerful voice.
Comment: If the Valley becomes a separate city, we could continue in the new city.
Q: What will happen after redistricting? A: New City Council members need support. You can still have your neighborhood council.
Q: How will diversity of opinion be handled? A: It depends on your by-laws. There could be majority and minority reports. They are advisory but represent strong power. Officials want endorsement on their decisions. If officials disagree, you may call press conferences. NCs are being set up to cure the ills of the city.
Comment: In Sylmar two council districts representatives give the community more power.
Q: The provision in the current plan for mandatory bylaws gives the ruling body power to make decisions. This is not what I want. A: You can structure your council as you see fit.
Q: We are already well represented in our homeowners' organization.
What will we get and what will we give up? A: This will not defuse power of existing organizations. It will give more power to organization that make up the council.
Q: What if there are conflicts? A: There will be democratic solutions.
Comment: (Brad) I have been involved in neighborhood newspapers for 10 years. This is one more way to express opinions. This is happening.
It's a matter of who shows up and testifies.
Comment: There can be a vote and majority and minority reports in a democracy.
We are not giving up power.
Comment: Some groups may be giving up power. This will give opportunity to small groups or individuals.
Q: How many Valley groups are being organized? How many do you expect?
A: About 25 in formation, about 75 city wide.
Q: How do individuals get information about groups that are forming: A:
Call DONE. None have been certified yet so information is tentative.
Q: James Hahn has a 10 point plan that is different from DONE's plan.
A: DONE is aware of possible problems. One group does not control.
Q: Who will be certified? A: There will be 10 to 20 in the first year citywide.
Q: Will there be sunset clauses on funding? A: Reports are to be required quarterly.
Q: If a large number of councils request certification call all be certified? A: We have a small staff and will do as many as we can.
Q: Since population size is to be a minimum of 20,000, how many councils will there be? A: About 150, 200 max.
Q: We need information. What is too big? A: Hollywood is proposing
400,000 residents. There is no designation of maximum size.
Q: How will DONE measure the successful candidate councils? A: They will need a plan and we will evaluate compliance.
Q: Portland is the most outstanding success story. We can look at their problems.
A: Their representation is 7% and that is the highest participation we know about.
Q: How do we get money for outreach? A: There is no funding yet. You need 200 to 500 signatures. There will be new money for organizing and more staff. In about 2 months there will be money for outreach. It is now in the organizing phase.
Comment: We need City Attorney opinion in writing regarding Brown Act responsibility.
Comment: The council formed by Mark Gridley-Thomas is successful on a number of issues. Many and diverse people are involved. We also need more involvement in government and a diverse structure.
4. Brad summarized election overview and said our Northridge Community Council will remain when all the changes occur during the next two years in electing the Mayor, possible secession, and 12th Council District race. This is a non partisan organization. He is registered as neither Democrat nor Republican.
5. Interim reports:
A. Brad will do publicity. He contacted numerous media and there is a Daily News reporter here tonight. Perhaps E-mail may be our best forum for contact with membership. We will be ready to be certified by October 1.
B. Dorothy asked all to sign attendance and mark "SC" if you are willing to serve on the steering committee. Don Larson said City cannot institute sign up for neighborhood councils at the June election but maybe it can be worked out for the next election.
C. John Weitkamp is working on legal issues.
D. Andy Anderson reported that he is organizing the financial record keeping. Someone asked how we are funded at present and Brad said individuals are paying for the Xeroxing from their own funds. A suggestion was made to put out a basket for donations.
E. Megan Jones gave the DONE website: www.lacityneighborhoods.com and the City website: www.lacity.org/neighborhoods Charles Brink gave our new website: www.Northridgecouncil.org It is not operating yet. [It is now]
6. New Business:
Brad requested volunteers for hospitality committee and issues committee and others.
There was discussion of boundaries for NR. We will need to discuss these with Granada Hills and Chatsworth. There was discussion of whether there should be more recognition of already existing group boundaries. Megan said there can be overlapping boundaries. Don Larson said he will ask for certification to enlarge Old Northridge neighborhood: Nordhoff to rail tracks, Lindley to Wilbur, both sides of streets.
7. No further public comment.
8. Next meeting is to be at Northridge Hospital on June 20, 7:30 pm.
Following meetings to be on the third Wednesday, 7:30 pm beginning in July at Andasol Elementary School, 10126 Encino Ave., NR 91325.
Dorothy Boberg Acting VP