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Council adopts amended ordinance to implement neighborhood councils, removes matching-funds requirement
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council on May 15 adopted an amended ordinance to establish a citywide system of neighborhood councils and directed staff to amend the plan to conform to the revised ordinance.
The Los Angeles City Council on May 15 adopted an amended ordinance to establish a citywide system of neighborhood councils and directed staff to amend the city plan to conform to the revised ordinance.
Councilmember (President) Chick and other council members said the ordinance change responds to recommendations from the Budget and Finance ad hoc committee and the Council’s earlier motions. The key change removes a matching-grants provision and shifts the delivery of operating support to the Department identified in the ordinance rather than requiring neighborhood councils to compete for matching funds.
The Council returned the amended ordinance to first reading because the ad hoc committee’s changes alter the funding language in the plan that had received an earlier first reading. Council members who supported the amendment said the change preserves the Council’s overall vision for neighborhood councils while ensuring direct operating resources for certified councils. Councilmember Misakowski pressed for more public review; she urged a short continuance so people who testified previously could review the ad hoc committee changes. That motion was withdrawn and the Council proceeded.
The Council adopted the amended ordinance by voice roll call vote (12 ayes) and then voted (12 ayes) to amend the plan to conform to the ordinance.
Council members noted outstanding tasks: specific rules and regulations for how neighborhood councils will apply for additional project funding remain to be written and vetted. The council directed staff to prepare the conforming plan amendment and to return the ordinance/plan for standard follow-up steps required by the charter and administrative process.
Background: the issue grew out of hearings and public testimony earlier in the neighborhood council process. The ad hoc Budget and Finance Committee proposed funding language changes that remove the requirement that councils provide matching funds for certain grants and instead provide for department-administered operating support and a separate application process for project funding.
The action will be carried out as first reading of the amended ordinance; staff will bring back any required implementing documents and recommended rules governing application for additional funds.
