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Los Angeles certifies first neighborhood councils in Wilmington and Coastal San Pedro
Summary
The City Council met in Wilmington and presented certifications and proclamations for the first two officially certified neighborhood councils in Los Angeles: the Wilmington Neighborhood Council and the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.
The Los Angeles City Council met in Wilmington on Dec. 12, 2001, and presented certificates recognizing the Wilmington Neighborhood Council and the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council as the city—s first certified neighborhood councils.
Council President Alex Padilla opened the meeting and Mayor James Hahn, who appeared at the ceremony, declared Dec. 12, 2001, "Wilmington Day in the City of Los Angeles," saying the council had "brought city hall to Wilmington." Mayor Hahn also said the neighborhood councils would help close the distance between city government and neighborhoods.
Councilmember Janice Hahn, whose Fifteenth District includes Wilmington, described the certification as "historic," credited the voters— charter reforms that established neighborhood councils and praised volunteers and city staff who worked on the process. Tony O—Donnell, chair of the Wilmington Neighborhood Council steering committee, thanked Councilmember Hahn and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment staff and noted the steering committee—s long effort to form the council. Doug Epperhart, chair of the Coastal San Pedro steering committee, said more than 200 people helped assemble that council over 18 months.
Speakers at the ceremony also acknowledged city agencies and staff, including the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and Recreation and Parks, and local volunteer groups who supported the council formation process. Janice Hahn asked other neighborhood councils in formation to stand so the council could encourage them to keep participating.
The ceremony was timed to coincide with the council—s first meeting held outside City Hall; council members said they intend to take meetings into neighborhoods to broaden public participation.
The council did not take a separate vote for the certifications on the record at the moment of the presentations; the event included proclamations, presentations and public recognition of the steering committees and volunteers involved in forming the two councils.
Council members present and several department officials said they would continue to coordinate with the newly certified councils as they begin outreach and operations.
