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Los Angeles: A Family of Neighborhoods
Summary: The first public proposal for a citywide system of neighborhood councils occurred when Councilman Joel Wachs announced that he was going to run for mayor. This document provides excerpts from his announcement speech. (1 page.)
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10/05/1992
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Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs prior to his appearence before the Hillside Federation
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs. Nelson suggests points that should be made regarding the new NC concept. (2 pages)
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02/28/1994
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Draft of Primer on the Neighborhood Council System
Draft of a primer on the NC system by Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office. Includes Q&A. (7 pages)
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04/17/1995
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Memo to the Chief Legislative Analyst
Memo from Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, Chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee, to the Chief Legislative Analyst asking for assistance because the Councilman is "ready to launch the most complex and difficult project ever." It covers funding, identifying neighborhoods, contacting other cities, and City support. (2 pages)
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12/07/1995
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'Neighborhood Councils'
Summary: The first attempt to create a citywide system of Neighborhood Councils through a City Council motion that would create an ordinance. The motion described the basic features of the proposed system and initiated extensive work by the Governmental Efficiency Committee. (3 pages.)
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06/12/1996
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Creating Neighborhood Councils: A Fundamental Reform of City Government
Summary: The first attempt to create a citywide system of Neighborhood Councils through a City Council motion, written by Councilman Joel Wachs, that would create an ordinance. The motion described the basic features of the proposed system and initiated extensive work by the Governmental Efficiency Committee. (3 pages.)
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06/18/1996
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Series of City Council Motions
Summary: As the June 18, 1996 motion was discussed in the Governmental Efficiency Committee, there were several amending motions presented. Four of them are included here. (4 pages.)
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06/18/1996
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Report on the 1996 NUSA Conference
Notes from Greg Nelson in the Office of Councilman Joel Wachs following his attendance at the Neighborhoods USA Conference in Little Rock. He reports on conversations with and advice received from people in Pasadena (CA), New York City, Detroit, Houston, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Little Rock, Birmingham, Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne, St. Petersburg, Dayton, St. Paul, and it includes some comments from the keynote speaker at the event, Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (7 pages)
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07/21/1996
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Memo to the Chief Legislative Analyst Requesting Funding Support for the Office of Neighborhoods
Memo from Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee to the Chief Legislative Analyst requesting research assistance from the CLA regarding possible funding support for the new Office of Neighborhoods. Suggests federal block grant money. (1 page)
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07/23/1996
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Memo Requesting Research Assistance from the CLA Regarding Neighborhood Councils
Memo from Greg Nelson, Counciman Joel Wachs' office, chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee to the Chief Legislative Analyst requesting research assistance from the CLA. Asks 35 questions. (3 pages)
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07/25/1996
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Neighborhood Council Battle Plan
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs in which he describes as a "Neighborhood Councils Battle Plan." (2 pages)
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07/25/1996
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Notes to Councilman Joel Wachs Regarding the Formation of the NC System
Notes from Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee, to Wachs regarding the NC concept in general.
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07/31/1996
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Notes from an Intern in Joel Wachs' Office about the system in Seattle
(5 pages)
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07/31/1996
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Summary of NC Systems in Other Cities
Summary of the NC systems in Portland, Birmingham, Dayton, St. Paul, and Seattle written by Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office. (6 pages)
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08/12/1996
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Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs about blending existing groups with NCs
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs proposing a method through which there could be created a citywide system that blended the existing 8th District Empowerment Congresses with the new NCs that would be overseen by the Office of Neighborhoods. (6 pages)
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03/07/1997
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Memo to Councilman Joel Re: Ways to Address Questions from Mayor Riordan's Office
Memo from Greg Nelson to recommending ways to address questions and concerns. Include how to address disputes, amount of power, creating 37 NC offices, and an Office of Neighborhoods. (6 pages)
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04/12/1997
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'Charter Reform Commission Study Group on Participation Report
Summary: Materials presented to the appointed commission's study group inlcuded a discussion of key terms, and a focus of the findings in the Rebirth of Urban Democracy (7 pages). Also, excerpts from Political Change in the Metropolis by John Harrigan. (9 pages).
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06/18/1997
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"Charter Reform Commission Study Group on Participation"
Summary: Materials include excerpts from The Rebirth of Urban Democracy and analysis by Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, Commission Executive Director (17 pages). Also includes the "Final Report of the Los Angeles City Charter Commission" from 1970. Discusses the prospects for participatory democracy. includes excerpts from the December 1970 report from the Charter Commission. (9 pages).
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06/25/1997
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Charter Reform Commission Study Group on Participation
Summary: Materials include information about New York City's Community Boards (8 pages), a presentation by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, and charts showing the city's existing advisory groups. (4 pages).
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07/29/1997
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'Motion Regarding Creation of a New City Department of Neighborhoods'
Summary: The CLA recommended delaying action on a motion by Council members Mark Ridley-Thomas and Joel Wachs to set aside $3 million in the 1997-98 budget to create a new Department of Neighborhoods. Council followed the CAO's recommendation and referred the motion to committee. (1 page).
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10/29/1997
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Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs re: the Charter Commission Meeting on 11-19-97
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs reporting on the appointed Charter Commission meeting held the night earlier. Executive director gave a concise report on NCs. Public speakers included Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, Tom Hayden, John Shaughnessy (Neighborhood Councils Movement), and Joyce Prager (VICA). Comments from Nelson on which issues need to be addresses if the Governmental Efficiency Committee is going to take its meetings "on the road." (4 pages)
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11/20/1997
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Memo Summarizing a Meeting of the Charter Reform Commission
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs following a meeting of the appointed Charter reform commission. Summarizes the comments of Councilmembers Laura Chick, Mike Feuer, and Jackie Goldberg, and Henry Cisneros, Diane Linn (Portland), Richard Close (Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association) and Bennett Kayser (elected commission). (3 pages)
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11/26/1997
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'Office of Neighborhoods'
Summary: CAO Recommendations on how to begin creating a citywide system; suggested duties and responsibilities of a new Office of Neighborhoods; and number of neighborhood councils. (4 pages).
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02/13/1998
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Notes Regarding the Formation of the Neighborhood Council System
Notes from Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, Chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee regarding boundaries, selection of leaders, number of NCs. Presents options and pro and con arguments. (3 pages)
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02/23/1998
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'Creation of Neighborhood Councils'
Summary: CAO Report on the resources needed to create and support a citywide system; a list of the 14 most significant challenges that lie ahead; a summary of the four pending motions; and recommendations for an options report. (5 pages).
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03/04/1998
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'Office of Neighborhoods - Neighborhood Councils'
Summary: CAO report re: establishing boundaries, organizing and funding neighborhood councils, selecting members, responsibilities, role of Office of Neighborhoods, etc. (5 pages).
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03/04/1998
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'Comparison of Cities with Neighborhood Council Programs'
Summary: CLA and CAO report provides comparison and analysis of NCs in seven cities: Birmingham, AL; Dayton, OH; the Eighth District Empowerment Congress, Los Angeles; Santa Monica, CA; New York City, NY; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and St. Paul, MN. (25 pages).
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03/30/1998
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'Neighborhood Councils Proposals for the City of Los Angeles'
Summary: CLA and COA report compares five motions that were introduced by members of the Government Efficiency Committee, and identifies the community participation activities provided by city agencies. (14 pages).
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04/07/1998
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Neighborhood Councils
Summary: LA provided charts listing general issues inherent in the design of the neighborhood council system, including questions needed to be addressed. (7 pages).
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04/08/1998
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Additional Notes Regarding the Formation of the Neighborhood Council System
Notes from Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, Chairman of the Governmental Efficiency Committee. A refinement of the 2-23-98 notes, and includes notes on the Congress of Neighborhoods. (4 pages)
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04/12/1998
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Neighborhood Councils and City Hall Infrastructure
Summary: CLA report contains follow-up information regarding city departments with community participation activities and offices, and the opinions from the City Attorney concerning legal requirements to be met by neighborhood councils (7 pages).
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04/13/1998
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'Neighborhood Councils'
Summary: CLA and CAO report summarizes in chart form of the various proposals that have been made. (14 pages).
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04/20/1998
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Memo from to Councilman Joel Wachs About the Fears of the Business Community Regarding NCs
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs discussing fears from the business community about NIMBYism dominating the NCs, how leaders will be selected, how boundaries would be determined, and how an Office of Neighborhoods would be created. (4 pages)
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04/20/1998
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'Brief Summaries of Proposals for Neighborhood Governance in Los Angeles'
Summary: Appointed Commission staff summarized in chart form of the various proposals that have been made (14 pages).
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04/22/1998
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Charter Reform Commission Report
Summary: Charter Reform Commission report dealing with increasing and improving opportunities in the Charter for citizen participation, drawing of City Council districts, changing the size of the City Council, and creating NCs. The report discusses and makes recommendations on the current barriers to access to the governmental system, mandating an NC system in the Charter as opposed to by ordinance, how specific the Charter should be regarding powers, selecting leaders, and determining boundaries, NCs having decision making power, Voting Rights Act. (15 pages)
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04/22/1998
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Councilman Joel Wachs' Presentation to the Charter Reform Commission 5-13-98
Notes by Greg Nelson, Councilman Joel Wachs' office, regarding a presentation made by the Councilman to the appointed charter reform commission on 5-13-98. Boundaries should honor neighborhoods, leaders should be self-selected, should be an "early warning ordinance." Most successful NC programs are advisory. (1 page)
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04/22/1998
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'Neighborhood Council Proposal'
Summary: Recommendations of the CLA and CAO for how to configure a neighborhood council system in Los Angeles. Includes discussion of initial decisions of appointed Charter Reform Commission (9 pages).
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04/27/1998
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Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs Regarding Neighborhood Councils
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs to prepare him for the meeting of Governmental Efficiency Committee. Memo discusses strategies regarding bounderies, selecting leaders, the Early Warning Ordinance, finding office space for the NCs and equipping them, creating a commission, creating a Department of Neighborhoods, and field offices throughout the city. (5 pages)
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04/30/1998
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A Report on Establishing Neighborhood Council Districts Part I
This part one of an extensive report from a committee of the elected charter reform commission, presents arguments for and against creating an NC system; alternatives to creating an NC system in the Charter; a discussion of the elected vs. appointed models; mandatory vs. advisory powers; interest group representation (i.e., diversity and inclusiveness); budgets for the NCs; decison-making powers within selected departments that might be delegated to NCs; an appeals process; the ideal number and size of NCs; establishing boundaries; addressing boundary disputes; cost estimates for the NC system; and alternative election procedures. (29 pages)
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05/04/1998
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A Report on Establishing Neighborhood Council Districtds Part II
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05/04/1998
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A Report on Establishing Neighborhood Councils Part III
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05/04/1998
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Response from Commissioner Bill Weinberger Regarding the Report on Establishing NC Districts
Commissioner Bill Weinberger wrote to the members of the Committee on More Responsive Government for the elected charter reform commission. He enumerated his concerns about the report. (4 pages)
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05/04/1998
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Budget Consideration of Funds for a Department of Neighborhoods
Summary: The Governmental Efficiency Committee voted 2 (Ridley-Thomas and Wachs) to 1 (Chick) to recommend to the Budget and Finance Committee that the department?s first year budget be funded at $1.8 million, which is a prorated share of a $3 million annualized budget. The document also includes Councilmember Laura Chick?s proposal for community councils and neighborhood councils. (3 pages.)
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05/07/1998
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Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs Prior to a Meeting of the Charter Reform Commission
Noets from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs to prepare him for a possible presentation to the two charter reform commissions. The notes tried describe the basic philosophy behind a citywide NC system, and address some issues such as the purpose of the proposed system, the need for NCs to have staff and offices, the problem with giving NCs decision-making powers, the importance of inclusiveness, the value or preserving neighborhoods, why the business community should not fear NCs, and suggested actions that the commissions should take. Subsequent presentations by the councilman extracted information from these notes. (7 pages)
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05/12/1998
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Memo from the Assistant City Attorney Regarding Various NC Issues
Memorandum written by Assistant City Attorney Tony Alperin to the chair of the Elected Charter Refrom Commission. The letter addresses questions that were raised regarding the Voting Rights Act, advisory vs. decision-making, and NC elections. (7 pages)
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05/18/1998
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Councilman Joel Wachs' Presentation to the Elected Commission Committee
Reprt from the City Clerk estimating the costs of adding NC elections to the city's elections. It's a big number, but many of the assumptions turned out to be not applicable. (4 pages)
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05/20/1998
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Committee on a More Responsive City Government with an Involved Citizenry
Summary: This first presentation to a charter reform commission by Councilman Joel Wachs called for the creation of a Department of Neighborhoods that would help design, help organize, and support a citywide network of neighborhood councils for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, and nurturing participatory democracy in every neighborhood. He specified that the new City Charter should guarantee certain fundamental provisions that would determine whether the citywide system of neighborhood councils would succeed or fail. Those were: guaranteed diversity; the self-selection of leaders; recognition and guaranteed funding of the neighborhood councils for staff and communication; control over their own budgets; ability to set their own agendas; an early warning ordinance; boundaries that respected neighborhoods; creating a new department; quarterly citywide Congress of Neighborhoods meetings; and flexibility (4 pages).
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05/27/1998
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E-mail to Bennett Kayser of the elected commission
Greg Nelson wrote to Bennett Kaiser who chaired the key committee on the elected commission following a meeting of the full commission. The message shares concerns and thoughts with him regarding the discussions that the commission had. (6 pages)
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06/01/1998
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'Neighborhood Council Proposals'
Summary: CAO report on 23rd Annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference in Portland, Oregon and staff interviews with representatives from several cities with neighborhood councils. Report noted that "size matters!" Ken Thomson, co-author of Rebirth of Urban Democracy told city staff that a neighborhood should be no larger than 10,000 people so that it could provide the community stakeholders an opportunity to participate at a grassroots level. Comments from neighborhood council leaders from other cities are summarized. They responded to questions asked by city staff regarding such issues as boundaries, NIMBYs, business community, selection process, boundaries, diversity, funding, training, accountability, and patience. The appendix summarized the proposals from Council members Wachs and Ridley-Thomas (11 pages).
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06/17/1998
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Recommendations from Councilman Joel Wachs to the Appointed Commission
Summary: Using strikeouts and underlining, Wachs recommended changes to the developing plan. He proposed at least 35 clusters of neighborhoods into communities that would share offices (2 pages).
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07/22/1998
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Memo re: meeting of the appointed commission
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilmember Joel Wachs covering the discussions that occurred during a meeting of the appointed commission.
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07/22/1998
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Taking It To The Streets: The Debate Over Neighborhood Goverance In Los Angeles.
This report on the proposed neighborhood council system was written by Jim Bickhart, who was a field aide to Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa at the time. It was published by the Center for Government & Public Policy Analysis. (28 pages)
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08/01/1998
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Memo re: meeting of the elected commission task force on neighborhood councils
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilmember Joel Wachs following the first meeting of a task force headed by Bill Weinberger. Other members were Glushon, Kayser, Boland, and Hahn. LABA (downtown business group) played a prominent role in the meeting. (3 pages)
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08/07/1998
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Memo fron Greg Nelson to a Group of Advisors
Greg Nelson, from Councilman Joel Wachs' office, wrote this private memo to a group of advisors presenting them with four questions that he had at a time when the elected charter reform commission was recognizing itself. (2 pages)
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08/09/1998
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Memo re: budget for a citywide system
Memo from Greg Nelson to Councilman Joel Wachs recommends a budget for the first year of the NC system. (3 pages)
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08/10/1998
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LABA Survey
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson re: a not-yet released voter opinion survey by LABA (a major business association) regarding the upcoming vote on the City Charter. It includes voter's feelings about NCs. (1 page)
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08/14/1998
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Memo re: Early Warning Ordinance
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson suggesting some ways of making the Early Warning System simpler. (1 page)
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08/14/1998
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Budget for Community Councils
Summary: This report to the Elected Charter Reform Commission includes a detailed budget for the new department prepared by the councilman?s office and the CAO. It is a refinement of the April 27, 1998 report by the CLA and CAO. The report proposes the duties of the new department and list possible funding sources. (5 pages.)
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08/24/1998
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Memo to elected charter commission task force re: Budget for Community Councils
Memo from Greg Nelson reporting on the proposal being developed by Councilman Joel Wachs and the CAO for a citywide NC system. Proposal will ask that the charter include minimum number if communities in the system, guaranteed funding, creating a Dept. of Neighborhoods and setting its 18+ duties, and sources of funding. (3 pages)
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08/24/1998
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Memo to Weinberger Task Force
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson reporting on the meeting at which the members were far from reaching consensus. (2 pages)
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09/02/1998
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Memo re: decision-making and advisory
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson following a discussion with Ken Thomson (co-author of "The Rebirth of Urban Democracy") regarding some structual issues. (1 page)
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09/04/1998
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Presentation by Councilman Joel Wachs to both Commissions
Summary: Councilman Joel Wachs challenged the charter reform commissions to create a system that promoted maximum community empowerment. He provided more detail as to how the councils would be created and how the city would support them (5 pages).
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09/06/1998
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Memo re: 2nd Early Warning Ordinance
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson refining the Early Warning proposal to define which items would be included, and that violation of it would not be a criminal offense. (1 page)
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09/15/1998
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Update 9-06-98 Presentation
Summary: An update of Councilman Joel Wachs' August letter, with a 10-page "Questions and Answers" section (14 pages).
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09/16/1998
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'Revisit of Neighborhood Councils'
Summary: Recommendations from two appointed commissioners as to how to form a citywide system (2 pages). Also includes a spreadsheet showing how several cities around the country that have neighborhood council systems address various questions being considered by the commission (4 pages). Charts are on legal-sized paper.
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09/17/1998
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Memo re:two-tier system
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson re: the concerns of some commissioners about the proposed two-tier system of community and neighborhood councils. (1 page)
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09/21/1998
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Memo re: two-tier system.
Memo to File by Greg Nelson re: an alternative to the proposed two-tier system. (2 pages)
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09/21/1998
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'Issues for Additional Consideration: City Commissions and Regional and Neighborhood Issues'
Summary: Includes staff recommendation to select neighborhood council boundaries, while suggesting that other issues should be left to ordinance (3 pages).
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09/23/1998
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Memo to appointed charter commissioners re: actions by the elected commission's committee.
Memo from Greg Nelson. (1 page)
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09/23/1998
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Memo re: results of appointed commission meeting.
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson reported on issues such as the election or appointment of NC leaders, comments from MALDEF, how to determine boundaries, the name of the new department. ( 3 pages)
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09/23/1998
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Memo re: suggestions on designing the citywide system.
Memo written to two appointed commissioners by Greg Nelson citing problems and recommendations from Councilman Joel Wachs on the new system. ( 2 pages)
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09/28/1998
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Memo re: meeting of the elected commission.
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson. Commissioner Romero is quitting. Comments on ability of NCs to have decision-making authority. (1page)
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09/28/1998
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Memo re: elected commission task force meeting
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson reporting on results of the Weinberger task force meeting. Were not able to reach consensus on anything. They discussed a mandatory review time, the Toronto Metro Councils idea, proportional voting, land use authority, and costs. (3 pages)
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10/01/1998
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Memo re: strategies for the next steps.
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson suggesting strategies for how to proceed,and responding to some of the councilman's questions. (2 pages)
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10/02/1998
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Memo re: Budget for Neighborhood Councils Network
Memo from Greg Nelson to elected commissioner Rob Glushon discusses issues related to funding a citywide system. (2 pages)
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10/15/1998
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Memo to elected commissioners responding to a staff report that is about to be discussed.
Memo to elected charter reform commissioners from Councilman Joel Wachs' office pointing out flaws in a staff report that estimated costs for the new system based upon costs in other cities, stating that the plan they are developing wouldn't truly empower NC's, and pointing out the advantages of a participatory system over a formally-elected one. (2 pages)
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10/16/1998
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'Final Report'
Summary: Report from the elected commission committee that reviews of previous decisions, lists of votes, and suggestions by public for how to address remaining issues, including funding, land use decisions, terms of office, early warning system, diversity, terms of office, and Voting Rights Act implication. Includes map of City Planning Districts (18 pages).
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10/19/1998
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Memo re: An Elected Commission Meeting on 10-19-98.
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson providing a report and "minutes" of this important meeting of the commission at which they discussed and voted on issues such as the mandatory review, proportional voting, participatory vs. decision-making, boundaries, increasing the size of the City Council, costs, early warning ordinance, and how many measues to place on he ballot. (7 pages)
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10/19/1998
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Recommendations to Elected Charter Reform Commission from Wachs
Recommendations to the elected commission from Councilman Joel Wachs. He urged the participatory model recommended by the commission's task force. (2 pages)
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10/19/1998
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Memo to Elected Commissioners
Memo sent to some elected commissioners from Greg Nelson of Councilman Joel Wachs' office that answers some of the questions that were raised by some commissioners at the previous meeting. (4 pages)
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10/21/1998
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Letter from Councilman Joel Wachs to Elected Commission
The councilman suggested starting with participatory model, and then forming a commission of NC members to review it and determine changes were needed, including changing to a formal decision-making model. (2 pages)
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10/26/1998
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Memo re: Elected Commission Meeting on 10-26-98
Memo to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson re: meeting of the elected commission re: the formally-elected model. City Attorney raised questions concerning the Voting Rights Act. (1 page)
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10/26/1998
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Memo re: Elected Commission Meeting on 10-26-98. (Extensive Notes)
More extensive notes to Councilman Joel Wachs from Greg Nelson re: meeting of the elected commission, including votes and comments from commissioners on participatory vs. elected models, and funding. (5 pages)
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10/26/1998
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Memo to Elected Charter Reform Commission
Memo to some elected commissioners from Greg Nelson of Councilman Joel Wachs' staff arguing against pitting the participatory model vs. the decision-making model. (1 page)
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10/27/1998
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'Mandating a Citywide Network of Neighborhood Councils and a Department of Neighborhoods'
Summary: A handout that summarized Councilman Joel Wachs' proposal at this point (5 pages).
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10/30/1998
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Wachs' draft of the overall NC plan.
Draft of a public handout that was to be used by Councilman Joel Wachs to explain his vision of a citywide plan of NCs. Includes: the department, defining boundaries, funding the NCs and the system, what should be expected from each NC, a Congress of Neighborhoods at which NCs would form a consensus of issues, early warning ordinance, and organizing a "Prepare L.A." emergency preparedness plan. (7 pages)
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10/30/1998
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Memo to Elected Charter Reform Commission 11-01-98.
Memo to some elected commissioners from Greg Nelson of Councilman Joel Wachs' staff comparing the participatory model vs. the decision-making model. (2 pages)
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11/01/1998
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'Areas of Difference Based on Decisions Made by Both Commissions'
Summary: Comparison of decisions made by both the appointed and elected charter reform commissions (9 pages).
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11/02/1998
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Handout for L.A. Constitutional Comvention-Part I
On November 7, 1998, the elected commission held a "constitutional convention" so the public would provide thoughts and comments about the new charter proposal. This is the first half of the workbook that was given to all participants. (14 pages)
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11/07/1998
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Handout for L.A. Constitutional Convention-Part II
On November 7, 1998, the elected commission held a "constitutional convention" so the public would provide thoughts and comments about the new charter propsal. This is the second half of the workbook that was given to all participants. (14 pages)
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11/07/1998
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Memo from Wachs' Staff to City Staff Re: Early Warning Ordinance
From Greg Nelson to the CLA and City Attorney making suggestions about a possible Early Warning Ordinance. (2 pages)
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11/17/1998
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Letter from Councilman Joel Wachs to Joint Committee
Summary: Councilman Joel Wachs urged the Joint Conference Committee, which was working on a unified charter proposal, to ensure that certain fundamental guarantees were included in the new Charter. Those are self-selection of officers, boundaries that respect neighborhood boundaries, not political boundaries, an early warning ordinance, guaranteed diversity in representation, and guaranteed adequate funding. Wachs also called for requiring the mayor to include the budget priorities of the neighborhood councils in the annual budget (5 pages).
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11/25/1998
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Letter from Councilman Mark Ridely-Thomas to Governmental Efficiency Committee
Summary: Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, a member of the Governmental Efficiency Committee, wrote a letter to the other members expressing his concern about the tone and direction of the charter reform debate. He is especially concerned about the ?vulnerability of the neighborhood councils.? (2 pages.)
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11/25/1998
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'Suggestions for Unified Charter Proposal'
Summary: Recommendations made by the chairs of the two charter reform commissions in an attempt to construct a unified charter amendment (6 pages).
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12/02/1998
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Charter 6 (12-04-98).
December 4, 1998 version of Councilman Joel Wachs' staff suggestions and comments for new charter section to elected commission. (11 pages)
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12/04/1998
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Charter 7 (12-22-98).
December 22, 1998 draft of the charter section prepared by elected commission. (5 pages)
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12/22/1998
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'Conference Committee Proposal Concerning Remaining Issues for the Unified Charter Initiative'
Summary: After a meeting of select representatives from the elected and appointed commissions it is decided that the elected commission will not place a separate neighborhood council initiative on the ballot (3 pages). See item 14.
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01/21/1999
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Charter 9 (01-22-99).
January 22, 1999 draft of the charter section prepared by elected commission using strikeout and underlining, and including comments from Councilman Joel Wachs' staff. (9 pages)
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01/22/1999
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Supporting a Single Charter Reform Plan
Summary: This motion called upon the two charter reform commissions to place a single unified proposal on the ballot. (1 page.)
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01/29/1999
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Chapter 10 (01-31-99).
January 31, 1999 draft of the charter section prepared by elected commission using strikeout and underlining. (6 pages)
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01/31/1999
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'Matters for Discussion'
Summary: The two commission chairs continued to refine the unified document (7 pages).
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02/08/1999
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Draft of Charter Section: Early Warning System from Elected Commission
A draft of just the section of the charter that referred to the Early Warning System, with comments from Wachs' staff inserted. (2 pages)
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02/09/1999
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Chapter 11 (02-12-99).
February 12, 1999 version of the charter section prepared by elected commission using strikeout and underlining, and including comments from Councilman Joel Wachs' staff. (9 pages)
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02/12/1999
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Charter 12 (02-16-99).
February 16, 1999 draft of the charter section prepared by elected commission using strikeout and underlining. (9 pages)
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02/16/1999
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Draft of Charter Section Re: Early Warning System from Elected Commission
A draft of just the section of the charter that referred to the Early Warning System. (1 page)
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04/06/1999
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'Estimated Costs to Operate the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment'
Summary: Anticipated costs for first and second year of operation of DONE, including staff, office space and equipment (2 pages).
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05/21/1999
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Comments on Chapter 28: The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Summary: Comments and recommendations from the Neighborhood Participation Project (USC) during the time when the City Council was drafting the ordinance that implemented the new City Charter section regarding neighborhood councils. (4 pages.)
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06/01/1999
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Discussion Draft of Ordinance Establishing a Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Summary: Following instructions from the Governmental Efficiency Committee on May 24 and April 7, 1999, the City Attorney prepared this draft. (9 pages.)
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06/16/1999
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'Establishment of the Positions and Budget for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment'
Summary: Proposes a "start-up" budget for the new Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (7 pages).
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10/01/1999
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'Assessment of Staffing Requirements for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment'
Summary: Additional discussion about staffing, especially at the higher levels in the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (5 pages).
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11/12/1999
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Draft of Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils Submitted by DONE
The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment was under a deadline to submit the "Plan" to the City Council for approval. This is what they submitted. It was modified and adopted a few months later by the City Council. The Plan provides the details for how certain procedures would be carried out. Click here to view the current version of the Plan. (18 pages)
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12/14/2000
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The 'Quiet Revolution'. A History of Neighborhood Empowerment in Los Angeles.
Leonard Pitt writes about the "quiet revolution", as neighborhood councils and neighborhood empowerment have been called. What grievances motivated the reformers, what forms of empowerment did they seek, and what accomplishments did they--or did they not achieve? (18 pages)
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03/17/2004
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Excerpts from 'The Rebirth of Urban Democracy'
If there is one book that could be described as the bible of the neighborhood councils movement, it is "The Rebirth of Urban Democracy." These excerpts might be the easiest way to understand what this whole thing all about. (3 pages)
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08/01/2005
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