EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS NORTH AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. PO Box 7536 Los Angeles, CA

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1 Contact Information Neighborhood Council: Empowerment Congress North Area NDC Name: Idolina Delgado Phone Number: Date of NC Board Action: 05/06/2010 Type of NC Board Action: Against Proposal Impact Information Date: 06/23/2010 Update to a Previous Input: No Directed To: City Council and Committees Council File Number: Agenda Date: 05/06/2010 Item Number: Brief Summary: On May 6th 20010, the North Area Neighborhood Development Council (NANDC) voted unanimously to oppose the consolidation of DONE into CDD and noted that the proposal provides no systemic change to help DONE, a department failing in its mission to truly assist the Neighborhood Councils in their efforts to provide a system of vibrant civic engagement in Los Angeles. Additional Information: City budget funds of any amount must be wisely spent, and the millions of dollars proposed for the DONE budget must come with a plan to see that the money is actively supporting the NC s work throughout the city. NANDC heard the proposed alternative incubator plan and agree that such a plan provides support to the two sides of NC s, the work within city government and the grass roots capacity building. (SEE ATTACHMENT to continue):

2 Shawn Simons, President Rohan Gupta, Vice President Idolina Delgado, Secretary Jill Remelski, Treasurer Committees: Jill Remelski, Budget & Finance Rachel Capata, Planning & Land Use Leslie Evans, Public Safety & Website Shawn Simons/Idolina Delgado, Outreach Josh Watson, Youth Christine Lee, Seniors & Aging Economic Development, Shawn Simons EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS NORTH AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PO Box 7536 Los Angeles, CA Area Representatives: Leslie Evans, Area 1 Karla Ramirez, Area 1 Ana Carrion, Area 2 Carla Hawkins, Area 2 Al Foster, Area 3 Ashley Ramos, Area 3 At Large Representatives: Christine Lee Regular Meeting - MINUTES Thursday May 6th, :30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. University Village Community Computing Center 3355 South Hoover. Suite C-10. (North Side of Jefferson Boulevard at McClintock Avenue. Behind the Bank of America building by the Dollar store) AGENDA 1. Welcome and Call to Order & Translation Services (6:30pm) New NANDC Board is seated: President Shawn Simons Vice-President Rohan Gupta Secretary Idolina Delgado Area Representatives: o Area 1 Leslie Evans o Area 1 Karla Ramirez RESIGNED o Area 2 Ana Carrion o Area 2 Carla Hawkins o Area 3 Al Foster o Area 3 Ashley Ramos o At Large Christine Lee Treasurer Jill Remelski reappointed to serve on the NANDC Board. 2. Announcements (30 min) a. CD 1 Report Lynnelle Scaduto - ABSENT b. CD 8 report Cathy Davis - ABSENT c. LAPD report Senior Lead Officer - ABSENT d. Assemblymen Davis report Raul Claros - ABSENT e. Senator Price report James Westbrooks ABSENT 3. Roll Call of Present Board Members: (6:57pm) Shawn Simons, Rohan Gupta, Idolina Delgado, Jill Remelski, Leslie Evans, Al Foster, Ashley Ramos, Christine Lee (8) ECNANDC MINUTES 5/6/2010

3 4. Committee Reports: (30 min) NO REPORT will remove from Agenda if none are turned in. a. Treasurer Report - Budget & Finance: Jill Remelski i. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEM: NANDC budget cost cutting Motion to approve the following, 1 st Leslie, 2 nd Rohan, All YES. 1. No monthly meeting BFC will meet quarterly 2. May Report - see attachment 3. Discussion The City s financial crisis has impacted all NCs. Our budget was cut to $45K a year. Shawn Simons has sat on budget hearings at City Hall to offer other options besides NC budget cutting. 4. Additional attachments NC Expenditure guidelines, NC Acceptable purchases, Application of Neighborhood Purpose Grants, Demand Warrant, 5. Discussion Funding Strategy To bring more stakeholders to meetings and NANDC events. See attachment for: a. Block Club Opportunities/Partnership automatic funding for BCs that help coordinate NANDC events b. Unity endorse NANDC plug-n-play events for block clubs, which will receive automatic funding. $500 one time and yearly max of $2000. c. Pride create a list of community beautification projects that NANDC will support up to a certain dollar amount d. New funding requirements written commitment of donated products from corps/non-profits, schools,etc.; fiscal sponsor from board; completed NPG/demand warrant prior to approval e. Funding Limitation elimination of year after year major funding for organizations, $4000 maximum over a 2 year period for an organization. b. Public Safety: Leslie Evans i. See Attached Report Motion to approve Report 1 st Jill, 2 nd Rohan, ALL YES c. Economic Development: Shawn Simons March 25 th first forum i. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEM: forum update and USC specific plan letter (motion); MOTION: Letter written in Opposition of Rigos on 2200 Union application for a Full Liquor License and Specific Plan Letter for USC Master Plan (EIR), 1 st Jill, 2 nd Leslie, Abstain- Rohan, Remainder YES. DISCUSSION: 2200 Union applied for a full liquor license, NANDC does not have a zero tolerance policy but this place is too small to accommodate responsible alcohol consumption inside the restaurant. However, this license would benefit the business growth of the restaurant. DISCUSSION: Specific Plan Letter will express NANDC s interest in being a major player in the USC Master Plan. We want to be updated on ongoing plans. The next Forum will be May 27 th and will have a guest from City Planning. Arthi Varma. 5. Discussion: City Attorney ACE program - presentation Tina Hess Molidor City Attorney (20 min) MOTION to write a letter of Support for ACE Program. 1 st Jill, 2 nd, Rohan, ALL ECNANDC MINUTES 5/6/2010

4 YES. DISCUSSION: Tina Hess discussed solution the City Attorney s office has for raiding more money for their department. 1) Worker s Compensation Suits City Attorney s office can work on them earlier instead of being delayed in other offices for 6-12 months. Could save $4million. 2) No external attorneys CA would develop expertise internally. 3) ACE program SAFE neighborhood Division receives about 20,000 filings for municipal code violations, housing/noise, ect. Proposal is to remove them from the criminal procedure and move them to a more informal setting. This will eliminate costs for Jury trial, Public defenders, and they would be dealt via a hearing and be subject to fines. Proposed fines: i. 1 st offense - $250 ii. 2 nd offiesnse - $500 iii. 3 rd offense - $ ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEM Budget Advocate Update Shawn Simons (30 min) a. Smith DWP motion CIS (motion) MOTION for a CIS and letter to City Council, 1 st Jill, 2 nd Rohan All YES NANDC supports all motions ( to ) which will warrant a ballot measure that will allow citizens to decide on the outcome. b. New DONE CIS (motion), MOTION to write letter to City Council, 1 st Jill, 2 nd Rohan. NANDC opposes consolidation of DONE into CDD. This proposal offers no support for DONE to assist NCs, which had already been failing in its mission. c. Police & City Attorney (possible motion), NO MOTION to write letter of support for proposal. This would have frozen hiring more police officers for positions that could be fulfilled by civilians such as clerical work. About ~450 positions through and unconfirmed source. d. NC Park Partnership (motion and adhoc committee) MOTION to start an ad-hoc committee 1 st Al, 2 nd Christine, This committee will be Chaired by Al Foster and will work to bring non-profit alternatives to replace programs that will be cut in our local parks. 7. Discussion/Action: Orientation and Strategic Planning Shawn & Idolina (40 min) a. Board Appointment policy and recruitment The list of appointed positions is available in our bylaws and will be available to our board via google-docs. Each Board member will recruit 1 person for a position on the appointment list. Requirements are a RESUME and a Statement to the Community. These requirements and shall be brought to the June 3 rd meeting by the person applying to the position. b. Strategic goals and calendar A calendar of events will be used to keep track of the NANDC sponsored events and Community Events. c. Committee Sign Ups The current board shall look over the list of committees and elect one to serve in during their tenure. Newly appointed members will have an opportunity to decide after they are appointed. d. Outreach Strategy and board commitment Each board member shall contribute to outreach by staying in touch with their own constituents. Use of and replying to s is imperative to communicate messages. Handouts to announcements are available at each meeting for board members to distribute at block clubs, etc. e. Block Club Buy In See BFC Report. ECNANDC MINUTES 5/6/2010

5 f. New meeting location Shawn suggested MLK Park Meeting room for a new location for Regular Board meetings. Other suggestions are welcomed. 8. DISCUSSION/ACTION: Project Updates (10min) Tabled for Next meeting. a. Website b. I hablo U class status c. Community board - deposit invoice submitted 9. Agenda Setting for June Meeting (5 min) Prop 16/Zero Wasted suggested for next meeting in June. 10. Public Comment - Comments from the public are limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless the presiding officer of the board determines a different limit for a particular item. NO COMMENTS were submitted. 11. Adjournment (9:30pm) Official public notice for all committees: Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Council Committees COMMITTEE CHAIR(S) CONTACT INFORMATION MEETING LOCATION Public Safety Leslie Evans lbevans@earthlink.net Bethune library at 39th Street and Western Avenue Budget & Finance Jill Remelski nandc.treasurer@gmail.com NANDC Office Ahmanson Senior Center, 3990 S. Menlo Land Use & Rachel Capata ecnandc.capata@gmail.com NANDC Office Ahmanson Planning Senior Center, 3990 S. Menlo Outreach Idolina Delgado Id.nandc@gmail.com NANDC Office Ahmanson Shawn Simons Shawn.simons@yahoo.com Senior Center, 3990 S. Menlo Seniors and Christine Lee genesis.korea@yahoo.com Ahmanson Senior Citizen Aging Center Economic Development Shawn Simons Shawn.simons@yahoo.com 3990 S. Menlo Ave. Community Computing Center MEETING DATE/TIME 3 rd Thursday of every month. 5:00 PM 3 rd Tuesday of every month (6 PM-7 PM) 3 rd Thursday of every month, 6:00 First Monday of the month 6:30 last Tuesday of every month (12 noon) May 27 th 7:00 pm The Next Regular Meeting of the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council Governing Board is: THURSDAY June 3 rd SPANISH TRANSLATION is provided upon a 72HR Request. Please call Idolina Delgado for translation request: TRADUCCIÓN en ESPAÑOL sera disponible con una petición de 72horas antes de la junta. Llame a Idolina Delgado al para pedir traducción en Español 72 horas (3 días) antes de la junta. You are encouraged to visit a NANDC posting site 72 hours prior to the Regular and Town Hall Meeting at the following locations: Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, 3787 South Vermont Avenue (near Vermont & Exposition) Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 3916 South Western Avenue (near King & Western) Supermercado Latino, 1049 West Martin Luther King Boulevard (near Vermont & King) Food 4 Less, 1748 West Jefferson Boulevard (corner of Western & Jefferson) Smith s Quick Cleaners, 1901 Rodeo Road (near Rodeo & Arlington) As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assisted listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by contacting the Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment at ECNANDC MINUTES 5/6/2010

6 Shawn Simons, President Rohan Gupta, Vice President Idolina Delgado, Secretary Jill Remelski, Treasurer Committees: Jill Remelski, Budget & Finance Rachel Capata, Planning & Land Use Leslie Evans, Public Safety Shawn Simons/Idolina Delgado, Outreach Josh Watson, Youth Christine Lee, Seniors & Aging Economic Development, Shawn Simons EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS NORTH AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PO Box 7536 Los Angeles, CA Area Representatives: Leslie Evans, Area 1 Vacant, Area 1 Ana Carrion, Area 2 Carla Hawkins, Area 2 Al Foster, Area 3 Ashley Ramos, Area 3 At Large Representatives: Christine Lee City Council Members, On May 6 th 20010, the North Area Neighborhood Development Council (NANDC) voted unanimously to oppose the consolidation of DONE into CDD and noted that the proposal provides no systemic change to help DONE, a department failing in its mission to truly assist the Neighborhood Councils in their efforts to provide a system of vibrant civic engagement in Los Angeles. City budget funds of any amount must be wisely spent, and the millions of dollars proposed for the DONE budget must come with a plan to see that the money is actively supporting the NC s work throughout the city. NANDC heard the proposed alternative incubator plan and agree that such a plan provides support to the two sides of NC s, the work within city government and the grass roots capacity building. NANDC voted unanimously to support the Incubator Proposal and we ask that they City Council take a real look at such a plan as this juncture provides an opportunity to strengthen the NC system even amidst budget cuts. Incubator Proposal Facts 20 employees and no furlough days working to support NC's vs. Mayor's 18 $450,000 for NC training, education and programming vs. Mayor's $66,000 A focus on citywide PR to help create a more robust system A focus on connectivity so NC's can share and build off each other's work A focus on partnerships with city departments and non profits to create more involvement and opportunities for our neighborhoods Grant writing capabilities, both for individuals councils and the system as a whole, to leverage NC funds Total budget for incubator plan $2.2 Million vs. 3.1 Million for Mayor s plan.

7 Idolina Delgado Secretary EC - North Area Neighborhood Development Council id.nandc@gmail.com Enclosures: DONE Incubator Summary and Description

8 Shawn Simons, President Rohan Gupta, Vice President Idolina Delgado, Secretary Jill Remelski, Treasurer Committees: Jill Remelski, Budget & Finance Rachel Capata, Planning & Land Use Leslie Evans, Public Safety Shawn Simons/Idolina Delgado, Outreach Josh Watson, Youth Christine Lee, Seniors & Aging Economic Development, Shawn Simons EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS NORTH AREA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PO Box 7536 Los Angeles, CA Area Representatives: Leslie Evans, Area 1 Vacant, Area 1 Ana Carrion, Area 2 Carla Hawkins, Area 2 Al Foster, Area 3 Ashley Ramos, Area 3 At Large Representatives: Christine Lee Summary of the Outsourcing and Consolidation of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment For a decade the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) has helped organize civic engagement in Los Angeles communities through the building of a network of Neighborhood Councils. The new City Charter, approved by the voters in 1999, paved the way for the creation of 90 stakeholder-driven Neighborhood Councils throughout the City, facilitated by a Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and a Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (B.O.N.C.). The economic condition of the City presents us with an opportunity to evaluate these services and make them more efficient and responsive. Currently, DONE has 38 filled positions. By, contracting out the failed functions, creating creative and responsive team to the actual needs of the NC s, while supplementing NC needs with a volunteer NC army, we can provide the necessary support while minimizing general fund staffing for this department By outsourcing the grassroots capacity building to a non-profit incubator that can assist in garner greater citizen participation, create greater awareness of the Neighborhood Council System, implement a clear funding program, mitigating city liability and opportunity for fraud and misuse. A core government unit will stay under the CDDDONE Umbrella consisting of a group focused on the response to City Offices,logistics and city partnerships. Meanwhile, the funding, capacity building, training, development, and mobilization will be outsourced to a non-profit incubator whose staff not only has expertise in this area, by are deeply invested in the ideals of grassroots organization, a key to the success of the Neighborhood Councils. In truth, the alternate proposal by the Mayor s staff, while aiming to focus some aspects of the new department to the needs of the Neighborhood Councils, the positions are staffed from within the city department that has already failed in these areas, and what is left is a department that is simply smaller, not stronger. The idea of this organizational structure allows for true community organizing professionals to lead the NC s to provide greater service to their communities. The City gains:

9 Increased civic engagement Greater network to provide outreach of city services to community Opportunity for strategic partnerships bringing greater services to communities in need A stronger more focused Neighborhood Council System Additional opportunity for private public partnerships While Neighborhood Council s believe independence is paramount to the success of the system, this proposal offers independence by way of an outsourced non profit helping to create the programs necessary for a thriving NC system, but leaves the government core under the CDD umbrella allowing for integration to the neighborhood focused city department This system will not just save the city money during this time of crisis but will ensure a Neighborhood Council System an opportunity to thrive, encouraging more grassroots engagement and assistance to their communities during these difficult times.

10 DONE CREATIVE INCUBATOR AT CITY HALL 1 Department Manager Oversees Neighborhood Empowerment Program & Staff Provides information and reports to CMs & Mayor Implements Policy approved by BONC, Council & Mayor Visionary for overall NC system Identifies partnership opportunity within the city of NC s Liaison to Non Profit Capacity Building 1 Executive Assistant General Support for Executive Director Compiles and Produces BONC agenda Compiles and Produces minutes of meetings to be posted on website Deals with direct correspondence to BONC Arranges meetings (mostly off-site) and logistics of those meetings I CFO Liaison and oversight to outsourced Funding Administrators Staff to conduct discipline and ensure compliance with funding rules Keep inventory of assets purchased with tax-payer money Reporting to GM, BONC, Council & Mayor Track, pay and report DONE operating expenses Provided assistance to accountant until funding program is outsourced Draft additional RFPs as needed Oversee existing NC contracts (leases, business contracts, etc.) NC office space 1 Government Relations Write reports & policy analysis for BONC (ie. new policy, certification, de-certification) Reports for City Council and Committees Monitor and respond to Council/Mayor action Provide content for website/blog updates Identifies partnership opportunity within the city of NC s Facilitates partnerships with City entities and NC s

11 1 Project Coordinator Track council action & staff assignments Focus efforts organizing communities into NC system Facilitates partnerships with City entities Policy Development with BONC Liaison with City Attorney on policy, laws, restrictions, etc Oversight of independent elections if returned to DONE AT NON PROFIT INCUBATOR 1 NC Manager Oversees NC Programming Staff Implements Policy approved by BONC, Council & Mayor Visionary for overall NC system Identifies partnership opportunity within non profits Liaison to City 1- PR Executive Creates awareness building campaign for NC System Tools for citizen engagement Oversees NC Citywide Events 1- Policy Executive Helps to define create and administer an NC Citywide Volunteer Staff Assist in creation of advocacy plan for citywide NC issues Identify grant opportunities and grant writing assistance 2- Grant Writers Identify grant opportunities for Neighborhood Council Programs Grant writing assistance for individual NC s to bring in additional funds for Neighborhood Council programs 1- Alliance Executive Identifies non profit partnership opportunities Liaison to City Government Relations Leveraging NC s money and opportunity for the community 1 - Training Executive Provides mentoring, peer to peer and seminar training: o Outreach/mobilization/local organizing

12 o Finance and oversight o Meeting management o Legal Compliance o Strategic Planning 1- Financial Manager Oversight of distribution of $4M to NCs Staff to conduct discipline and ensure compliance with funding rules Reporting to DONE CFO Keep inventory of assets purchased with tax-payer money Creates vender relationships and accounts for NC purchases in printing, mailing, translation, office supplies, marketing, temp services and refreshments 3 - Financial Associates Process 150 Demand Warrants requests/month Process 180 checks processed/month Rollover accounts Continue US Bank uploads and payments to master account and FMIS transfers Maintains quarterly AP accounts 3 Clerical Assistants General Support for Staffers Compiles and Produces minutes of meetings to be posted on website Deals with direct correspondence to City Arranges meetings (mostly off-site) and logistics of those meetings Support for Website updates 1 Connectivity Administer Maintains robust website with NC information Administers NC connectivity platform updates to NC s CURRENT DONE STAFF: 38 REVISED STAFFING PLAN: 5 IN HOUSE 15 OUTSOURCED 20 Total Staff vs. Mayor s Plan of 18 TOTAL BUDGET: $2.2 (including fringes) vs Mayor s plan of $2.7 No furloughs and budget available for programs ($450,000 vs. $66,000)

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