Krekorian Introduces Neighborhood Council Reform Package

In his continued bid to support and improve the neighborhood council system throughout Los Angeles, Councilmember Paul Krekorian presented four motions [which can be seen here] today aimed at increasing accountability and effectiveness, establishing a path to greater self-governance and improving grassroots participation.

The motions come as a result of a year-and-a-half’s worth of research, town halls, public survey responses and Education and Neighborhood Committee meetings in which hundreds of stakeholders, board members and others contributed to a robust dialogue on how best to develop the best path forward for the neighborhood council system.

 “After ten years of development, the neighborhood council movement is at a crossroads,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Education and Neighborhoods Committee.  “Initially, the focus of neighborhood councils was simply to create a system that empowered communities.  What followed was an astonishing and inspiring movement in which 93 neighborhood councils sprouted in nearly every corner of Los Angeles, built by dedicated residents who simply wanted a voice in City Hall and wanted more for their neighborhoods. 

"I introduced this package of reforms to help chart the course, but not drive the bus.  These reforms are by no means limited to my personal vision but are rather the product of tremendous collaboration and will be a starting point in our ongoing conversation to help shape local democracy.”

The four motions deal with (I) improved training for neighborhood council board members, (II) reforms in the neighborhood council funding program, (III) a restructuring of managerial responsibilities from the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to regional collaborations of neighborhood councils, and (IV) a streamlined process to handle grievances of neighborhood councils and its members to maintain the integrity of the system.  Included in the reform package the council introduced Wednesday was a report on two town hall events Councilmember Krekorian held in fall 2010 and the results of a survey he developed after, which helped inform his motions.

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents Los Angeles’ Second Council District, which includes much of the east and northeast San Fernando Valley.  Check cd2.lacity.org for more information or follow him onTwitter and Facebook.

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