BUDGET PROGRAM REQUEST JUSTIFICATION: BM4703
PERFORMANCE METRICS The performance metrics for this program monitor the impact of the program to inform and educate Neighborhood Councils about the importance of submitting Community Impact Statements by tracking the number submitted. The Department has been conducting trainings on the Community Impact Statement process including drafting of Community Impact Statements and how to submit the Community Impact Statements after they have been approved by a Neighborhood Council in their weighing on legislation before the City. Additional trainings and outreach to Neighborhood Council leaders will help further engage and develop this program in encouraging more Neighborhood Councils to participate and weigh on legislation through the submission of Community Impact Statements. STATUS OF RECENTLY FUNDED INITIATIVES This program received funds for Neighborhood Council Civic University this year, and we’ve partnered with the Mayor’s Office and the Pat Brown Institute of Cal State Los Angeles to conduct 3 Neighborhood Council Civic University classes in the Winter and Spring of 2017.
COORDINATION WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS This program requires coordination between City Clerk for the submission and tracking of Community Impact Statements. It also requires the partnership with the Office of the City Attorney’s Neighborhood Council Advice Division to collaborate on the policies for the Neighborhood Council system. This program also collaborates with ITA and GSD to provide Council audio and meeting location space for the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners’ meetings throughout the City. The Department also partners with the Mayor’s office and CD 8 in addressing the homelessness crisis in partnership with the Neighborhood Council Homelessness Liaisons.
PARTNERING WITH RESIDENTS AND CIVIC GROUPS The Policy & Government Relations program increases opportunities for civic participation by using the strategies of working with and through Neighborhood Councils to seek input on decisions that affect the City. The development of effective policies for Neighborhood Councils to interact with City agencies and to streamline systems to provide timely information to Neighborhood Councils regarding the delivery of City services to their respective community increases the likelihood that Neighborhood Council Board Members will use their positions to meet their mission of being informed advisory bodies to City Hall. Community Impact Statements are placed on actual City Council agendas allowing Neighborhood Councils to directly give input into the legislative process. This program provides timely information on the Council Files that may affect them and their communities. Neighborhood Councils that file Community Impact Statements on a particular Council File will have an opportunity to now their voice heard at the table prior to general public comment at the discretion of a Council Committee Chair or the presiding officer of a City Council meeting. The Planning and Policy program also directly collaborates and supports the work of Neighborhood Council leaders on the Congress of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates to inform and advise City elected officials and Departments on City services. This program also works with the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners to develop policy and also highlight the positive work and activities of the Neighborhood Councils through the annual EmpowerLA awards. Partnerships with civic groups include Cal State LA for Civic University which would help empower the next generation of leaders for the Neighborhood Council system. Civic University has trained nearly 300 Neighborhood Council leaders in empowering the next generation of leaders within the Neighborhood Council system.
PROGRAM REVENUE N/A
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment 2017-18 Fiscal Year Budget Proposal
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