- What is the purpose of neighborhood councils? Neighborhood councils will promote more public participation in government, making government more responsive to neighborhood needs.
- How are neighborhood councils formed? Communities will decide for themselves how their neighborhood councils will be structured and then petition the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment for certification. The HHWNC has already completed this process and was officially certified in May, 2002.
- What does the HHWNC do? All neighborhood councils, including the HHWNC, will be like "neighborhood lobbyists" and organizers. They will communicate directly with City departments and elected officials and establish local spending priorities.
- Who is eligible to be a member of the HHWNC? Membership in the HHWNC shall be open to all Community Stakeholders.
- What or who is a Community Stakeholder? The term "stakeholder" means anyone who lives, works, owns property, or is a member of a volunteer or religious organization within the recognized boundaries of the HHWNC.
- What are the boundaries of the HHWNC? The HHWNC will include the geographic area described as follows and as shown in this Area Map:
Boundary Detail Northern Boundary South bank of Los Angeles River to Lankershim Blvd., continue to the western side of Lankershim to include that 2-acre parcel owned by Universal Studios (known as Lots 1, 2 and 3 of Tract 25507 and portion of lot 279, of Lankershim Ranch Land and Water Company), then return to Lankershim Blvd and continue south to the 101 Hollywood Freeway but only including the parcels owned by Universal Studios within these borders that are part of the City of Los Angeles (see attached Exhibit A - map identifying parcels), continue on Lankershim to Lankershim Boulevard's southern end at Fredonia Drive, continue south on the 90068/91604 zip code line to Mulholland Drive, Mulholland Drive west to Laurel Canyon Blvd. Western Boundary East side of Laurel Canyon from Mulholland Drive south to City of West Hollywood northern border. Southern Boundary West Hollywood northern border to La Brea Ave., La Brea north to Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood Blvd east to Cahuenga Blvd. Eastern Boundary Cahuenga Blvd, north on Cahuenga to Cahuenga Terrace, from the intersection of Cahuenga, Cahuenga East and Cahuenga Terrace. a line to Mt. Lee, from the peak of Mt. Lee a line to the 90068/90027 zip code line, north on the 90068/90027 zip code line to the south bank of the Los Angeles River. - How do I join the HHWNC? Fill out the Stakeholder Registration Form online or contact our hotline at 323-969-1314 for a hardcopy of the form.
- I'm a member of a homeowners association or community group within the boundaries of the HHWNC. Do I still need to become involved with the Council? Yes. Neighborhood councils are a new form of government, so the relationship with the councils and pre-exisitng groups will develop over time. Certain very localized issues will continue to be addressed by local associations as well as the HHWNC. The HHWNC is currently working together with local associations, the CPAB, Council Offices, as well as the adjacent neighborhood councils on issues that impact us all. The power of the HHWNC in giving advice to the City will be that it is speaking as a megaphone for 40,000 people.
- How is the HHWNC governed? The Board of the HHWNC will consist of twenty-three (23) Directors: five (5) Officers elected by the general membership, nine (9) Issue Committee Chairs elected by each individual issue committee, and nine (9) Area Committee Chairs elected by each area committee. No stakeholder can occupy more than one seat on the Board. To the extent possible, the Board will reflect the diversity of the neighborhood council's community stakeholders. Accordingly, no single community stakeholder group shall comprise a majority of the Board, unless extenuating circumstances are warranted and approved by DONE. More information and structure chart.
Is there a City Department responsible for Neighborhood Councils? The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) will assist neighborhoods in forming neighborhood councils by providing organizing advice, training, and printing services for the distribution of flyers. City Council offices can be very helpful in connecting individuals with neighborhood council activity in their area. Many community-based and neighborhood organizations such as residents associations, chambers of commerce, and neighborhood watch groups are also involved in organizing neighborhood councils. To contact DONE please visit www.lacityneighborhoods.com
