Financial Disclosure for Neighborhood Councils

For the past several months there have been meetings throughout the City about whether neighborhood council board members should be required to file some form of financial disclosure in order to open a Council File. A Council File is a recommendation to the City and are referred to the appropriate City committee for review in advance of the full City Council. It is possible that some Council File recommendations never make it to the full City Council. For a neighborhood council to open a Council File they need a vote of their board and that of another neighborhood council (two neighborhood councils).

Some City Council members and others believe this ability is a legislative opportunity. The City Attorney has advised this is not the case. Council Files are items brought to the City for review and possible action in the future. Currently any City Council member, the Mayor and City Department heads can initiate a Council File. The Council File is submitted to the City Clerk who keeps track of them for the City along with any relevant reports and status. Neighborhood Councils would like this opportunity. Go here http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/ to see the Council File Management System (which has been recently updated and is now more technology enhanced) where you can enter a subject and see a number of council files related to that subject matter. Council File numbers are also indicated on every City Council agenda so you can refer to the latest reports and information available related to that agenda item. This system of Council File Management and related reports is being enhanced all the time. Reviewing Council Files can also make for some good reading opportunities if you have the time and interest.

When NCs were first formed, the City opted to not require the Form 700 Financial Disclosure Statement for NC board members. Per California State law, this cannot be changed back and forth from time to time. NC board members are volunteers, are elected by their stakeholders, hold meetings in accordance with the open meeting requirement known as the Brown Act, take minutes, make advisory recommendations. They do not set policy. The City Council does.

The STNC, at their meeting held Nov. 24, 2008 has taken the position to oppose any form of financial disclosure for neighborhood council board members. Further, the STNC requests that the ethics training for neighborhood council board members be enhanced and easier to accomplish (NC board members are required to complete ethics training either online or in a live training session). To view a copy of the STNC's advisory position on this item, click here. Several NCs and NC alliances have also taken the same position opposing any form of financial disclosure for NC board members. After staff reports, DONE surveys, BONC recommendations and NC communications on this item, the full City Council will hear the final review and are expected to vote at their Wednesday, December 3, 2008 10:00 a.m. City Council meeting (Item #2 on the agenda
http://lacity.org/clk/councilagendas/clkcouncilagendas357066_12032008.pdf) If you have an interest, I encourage your participation.

The opportunities for NC board members to enhance their advisory role can be accomplished by participating in the training and guidance offered by the City (including the City Attorney, DONE, BONC and participating in public hearings). Also, by participating and attending other neighborhood council meetings, neighborhood council alliance meetings (LANCC, VANC, DWP MOU, DWP Committee, PlanCheckNC and others).

If you have any questions or want more information on how to participate in meetings, please contact me at secretary@stnc.org or you can also contact the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com/page2.cfm?doc=home