Year Published
2006
Abstract
This paper presents preliminary evidence of the manner in which neighborhood councils
in Los Angeles are engaging in land use and planning. Charter reform in 1999 in Los
Angeles authorized creation of a system of neighborhood councils charged with
increasing participation in city governance and making local government more
responsive to community concerns. Neighborhood councils were intended to place
community members in a position to act rather than merely react to policies and
decisions handed down from City Hall – what scholars of political engagement describe
as doing politics, rather than merely being attentive to politics. While NCs were
endowed with advisory capacity only, the charter created several channels to facilitate
their provision of input on city policy formation and administration:
• Provision that neighborhood councils would have an opportunity to provide
budget input to the Mayor to be considered in development of the annual budget;
• Development of an early notification system to inform community members of
matters before the city council and its boards and commissions; and
• Requirement that neighborhood councils monitor service delivery and meet
regularly with departmental officials.
in Los Angeles are engaging in land use and planning. Charter reform in 1999 in Los
Angeles authorized creation of a system of neighborhood councils charged with
increasing participation in city governance and making local government more
responsive to community concerns. Neighborhood councils were intended to place
community members in a position to act rather than merely react to policies and
decisions handed down from City Hall – what scholars of political engagement describe
as doing politics, rather than merely being attentive to politics. While NCs were
endowed with advisory capacity only, the charter created several channels to facilitate
their provision of input on city policy formation and administration:
• Provision that neighborhood councils would have an opportunity to provide
budget input to the Mayor to be considered in development of the annual budget;
• Development of an early notification system to inform community members of
matters before the city council and its boards and commissions; and
• Requirement that neighborhood councils monitor service delivery and meet
regularly with departmental officials.
Research Category