What are Neighborhood Councils?

In 1998 voters approved a new Los Angeles City Charter, the first comprehensive change in how this city is governed in 70 years. One of the important features in the new charter was the establishment of a citizen advisory body to provide improved access to government. Neighborhood Councils are the independent community based organizations or associations that serve as that advisory body. Neighborhood Council Valley Village functions as a conduit or bridge between City Hall and Valley Village.

Bridging the Gap
An open forum is essential to the success of any group endeavor; talking and getting to know each other will minimize differences, develop common goals and foster a cooperative spirit.

Neighborhood Councils encourage the Community Stakeholders of all the city’s diverse neighborhoods to become directly involved in quality of life issues affecting them. Neighborhood Councils are advisory in nature and may not directly implement city ordinances but they are designed to work closely with elected city officials and advise them of the community priorities. Community Stakeholder shall mean those who live, work or own property in the neighborhood and also those who declare a stake in the neighborhood and affirm the factual basis for it.

The Councils are being funded by the City and can be allocated money for neighborhood projects.

Do Neighborhood Councils Affect Resident Associations?

Neighborhood Councils do not take the place of homeowner, resident, neighborhood watch, non-profit, civic service or business associations. Strongly established groups contribute to the success of any Neighborhood Council. The most effective Neighborhood Councils are in communities with strong involvement.

Formation and Structure

Neighborhood Council Valley Village consists of 15 board members elected by the Stakeholders. In order to give a voice to every segment of the community the board is elected from qualified representatives as follows:

One Education community representative
One Faith Based community representative
One Community Based Service organization representative
Two Business Owners representatives
Two At-Large representatives (no specific affiliation)
Four Renters (including apartment, condo and single family dwellings)
Four Residential Homeowners

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month:

Colfax Charter Elementary School
11724 Addison Street
Valley Village, CA 91607
6:30pm - 9:00pm

Meetings are open to the public.