The EmpowerLA Leadership Institute's Reference Library contains current and relevant information that affects the Neighborhood Council system.  If you cannot find a document, contact our Help Line at (213) 485-1360 or email NCSupport@lacity.org for further assistance.

Americans with Disabilities Act
A federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to the operations of state and local governments.

Brown Act
The Ralph M. Brown Act is a state law requiring open meetings from government agencies and applies to Neighborhood Council meetings.

Conflict of Interest Laws
Various state and city laws to ensure that government officials are free from bias caused by their own financial interest so they may act in an impartial manner.

Los Angeles City Charter
In 1999, the City Charter established the Neighborhood Council System and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment which supports the Neighborhood Councils “to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs…” Charter Section 900.

The Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils
This Plan details the workings of the Neighborhood Council system.

Public Records Act
A state law providing the public access to government records. Neighborhood Councils must abide by a strict time line to respond to Public Records Act (PRA) requests.

Ethics and Open Government Training Memo 10-06-10 

Ethics Affidavit of Completion 

Updates to the Neighborhood Council Funding Program are provided through Funding Information Bulletins.

Deadline to Process Demand Warrants for FY 2009-2010
Establishes the April 15, 2010 deadline to submit Demand Warrant requests and increases the Purchase Charge Card single transaction amount to $2500 until June 30, 2010.

Limited Access to Neighborhood Council Roll Over Funds - Revised
Clarification of required documents to access roll over funds with a due date of March 8, 2010 to submit documentation.

Limited Access to Neighborhood Council Roll Over Funds
Announcement to Neighborhood Council that there will be no access to roll over funds after April 20, 2010.  Request to submit documentation for projects funded by roll over funds.

US Bank Purchasing Card Online Access
Instructions on how to access the US Bank's AccessOnline to check the Purchase Charge Card account.

Petty Cash Elimination and Demand Warrant Documentation
Elimination of petty cash for Neighborhood Councils and informing Board members that incomplete Demand Warrant Requests will now be returned to the Neighborhood Council unprocessed for a complete submission.

Payment for Services Provided by Contract Vendors
Elimination of the Purchase Charge Card to pay contract vendors.  All contract vendors must be paid through a Demand Warrant.

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal advice on the Neighborhood Council system. The following documents provide clarification on various aspects of Neighborhood Council operations.

Legal Issues Training Manual
A manual prepared by the City Attorney’s Office in 2006 that covers the general legal issues affecting Neighborhood Councils.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Neighborhood Council meeting sites and operations are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Legal Opinion

Robert’s Rules of Order
Neighborhood Councils do not have to adopt and adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order. Legal Opinion

Stakeholder Definition
Neighborhood Councils may not further define the City Charter terms of “lives,” “works” or “owns property” in order to identify its stakeholders. Legal Opinion

Town Halls
Neighborhood Councils should not use a town hall style of governance. The town hall format should be used for only advisory recommendations that do not involve decisions to 1) hire staff, 2) enter into contracts for goods or services or make recommendations involving any City contract and 3) expend public funds on behalf of the Neighborhood Council. Legal Opinion

Ordinance 172728
Created the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment following the passage of the City Charter.

Ordinance 176704
Established regulations to implement the Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils.

Ordinance 173184
Created the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Fund.

Ordinance 175937
Transferred the responsibility for leasing and renting office and meeting space for Neighborhood Councils from the Department of General Services to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, thereby streamlining the acquisition of space for Neighborhood Councils.

Ordinance 176477
Exempts Neighborhood Councils from adopting a conflict of interest code and filing the Form 700 financial disclosure statements.