WHWCNC GOVERNANCE MEETING

WOODLAND HILLS WARNER CENTER

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILNov 21, 2023

200 N. Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

Email: NCsupport@lacity.org

Website: www.empowerla.org

 

 

Regular Governance Committee Meeting

Agenda

Woodland Hills Library

Second Floor

22200 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

November 21, 2023

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

 

Si requiere servicios de traducción, favor de avisar al Concejo Vecinal 3 días de trabajo (72 horas) antes del evento. Por favor contacte Karen DiaBiase, Secretaria, al 818-639-9444 o por correo electrónico www.whcouncil.org para avisar al Concejo Vecinal.

 

Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that are within the Board’s jurisdiction will be heard during the General Public Comment period. Please note that under the Brown Act, the Board is prevented from acting on a matter that you bring to its attention during the General Public Comment period; however, the issue raised by a member of the public may become the subject of a future Board meeting. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board.

 

 Items for Discussion and Possible Action:

 

All comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding chair of the committee.

1. Call to Order.
2. Roll call of members: Executive Committee and Officers: Chair – Dena Weiss, Chris Waddy, Heath Kline, Karen DiBiase and Don Patterson.

 

3. Public Announcements by city officials and representatives: (2) minutes per speaker.
4. Stakeholder Public Comment Period (on items NOT on the agenda): (1) minute per speaker.
5. Approval of Committee Minutes: October 17, 2023.

 

Items for discussion and possible action:

Stakeholder Public Comment will be taken on each agenda item: (2) minutes per speaker

 

Item One:

Review of qualifications for Julian Tu to apply for the Area 2 Residential / Alternate Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Two:

Review of qualifications for Masha Dowell to apply for the Area 2 Residential / Alternate Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Three:

Review of qualifications for Arturo Velasquez to apply for the Area 2 CBO position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Four:

Review of qualifications for Eric Lipp to apply for the Area 3 Business Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Five:

Review of qualifications for Dean Mathew to apply for the Area 3 Residential / Alternate position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

 

 

Item Six:

Review of qualifications for Scott Saccoccio to apply for the Area 3 Residential / Alternate  position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Seven:

Review of qualifications for Aaron Quantz to apply for the Area 3 Alternate position (CBO documentation was previously provided but that position is filled).

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Eight:

Review of qualifications for Steve Sommers to apply for the Area 5 Alternate Representative position (Residential documentation provided but that position is filled).

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Nine:

Review of qualifications for William (Bill) Barnett to apply for the Area 6 Residential / Alternate Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Ten:

Review of qualifications for Peter Haber to apply for the Area 6 Residential/ Alternate Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

Item Eleven:

Review of qualifications for Kate Kennedy to apply for the Area 7 Residential Representative position.

Supporting application document is posted. Confidential supporting documents will be shared with Officers.

 

Roll call vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item Twelve:

The Governance Committee of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council moves to the Board a Resolution and Community Impact Statement regarding our Neighborhood Council’s decision to hold virtual meetings as authorized by California Senate Bill 411 (SB 411), which was approved by the City Council in Council File 23-1114.

Resolution

Whereas, the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council has a long-standing commitment to engaging our community members transparently and accessibly; and,

Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the transition to virtual meetings to protect public health, leading to increased accessibility and participation by Angelenos in Neighborhood Council activities; and,

Whereas, the expiration of State of Emergency modifications to the Brown Act resulted in a significant drop in participation from board members and community stakeholders, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities; and,

Whereas, Members of our Board have resigned due to the inability for various reasons to meet in person; and,

Whereas, Board vacancies are more difficult to fill due to the requirement to meet in person; and,

Whereas, California Senate Bill 411, passed by the State Legislature, allows Neighborhood Councils the option to conduct virtual meetings, ensuring public participation during future emergencies or exceptional circumstances; and,

Whereas, the City Council, through the approval of Council File 23-1114, endorses and supports Neighborhood Councils in making decisions regarding virtual meetings; and,

 

Whereas SB 411 requires this Board to formally approve meeting virtually but must also physically meet annually at least once; and,

Whereas, our local libraries and fire stations’ meeting rooms often have limited availability, limit the use of audiovisual equipment, have no or limited parking for public meetings and thereby are not conducive to effective committee or board meetings; and,

Whereas, the City does not allow free use of private facilities; and,

Whereas, private facilities are expensive to rent, poorly equipped for public meetings, and may lack ADA-approved facilities; and,

Whereas, virtual meetings provide the opportunity to receive testimony from distant experts and officials, enriching the quality of our discussions and decision-making; and,

Whereas, Board Members and community members with senior care or parental duties may struggle to secure alternate care in the evenings, limiting their participation and achieving a diversity of opinions; and,

Whereas, Los Angeles is a vast city, where Board Members and community stakeholders often face long commutes, making it difficult for them to attend in-person meetings on time or at all; and,

Whereas, dedicated board members and committee stakeholders may often travel for their day jobs, preventing them from participating in person due to scheduling conflicts; and,

Whereas, utilization of Virtual Meetings and Hybrid Virtual/Physical Meetings mitigates the above stated factors limiting community participation; and,

 

Whereas, the original intent of the Brown Act was to open meetings to the public for transparency not afforded by secret meetings and Virtual Meetings extend transparency beyond in-person meetings aby allowing more of the public to participate and observe;

Now, therefore, it is resolved that the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council, under California Senate Bill 411 and Council File 23-1114, authorizes the use of virtual and hybrid-virtual meetings as a valid and necessary means to conduct the council’s Board and Committee meetings.

Community Impact Statement

The decision to implement virtual meetings will have several positive impacts on our community:

1. Enhanced Accessibility: Virtual meetings will facilitate participation for residents, including those with mobility issues or busy schedules.
2. Increased Engagement: Remote meetings will attract a wider and more diverse range of community members, fostering richer and more inclusive discussions.
3. Safety: Virtual meetings will protect our community members during health emergencies, ensuring their safety while engaging in civic matters.
4. Improved Facilities: Virtual meetings address limitations of public and private facilities, including the lack of ADA-approved facilities and limited availability during convenient hours.
5. Access to Expertise: Virtual meetings enable access to testimony from distant experts and officials, enhancing decision-making and informed choices.
6. Board Member Participation: Board members with day job commitments involving travel can fully participate, strengthening our council.

In conclusion, adopting virtual meetings aligns with our Neighborhood Council’s commitment to enhancing community engagement, ensuring accessibility, addressing facility limitations, and accommodating the schedules of dedicated board members. This decision will ultimately strengthen our council and provide a better platform for our community to shape our neighborhood’s future.

 

Item Thirteen:

Review, discussion, and possible action related to Board member attendance in compliance with Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws Section 7: “Absences”.

 

Roll Call Vote regarding derelict members.

 

ADJOURNMENT. The next meeting will be on December 19, 2023, at the Woodland Hills Library. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by contacting the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment by calling (213) 978-1551 or email: NCsupport@lacity.org

Public Posting of Agendas –

Neighborhood Council agendas are posted for public review as follows:

• A copy of this agenda is also physically posted on the outside of the window of the West Valley Warner Center Chamber located at 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Ste 2330, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. The Chamber is located at the Promenade Mall outside the east entrance of the mall and to the left of Ruth Chris Restaurant. The Chamber office is accessed from Owensmouth Street. Parking is free.
• www.whcouncil.org
• You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to L.A. City’s Early Notification System (ENS)

 

Notice to Paid Representatives –

If you are compensated to monitor, attend, or speak at this meeting, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. See Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 48.01 et seq. More information is available at ethics.lacity.org/lobbying. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at (213) 978-1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org.

 

Public Access of Records –

In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be viewed at our website: www.WHWCNC.org or at the scheduled meeting. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda, please contact Dena Weiss at: d.weiss@whcouncil.org.

 

Reconsideration and Grievance Process –

For information on the NC’s process for board action reconsideration, stakeholder grievance policy, or any other procedural matters related to this Council, please consult the NC Bylaws. The Bylaws are available at our Board meetings and our website.