Governance Committee Special Teleconference Meeting
2020-12-29 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
The Governance Committee will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. The full agenda can be found Here
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
December 29, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
VIRTUAL MEETING BY TELECONFERENCE

VIRTUAL MEETING TELECONFERENCING and PHONE NUMBER FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
In conformity with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 (MARCH 17, 2020) and due to concerns over
COVID-19, the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council meetings will be conducted entirely
telephonically.

Every person wishing to address the Neighborhood Council must dial +1 669 900 6833, and enter Zoom ID No. 913 643 25420 and then press # to join the meeting. Instructions on how to sign up for public comment will be given to listeners at the start of the meeting. The public is requested to dial *9, when prompted by the presiding officer, to address the Board on any agenda item before the Board takes an action on an item.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT – 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 and 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 you wish to attend by contacting the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment by email: NCSupport@lacity.org or phone: (213) 978-1551.

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 on our website at: www.whcouncil.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 Joyce Fletcher at (818) 639-9444 or email:
j.fletcher@whcouncil.org

PUBLIC INPUT AT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETINGS – The public is requested dial *9, when prompted by the presiding officer, to address the Board on any agenda item before the Board takes an action on an item.
Comments from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered.
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 two minutes per speaker, unless adjusted by the presiding officer of the Board.

SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCIÓN – Si requiere servicios de traduccion, favor de avisar al Concejo Vecinal 3 dias de trabajo (72 horas) antes del evento. Por favor contacte a Joyce fletcher de la Mesa Directiva, al
j.fletcher@whcouncil.org o por correo electronico avisar al Concejo Vecinal.
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 §§ 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 POSTING OF AGENDAS – Neighborhood Council agendas are posted for public review as follows:

Council website – www.whcouncil.org and go to the calendar page and click on the date, then meeting andagenda
You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to L.A. City’s Early Notification System at

https://www.lacity.org/subscriptions

AGENDA

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Public Announcements – (2) minutes per speaker
Public Comment Period on items not on the agenda: Two (2) minutes per speaker
Approval of Minutes
Pursuant to Article V Section 6 of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council Bylaws -Motion to confirm that Mark Schwartz meets the qualifications for a vacant Area 1 Board position.
Creation of Standing Rule #27

WHWCNC Bylaws – Article 5 – Section 3: Official Actions: A simple majority vote by the board members present and voting, including abstentions, which act as a “yes” vote shall be required to pass motions which deal with policy matters of the Neighborhood Council and to pass motions of an administrative nature (e.g., approval of minutes, Treasurer’s reports and motions to adjourn).

The presiding officer may vote on all motions.
Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
The Alternate Representative may vote only when the Representative is absent.
In the event that an Elected Representative is absent or recuses him/herself, the Alternate for the corresponding area shall take his/her place.

Introduction to Motion:

The WHWCNC Bylaws per Article 5 – Section 3, includes the following language:

“including abstentions, which act as a yes vote”

However, the WHWCNC Bylaws does not address abstentions related to reconsideration.
Robert Rules of Order does not address “abstentions which act as a yes vote”’.
Roberts Rules of Order offers only three types of voting: Yes, No or Abstain which does not count as a yes vote nor counts as a no vote and does not affect the outcome of the vote as abstain is considered to be a none vote.
Therefore, Robert Rules of Order also does not address whether a person who abstains, per our WHWCNC Bylaws, can ask for a reconsideration.
Roberts Rules of Order only states a person can ask for a reconsideration if they are on the “prevailing side” of a vote
Per Empower LA the WHWCNC Bylaws cannot be amended until after the 2021 WHWCNC Election or July 2021.
Therefore:
Motion: The Governance Committee requests the board approve the following Standing Rule #27.
Standing Rule # 27: As of January 13, 2021 – A board member who abstains cannot ask for a reconsideration.

Adjournment

*THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT – 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 and 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 you wish to attend by contacting Joyce Fletcher, at (818-340-6554 or email j.fletcher@whcouncil.org or the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at (213) 978-1551 EmpowerLa@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.whcouncil.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 Joyce Fletcher at (818) 340-6554 or email j.fletcher@whcouncil.org
*PUBLIC POSTING OF AGENDAS – agendas are posted for public review as follows:

www.whcouncil.org – go to the website Calendar page and click on the date – Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Check the calendar for any change of meeting date.
You can also receive our agendas via email by subscribing to L.A. City’s Early Notification System at

https://www.lacity.org/subscriptions
*RECONSIDERATION AND GRIEVANCE PROCESS – For information on the WHWCNC process for board action reconsideration, stakeholder grievance policy, or any other procedural matters related to this Council, please consult the WHWCNC Bylaws. The Bylaws are available at our Board meetings and our website at www.whcouncil.org
