Loading ...Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council
BYLAWS
Approved June 11, 2012
Table of Contents
Article I NAME p. 2
Article II PURPOSE p. 2
Article III BOUNDARIES p. 3
Section 1: Boundary Description
Section 2: Internal Boundaries
Article IV STAKEHOLDER p. 4
Article V GOVERNING BOARD p. 4
Section 1: Composition
Section 2: Quorum
Section 3: Official Actions
Section 4: Terms and Term Limits
Section 5: Duties and Powers
Section 6: Vacancies
Section 7: Absences
Section 8: Censure
Section 9: Removal
Section 10: Resignation
Section 11: Community Outreach
Article VI OFFICERS p. 6
Section 1: Officers of the Board
Section 2: Duties and Powers
Section 3: Selection of Officers
Section 4: Officer Terms
Article VII COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES p. 7
Section 1: Standing
Section 2: Ad Hoc
Section 3: Committee Creation and Authorization
Article VIII MEETINGS p. 9
Section 1: Meeting Time and Place
Section 2: Agenda Setting
Section 3: Notification /Postings
Section 4: Reconsideration
Article IX FINANCES p. 9
Article X ELECTIONS p. 10
Section 1: Administration of Election
Section 2: Governing Board Structure and Voting
Section 3: Minimum Voting Age
Section 4: Method of Verifying Stakeholder Status
Section 5: Restrictions on Candidates Running for Multiple Seats
Section 6: Other Election Related Language
Article XI GRIEVANCE PROCESS p. 11
Article XII PARLIAMENTARY
AUTHORITY p. 11
Article XIII AMENDMENTS p. 11
Article XIV COMPLIANCE p. 12
Section 1: Code of Civility
Section 2: Training
Section 3: Self Assessment
ATTACHENT A – Map of Neighborhood Council p. 13
ATTACHMENT B – Governing Board Structure and Voting p. 14
Article I NAME
The official name shall be the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, herein referred to as “the Council.”
Article II PURPOSE
Purpose
To promote a strong sense of neighborhood by bringing stakeholders together to work on activities that enhance the livelihood of the community and to function in an advisory capacity to various Los Angeles City departments and elected officials through meetings and various forms of communications. We will achieve this purpose by implementing the following procedures:
Provide all stakeholders with a vehicle and opportunities to effect positive change within the community.
Protect the rights of individuals, minority, and absent members.
Reach out to the diversity of stakeholders to reduce unwarranted tensions.
Increase community awareness on key issues.
Provide a forum for stakeholders to actively participate in discussion, review, and advocacy and to engage all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Provide means for stakeholders to express their collective will, especially in their advisory role to the Los Angeles City government.
Provide means for stakeholders to have a role in a variety of community issues related but not limited to planning, policies, programs, budgeting, municipal oversight, community events, and community resources.
Practice civility, justice, impartiality, and equality.
Recognize the rule of the majority.
Goals and Objectives
To promote public participation in City governance and decision-making processes so that government is more responsive to local needs.
To provide opportunities to build partnerships with government.
To promote and facilitate communication, interaction, and opportunities for collaboration among all certified Neighborhood Councils regarding their common and varied concerns.
To facilitate the delivery of City services and City government responses in order to identify and prioritize needs and to effectively communicate those needs.
To ensure equal opportunity to participate in governmental decision making and problem solving processes.
To create an environment in which all stakeholders, including the grassroots of the community, will become involved.
To foster a sense of community for all people to express ideas and opinions about their neighborhoods and their government.
Mission
We, the members of San Pedro neighborhoods, together in unity and understanding and, at the gate of self government, are gathering to welcome everyone: residents, homeowners, businesses, churches, renters, organizations, and others to make life a satisfying experience in our community of San Pedro.
Non-discrimination
The Council will not discriminate in any of its policies, recommendations or actions against any individual or group on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, income, political affiliation, or on any basis in violation of any local, state, or federal laws.
Article III BOUNDARIES
The Council is bounded on the west commencing at the intersection of 18th Street and Leland Street, then northerly along the center line of Leland Street to 7th Street, then easterly on 7th Street to Meyler Street, then northerly on Meyler Street to 1st Street, then west on 1st Street to Bandini Street, then northerly along the center line of Bandini Street to Upland Avenue, then easterly on Upland Avenue to Meyler Street, then northerly on Meyler Street to Miraflores Avenue, then easterly on Miraflores
Avenue to Pacific Avenue, then northerly on Pacific Avenue to a point where it intersects with the centerline of the Southwest Channel of Los Angeles Harbor, then easterly along the center line of the Southwest Channel to a point where it intersects with the Main Channel in the Turning Basin of the Port of Los Angeles, then southerly along the center line of the Main Channel to a point where it intersects with the center line of the San Pedro Slip of the Port of Los Angeles, then northerly along the center line of the San Pedro Slip of the Port of Los Angeles to a point where it intersects with the center line of 14th
Street. then westerly along the center line of 14th Street to a point 100 feet west of Pacific Avenue, then southerly along a line one hundred (100) feet west of Pacific Avenue to 18th Street, then westerly along the center line of 18th Street to Leland Street.
Article IV STAKEHOLDER
Neighborhood Council membership is open to all stakeholders. “Stakeholders” shall be defined as 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.
Article V GOVERNING BOARD
Section 1. Composition
The governing body of the Council shall be referred to as “the Governing Board.” The Governing Board shall be composed of seventeen (17) “At Large” members and shall be elected from and by all the constituency of stakeholders as defined in Article IV of these Bylaws. The Governing Board members shall reflect the diversity of stakeholders.
Section 2. Quorum
Nine (9) members of the Governing Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. Official Actions
When the Governing Board has attained at least a quorum, motions shall be carried by a majority of those Governing Board members present and voting except when these Bylaws specify a larger percentage. A tie vote constitutes no action. The Presiding Officer may vote only to resolve a tie vote. Abstentions shall not be called for, although any abstaining Governing Board members may direct to have the abstention noted in the minutes. Abstentions are null votes. Stakeholders may be polled on issues placed before the Governing Board. The vote is advisory.
Section 4. Terms and Term Limits
All seventeen (17) Governing Board members shall be s/elected to two (2) year terms. Terms shall begin at the next meeting following the s/election.
Section 5. Duties and Powers
The Governing Board may require an Officer or a person empowered to handle financial assets of the Council to be bonded with good and sufficient surety in an amount determined by the Governing Board. The Governing Board shall develop procedures for the management of funds. The Governing Board may approve standing rules governing the operation and function of the Governing Board. The Council shall promote collaboration with other San Pedro Neighborhood Councils as well as with other Councils in the City of Los Angeles.
The Governing Board members shall receive no monetary (or other) compensation for their services.
The Governing Board shall be subject to any or all applicable sections of the City of Los Angeles Governmental Ethics Ordinance (Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 49.5. 1). All applicable laws of local, state, and federal government shall be the minimum ethical standard for the Council, its Governing Body, and stakeholders. In order to inspire public confidence and trust in the Council, the Governing Body is required to demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fortitude in all Council activities. Actions or inactions which conflict with, injure, or destroy
this foundation of trust among the people and their elected representatives must be avoided at all cost.
To this end,
Governing Board members who may personally benefit from a Council decision shall provide full disclosure to the Council.
Governing Board membership is voluntary with no remuneration except for recovery of approved „out of pocket‟ expenses.
Section 6. Vacancies
A vacancy on the Governing Board shall be announced at a regular stakeholder meeting and shall be filled at a subsequent meeting by a stakeholder who satisfies the eligibility requirements for holding the vacated Governing Board seat. For purposes of filling vacancies, the Governing Board may establish a Nominating Committee. Such committee shall be constituted at the meeting at which any Governing Board member leaves or is removed from office, other than at the regularly scheduled end of a term. The Nominating Committee shall be charged with identifying and recruiting an appropriate number of candidates to fill any vacancies, striving to ensure that the Governing Board membership reflects and represents the diversity of the Council area. Any stakeholder interested in filling a vacant seat shall submit application to the Secretary no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled appointment date. Such application shall be on a form prepared for the purpose by the Secretary. All properly completed applications submitted by the deadline from stakeholders shall be conveyed to the Governing Board.
All candidates for a seat on the Governing Board must apply under their legal names and shall submit government issued photo identification as verification. Appointment of any candidate to fill an unexpired term shall be subject to a majority vote of the Governing Board at a properly noticed Governing Board meeting. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy may be seated at the meeting at which he or she is appointed and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 7. Absences
Board members who are absent from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings of the Governing Board without having provided advance written notice to the President or Secretary or any member who is absent from more than half the meetings in any twelve (12) month period may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board.
Section 8. Censure
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Section 9. Removal
A seat may be declared vacant if the incumbent no longer qualifies as a stakeholder of the Council. A Governing Board member who fails to perform his or her duties as provided for in these Bylaws is subject to removal from any office held or from the Governing Board or both with cause with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining Governing Board members present and voting at a properly noticed meeting.
Section 10. Resignation
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Section 11. Community Outreach
The Governing Board members shall actively reach out to stakeholder groups and individuals. The Governing Board members shall promote the formation of neighborhood networks to facilitate communication and citizen involvement.
Article VI OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers of the Board
There shall be five (5) Executive Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications and Outreach Officer.
Section 2: Duties and Powers
The President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Governing Board and of the Council and shall perform other duties prescribed to him/her by the Governing Board.
The Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President, perform the duties of President in the absence of the President and manage other responsibilities as may be assigned by the President or Governing Board.
The Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes of meetings of the Governing Board, distribute draft minutes to the Governing Board not later than five (5) days before the next scheduled meeting of the Governing Board, and distribute to the Governing Board and post for the public approved minutes not later than five (5) days after their approval. The minutes shall state the time and place of holding all meetings; whether regular or special, and if special, how called or authorized; the notice given; the names of Governing Board members present at Governing Board meetings; and an account of the
proceedings. The Secretary will maintain all amendments to the Bylaws.
The Treasurer: The Treasurer shall in coordination with the Finance Committee manage budget and finance responsibilities and shall maintain financial statements including a complete record of all assets, liabilities, and expenditures, maintain custody of all funds and assets of the Council, and report at each Governing Board meeting. See also Article IX.
The Outreach and Communications Officer: The Outreach and Communications Officer shall chair the Council‟s Outreach and Communication Committee to maximize stakeholder awareness and involvement.
Ministerial and Administrative Personnel: With the approval of the Governing Board, the ministerial and administrative functions of any Officer may be delegated to Council staff or contractors.
Section 3: Selection of Officers
The five (5) Executive Officers hall be elected through majority vote of the Governing Board at the first meeting following the Governing Board s/election. Officers shall be selected from among the seventeen (17) seated Board members.
Section 4: Officer Terms
Officers shall serve terms coinciding with the s/election of the Governing Board members.
Article VII COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1: Standing
A. The Agenda Setting Committee: The Agenda Setting Committee meeting will be held at least five (5) days prior to all monthly Council meetings. Three (3) Executive Officers or any five (5) Board members constitute a quorum for the agenda-setting meeting. All Governing Board members present at the meeting may vote to determine the agenda. Any member of the Governing Board or any stakeholder may submit a written request for the inclusion of an item on the agenda.
B. The Outreach and Communication Committee: The Outreach and Communication Committee‟s purpose is to assure that every effort is made to maximize outreach, awareness and involvement in the Neighborhood Council. The committee will maintain a list with contact information of all stakeholders who have provided such information to the Council. The Outreach and Communication Officer shall be the chairperson of this committee and perform his/her duties as prescribed in these Bylaws.
C. The Finance Committee: The Governing Board shall appoint the Chairperson of this committee.
D. The Election Committee: The Election Committee shall have authority to set up and operate a selection process in lieu of a City run election process. The Election Committee shall conduct oversight of any s/election process used to s/elect members to the Governing Board.
E. The Land Use Planning Committee: The Land Use Planning Committee shall monitor issues related to its areas of responsibility that affect the Council area and its stakeholders, report such issues to the Governing Board, and propose appropriate responses for Governing Board‟s consideration. The committee shall monitor the Early Notification system of the City of Los Angeles Planning Department and provide for the Council‟s timely response as necessary.
F. The Port Relations Committee: The Port Relations Committee shall monitor activities and developments related to the Port of Los Angeles, receive reports and presentations on such matters, and prepare as appropriate, reports to the Governing Board and recommended actions that support the best interests of the community in relation to the Port.
Section 2: Ad Hoc
The Governing Board may establish ad hoc committees as deemed necessary for the proper conduct of business. An ad hoc committee shall cease to exist as the purpose for which it was created has been accomplished, and it is dissolved by the Governing Board.
Section 3: Committee Creation and Authorization
Committee chairs shall be selected by the committee unless otherwise prescribed in these Bylaws.
Article VIII MEETINGS
All meetings shall be open to the public with proper notice as described by the Ralph M. Brown Act. Meetings will be held at American with Disabilities Act accessible locations and will be conducted fairly with open public input encouraged. Council meetings shall provide a forum for stakeholder input. While acknowledging the will of the majority, the Council shall provide a forum, which considers the rights of the minority and those who are not in attendance.
Section 1: Meeting Time and Place
The regular Council meetings shall be set by the Governing Board and shall convene at least once every sixty (60) days at a location within the Council area. The Council shall fix the time and place of special Council meetings.
Section 2: Agenda Setting
The agenda shall be determined by the Agenda Setting Committee. The Governing Board shall establish written rules to provide fair and proper community input on all agenda items including participation in the development of agendas for future meetings.
Section 3: Notifications/Postings
All Governing Board members must receive notice of special Council meetings at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting with public notice appropriately provided. Agendas shall be posted at locations specified by the Governing Board at least seventy-two (72) hours before a meeting. Notification of regular Council meetings shall include, but not be limited to, media notices, distribution of flyers, emails, and other avenues at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meetings.
Section 4: Reconsideration
This section intentionally left blank.
Article IX FINANCES
The Treasurer in conjunction with the Governing Board will develop a written method for keeping the accounting records that complies with applicable local, state and federal laws, which includes generally accepted accounting principles. The Governing Board will provide stakeholders access to all financialrecords. All records kept by the Treasurer will be available for review by all Stakeholders and the Department. Demand warrants and audits will require two (2) signatures including the Treasurer and one (1) other member who has completed the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (“Department”) Treasurers‟ training.
Article X ELECTIONS
Section 1: Administration of Election
The Council shall hold a selection process instead of an election to fill the Governing Board during the month of June in even numbered years. The Governing Board shall approve written s/election procedures promulgated by the Election Committee unless procedures are otherwise provided by the City. All s/election procedures shall be in conformity with the s/election rules established by the City of Los Angeles and shall be approved by the Department.
Section 2: Governing Board Structure and Voting
The number of Board seats, the eligibility requirements for holding any specific Board seats, and which Stakeholders may vote for the Board seats are noted in Attachment B.
Section 3: Minimum Voting Age
All Stakeholders fourteen (14) years of age and older are eligible to vote and serve on committees; Stakeholders who are eighteen (18) years of age and older are eligible to serve as s/elected Governing Board members.
Section 4: Method of Verifying Stakeholder Status
Verification of stakeholder status by those who vote in Governing Board s/elections shall be by written self-affirmation. Verification of stakeholder status by those who are candidates for Governing Board office shall be by two (2) forms of documentation confirming stakeholder status based on being a resident, owning or working at a business, or owning property within the boundaries of the Council, or having a vested interest in the Council as established by a statement of factual basis.
Section 5: Restrictions on Candidates Running for Multiple Seats
A candidate shall declare their candidacy for no more than one (1) position on the Governing Board during a single s/election cycle.
Section 6: Other Election Related Language
Not applicable.
Article XI GRIEVANCE PROCESS
A written grievance procedure promulgated by the Governing Board to deal with stakeholders‟ grievances shall govern the Council‟s rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and the decisionmaking process and results. A referral to the Department will be available to the grieving party if the issue is not resolved to their satisfaction by the Governing Board.
Article XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Roberts Rules of Order Currently Revised shall serve as the governing parliamentary authority. The Council will comply with all applicable requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act and all other rules and regulations for the conduct of Neighborhood Councils as promulgated by the Department. Procedures shall be in place to assure that Stakeholder concerns may be expressed openly and that grievances regarding the Governing Board‟s decisions and actions shall be properly reviewed. The Board may appoint a Parliamentarian to provide advice on parliamentary issues that may arise in the conduct of the
Governing Board‟s work.
Article XIII AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws will be submitted in writing to the Secretary or the Executive Officers responsible for preparing the agenda for the next regular meeting. The proposed amendment will be placed on the agenda for public discussion at the next regular or special meeting of the Council and shall be voted upon at the next meeting following such discussion. A recommendation for amendment of these Bylaws must be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Governing Board. Within thirty (30) days after a vote recommending amendment to the Bylaws, a copy of the existing and revised
Bylaws shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval. No amendment shall be final and/or implemented until approved by the Department.
Article XIV COMPLIANCE
This organization is Neighborhood Council certified in accordance with the City Charter by the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners pursuant to the Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils. The rules and regulations of the Council will comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
Section 1: Code of Civility
It is agreed that there are many opinions held by members of the Council and therefore any discussion of such points are to be presented openly, fairly, and without recourse to personal attack.
Section 2: Training
Members of the Governing Board shall, within the first twelve (12) months following their s/election or appointment or at the lapse of prior ethics training certification, complete and provide evidence of their completion of ethics training as required by the City of Los Angeles for Neighborhood Council Board members. Board members who do not complete such training as required shall be suspended from the Board until such time as they come into compliance with the ethics training requirement.
Section 3: Self Assessment
This section intentionally left blank.
Attachment A – Map of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council
Attachment B – Governing Board Structure and Voting
Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council – 17 Board Seats
