Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 04-29 CC MINBook 85/Page 110A 4/29/03 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA April 29, 2003 The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Mayor Nick Inzunza. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Inzunza, Morrison, Natividad, Parra, Ungab. Administrative officials present: Dalla, Diaz, Eiser, Hradecky, Kirkpatrick, Martinez, Morse, Myers, Post, Trees. PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — None DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Discussion of Neighborhood Councils. Councilman Natividad reviewed in detail the written draft proposal outlining the purpose, goals and objectives of the Neighborhood Council Program. (See Exhibit A, attached). Councilman Natividad requested approval to proceed to establish the first three councils at Central, Old Town and Manchester. General discussion followed. It was suggested that the neighborhood councils not deal with political, legislative or planning issues and that there needed to be dedicated staff and a consultant available to start the program. Funds for a consultant were identified from the CDBG (2003-2004) budget out of the Administration / Planning account. There appeared to be a consensus to move forward with the first three councils as requested by Councilman Natividad. Book 85/Page 110B 4/29/03 DISCUSSION ITEM (cont.) ACTION: Motion by Morrison, seconded by Ungab, to accept proposal with amendments and deletions and any funding to be through CDBG 2003-2004 and to authorize the Vice Mayor to work with CDC for consultant. Carried by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned to the Next Regular Meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Civic Center. The meeting closed at 3:18 p.m. The foregoing minutes were approved at the Regular Meeting of June 3, 2003. CITY OF NATIONAL CITY ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE TAPE-RECORDED. YOU MAY LISTEN TO THE TAPES IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. COPIES OF THE TAPES MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CITY CLERK. EXHIBIT A DRAFT In following the council wishes and as identified in the Mayor's State of the City Address, the following is an attempt to describe the purpose, goals, and objectives of the neighborhood councils. The purpose of the neighborhood councils is to: • Organize the community to take back their neighborhoods • Empower the citizenry to have a voice in government • Be the nucleus for organizing the community • Be the body and forum for identification, solutions, and taking action on issues and problems affecting the neighborhood • Develop community watch -groups • Learn the functions of the city depailiuents and understand how they can assist in solving problems or issues of concern • Be the forum where residents can voice their concerns and where resources will be made available to help solve them • Research and act on local, state, and federal legislation which will affect the community • Help the residents take a more active role in their neighborhoods • Provide the participants with the skills, resources, and confidence needed to organize neighborhoods to improve their community 1 The goal is to develop 13 separate neighborhood councils throughout the entire city, each with their own distinctive characteristics, needs, and concerns relative to their specific boundaries. Each neighborhood council will have a specific name that can be easily identified such as Manchester, El Toyon, the Westside, Granger, etc. However, each group will have the ability to name their own neighborhood council. First, there will be a need to identify persons (community members) who have shown interest, been active, and/or expressed concerns in each identified area. The identified members will serve as an ad hoc committee until elections are held. Second, there will be a need to identify a meeting place, preferably inside the neighborhood council's boundaries, such as a church hall, home, garage, business, school, school cafeteria/classroom. These meeting places will be specific to each of the thirteen neighborhood councils. Third, it is recommended that each neighborhood council meet monthly, with the exception of the month of December. The ad hoc committee will be responsible for scheduling and setting up the neighborhood meetings. Their other responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: preparing the agendas and minutes, ensuring tables and chairs, contacting the community, informing/attracting new members to attend, organizing events or developing neighborhood projects such as clean-ups, inviting public officials, encouraging participation from the membership, and setting up working committees. In addition, the neighborhood council will identify the strengths and weaknesses specific to their sub -region and participate in resident involvement strategies. To 2 facilitate this process each neighborhood council will be provided with information such as: an introduction to government and it's services, conflict resolution strategies, survey development training, skills training and public speaking facilitation. These forums are an excellent opportunity to meet, socialize, and get to know one's neighbors. Finally, each neighborhood council will collect information on the needs and issues that impact that specific neighborhood, strengthen relationships between neighbors, and change the negative conditions that have been identified by the participating residents. It is recommended that all of the chairpersons of each council meet quarterly to exchange ideas and to discuss mutual methods of addressing the community concerns. Desired outcomes of the Neighborhood Councils include: • Development of a knowledgeable and skilled group of coordinators that are effective in mobilizing residents and resources • Changes in apathetic and passive attitudes • Creation of resident groups which continue meeting and working to address issues and concerns in their neighborhoods • Creation of a link between neighborhood residents and pueblo/private agencies and organizations • Movement of participants and their neighbors to higher levels of resident involvement 3 In order to develop these neighborhood councils and attain their goals and objectives, the following is needed: The City Council should retain a consultant who will be responsible for: • Developing and organizing each of the 13 neighborhood councils on behalf of the Mayor and City council • Develop the necessary documents that will be used as informational handouts at the meetings • Act as a liaison between each of the neighborhood councils and the mayor and city council • Coordinating with city staff designated by both the Building and Safety Director and the Community Development Director • Serve as a resource person to each neighborhood council while they are in their early stages of development • Communicating directly to the Vice -Mayor who will act as the supervisor to the consultant. 4 10-1-05 Nwos St- e sv. e'Valk), Rd. IZO 1,0"tot`' Sweetwater Heights NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS Central City I Olivewood Manchester `Nt• too' 061P4'° 01.4°51%., 1/000% "