03/28/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Com 3/16/ 77 Approve VIII. Consideration of various Neighborhood Organization Charter matters A. Far West Neighbors--Letter and charter distributed to Council. Manager noted that this was a charter and request for recogni- tion from a new neighborhood group. He said this raised a question of neighborhood organization policy, in that per- haps more effort should be made to try to get other neighbor- hood organizations to consider absorbing the new areas not already organized. Maps of the neighborhood organization districts were distributed to Council. - Sarah Maraguchi, representative of the Farwest Neighbors, indicated that the discussion of boundary lines had been held at great length at the organizational meetings. The major discussion centered on the south boundary, and that the group had decided that they wanted a homogeneous group in the area. Discussion was held concerning the possibility of absorbing this group into contiguous neighborhood organizations. It was noted that the Friendly Area Neighbors was too large an organization; that the 27th Street area was an area with very unique problems. Ms. Beth Campbell, Neighborhood Liaison staff, asked why this was suddenly an issue, noting that 98 percent of the city's households were covered and could not foresee there being one or two more groups to be formed. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to accept the charter. Mr. Bradley raised the question of the use of the "natural" term in the membership qualification. Mr. Long, City Attorney's- office, indicated this meant "other than corporations". He further explained that under the City policy, participation was open to all property owners, but restriction could be placed on who could vote. He said some charters excluded non-property owners as a class, but that this particular charter seemed to indicate some businesses would be able to vote and some would not be able to vote. e Mr. Williams said he did not approve of exclusion of businesses as a class and that allowing some and not others to participate discriminates against a certain class of citizens. He said this type of division should not be made. Mr. Lieuallen agreed that it was not fair that anyone who has a legitimate interest in the area should not be able to vote. It was determined that the charter was not in conflict with City policy. Mr. Delay noted that pe~haps an attempt by the neighborhood groups should be made to include those parts of businesses in the area that they see as having a real interest in the area. Mr. Long noted that the process of excluding some businesses, but not all had not been discussed before the City Council, again, reiterat- ing that the charter did not seem to be in conflict with City policy. - 3/28/77 - 16 :?,"