HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 3746
RESOLUTION NO. ~~ L-\lo
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR THE CITY
OF EUGENE'S NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION
POLICY SET FORTH IN RESOLUTION NO. 2554.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy was adopted by
the City of Eugene by Resolution No. 2554 on August 23, 1976.
The meaning and intent of some of the provisions of the
Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy have been specifically
interpreted or have developed certain meanings through practice.
The Citizens Involvement Committee has recommended that guide-
lines be adopted that explain the Neighborhood Organization Recog-
nition Policy and its implementation. The City Council finds that
it would be in the best public interest to approve that recommenda-
tion.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1. The City of Eugene adopts the Guidelines set forth
in the left hand margin of the copy of the City's Neighborhood
Organization Recognition Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and
incorporated by reference herein.
Section 2. These Guidelines explain the existing Neighborhood
Organization Recognition Policy and its implementation.
Section 3. The City Recorder is directed to attach a copy of
this Resolution and its Exhibit to Resolution No. 2554.
Section 4. The City's Neighborhood Liaison are requested to
provide copies of this Resolution and its attachment to all cur-
rently recognized neighborhood organizations within the City.
The for~going Resolution adopted this ~~~ day of January,
1983.
/(Q.ALJ- ~~
City Recorder
Resolution.
tr tS. -;; 7 '+~
EUGENE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION POLICY
(With Guidelines)
The Citizens Involvement Committee (CIC) has recommenden that
guidelines be prepared for the City of Eugene's Neighborhood
Organization Recognition Policy, Resolution No. 2554. Since this
resolution was adopted in August, 1976, the meaning and intent
of some of the provisions have been specifically interpreted or
have developed certain meanings through practice. The marginal
notes to the attached copy of the resolution explain the City's
current thinking on the intent of these provisions and, in some
instances, current implementaion procedures.
Approved by Resolution No. 3746 of the Eugene City Council,
on the 26th day of January, 1983.
RESOLUTION--1
EUGENE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION POLICY
(With Guidelines)
RESOLUTION NO. 2554
AUGUST 1976
A RESOLUTION REPEALING THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZA-
TION POLICY FOR CITIZEN PLANNING GROUPS ADOPTED
AUGUST 28, 1973, AND ADOPTNG A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD
ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION POLICY.
The Common Council of the City of
Eugene finds that:
Public participation is the act of
sharing in the formulation of policies and
proposals which affect the lives of all
citizens.
Local government has a responsibility
for encouraging public participation in
the planning process, both for the better-
ment of local decision-making and to
satisfy requirements of state and federal
planning programs.
Participation needs to go beyond
just the simple role' of commenting toward
a process which involves the public in an
active role.
The City of Eugene recognizes that
public participation through neighborhood
organizations can produce benefits for the
general health, welfare, and pride of the
total community.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation
of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1. The City of Eugene encour-
ages the formation of neighborhood organiza-
tions and their involvement in the local
government's decision-making processes.
Section 2. The City of Eugene adopts
this Neighborhood Organization Recognition
Policy in order to establish criteria for
the recognition of neighborhood organizations
and define the relationship between the city
and recognized neighborhood organi-
zations.
Section 3. The following sections one
through five, which comprise this Neighborhood
Organization Recognition Policy, are adopted
as policy statements and are to be used to
RESOLUTION--2
(GUIDELINES)
This section is a general guide
of what is expected to be in your
charter. A model charter has
been developed to assist groups
in reviewing their charters to
determine whether changes should
be made to better 'reflect the
intent of the policy. A copy of
the model charter is in each
leader's notebook.
See Article VIII, Section 3 of
model charter concerning noti-
fication.
This requires that participation
be open to property owners or
tenants (includes businesses)
within the neighborhood, but the
neighborhood groups may decide
whether they wish to restrict
voting to residents only.
The neighborhood groups may
establish additional, reasonable
voting criteria, such as requiring
attendance at a minimum of one
meeting within the year prior
to being allowed to vote. Most
groups do not .restrict voting to
residents. It is recommended
that those groups restricting
voting to the residents, estab-
lish some mechanism to assure
participation by non-resident
property owners on issues that
might concern them. This might
be done by special notice of
meetings when there is an agenda
RESOLUTION--3
affirm and govern the relationship between
the city and recognized neighborhoods as they
participate in the decision-making processes
of the city:
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION POLICY
Section 1. Criteria for Recognition of
Neighborhood Organizations.
(a) At the time a neighborhood governing
document is submitted to the City Council for
recognition, evidence shall be submitted
showing that the document was widely circu-
lated within the neighborhood before adoption
by the group.
(b) All meetings shall be well-publi-
cized in advance.
(c) The neighborhood organization shall
be open to the total area and diversity of
interests present in the neighborhood.
Participation shall be open to any property
owner or tenant within the neighborhood.
Criteria regulating voting shall be deter-
mined by each neighborhood group, shall not
exclude residents, and shall be included in
the governing document.
item of special interest;
encouraging the business com-
munity to have representation
at the general meetings; or
holding a special meeting of
business people to get input;
and being sure the business com-
munity and non-residents have
time at the meetings to speak.
See the model charter for
some general guidlelines.
Members of neighborhood groups or
residents of the area are gen-
erally responsible for being sure
the group carries out its respon-
sibilities as indicated in (g).
With respect to (h), an admini-
strative process for neighborhood
groups to become inactive rather
RESOLUTION--4
(d) The organization structure shall
provide for necessary coordination among
neighborhood residents and between the
neighborhood and city departments and elected
and appointed officials.
(e) The boundaries of the neighborhood
shall specifically define an area of appro-
priate geographic size and population for
effective planning and these boundaries shall
take into account natural boundaries,
commercial patterns, community organizations,
and historical factors.
(f) A neighborhood governing document
which meets the listed requirements may be
submitted to the City Council with a request
for recognition of the neighborhood by
official Council action.
(g) The neighborhood organization shall
assume the responsibility of maintaining the
requirements for recognition. Alleged
violations shall be taken before the neigh-
borhood organization at a publicized general
than have recognition withdrawn,
was approved by the City Council
October 8, 1980, and is attached.
The purpose of the process is to
allow the group that has lost its
leadership and participants time
to reorganize, if there are others
in the area that wish to do so.
It also makes it easier for a
group des ignated as II i nact i veil to
become active again without
having to be formally recognized
by the City Council. See attached
"Administrative Guidelines for
Initiating and Establishing
Inactive Status for Neighborhood
Organizations."
Each neighborhood group should
establish a process for investi-
gating and responding to infor-
mation received from the City
about proposed policies, projects,
plans, etc. A planning committee,
a special committee depending on
the subject, executive board, or
chairperson could review infor-
mation and make recommendations
subject to the general member-
ship's approval, if time permits.
Review "Neighborhood Systems for
Responding to Referrals" in
leader's notebook in Referral
Section.
The reference to "neighborhood
plans" applies only to those
neighborhoods designated for
refinement plans.
RESOLUTION--5
meeting. Thereafter, unsettled disputes
which concern adherence to provisions of this
Policy may be taken to the City Council,
which will take appropriate action, up to and
including withdrawal of recognition.
(h) As long as the neighborhood remains
organized and actively involved with current
issues or in developing ~ny part of a plan,
it will continue to be recognized.
Section 2. Function and Responsibilities
of Neighborhood Organizations.
(a) Neighborhood organizations will be
advisory to the City Council, Planning
Commission, and other city boards, commis-
sions, and officials on matters affecting
their neighborhoods. With the assistanc~
of professional staff, subject to their
availability, the neighborhood organization
may develop neighborhood plans and proposals
with respect to land use, zoning, parks, open
space and recreation, annexation, housing,
community facilities, transportaion and
traffic, public safety, sanitation, and other
activities and public services which affect
their neighborhoods.
This section indicates that
neighborhood groups are not
restricted in their activities
to city matters. Neighborhood
groups have become non-profit
groups, sought grants (non-City),
and worked with other groups on
projects of concern to the
neighborhood.
(b) Neighborhood organizations may
address themselves to all matters which
affect them and may establish relations, not
in conflict with city-neighborhood relations
set forth in this Policy, with any agency or
jurisdiction with which they have mutual
concerns. This Policy governs only the
relationship between recognized neighborhood
organizations and the city of Eugene.
A system for finding out what the (c) Neighborhood organizations shall
most directly affected neighbors
think about city plans, proposals, inform themselves of neighborhood needs and
and activities is an important
part of any neighborhood organi- desires and maintain communication with their
zation process developed for
advising the city. This could be neighborhoods on plans, proposals and activi-
done in various ways depending
on the time available for response, ties affecting their areas.
e.g., going door-to-door talking
to people about a proposal and
finding out their concerns;
notifying the neighborhood about
meetings and proposals scheduled
for discussion; having the
neighborhood agree annually on
goals, which would provide a
general direction to the execu-
tive board for advising the City
based on the goals (if there is a
refinement plan for the area,
this might be sufficient) or
polling the neighborhood on
issues.
Requests which affect the budget (d) Neighborhood organizations may
may also be made via the Neigh-
borhood Liaison Office using the submit to city departments and elected or
neighborhood need request report
form (See information in Leaders appointed city bodies requests or proposals
Notebook, Neighborhood Informa-
tion Section). for projects or activities needed in their
neighborhood areas.
RESOLUTION--6
This applies to just those
neighborhoods that have refine-
ment plans.
The main allocation of funds for
neighborhood printing, mailing,
and supplies for organizations
has been for neighborhood news-
letters and flyers.
There is a Neighborhood Liaison
position in the City Manager's
Office to assist in the imple-
mentation of the Neighborhood
Recognition Policy. A Newsletter
Coordinator provides technical
assistance to neighborhoods in
producing the newsletters.
Various departments also provide
limited services to groups upon
requests: e.g., special maps,
publications, planning informa-
tion from the computer, pre-
sentations of information at
neighborhood meetings.
The Neighborhood Liaison is
responsible for providing or
arranging for these orientation
sessions.
City proposals, land use appli-
cations, and all matters which
may affect neighborhoods are
referred by departments via the
Neighborhood Liaison Office to the
appropriate neighborhood. The
liaison also alerts neighborhoods
to relevant legislation and
policies being considered by the
City Councilor other other
boards and commissions.
RESOLUTION--7
(e) Neighborhood organizations shall
continue the planning process by reevaluating
the goals, objectives, and recommendations
contained within the neighborhood plan
Section 3. Functions and Responsibilities
of the City
(a) The city will provide recognized
neighborhood organizations with supplies,
printing, mailing, and limited staff assis-
tance to aid in their activities, subject to
budgetary allocations.
(b) The city shall provide an orientation
session twice yearly to acquaint neighborhood
leaders with city functions and programs, and
city-neighborhood relationshlps and responsi-
bilities.
(c) Neighborhood organizations shall be
notified of land use and development appli-
cations within the neighborhood and annexations
contiguous to the neighborhood within five days
after the receipt of such applications.
In respect to notification "in
ample time," there is not always
time for neighborhood groups to
take proposed changes in policies,
projects, services, and activities
to the general membership,
because some groups do not meet
every month, or the information
might miss the group's meeting
t ;me. However, the goa 1 is to
provide sufficient time to
the executive committee to meet
to consider an issue.
Section 3(e) and (f) apply only
to neighborhood groups that have
been working on refinement
plans.
Newsletter Guidelines explaining
this section were prepared in
the fall of 1976 in consultation
and with final agreement from the
neighborhood leaders, the City
RESOLUTION--8
Neighborhood organizations will also be
notified of public hearings affecting dis-
position of these applications.
(d) Neighborhood organizations shall be
notified of all proposed changes in city
policies, projects, services, and activities
having a significant effect on their neigh-
borhoods (e.g., land use, transportation
and traffic, parks and recreation, housing,
and public services), in ample time to allow
participation in the decision-making process.
Specific site locations for land acquisition
need not be identified by the city.
(e) All neighborhood plans shall be
reviewed by the Planning Commission at a
public hearing open to the Eugene community
before a recommendation is forwarded to the
City Council.
(f) Upon adoption by the City Council,
the neighborhood plan shall be considered a
general plan refinement by the city and its
various departments.
Section 4. Neighborhood Newsletters.
(a) The city shall finance the printing
and mailing of neighborhood newsletters and
communications, within budgetary allowances
Manager and City Attorney, and
are attached.
set by the city. Neighborhood organizations
may raise funds to finance their own publi-
cations.
(b) Newsletters financed by the city
shall be governed by these guidelines:
(1) The main purposes of the
neighborhood newsletters are to distribute
information to neighborhood members on
matters affecting their areas and to
provide a forum for the free expression
of the opinions of neighborhood members
on issues of interest to the neighborhood.
(2) Advocacy positions may be
included in the newsletters in an edi-
torial format. Newsletters shall clearly
indicate editorial material and guarantee
space for timely printing of differing
viewpoints.
(3) Commercial advertising will
not be permitted in newsletters unless
financed by other than city funds.
(4) The city shall have access to
neighborhood newsletters for city information.
Section 5. Recommended Procedure for Establish-
ment of City-Recognized Neighborhood
Organizations.
(a) When sufficient interest has been
expressed by a substantial number of persons
RESOLUTION--9
interested in the neighborhood, a request
should be made to the city manager for staff
ass is tance.
A model charter, approved
by the City Council on
(b) After informal meetings between city
,
~available and should be
a guide in writing the
governing document.
staff and interested persons, a neighborhood-
wide meeting or meetings shall be held
for the purpose of information, organization,
adoption of neighborhood governing document
and election of officers.
(c) After a neighborhood governing
document has been adopted by the neighborhood
organization, it may be submitted to the City
Manager for consideration by the City Council.
(d) The City Council, upon approval of
the governing document of the neighborhood
organization, shall accept the document, and
any modification thereto, by resolution. The
neighborhood organization is then recognized
as the official voice of that neighborhood
area under the provisions of this Policy.
Section 4. The Neighborhood Organi-
zation Policy for Citizen Planninq Groups
adopted by the Common Council of the City
of Euqene on August 28, 1973, is repealed
and superceded by the Neighborhood Organi-
zation Recognition Policy contained herein.
The foregoing Resolution adopted
the 23rd day of August, 1976.
CM38b18
RESOLUTION--I0
October, 1976
SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEWSLETTER GUIDELINES
FOR
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
Based on the Neighborhood Organizations Recognition Policy adopted by the
Eugene City Council by Resolution No. 2554 on August 23, 1976, these additional
guidelines have been developed to explain further the intent of the policy and
how it can be implemented most satisfactorily.
One concern that resulted from the newsletter policy \'/as maintaining the indepen-
dence of the neighborhood organizations while protecting the public from possible
misuse of the newsletters. Since public funds are used for printing and mail-
ing and for personnel time, there are restrictions as to how information can be
presented. Public funds belong to proponents and opponents of a proposition;
therefore, the format of the newsl etters whi~re opi nions are expr'essed must meet
the requirements of fairness for both sides of an issue.
In addition to these requirements, the City and neighborhood or~Janizations are
interested in encouraging effective citizen participation in which decisions ar(~
made by informed members, v/hi ch means that members shoul d have the opportuni ty to
study all sides of an issue.
The neighborhood liaison is responsiDle for reviewing the newsletters before
printing to assure that the policy is being followed. The following explanatio'ls
are expected to reduce or eliminate some of the problems or concerns that have
arisen in the past. No changes in the newsletter will be made unless the editor
or chairperson has been consulted. If you have any need for more clarification
when problems arise, please call Ruth Miller/Beth Campbell, 687-5009.
The actual pol icies written in the resol ution are presented below fall Q\',ed by
specific guidelines or explanations where necessary.
Section 4. Neighborhood Newsletters.
(a) The City shall finance the printing and mailing of neighborhood newsletters
and communications, within the budgetary allowances s!~t by the City. Neigh-
borhood organizations may raise funds to finance their own publications.*
Exp 1 anati on: The ci ty has budgeted funds for the pri nti ng and ma il i ng of
newsletters, allocating an amount based on d\'Ielling units within the bouncary
of each neighborhood organization. The neighborhood organizations detenni ne
the distribution times, number of pages, duplication process and type of
distribution (mail or hand delivered).
If the City funds are used by the neighborhood organizations, the policies
(b) (1), (2), (3), and (4) must be follm'/ed.
*From "Neighborhood Organization Recogn-ition Policy, City of Eugene, August 19',6, p.4.
-1-
For newsletters which are financed by neighborhood organizations, the news-
letter policies under (b) do not apply. It should be noted that the City
cannot provide funds for the mailing of a newsletter financed by a neighbor-
hood organization unless the newsletter policies are followed. In order to
distribute within City Hall newsletters which are not financed by public
funds and do not follow the policies, a statement must be attached indicat-
ing that public funds were not used for printing.
Both City and neighborhood funds may be used for printing and mailing a news-
letter issue, providing all the policies and guideline'; are followed.
(b) Newsletters financed by the City shall be governed by these guidelines.*
(1) The main purposes of ~he neighborhood newsletters are to distribute
infonnation to neighborhood members on matters affecting their areas
and to provide a forum for the free expression of the opinions of
neighborhood members on issues of interest to the neighborhood.
(2) Advocacy positions may be included in the newsletters in an editorial
format. Newsletters shall clearly indicate editorial material and
guarantee space for timely printing of differing viewpoints.
(3) Commercial advertising will not be pennitted in re\'Jsletters unless
fi nanced by othe'''' than Ci ty funds.
(4) The City shall h3.ve access to neighborhood newsletters for City
information.
Additional guidelines for Section (b) for the preparation and review of
newsletters:
(1) Reports of positions taken by neighborhood groups on issues may be
reported. Infonnation should be complete, factual and not advocate
a position unless it is editorial materi1l which is clearly so
1 ab e 1 ed .
(2) To provide a forum for differing oplnlons, members of the groups
shoul d be i nfonned that they may express opi nions through the news-
1 etter accordi ng to Ci ty and nei ghborhood po 1 i c i es. A statement to
this effect should be included in each newsletter.
(3) The newsletter should disclose the standards for length, placement
and selection of statements of oplnlon. It is also appropriate to
include this information in every newsletter.
(4) On,issues of controversy, both points of view should be permitted
and encouraged. Equal space should be allowed for rebuttal for
editorial comments.
*From ItNeighborhood Organization Recognition Policy, City of Eugene, August, 1976,p.4.1'
-2-
(5) "Timely" means that there should be an opportunit/ in a future
newsletter to express an opposing viewpoint to an editorial or
letter to the editor before th~ issue is resolved. If this appears
not to be possible, and there is organized opposition, an effort
should be made to provide equal space within the ~ame newsletter.
Those groups which have mass distributions of the newsletter
occasionally, and at other times limited distribution to those
on a mailing list, may have difficulty in providing equal distri-
bution of proponent and opponent views of an issue. Care should
be taken with controversial issues to provide equal space in the same
issue if distribution is to be different for the next issue of the
newsletter.
(6) To encourage the participation of all residents vithin the neighbor-
hood organization boundaries, it is suggested thet at least two
mass distributions of the newsletter should be scheduled each year.
(7) Commercial advertising of the type that is normally found in the
classified section and display advertisements of a newspaper is not
permitted. Public service announcements are pen-nitted. If there is
something happening which would beneflt the neighbors such as an
exchange of goods, etc., a factual news story woul d be permi tted.
Occasionally stories have been written about new businesses in a
neighborhood. Care shoul d be taken to keep such stories "nevIs
items" rather than advertising.
(8) To assure that a newsletter is representative of its neighborhood
organization, it i s sugge~.,ted that newsl etter copy be revi e"'/ed by
a newsletter committee, or at least by one other designated person.
It is advi sabl e for each neighborhood organization to establ ish
policies for its own newsletter to maintain some consistency when
editors change.
(9) When City referrals, proposals or recommendations have been sent to
neighborhood organizations and there appear to be varying points of
view being submitted for inclusion in the newsletter, a factual
presentation of the City's information should be placed in the news-
letter along with th'? pros and cons.
(10) The City shall have dcces') to neighborhood ne\'Isletters for City
information (b)(4). The City Council or City t1anager shall determinE
when City information is to be included in a newsletter and this
information should be clearly labeled. The information must be given
to the newsletter editor in advance of the deadline for submission to
the C; ty.
(11) Any necessary changes in the newsletter as designated by the City
must be referred to the n('wsletter editor or chairperson before
implementation.
-3-
(12) The City \'Jill carefully review -its budget allocation methods (number
of units, cost of printing) to see that a neir}hborhood is not unduly
deprived of II news II because of budget allocations.
(13) It is suggested that the City provide the necessary resources for the
publication of a semi-annual all-neighborhoods newsletter which would
seek to explore all-city issues and promote understanding of each
neighborhood's characteristics. .
(14) Promotion of a fund-raising activity for a political cause is not
permitted in neighborhood newsletters financed by the City.
(Example of an Editorial and Letter-to-the-Editor Policy Statement which
should be included in each issue of each newsletter).
This space is reserved for editorial comments and letters to the editors
that do not necessarily represent the views of the neighborhood organization.
All viewpoints are welcome. Letters to the editor are takel on a first-come,
first-published basis, which may be altered to a degree so that varying
positions on an issue may be published within one newslette1. Equal space
will be allowed for rebuttal of editorial comments. Letters are limited to
words and one subject. The deadline for submission for the next
newsletter is and copy should be sent to
Limits on Information About Elections, Ballot Measures, and Candidates
If information about candidates is going to be included in newsletters, there
must be equal space for all in the same issue. All candidates should be advised
that space is available and deadlines for submission of information. The main
concern is fairness.
While newsletters should include information on City election issues and on
other elections of interest to Eugene citizens, public monies--printing, postage,
staff time--cannot be expended on promotion of or opposition to candidates or
issues.
REPRINTS IN NEWSLETTERS
Generally, the newspapers in Eugene permit the reprinting of their material in
neighborhood newsletters, when requested, as long as credit is given at the top
of the article as follows: "Reprinted with permission from the
~ Be sure to get permission.
Any material which is copyrighted can only be reprinted with permission of the
author.
RM :jm/Ct'll al 0
-4-
Approved by City Council--October 8, 1980
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES FOR INITIATING AND ESTARLISHING
INACTIVE STATUS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
Continued recognition of neighborhood organization is stated as follows in the
Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy:
Section l(h)-~As long as a neighborhood remains organized and actively
involved with the current issues or in developing any
part of a plan, it will continue to be recognized.
When a neiqhborhood organization is recoqnized, the City, through the neighbor-
hood liaison office, sends information from various departments on projects,
proposed changes in policies, or any other information which might affect the
neighborhood in ample time to have input into the decision-making iJrOCess.
The recognition policy does not indicate whether a formal process of withdrawing
recognition is necessary if the organization is "unorganized and not actively
involved.11 Some neighborhood groups over the years have had periods of inactiv-
ity due to lack of leadership, little interest, no quorums, no meetings, etc.,
but have rejuvenated themselves. Instead of an official act by the City Council
of withdrawal of recognition, an "inactive status" designation has been estab-
lished as an administrative process.
The reasons for having such a process are: to stop the flow of information when
there is no one to receive it or respond; to provide an opportunity for new
leadership to step forward if current leadership is not keeping the group
organized and active; to let residents decide if they wish to be "inactive;" and
to make it easier for an "inactive" group to become active again without having
to be formally recognized again by the City Council. This designation of
"inactive status'! would only apply under Section l(h) above. Withdrawal of
recognition by the City Council is still possible under Section l(g) for failure
to maintain the requirements for recognition.
Listed below are definitions for "orqanized and actively involved" which have
been developed to determine when a nroup is not organized or active. Also
listed are the steps for establishing the "inactive" status.
Definitions
a) Organized: Means officers have been elected at least within a 90-
day perlod following the designated time set for election of officers
by the charter of the neighborhood organization.
Explanation: This would mean a neighborhood group must hav~ a quorum
to ~lect officers within a three-month period from the time required.
Some charters do not state when the annual meeting shall be for
elections, so a determination of time would be based on term of office
provided in the charter and the last election. If there is no leader
or contact person, the group would not be organized.
b) Actively Involved: Means performing the functions as set forth in
the nelQhborhood charter related to frequency of general meetings,
executive meetinqs, if applicable, and communications to neighborhood
members. Inactivity means failure to perform these functions within
90 days of the time set in the charter.
Explanation: Neighborhood groups vary a great deal in frequency
of qeneral meetings (some only have an annual meeting). However,
Executive Committees are deleqated authority to meet regularly and
carryon the responsibilities of the group as stated in the group's
charter or in the recognition policy. Ninety days provide for the ups
and downs of neighborhood leadership. We have not dealt with the
problem of continuous lack of quorums except in rl~latian to election
of officers. We thouqht that as long as there is an executive commit-
tee actively performinq the functions and trying to increase partici-
pation, recoqnition should continue unless challenged by residents of
the area.
Process for Initiatinq and Establishing
"Inactive" Status for Neiqhborhood Orqanizations
a) The Neighborhood Liaison with the approval of the City Manaqer may
make an interim determination that a neighborhood orqanization is not
organized and/or is not active for the purpose of taking the following
actions:
1. Termination of the mailing of referrals, agendas, and other
information.
2. Initiating the process for establishing "inactive" status if
group fails to become organized and active aqain.
b)
3. Holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss the sta-~us of the
group.
Written notice from the Neighborhood Liaison of the i lterim determina-
tion that the group is not organized and/or not activ~ shall be sent
to the neighborhood organization contact person, if tlere is one. The
contact person would be expected to arrange for publi:izing the
proDosed action among residents in the area.
AND/OR
c) Written notice will be sent to all residents of the neiqhborhood by
the Neighborhood Liaison, if contact person fails to do so, or if
there is not a contact person.
d) Written notice to the residents of the neighborhood organization shall
include the followinq information:
1. Notice of termination of the mailing of referrals, agendas, and
, other informJtion.
2. Notice that the neighborhood organization will be given inactive
status by. the City Manager with reasons stated based on definition
of "organized and actively involved" 90 days from date of notice.
3. Statement that the desiqnation of inactive status shall not be
made if the neighborhood orqanization can provide evidence of
organization and activity, within 90 days.
4. Notice of a qeneral neiqhborhood meetinq indicatinq date, time,
place, and purpose, which would be to discuss the possible desig-
nation of "inactive status" to the group and determine what action
should be taken.
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NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION CHARTER AMENDMENTS--
PROCESS FOR APPROVAL
Approved by City Council
January 28, 1981
Amendments toa previously approved charter by the City Council may be adopted
by the general membership of a neighborhood organization in accordance to its
charter, and submitted for approval to the Neighborhood Liaison staff, with
concurrence by the City Manager and City Attorney. An amendment shall be
submitted to the City Council for approval if it is in conflict with the intent
of the recognition policy, is not similar to amendments previously appr.oved by
the council in other charters, or is substantially equivalent to a new charter.
Copies of amendments to a neighborhood charter will be sent to the council to
take effect in thirty (30) days unless a councilor requests that the amendment
be brought to the council.
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