THE GREATER VALLEY GLEN COUNCIL BYLAWS

Article   I:       Name

Article  II:       Boundaries

Article III:       Membership

Article IV:       Objectives and Policies

Article  V:      The Board

Article VI:       Officers

Article VII:      Financial Accountability

Article VIII:   Bylaw Amendments & Motions for Reconsideration 

Article IX:      Annual Meetings

Article X:         Grievance Procedure

Article XI:       Elections

ARTICLE I:  NAME

1. The name of the organization shall be “The Greater Valley Glen Council” (GVGC).

ARTICLE II:  BOUNDARIES

 1. The Council’s geographic area shall be all of Valley Glen and surrounding areas as described herein. On the west, Hazeltine Avenue from Burbank Boulevard to Vanowen Street.  At Vanowen Street, the boundary runs east to Woodman Avenue, then North to Sherman Way.  At Sherman Way, the boundary runs east to the Tujunga Wash, then south along the Tujunga Wash to Vanowen Street. At Vanowen Street, the boundary runs east to Hollywood Freeway. The boundary then runs south along the Hollywood Freeway (170) to Burbank Blvd. At Burbank Boulevard, the boundary runs west to Hazeltine Avenue.  The area will be divided into six sub-areas (hereinafter referred to as “areas”).  The area boundaries were determined according to major streets and roughly equal landmass population. By using major streets as area boundaries, this offers easy reference to Community Stakeholders to determine their area.

2. The area boundaries are as follows:

 Area 1: North of Oxnard Street to Vanowen Street. East of Hazeltine Avenue to Woodman Avenue.

Area 2: North of Victory Boulevard to Sherman Way. East of Woodman Avenue to the Tujunga Wash.

Area 3: North of Victory Boulevard to Vanowen Street. East of the Tujunga Wash to the Hollywood Freeway (170).

Area 4: North of Burbank Boulevard to Oxnard Street. At Woodman Avenue, North to Victory Boulevard. East of Hazeltine Avenue to Fulton Avenue.

Area 5: North of Oxnard Street to Victory Boulevard. East of the Fulton Avenue to Whitsett Avenue. At Whitsett Avenue, North of Erwin Street to Victory Boulevard and East to the Hollywood Freeway (170).

Area 6: North of Burbank Boulevard to Oxnard Street. At Whitsett Avenue, North of Burbank Boulevard to Erwin Street. East from Coldwater Canyon Boulevard to the Hollywood Freeway (170).

(See map attached as Exhibit A)

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

The Greater Valley Glen Council membership is open to all Community Stakeholders. A Community Stakeholder is anyone who lives, works, or owns property in the Greater Valley Glen Council area.  In addition, Community Stakeholders include those who participate in educational institutions, religious institutions, and community organizations.

ARTICLE IV: OBJECTIVES & POLICIES

1.  The Council shall seek to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life of the community, to preserve and enhance its character, and prevent its deterioration.

2.  Methods to achieve objectives:

a.       Identify issues affecting the community, gather information concerning these issues and serve as a forum for the discussion of such issues.

b.       Strive to reach general agreement among the Community Stakeholders concerning the community’s issues and priorities.

c.          Seek resources that will benefit the community.

d.       Foster cooperation between community organizations, area businesses and institutions.

e.       Serve as a link between the community, its elected representatives and government agencies. Advise and advocate Community Stakeholders’ concerns and priorities to other elected representatives.

f.       To prohibit discrimination against any individual or group in our operations on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, income or political affiliation.

g.       The Greater Valley Glen Council will establish procedures for communicating with all the Community Stakeholders on a regular basis in a manner ensuring that the information is disseminated evenly and in a timely manner.     

h.       To utilize the Early Notification System to inform our Neighborhood Council of matters involving the City of Los Angeles and our community in a way that is tailored to provide opportunities for involvement in the decision-making process.

ARTICLE V:  THE BOARD

1. Board Members shall be elected from Community Stakeholders on an Election Day to be held within 30 days after each annual meeting. The Board shall consist of no more than twenty-five voting Board Members. The allotted board seat in a given category will be filled with a Community Stakeholder who is eligible in that category by either open elections or by caucus as designated below.  Any individual representing a group or association must be designated by appointment or election by that organization. Board Members shall be from the following Community Stakeholder categories:  

a.     Homeowners -

     1 Board Member from each of the Areas 1-6

               Elected         Self-nominations

            b.     Resident Occupants –

      1 Board Member from each of the Areas 1-6

    Elected                       Self-nominations   

 c.     Merchants/Business Representatives –

             4 Board Members                    At-Large

             Elected                                     Self-nominations

          Definition: Merchants/Business Representatives:

Owner/employee of retail, wholesale, industrial or service business located within the community grid area on commercially zoned property. 

          d.     Commercial Property Owners -

2 Board Members           At-Large

Elected                          Self-nominations

Definition: Commercial Property Owners:

Owner/owner's representative of income property within the Council area used for residential rental (including single family residence used exclusively as income producing property or multi-family housing), retail stores, offices, service businesses, industrial facilities or any other recognized commercial use provided that the person does not reside on the property.

 e.     Schools -            

      1 Board Member                  At-Large  

                     Elected by Caucus        

 f.      Religious Institutions -        

      1 Board Member                  At-Large                                 

             Elected by Caucus

         g.     Youth -                                

     1 Board Member                  At-Large 

    Elected annually                  Self-nominations    

         Definition: Youth, age 16-19, who lives, works, owns property or attends school within the Council area.

           h. Other Community Stakeholder -

    2 Board Members                At-large  

    Elected                                 Self-nominations

          Definition: Other Community Stakeholder

Any Community Stakeholder who is outside the criteria of the above-listed Community Stakeholder categories (Homeowners, Resident Occupants, Merchant/Business Representatives, Commercial Property Owners, Schools, Religious Institutions, Youth) including, but not limited to, the homeless, workers in home based businesses, religious or educational institutions and community organizations.

i. Community Organizations -

Only organizations that do not qualify under the categories of Schools or Religious Institutions are eligible. Each organization will select their representative.

   2 Board Members                   At-Large                             

   Elected by Caucus

          Definition: Community Organizations:

For the purposes of selecting one of their members as a Board Member candidate, a community organization must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be classified as a non-profit tax-exempt organization as defined in IRS Code 501(c). This category only includes those organizations not based on residency or homeownership.

2. Have carried out activities that involve the Community Stakeholders served by the Greater Valley Glen Council during the last twelve months immediately preceding the election for the Board.

 3. The organization maintains its principal office or headquarters within the area served by the Council or a majority of the Organization's activities and meetings occur within the area served by the Council, or a majority of the persons affiliated with the organization are Community Stakeholders of the Greater Valley Glen Council.

2.  The Board shall be governed by the following rules:

 a.     Exempting the youth category which shall be elected annually, all other Board Members shall serve a term of two years beginning in the election of 2006.  In the election of 2005, 12 Board Members shall be elected for one year and 12 Board Member for two years, whether by General Election or Caucus, unless otherwise specified in the By-laws. Thereafter, beginning in 2006, only 12 of the seats shall be up for election on any given year.  Elections shall be held annually.  Elections shall be held annually. Each Board Member shall then serve a two-year term beginning in 2006, and each seat shall be up for election every other year. The Board or a committee appointed by the Board shall determine the voting process.

 1.    Homeowners Board Members and Merchant/ Business Representatives and Commercial Board Members shall be elected in odd numbered years.  These Board Members shall be elected to two (2) year terms, starting in 2005.

2.    Resident Board Members, Other Category Board members, and Board Members representing Religious, Educational, and Community Organizations shall be elected to a one (1) year term in 2005 and two (2) year terms thereafter.

                                 3.    Youth Board Member shall be elected annually.

 b.     Any member of the Board may nominate a person to any                                                               vacancy. The appointment must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Board Members.  Appointed Board Members shall meet the same eligibility requirements that apply to the position they would fill, as are required of elected Board Members.

  c.    If the Board is unable to fill a vacancy, the process for filling

         the vacancy will continue with each regular meeting   

         thereafter until the time such vacancy is filled.

 d.      No Board Member shall serve on the Board for more than three consecutive full terms without being off the Board for at least two years.

e.     The seat of any Board Member who fails to attend three (3) regular Board meetings in any six (6) month period shall be deemed forfeited and vacated and shall be notified in writing of their removal from the board, effective immediately.

 f.      No Board Member shall speak or write on behalf of the Greater Valley Glen Council if they do not have the prior authority of the Board to do so. Membership on a committee does not grant the member authority to speak for the council on matters of policy without prior authorization. This provision shall not be interpreted to infringe on any person’s right to free speech.

g.     No Board Member shall utilize the city seal for his/her personal use or in communications by individuals expressing personal opinions. The purpose of the seal is to indicate that official city business is being conducted and any other use is only permissible with prior permission from the City Clerk or the administration of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE).

1.    The powers of the Board shall be those usually consistent with the operation of an organization including, but not limited to; management of fiscal affairs, the deliberation of issues and establishment of the Greater Valley Glen Council’s position on issues relevant to its Community Stakeholders through communication with the membership, the dissemination and implementation of such positions, and evaluations of persons employed by the Greater Valley Glen Council.

4.  Restrictions and Ethics:

a.       All Board Members will comply with the City's Ethics provisions and abide by all applicable laws of the local, state and federal government.

 b.           No elected government official may serve as Board Members.

 c.       All Board Members must comply with the Bylaws of the Council.

 d.        No Board Members will be permitted to vote by proxy.

 e.       Board Members shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act as required by law.

 f.       All Board Members will comply with the financial disclosure required by the City of Los Angeles.

5. Resignation & Removal:

a.    Any Board Member may resign at any time by delivering a               written resignation to the President or Secretary of the Board or by verbal resignation at a Board meeting and reflected in the minutes. Said resignation shall be effective as of the date of receipt or verbal announcement. 

b.     Any Board Member holding one of the four Officer positions or the chairperson of a committee may resign their position at any time by delivering a written resignation to the President or Secretary of the Board or by verbal resignation at a Board meeting and reflected in the minutes. The resignation shall be effective as of the date of receipt or verbal announcement and shall not constitute resignation as a Board Member.

c. Any Board Member who becomes ineligible for the following reasons shall have their seat automatically vacated: Board Member elected to public office or who no longer meets the definition of a Community Stakeholder in the category they represent (including but not limited to a resident/homeowner Board Member who moves out of the Greater Valley Glen Council area they represent).

 d.  A Board Member may be removed by the submission of a written petition that (1) describes the Board Member to be removed (2) describes in detail the reason for removal and (3) includes the signature of 75 Community Stakeholders within their category and/or area as it may apply. The Secretary shall then have the matter placed on the agenda for a vote of the Board Members at the next regular meeting of the Board. A vote of No Confidence by two-thirds of the Board Members shall be necessary to remove the Board Member forthwith. The Board Member that is the subject of the removal shall not take part in the vote on this matter, but will be allowed to speak at the meeting to the Board Members prior to the vote. If a quorum of Board Members is not present to take the vote on removal, the matter shall be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting, and every meeting thereafter, until such time as a vote is taken. The Board will consult with its legal counsel, the Office of the City Attorney, through this removal process.

 6.     Meetings:

 a.       The Board will meet monthly.  The meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month except when a holiday interferes.

b.      The Board can be called into Special Session with proper notice (a minimum of 24 hours) by the President or Vice President or by a quorum of the Board.

 c.       Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall decide all question of normal order not otherwise provided for by the Greater Valley Glen Council Bylaws.

 d.       A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of           the Board shall consist of 13 Board Members. An Official Action may be taken by majority vote of those Board Members present.

 e.       All items for the agenda must be submitted to the President or Secretary (by Community Stakeholders and/or Board Members) a minimum of 96 hours in advance of any meeting concerning the Greater Valley Glen Council. The President or Secretary will post the agenda or will cause the agenda to be posted 72 hours in advance of all meetings in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.

 f.      All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Brown   Act.   

 7.     Committees:

 a.        The President may establish or dissolve committees as deemed necessary to facilitate and further the intent of the Greater Valley Glen Council and each shall be confirmed by a majority                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      vote of the Board. Each committee will include at least one Board Member.

b.        The President shall have the sole authority to establish a 

                        temporary ad-hoc committee.

c.     All committee work must be reported to the Board and the

     Board can take no action without a vote.

d. The President shall appoint the Chairperson of all committees.

     All Committee Chairpersons shall be members of the Board.

     The President shall nominate committee chairpersons, and each

     nominee shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the Board.

     A Committee Chairperson may be removed by a majority vote of

     the Board.

ARTICLE VI:  OFFICERS

1.  The Greater Valley Glen Council consists of the following four Officers:

a.       The PRESIDENT shall be the Chief Administrator and Executive Officer of the Greater Valley Glen Council. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Greater Valley Glen Council.

b.       The VICE PRESIDENT shall, in the absence of the President, function as the presiding Officer and shall carry out the duties and responsibilities of the President. 

c.       The SECRETARY shall be responsible for the minutes of all meetings of the Officers, the Board Members, and the general membership, and for all notices issued by and for the Greater Valley Glen Council.

d.       The TREASURER shall be responsible for verification and review of all council funds, accounts of receipts and disbursements belonging to the Greater Valley Glen Council, written monthly financial report to be made available to the public at the monthly meetings and a written annual financial report to be made available to the public at the Annual Meeting.

 2.  Election of Officers:

 a.       The Board Members shall elect Officers from among their members at the first regular meeting of the Board following the election. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote.  Officers may be removed from their elected office by a 2/3 vote of the Board.

b.            The term of an Officer shall be for one year. 

c.       An Officer may hold the same office for a maximum of two consecutive years or serve as an Officer in any of the four Officer positions for a maximum of three consecutive years. After an interval of two years, the Board Member shall be eligible to seek office again.

 ARTICLE VII: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The Greater Valley Glen Council shall keep a book of accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles and in compliance with Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) guidelines.

ARTICLE VIII:  BYLAW AMENDMENTS & MOTIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION

1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board or by a majority vote of 75 Community Stakeholders present at any meeting, with prior notice, as long as appropriate notice of the agenda has been given.  Thereafter, any adjustment or amendment shall be submitted to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) for review and approval by that Department in accordance with Article V § 3 of the “Plan For A Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils.”

2. Reconsideration. The Board may reconsider and amend its action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Board shall (1) make a motion for reconsideration and if approved, (2) hear the matter and take an action. If the motion to reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A motion for reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a (proposed) action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A motion for reconsideration can only be made by a Board Member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a motion for reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a Board Member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the Secretary identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The memorandum must be submitted to the Secretary or President a minimum of 96 hours prior to the meeting at which the Board Member wants the matter to be heard. The aforementioned shall all be in compliance with the Brown Act.

ARTICLE IX:  ANNUAL MEETINGS

1.  All meetings shall comply with all applicable laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act. Members shall hold an Annual Meeting for identification of issues, and a presentation of a financial statement and annual report.  The following applies to this meeting:

a.     The Board shall hold an Annual Meeting of the community the first Monday of the month preceding the annual elections, unless a holiday conflicts, in which case the meeting will be held on the second Monday of the month at a location within the Greater Valley Glen Council’s area boundaries.

b.     Notice of the time, date and place of the Annual Meeting shall be posted at the locations listed in our public notice location log as submitted with the certification application. A copy of notice for all annual meetings shall be provided to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE).

 ARTICLE X:  GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

A written complaint regarding the Greater Valley Glen Council shall be submitted to the Board. The Board will than refer the matter to an ad hoc grievance panel comprised of 5 Community Stakeholders randomly selected by the Council Secretary from a list of Community Stakeholders who have expressed an interest in serving on such a panel. The Secretary will coordinate a time and place for the panel to meet with the person(s) submitting a grievance and to discuss dispute resolution. Thereafter, a panel member shall prepare a written report within two (2) months to be forwarded by the Secretary to the Board outlining the panel's recommendations for the resolving the grievance. The matter shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the Board pursuant to the Brown Act.

The formal grievance process is intended to address matters involving procedural disputes, e.g., the Board's failure to comply with Board Rules or these Bylaws, or its failure to comply with the Plan, local ordinances and/or state and federal law. If the grievance cannot be resolved through the grievance process then the complainant has the right to appeal to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), per Article 5 § 4 of the “Plan For A Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils.”

ARTICLE XI: ELECTIONS

1. Regular Elections

a.       Regular elections of Board Members shall occur in March 2005 and annually thereafter.  Board Members shall hold their first meeting as a sworn Board on a separate meeting Day.

b.       The Board shall establish an Election Committee to draft procedures and determine the date of the annual Election Day.  The election procedures and election date must be approved by a majority vote of the Board Members.  

c.      Any meetings held to facilitate the election process shall be

held in compliance with the Brown Act.

 2. Eligibility

a.       All Community Stakeholders of the Greater Valley Glen Council over the age of sixteen are eligible to vote.

 b.      There shall be no proxy votes.