CITY CHARTER - ARTICLE IX (16K 5 pages)
The City Charter is the most important document that governs the neighborhood council system. It established the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and defined its duties and responsibilities.

ORDINANCE 172728 (204K 6 pages)
Created the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment following passage of the City Charter.

PLAN FOR A CITYWIDE SYSTEM OF NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS (Amended May 20, 2005) (2.12mb 21 pages)
The Plan is the working document that details the neighborhood council process.

ORDINANCE 176704 - THE PLAN (217K 16 pages)
Established regulations to implement the Plan for a Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils.
Amended May 20, 2005, Effective July 17, 2005

ORDINANCE 173184 - EMPOWERMENT FUND (91k 1 page)
Created the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Fund.

ORDINANCE 175937 - NC OFFICE AND MEETING SPACE (117k 3 pages)
Transferred the responsibility for leasing and renting office and meeting space for Neighborhood Councils from the Department of General Services to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, thereby streamlining the acquisition of space for Neighborhood Councils.

ORDINANCE 176477 - FORM 700 - CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Exempts Neighborhood Councils from adopting a conflict of interest code and filing the Form 700 financial disclosure statements. Effective March, 28, 2005.

RALPH M. BROWN ACT (74k 27 pages)

This state law governs the open meeting requirements for Neighborhood Councils, and the City Council, its committees, and city commissions. Here you will find a special handout prepared for the Neighborhoods, an accompanying PowerPoint presentation, and the entire Act. For more information on the Brown Act, and to view a 20-minute training video, click here.

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (15k 3 pages)
This handout prepared for Neighborhood Councils by the Office of the City Attorney. It explains the state's Public Records Act.