Topline:
After a year of virtual meetings, residents can now attend the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council meetings in person starting this month.
Why it matters: The return to in-person meetings signals progress for the council, which struggled last year to fill enough board seats to conduct official business. Since the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment placed the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council under exhaustive efforts in December, the board welcomed new members, elected a new executive team, updated its bylaws and completed the training required to operate the council.
The role of Neighborhood Councils: Neighborhood Councils are the most local level of L.A. City government. They advise City Hall, rather than pass laws or ordinances, but also manage their own budgets and can fund programming, events and improvement projects through a grant called the Neighborhood Purpose Grant. Once the council returns to normal operation non-profit organizations can apply for up to $5,000.
After a year of virtual meetings, residents can now attend the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council meetings in person starting this month.
The return marks a win for the council which has been rebuilding since it was placed in non-operating status and had its funds frozen in December 2024.
The September board meeting should be the final one before the council regains normal operating status, according to President Wendy Castro. The status will allow the council to fund community grants and create committees to discuss neighborhood issues like development, sustainability and public safety.
Progress after a history of setbacks
The return to in-person meetings signals progress for the council, which struggled last year to fill enough board seats to conduct official business. Since the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment placed the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council under exhaustive efforts in December, the board welcomed new members, elected a new executive team, updated its bylaws and completed the training required to operate the council.
As part of budget cuts across the city, officials cut base funding for all neighborhood councils in 2025. But because the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council had its frozen 2024 funds rolled over into the current fiscal year, its budget increased from the base $25,000 to $68,580.
