After nearly a year, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council has returned to normal operating status, freeing up funds that will allow the council to better serve neighborhood residents.
“I want to congratulate the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council for being able to release themselves from exhaustive efforts,” said a representative from Empower LA at the Sept. 24 neighborhood council meeting. “Thank you to every single board member for contributing and doing their part to get back in line for the community.”
What happened?
Since December 2024, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council had been under a restrictive status known as exhaustive efforts, a designation applied when a council needs to rebuild membership, complete required training and update bylaws.
What does this mean for Boyle Heights residents?
The return to normal operating status will allow the council to fund community grants and form committees to discuss neighborhood concerns such as development, sustainability and public safety.
Neighborhood Councils don’t pass laws or ordinances, but they advise City Hall and manage their own budgets. They can also fund events, programs and improvement projects within their communities.
Grant funding now available
Now that the council is fully operational, local nonprofits can apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding via a Neighborhood Purpose Grant. Grant applications are available through the city clerk’s website.
The council can also resume holding committee meetings to preview proposed development proposals and discuss official positions on issues before they go to the full council for a vote.
How to get involved
The Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Community Room at the Boyle Heights City Hall. Meetings are also streamed live on Zoom.
The next neighborhood council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22. Meeting agendas are posted at the Boyle Heights City Hall and on the council’s website at least 72 hours before each meeting. Residents can also sign up to get the agenda by email.
Reporting for this story came from notes taken by Rafael Cazzorla, a Los Angeles Documenter, at the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council meeting. The Documenters program trains and pays community members to document what happens at public meetings. Check out the meeting notes and audio on Documenters.org.