2016 brought about some changes for the North Hills West Neighborhood Council with elections in April. Between the elections and appointments we have five new board members now working with eight seasoned members. Our combined team rapidly got about the business of budgeting, creating a strategic plan and considering changes to standing rules and bylaws.
We like to keep our community informed about public safety, emergency preparedness, and local civic engagement opportunities through our informative website, Facebook community, and eblasts, and this year was no exception. Some of the events we supported or participated in include:
- New Horizons Walk on the Horizon event
- Citrus Sunday
- Congress of Neighborhood Councils
- Budget Advocates Budget Day
- National Night Out, Devonshire and Mission Hills
- VANC November Planning Forum and upcoming 14th Anniversary Mixer in March
- Rode in Monroe High School Homecoming Parade
- 9th Annual Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair
- Hosted October meeting of LANCC
- Holiday Party
We also provided Neighborhood Purposes Grants to organizations that support our community:
- San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission for $1,000 to support a the purchase of a second mobile shower unit, requesting a regular stop in North Hills
- Mid Valley Regional Library for $1,200 to update the children’s section: reversible marker board, mini play cube, carpets for kids.
- Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire for $1,500 supporting station coffee locations, and an additional amount to provide equipment for the Volunteer Surveillance Team that monitors North Hills West.
We augmented outreach with a new Welcome Wagon Outreach Program designed to reach new neighbors and invite them to participate in the Neighborhood Council. It included sending a welcome letter and grocery pad to about 100 new families in our community. We updated the look of our website with new images.
We also discussed various land use issues and voted not to support an 18-Bed Congregate Living Health Facility proposed for 16052 W. Chase St in December. We voted to support rezoning 8609 Haskell Ave. to allow for five single-family homes, each with a garage. The project includes widening a 100-foot stretch of Dempsey St. with all the homes will fronting on Napa.
Recently we voted to support the NC Sustainability Alliance’s call for the DWP to reach 100% renewable energy by 2030.
In the new year we hope to have you join us! We invite you to get involved by coming to a Board or Committee Meeting, following us on Facebook and signing up for our eblasts.