Charter Reform

The City of Los Angeles is undertaking one of the most significant governance conversations in a

generation: the reform and potential rewriting of the Los Angeles City Charter. This process will determine

how power is distributed, how communities are represented, how city services are delivered, and how

Neighborhood Councils function in the decades ahead. For a community as diverse, complex, and uniquely

impacted by citywide policy as Venice, meaningful participation in this process is essential.

Venice faces distinct challenges and opportunities—ranging from land-use pressures to coastal regulations,

from tourism impacts to infrastructure needs, from public safety concerns to the ongoing evolution of local

representation. The Charter Reform process presents a rare opportunity for the Venice community to

articulate what governance structures, accountability mechanisms, and city systems would best support its

future. A dedicated VNC Charter Reform Ad Hoc Committee is necessary to ensure that:

1. Venice stakeholders have a structured, transparent forum to voice their priorities, concerns, and

aspirations for the future of Los Angeles governance.

2. Community input is proactively gathered, not merely received, through outreach, listening sessions,

surveys, and engagement across all segments of the Venice population.

3. Venice’s unique needs are translated into clear recommendations and Community Impact Statements

that can be formally submitted to the City’s Charter Reform Commission and the Los Angeles City

Council.

4. The VNC Board receives well-researched, community-driven guidance to inform its positions on

Charter reform matters.

5. Venice retains a strong voice in shaping how

This Ad Hoc Committee shall consist of up to seven (7) members, including at least one (1) Board member,

and may include community Stakeholders with interest or relevant experience. The Committee will

automatically sunset on October 31, 2026, unless extended by Board action.

The Committee will be advisory only, will not speak on behalf of the Venice Neighborhood Council without

prior Board approval, and will comply with all Brown Act requirements if determined to be a standing

committee.

Special Meeting Agenda Page 8

It's YOUR Venice - get involved!Venice Neighborhood Council

PO Box 550, Venice, CA 90294

www.VeniceNC.org

Mission Statement of the Ad Hoc Committee on Los Angeles City Charter Reform:

“The mission of the Venice Neighborhood Council Ad Hoc Committee on Los Angeles City Charter Reform

is to gather, document, and elevate the needs, concerns, and aspirations of Venice Stakeholders regarding

the future structure and governance of the City of Los Angeles. The Committee will actively solicit

community input, identify Venice-specific priorities, and develop clear, community-driven

recommendations and Community Impact Statements for submission to the Charter Reform Commission

and for consideration by the VNC Board.”

Committee Tasks and Scope The Ad Hoc Committee shall be authorized to:

1. Engage Venice Stakeholders—including residents, renters, homeowners, unhoused neighbors,

businesses, artists, civic groups, and youth, among others—to gather feedback on their priorities

for Charter reform.

2. Develop outreach methods, such as surveys, listening sessions, workshops, or online feedback

tools, to ensure inclusive community participation.

3. Identify Venice-specific needs and concerns related to governance, representation, public

safety, land use, city services, ethics, accountability, neighborhood council authority, and other

areas that may be affected by Charter reform.

4. Synthesize Stakeholder input into clear written recommendations that reflect the community’s

expressed priorities.

5. Draft Community Impact Statements, position letters, and reports to recommend to the VNC

Board for approval and subsequent submission to the Charter Reform Commission and other

relevant bodies.

6. Analyze possible impacts of proposed reforms on neighborhood representation, budget

authority, governance structure, land-use process, ethics rules, and other areas relevant to Venice

Stakeholders, and communicate to the Board and Venice Stakeholders important information that

will impact the community.

7. Provide updates to the VNC Board, including summaries of community feedback and draft

recommendations for Board consideration.

Agenda Requests

The Charter Reform conducts its business by reviewing and prioritizing agenda requests for Board action (generally either in the form of a motion or letter) or announcements submitted by stakeholders, governmental entities and other interested individuals and organizations. Charter Reform Committee has the discretion to postpone a request, refer it to a specific committee for review and recommendation, treat it as an announcement or consider and resolve it as a non-Board administrative matter.

CLICK HERE to fill out an Agenda Request.

Committee Members

Meetings (Agendas, Minutes, Documents)

There are no Agendas uploaded for 2026

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