Grievance

I would  like to reference the mission statement as is published on the SONC “About Us” page of the committee’ website: 

HAVING A VOICE IN YOUR COMMUNITY 
The voters of Los Angeles passed a new City Charter in 1999 which calls for a citywide system of independent neighborhood councils, chosen by the people of the neighborhoods themselves.

THE PURPOSE OF NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS 
The purpose of neighborhood councils is to promote public participation in City governance and decision-making process so that government is more responsive to local needs and requests. Neighborhood Councils will advise the Mayor, City Council and City Departments on the City budget and will give local residents greater say over the decisions that affect our lives.

OUR PURPOSE  To promote public participation in City governance and decision-making processes so that government is more responsive to local needs.
OUR MISSION
- To bridge the gap between our stakeholders and local government.

- To engage the broad spectrum of SONC stakeholders for collaboration and deliberation on matters affecting the community including events, issues and projects,
-To work to achieve the objectives or projects that the SONC desires to support,
-To monitor and promote the delivery of City services within Sherman Oaks,
-To promote SONC stakeholder participation and advocacy in City government decision-making processes and to promote greater awareness of and achieve maximum utilization of available resources,
-To be an advocate for the Sherman Oaks community to government and private agencies,

I am filing this complaint based on the 
fact that by the boards refusal to acknowledge and take into consideration the communities opposition to your appointment of Sarah Olds, that you (Mr. Ron Ziff), and the council are in violation of the bylaws: Article II, Sec. A, Sec. B, Sec. D, and Article V.

Please see the above referenced Articles and Sections, below:
Article II PURPOSE 
The mission of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council shall be: 
A. To engage the broad spectrum of Sherman Oaks community Stakeholders for collaboration and deliberation on matters affecting the community including events, issues and projects. 
B. To work to achieve the objectives or projects that the Council desires to support. C. To monitor and promote the delivery of City services within Sherman Oaks. 
D. To promote Sherman Oaks community Stakeholder participation and advocacy in City government decision-making processes and to promote greater awareness of and achieve maximum utilization of available resources. 

E. To be an advocate for the Sherman Oaks community to government and private agencies. 
Article V. states:
In accordance with the Plan, the Board must, to the extent possible, reflect the diversity of the Neighborhood Council’s Stakeholders. Accordingly, no single Stakeholder group shall comprise a majority of the Council unless warranted by extenuating circumstances and approved by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (“the Department”). To serve on the Board by election or by appointment, a Member must be a minimum age of eighteen (18) years at the time of the election or appointment. 
I would also like to reference the mission statement as is published on the SONC “About Us” page of the committee’ website: 
HAVING A VOICE IN YOUR COMMUNITY 
The voters of Los Angeles passed a new City Charter in 1999 which calls for a citywide system of independent neighborhood councils, chosen by the people of the neighborhoods themselves.

THE PURPOSE OF NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS 
The purpose of neighborhood councils is to promote public participation in City governance and decision-making process so that government is more responsive to local needs and requests. Neighborhood Councils will advise the Mayor, City Council and City Departments on the City budget and will give local residents greater say over the decisions that affect our lives.

OUR PURPOSE  To promote public participation in City governance and decision-making processes so that government is more responsive to local needs.
OUR MISSION

- To bridge the gap between our stakeholders and local government.

- To engage the broad spectrum of SONC stakeholders for collaboration and deliberation on matters affecting the community including events, issues and projects,
-To work to achieve the objectives or projects that the SONC desires to support,
-To monitor and promote the delivery of City services within Sherman Oaks,
-To promote SONC stakeholder participation and advocacy in City government decision-making processes and to promote greater awareness of and achieve maximum utilization of available resources,
-To be an advocate for the Sherman Oaks community to government and private agencies

My Complaint is as follows:

During a recent SONC meeting that took place on Wednesday Oct. 30, 2018, at 6:30pm at the Sherman Oaks Library on 14245 Moorpark Street 
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.  
Mr. Ron Ziff made a motion to appoint Sarah Olds to a vacant seat in area 5.  Due to previous interaction with Ms. Olds it is quite evident that Ms. Olds is a strong and outspoken advocate for the homeless community.  I had previously submitted a speaker card, and I clearly stated my objection, when I finished, another resident also clearly expressed her opposition, this lead to approximately 10-15 residents strongly opposing the appointment of Ms. Olds, and yet Mr. Ziff and the rest of the council persisted with this nomination.  One board member suggested pushing the vote to the Board Meeting that has been schedule for this Monday, Nov. 5th at the Sherman Oaks Elementary School, while a second board member felt more comfortable requesting that the residents be granted additional time to find an alternate candidate.  Mr. Ziff persisted and forced the vote, which was passed, and Ms. Olds was then presented to the board for a final vote, this Monday, Nov. 5th, 2018.
After the meeting, and during a conversation, with Mr. Ziff, I asked why he refused to listen to the community when it is very clear that they do not feel heard, or represented by this current SONC board.  Mr. Ziff’s response was that he only heard MY opposition to the candidate but that the other residents expressed opposition to the proposed Homeless Housing Projects, but not about Ms. Olds directly.  Many of the residents spoke out, and several of them filled out speaker cards, several of those will indicate that they were opposing item 4B, which was in the agenda as: 

4. B. Nomination by the President of Sarah Olds to serve the unfilled remaining term in 
Residential Area 5. 
Questions by the committee 
Vote on approval 
Arrangements for badges, shirts, emails, training 

By posting in the agenda for the Oct. 30, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Item 4B  “Vote on approval” and “Arrangements for badges, shirts, emails, training”.  It is evident that the “vote” was intended to be symbolic in nature, since it is stated as vote on approval, rather than stated as a neutral “vote”.  
The presumption to schedule the “arrangement for badges, shirts, emails, training” also infers that the voting process, and the residents comments were irrelevant by the time of the meeting.  
By Mr. Ziff commenting that he was unaware of any other objection to the nomination and appointment of Ms. Olds, other than the one I voiced, again -makes it very clear that Mr. Ziff was unwilling to hear, or allow for any other representation of the views or needs expressed by the Sherman Oaks Community, that he and this council are to represent as a whole rather than a singular vision. The unanimous vote, despite, having two members that were initially willing to participate in dialogue and due process with the community, makes evident the culture to move forward with a homogeneous focus, that supports the implementation of the homeless projects moving forward in Sherman Oaks, against the will of this community.
Mr. Ziff has repeatedly shown an unwillingness to entertain other views, and it is my belief as well as many other residents that the current environment on the SONC board, is one that intends to “stack the deck” with like minded individuals. 
This practice Is a direct conflict to the SONC Bylaws and Mission statement.
 
Mr. Ziff and the other members of the council need to be actively recruiting stakeholders that represent a broader representation of views and ethnic backgrounds, to nominate for seats the board.  According to an LA Times census as of 2008, 26.2% of Sherman Oaks residents were born outside of America, and from several different countries. Currently, SONC does not reflect this population with their own unique challenges and needs; our neighborhood council board should have a fair representation of all views and ethnic groups of Sherman Oaks residents.  Ms. Sara Olds does not represent diversity either in views and perspective, or ethnically. 
I respectfully request that Mr. Ziff rescind his nomination of Ms. Sarah Olds. I also request that Mr. Ziff recuse himself from all future nominations for the remainder of his current term, as well as any other issues that pertain to the proposed emergency housing for the homeless and all discussions or decisions pertaining to the building of Permanent Supportive Housing, Low Cost Housing or any other government assisted programs to be introduced to the Sherman Oaks Community for the remainder of his current term.  

Mr. Ziff and the other members of this council have repeatedly shown a complete disregard and lack of interest in incorporating the views of the community they are to support and represent.  It is my belief that after several years of receiving very little community input, they have grown accustom to making decisions with out any challenge.  I also believe that they are now abundantly aware that the Sherman Oaks stakeholders want to have a voice that is not only heard, but accounted for - however this board is unwilling to allow for this process to take place,  and as a result they are now filling any possible seats with stakeholders that they are certain will agree with the views that they currently hold, and wish to be able to enforce with no resistance.