2026 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods: Workshops
Congress is returning once more to City Hall for our 16th convening.
We’ll be diving into a full day of learning and conversation with 20+ workshops covering everything from neighborhood history, city budgeting, and land use to youth leadership, civil rights, public safety, environmental sustainability, and more.
Session 1
9:55-10:55am
Strategic Thinking for Public Organizations
This talk will help participants better understand how public organizations function within an economic framework. It will equip attendees to raise informed, relevant points during Neighborhood Council meetings — and in any public meeting across different organizations.
Location: 1010
Facilitator: Wiliam Burt
Treasurer, Winnetka Neighborhood Council
Keeping L.A. Water Strong: A Community Conversation on Resiliency and Infrastructure
This workshop will explore the critical topic of water resiliency and infrastructure investments by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Attendees will gain insight and provide their input into the diverse risks facing water supply and infrastructure, such as extended droughts, extreme heat, windstorms, sea level rise, and other potential threats clearly illustrating the need for sustained investment to ensure long-term reliability and resilience of the water system.
Location: Public Works Boardroom
Facilitator: Evelyn Cortez-Davis, LADWP Director of Strategic Initiatives & Gregory Reed, LADWP Director of Water Engineering and Technical Services
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power & LA Sanitation
The New Land Use -- State Policy, Local Rules
Navigate the evolving landscape of California land-use planning and discover how state legislation impacts local decision-making in Los Angeles. This informational session explores the balance between broad policy set by the state legislature and the specific implementation plans and rules established by local government. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of local planning authority,
housing mandates, and zoning regulations
Location: Council Chambers
Facilitator: Jeffrey Kalban, Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Maria Pavlou Kalban, United Neighbors
Facilitator: Cynthia Chvatal-Keane, Hancock Park Homeowners Association
Cracking Down on Crime: How the DA’s Office Tackles Organized Threats to keep Our Communities Safe
Delve into the LA County District Attorney’s Office's targeted initiatives against organized crime syndicates committing residential burglaries and home invasions, catalytic converter theft and hate crimes.
Discover how law enforcement prosecutes these quality-of-life offenses and why robust community reporting is essential to holding offenders accountable and building safer neighborhoods.
Location: 1050
Facilitators: Paul Kim, Assistant Head Deputy of Organized Crime & John McKinney, Specialized Prosecutions Director
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Zero-Waste NCs: How to Plan Sustainable, Compliant Community Meetings & Events
Join LASAN Assistant Division Manager Jennifer Pinkerton for a workshop on how to plan zero-waste neighborhood council and community events. Participants will receive practical tips for planning and managing sustainable events, including: sustainable vendor operations and foodware, facility and waste management coordination, and vendor contracting. This workshop will also encourage attendees to adopt more sustainable practices that are applicable to their everyday lives, beyond their role of being NC leaders.
Location: 401
Facilitator: Jennifer Pinkerton
LASAN Assistant Division Manager
Navigating Bureaucratic Hurdles of Sustainability Projects
Has your neighborhood council (or other local entity) ever worked to plant trees, adopt a median, install a bike lane, restore a bioswale, plant native landscaping, or tackle another sustainability project? Bring your stories, and together we’ll identify common challenges, lessons learned, and practical solutions.
Location: 1070
Facilitator: Lisa Hart, Executive Director, Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Sustainability Panelists: Nicole Elin Antoine, Mariah Mendez, Charles Miller, and Ann Rubin.
What’s in a Bite? Learning how to stay safe from mosquitoes
Come learn about the Greater LA County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) and how we keep our nearly six million residents safe, since 1952. We’ll share some background on who we are, what we do, and how you can keep you, your family, and your neighbors safe. Through small group discussions and polling, we’ll try to dispel myths about these insects..
Location: 1060
Facilitator: Brenda Valencia and Celeste Santarrosa
Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
Youth Roundtable
Connect with fellow youth representatives and young leaders from across Los Angeles!
This unstructured session provides dedicated time to share your unique experiences,
challenges, and successes in bringing youth perspectives to the Neighborhood Council
system.
Location: Bradley Room - 27th Floor
Facilitator: Adan Martinez
1st Vice President, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Adrian Fernandez
Board member, Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council
Session 2
11:05am - 12:05pm
From Start to Finish: Best Practices for Collaborative NC Events
This workshop explores best practices for collaboration among Neighborhood Councils, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in cross-council coordination. Drawing on examples from the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC), Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC), and Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council (CHNC), the session will examine strategies for joint advocacy, resource sharing, and community engagement. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen inter-council relationships, navigate bureaucratic barriers, and build unified approaches to addressing shared neighborhood priorities.
Location: Public Works Boardroom
Facilitator: Adan Martinez
1st Vice President, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Vice President Congress of Neighborhoods Planning Committee
Facilitator: Michael Chick
Board member, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council
Community Improvement Projects You Can Do: Beautification, Engagement and Neighborhood Pride
This workshop will highlight how Neighborhood Councils can use Community Improvement Projects to strengthen neighborhood pride, support beautification efforts, and engage residents in visible, community-centered improvements. Drawing from examples such as beautification projects and Garden of the Month programs, panelists will discuss how councils can identify local needs, build partnerships, secure support, and organize projects that make a lasting impact.
Location: Council Chambers
Facilitator: Astra Price
Board member LA32 Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Howard Katchen
President, Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council
Accessing Resources for Aging in Los Angeles
Older Angelenos are the fastest growing demographic in Los Angeles. By 2030 about 1
in 4 residents will be retirement age. More concerning, older residents are the fastest
growing group among the unhoused (up 13% last year). The city is also challenged with
divided support: 20 Multi-Purpose Centers managed by Aging and 30 Senior Centers
managed by Rec and Parks. On July 1 the Aging Department merged into the
Community Investment Department. Find out how EVERY Neighborhood Council can
help.
Location: 401
Facilitator: Bill Curtis
Glassell Park Neighborhood Council and City of Los Angeles Advisory Council on Aging
Facilitator: Tony Wilkinson
Panorama City Neighborhood Council and City of Los Angeles Advisory Council on Aging
Facilitator: Gordon Blanchard
Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Outreach Specialist, City of Los Angeles Community Investment Department
Facilitator: Luis Campillo
Southern California Regional Director for AARP California
Public Comment 101: Getting Your Point Across in Limited Time
Delivering public comment during Los Angeles City Council meetings isn’t as simple as showing up and speaking your mind. Learn what to expect when attending, best practices for crafting a comment that will land your message effectively, and basic public speaking skills.
Location: 1050
Facilitator: Stacey Segarra-Bohlinger
Traffic & Transportation Committee Chair and Government Affairs Committee Member, Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council; Former Council Member.
President’s Roundtable
Leading a Neighborhood Council comes with a unique set of rewards and responsibilities. This open-forum roundtable provides unstructured time for NC Presidents/Chairs to connect, share advice, and problem-solve together. A moderator will be on hand to help kickstart the dialogue, but attendees will completely guide the discussion. Whether you want to talk about managing difficult board dynamics, running
efficient meetings, or building neighborhood partnerships, this is your space to lean on
the shared wisdom of your peers.
Location: Bradley Room - 27th Floor
Facilitator: Daniel Perez
President, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Pico Union Neighborhood Council Board Member
2027 NC Elections: Understanding the Timeline & Process
Provide an overview of the 2027 Neighborhood Council Election season, including the hybrid election model, election schedule and timeline, the candidate filing process, and voting procedures.
Location: 1010
Facilitator: Michael Lektorich
Office of the City Clerk, Neighborhood Council Election and Funding Division
Session 3
1:55pm - 2:55 pm
So, You’re the Homelessness Liaison. Now what?
Becoming a Homelessness Liaison revealed a major gap: no defined responsibilities and no resources to guide the work. By connecting with the Chinatown Mutual Aid group and later the Mutual Aid Union, I uncovered community‑driven models that can strengthen Neighborhood Council engagement and support unhoused neighbors more effectively.
Location: 1050
Facilitator: Taery L Anglin
Secretary, Historic Cultural North Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Sophat Phea
Legal Topics for Neighborhood Councils
This essential session offers Neighborhood Council members clear, practical guidance on key legal responsibilities. Learn the basics of the Brown Act (including SB79 updates), the California Public Records Act, and conflict of interest laws in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Whether you're new to your board or need a refresher, this workshop will help you navigate legal requirements with confidence and ensure your NC operates with transparency and integrity. Session does not replace any NC training requirements. Click here to view workshop handout.
Location: Council Chambers
Facilitator: Neighborhood Council Advice Division, Office of the City Attorney
A Neighborhood Council Role Play: Tips on Effective Meetings
There are many regulations that govern neighborhood councils, and volunteers are required to complete hours of online training. This workshop will exercise that training through simulated role-playing activities that occur or are likely to occur at an NC board meeting. Experts will advise on the proper procedures volunteer NC board members should follow. Whether you're new to the Neighborhood Council system or a veteran member, this fun exercise will help you serve your community better.
Location: 1010
Facilitator: Aaron Vanek
Board Member, Mar Vista Neighborhood Council
Expand Your Reach with Social Media in Your Outreach Toolbelt
Dive into one of the most powerful tools a neighborhood council can employ to engage with younger and larger communities of Angelinos: social media. Immerse yourself with steps needed to begin and manage your Neighborhood Council's social media accounts. BONUS: Understand the federal requirement for ADA compliant social media, websites, and all public communications before the national deadline of April 26, 2027. For who may get sued for non-compliance, send someone the the concurrent Legal Issues workshop.
Location: Public Works Boardroom
Facilitator: Tony Wilkinson
Panorama City Neighborhood Council, LA City Council on Aging
Facilitator: Sandra Roe
Atwater Village Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Kurt Cabrera Miller
President. Sylmar Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Heather Fink
Atwater Village Neighborhood Council
Facilitator: Wendy Moore
Moore Business Results
Outreach Strategies for 2027 NC Election
In 2025, 7,491 people voted in Neighborhood Council elections citywide. In 2014 the count was 26,045. This session covers who can vote and what changes in 2027 now that in-person voting is back. Elections will run from May 1 to June 12, and the session works through the SHARE/EXPLAIN/TRACK outreach plan timed to those dates. It is meant for young people and adults alike, from a 16-year-old who qualifies under the council's bylaws to a longtime resident who has never heard of the election. The workshop will open with a trivia round and close with a second one on the material covered. Location: 1060
Facilitator: Angel Song
Civicate Youth (501(c)(3) nonprofit; Youth Representative, Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council; 2026 LA Congress of Neighborhoods Planning Committee Member
Treasurer’s Round Table
Managing public funds is no small task! Step away from the spreadsheets and join your
fellow NC Treasurers for an open, collaborative conversation about the ins and outs of
neighborhood council finances. This session is designed as unstructured time where
attendees drive the agenda. A moderator will be available to prompt discussion, but you
are encouraged to bring your own topics—from navigating city funding portals to sharing
creative spending strategies that maximize community impact.
Location: Bradley Room - 27th Room
Facilitator: Glenn Bailey
Executive Member, Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils; Treasurer, Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition, Co-Chair, Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates
Session 4
3:05pm - 4:05pm
EMD Presents: Emergency Preparedness 101 and Staying Safe During Stay-at-Home Orders.
Are you ready for the next disaster in the City of Angels? Join the Emergency
Management Department (EMD) for a critical workshop on navigating Los Angeles' most
pressing emergency scenarios. This session covers essential preparedness basics while
taking a deep dive into "Stay at Home" and shelter-in-place orders. Prompted by recent
local emergencies—such as residents facing extreme heat without air conditioning while
sheltering from nearby wildfires—experts will break down exactly what these orders mean
and how to safely comply with them. Learn practical, life-saving strategies for managing
compounding hazards like severe heat and poor air quality, ensuring you and your
neighbors are prepared when the next emergency strikes.
Location: Public Works Boardroom
Facilitator: TBA
Emergency Management Department
The City Budget - How Do We Change it?
The City Budget does not serve our City? We keep doing the same thing and get the same results. In this workshop we will discuss how we can change it and what we want to change it to.
Location: Room 1050
Facilitator: Kay Hartman
President, Palms Neighborhood Council
LADWP Ratepayer: Affordability Listening and Solutioning Workshop
The Office of Public Accountability (OPA) has an ongoing effort to better understand Angelenos’ perspectives on their LADWP utility bills and broader challenges with affordability.
This workshop will be designed to explore water and power usage issues, attitudes about bill affordability (now and in the future), program access, and support.
Location: 1060
Facilitator: Tim O’Connor
LA City Office of Public Accountability / Ratepayer Advocate
Tackling Tough Neighborhood Council Challenges Through Civic Assemblies
This interactive workshop introduces civic assemblies, a proven model that brings a representative group of residents together to tackle complex public issues. Through a brief overview and hands-on simulation, participants will deliberate and develop solutions to challenges such as homelessness, public safety, or land use. The session blends real-world examples with local application and concludes with brainstorming how this model can be applied in their neighborhoods and across the city to support more inclusive decision-making.
Location: Council Chambers
Facilitator: Alexandra Levy
Public Democracy Los Angeles (PDLA)
How to Use AI to Support Your Work as an NC
We hear about A.I. use everywhere these days. Its use can result in loss of credibility/integrity yet benefits to volunteers in time saved can be immense. This workshop will first look at the City of Los Angeles' Information Technology Agency's report. Then look at existing legislation we need to be aware of. From these we can derive a few rules to follow when using A.I. tools. Finally, we end with a discussion of tools fellow NC's have found useful: discuss their benefits, risks, legality etc.
Location: Room 1010
Facilitators: Sunil Rampersad, Atwater Village Neighborhood Council
PLUM Chair’s Roundtable
Zoning, development, transportation, housing, utilities – a lot can fall under the PLUM
umbrella, and these are some of the most pressing issues facing our communities today.
Join fellow Planning & Land Use (PLUM) Chairs in this dedicated, unstructured block of
time to swap strategies and share localized insights. While a moderator will be there to
help prompt the discussion, the flow is completely up to the attendees. Bring your
complex case studies, discuss how you collaborate with City Planning, and work together on best practices for navigating land-use hearings.
Location: Bradley Room - 27th Floor
Facilitator: Laura Meyers
President, United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Counci