What is the Del Rey Neighborhood Council and

why are there two organizations?

The Del Rey Neighborhood Council (DRNC) is a neighborhood council which conforms with the Los Angeles City Charter.  DRNC has recently been certified by the City of Los Angeles and is now in the process of organizing.  Neighborhood Councils are mandated by the L.A. City Charter to promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs. 

As such the Neighborhood Councils are an entity of the City and subordinate to it.  As an advisory part of the City government the DRNC, once it is fully established will have privileged access to City agencies, but it will not be independent of the City.  As an agency of the City the DRNC is subject to the Brown Act which requires that all substantive discussions on issues and all matters that come before the DRNC be open to the public at large and that public notice be given of all such meetings or discussions including an agenda of the matters to be discussed.

There are times when the interests of those in an area diverge from those of the City as determined by its political processes.  The DRNC is considered to be part of the City.  This means, as an example according to our understanding, that DRNC cannot bring legal action to oppose City actions or to mandate performance.  We believe that we still need an independent voice for our community.  The Del Rey Homeowners and Neighbors Association provides that voice.