Focus of reform returning to neighborhood councils. (Up Front: The Secession Question).

If neighborhood councils are Mayor James Hahn's best alternative to secession, some of the roadblocks that have kept proposed councils in the San Fernando Valley from getting off the ground will have to be tackled.

And quickly.

Some of the Valley's representatives on the L.A. City Council vowed to make that happen during a post-election press conference held at the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley office Nov. 8.

The meeting marked what city officials called the first step in working more closely with VICA members and other Valley business groups to not only repair some of the discord that fueled the secession movement, but make good on promises to those pushing for a breakup that things can be better if there is a joining of forces.

"Everything has been overshadowed by the elections and secession," said City Council President Alex Padilla. "Yes, there are some issues of concern with the councils, but we are going to begin the process of moving forward now. The election is over, and it's time to join together."

To date, 55 neighborhood councils have been certified, 15 in the Valley, according to Greg Nelson, general manger of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment or DONE, which is. overseeing the program. In addition, funding for the councils has finally been approved by the city council and those councils that are certified can now apply for up to $50,000 each.

However, of the 15 certified councils in the Valley, only four have elected boards, a major step that must be taken before funding is approved. Meanwhile, council members are paying out of their own pockets for things like newsletters and meetings aimed at informing residents how their councils will work and when they will be up and ranning.

In addition, some of the individuals attempting to get certification for Valley councils say they are being held up because of their choice of format.

Ken McAlpine, chairman of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, said his group is pushing for a town-hall format which would mean that, before the council could take action, it would have to invite members and residents in the council district to an open forum.

Nelson says that system is risky because it would take more time to get actions passed. He said the city charter dictates that the councils must have a governing board that would make major decisions on expenditures for programs and administrative operations.

The proposed Arleta Neighborhood Council also wanted to use a town-hall forum, but it was nixed after infighting over the issue, and a new council is said to be in the process of forming.