[Finding Council File Numbers] - Title Not Set [Part 2/X]

So now that you have the pdf of new motions, in order to track what or where these files go.  What new additionals are made to them.  What public or NC comment has been made, you need a Council File number.

What I have witnessed over the years is that this part is less publicized.  The exchange between new motions to council file gets a bit lost and you can't wait for the announcement of these file numbers.  It usually only takes 1 - 5 days (including weekends) for a new motion to get a file number.

First, there are multiple ways, such as by title, or keyword.  But what I find easiest with new motions is using the date of their introduction.  Take Council File 18-0748, with the title of "State Office of Historic Preservation / 2018-19 Certified Local Government Grant / HistoricPlacesLA" and Dated 08/10/2018.

In the first article, this was included as a new motion for Thursday, August 10th (http://ens.lacity.org/clk/councilmotions/clkcouncilmotions3508123603_08102018.pdf), and as of today (Monday) now has a council file #.

So this is how you/I quickly find/found it/them.

You know from the file that it was introduced on August 10th.  So head over to "Clerk Connect" and in the search bar, enter the date as "08/10/2018"
Clerk Connect: https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect

You will get a list of several items introduced to the Clerk Connect/City Council file system.  And here is where you have to know something about the motion(s) you are looking for.  Because what you are wanting to do is to track them by signing up for e-mail notifications on any changes made to the files.

This includes being assigned to specific Committees where public comment will be taking place.  It includes public comment entered in to the case, such as Community Impact Statements (CIS) from other NC's.  It also includes public comment card records.  There are a few other things, but these are what you will mainly see and focus on.

Knowing this helps you judge how much time you have to bring it before your NC or Committee, or make individual public comment, or to notify someone or group that you know of that may be interested in following this topic or weigh in.

Once you click on the Council File link (https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=18-0748), you will get a general overview screen, with links to the pdf motion and any other documents.

As you can see from that screen, the item is listed under "File Activity" as being tentatively scheduled for an August 17th, City Council Hearing, where... Well I do not know yet.  I'd imagine public comment, but whether it will simply be approved by City Council or forwarded to a Committee for review... I do not know.

You can also see that there is a listing for "Council Vote Information."  This will contain a toggle-able list of how Council Members have voted at during the various motions.  There are none listed here as this is a new motion, but if there had been multiple motions made over time, an clickable arrow would allow you to toggle through them.

If you have signed up to receive City Council Agendas, you will get notification/confirmation about 3 days in advanced of the meeting as to if it will be discussed. (Go back to the link in the first article and sign-up for those too).

Here though, you can click on the e-mail link at the top center of the page to receive the e-mail notifications for this Council File. If you are a Chair of a Committee, this is especially important, as you will need to grab information quickly, as those files pile up.  Your e-mail search engine works a lot better at that then coming back to Clerk Connect to re-group.  And you may want to sign-up to receive the supplemental files as well, if you want to follow any changes to the Council File its self.

These files can go on for years, and sometimes Council Files are combined and the file number changes, causing you to lose your place, and wonder why there has not been further notification.  Meanwhile, the issue has been going on under another Council File, and could be close to a determination without your input.

Again, you will receive an e-mail notification.  Confirm it.  And that's about it.  you have now cut out more of that "panic mode" that occurs when someone "didn't tell you about..." something.  Where you are scrambling to find out info before it is "too late."

I am not sure what article/subject I will touch on next.