The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment shall develop a Plan for a citywide system of neighborhood councils, in conformance with the following:
(a) The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment shall seek public input in the formulation of the Plan.
(b) The Plan shall contain a statement of goals, policies and objectives of the Neighborhood Council system, and shall contain specific regulations, in draft ordinance format (Regulations) which, if adopted by ordinance, would be sufficient to implement the Plan.
(c) The Regulations shall establish the method by which boundaries of neighborhood councils will be determined. The system for determining boundaries shall maintain neighborhood boundaries to the maximum extent feasible, and may consider community planning district boundaries where appropriate.
(d) The Regulations must ensure that all areas of the City are given an equal opportunity to form neighborhood councils.
(e) The Regulations shall establish the procedure and criteria for recognition or certification of neighborhood councils.
(f) The Regulations shall not restrict the method by which the members of a neighborhood council are chosen, if the process otherwise satisfies the requirements of this Article.
(g) The Regulations shall require that neighborhood councils adopt fair and open procedures for the conduct of their business.
(h) The Mayor and Council shall provide for the creation of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and appointment of the general manager within 120 days of the effective date of this Article.