The
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consider a wide range of policies and
programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking,
recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic
development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the
District's annual budget.
In
each of these areas, the intent of the ANC legislation is to ensure input
from an advisory board that is made up of the residents of the
neighborhoods that are directly affected by government action. The ANCs are
the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a
neighborhood. Commissioners serve as unpaid volunteers.
The
ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various
District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the Council. They
also present testimony to independent agencies, boards and commissions,
usually under rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the
ANCs may also present their positions to Federal agencies.