The working group, which met in private Friday, is developing a framework for how the city will make decisions about the uncertain future of neighborhood organizations.

Ward 6 councilman Robert Lilligren said his resolution to create a working group on neighborhood funding adds transparency to City Council decision-making. But neighborhood advocates, unable to attend the group’s non-public meetings, said they’re apprehensive about the working group following the council’s December decision to cut neighborhood funds without much neighborhood input.

“I’m not sure whether this working group will see itself as an advocate for neighborhoods or not,” said Chris Sur, president of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association.

Neighborhoods said they weren’t consulted when the City Council voted in December to cut neighborhood funding to pay down property taxes. For two decades, the program, which is closing at the end of the year, has approved and funded projects such as playgrounds, street renovations or home-improvements. Because of that decision, Kingfield stands to lose $185,100 in Phase II Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) money this year. Read the rest.