The Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program was established in 1988 with Resolution 27709, which was passed in 1987. The City Neighborhood Council (CNC) was created by the same resolution, and part of its initial purpose was to implement the Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program. The initial responsibilities of CNC were to review and make recommendations regarding City budget issues and provide advice on policies necessary to the first year implementation of the Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program.

Composition of the CNC included two representatives from each District Council. The CNC was staffed by the Office of Neighborhoods, which was also established in 1988. Community Service Center areas were designated as the neighborhood districts from which the District Council members were chosen.

The resolution was amended in 1989 to add Downtown as a neighborhood district and to make District Council membership more flexible. The CNC's responsibilities included coordinating and reviewing the Neighborhood Matching Fund process, the Neighborhood Budget Process and Neighborhood Planning activities. It also provided a means for the discussion of common problems and their solutions. The CNC met monthly at locations rotated around the City.

In 1993, the role of the CNC was re-examined. Although disbanding the CNC was considered, the concept of using the District Chairs as the backbone of the CNC was approved. The resolution passed in 1994 designated the CNC representative to a single District Chair, opening the task force membership to all interested people. The functions of the CNC continued much the same and included reviewing Neighborhood Matching Fund awards and developing ways for neighborhood organizations to influence the City's budget and engage in neighborhood planning.

The CNC continues as a citizen-led advisory group, comprising elected members from each of the City’s thirteen Districts. Its purpose continues to be to provide city-wide coordination for the Neighborhood Matching Fund, Neighborhood Budget Prioritization, and Neighborhood Planning programs. The CNC also continues to provide a forum for a discussion of common neighborhood issues and is available for advice on policies necessary for the effective and equitable implementation of the Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program. Its monthly meetings are open to the public.

The records of the City Neighborhood Council (CNC) date from 1987 to 2002 and measure 4 cubic feet. Through CNC agendas, minutes, and committee correspondence, the CNC records reflect issues of importance to the CNC. These include matching fund grants, neighborhood street funds, district boundaries, the role of the CNC, and neighborhood planning. Skip Knox, Joan Bateman, Susie Groves, Suzie Burke, Jan Drago, Chris Leman and Brian Livingston are a few of the individuals active in the CNC and whose work is reflected in the records.