Neighborhood Services

Introduction

The city recognized the need and desirability of involving its citizens more directly in its decision making process. To meet this need, the Citizen Participation Plan was designed to achieve improved communication, understanding and cooperation between Charleston citizens and city officials.

The Citizen Participation Plan

The Citizen Participation Plan provides for an official process to recognize neighborhood organizations as the citizens' voice from the neighborhoods by city government. The process is known as achieving Neighborhood Council status. This status is granted by a Neighborhood Commission when criteria established by the Plan are met. Currently there are 89 active Neighborhood Councils.

The Citizen Participation Plan provides assistance to citizens seeking access to municipal government, its officials, processes and documents. It provides city officials with information from citizens concerning the citizens priorities about community problems, plans, and projects. It provides recommendations from the citizens for city officials as they develop policy and programs.

Most importantly, the Citizens Participation Plan fosters the development of self-help within the neighborhoods of the community. Neighborhoods begin to take responsibility for what happens in their neighborhood and peer pressure works when neighbors come together to encourage cleaner neighborhoods, safer neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community pride.

Neighborhood Commission

The Neighborhood Commission consists of twelve citizens from each district appointed by City Council members. A city staff person serves as the coordinator. The Commission, using strict guidelines, approves and/or grants Neighborhood Council status to neighborhood associations.

Neighborhood Councils

Neighborhood Councils are democratically organized groups of residents who share in programs that improve their quality of life. Neighborhood Councils are formed in identifiable geographical areas throughout the City of Charleston. Each Neighborhood Council is composed of a large and diversified group of residents living within those boundaries. Membership in each Neighborhood Council is open to all residents in the neighborhood. All residents 16 years or older are eligible to hold office and vote in Neighborhood Council elections and on issues at Neighborhood Council meetings. Businesses located within an established Neighborhood Council are encouraged to become affiliated with that particular Neighborhood Council.

Services Provided to Neighborhood Councils

Assistance by the Office of Neighborhood Services to the Neighborhood Councils is provided in a variety of ways:

* Through meetings with leaders of the community and existing civic associations or organizations to inform them of the Citizen Participation Plan
* By providing samples of guidelines, requirements, by-laws, and information on how to set up a Neighborhood Council
* By maintaining contact with Neighborhood Councils and maintaining an up-to-date listing of neighborhood presidents names, addresses, phone numbers, meeting dates, and location of meetings. (This information is critical to city government when it needs to convey information accurately and rapidly to citizens about pending legislation, community programs or projects, budget items, proposed capital expenditures, emergencies or other governmental matters)
* Assistance in the preparation of newsletters and notices for neighborhood meetings
* Initiates the planning and implementation of self-help development action, such as neighborhood cleanups, beautification and neighborhood participation in City programs
* Ensures concerns expressed by neighborhood representatives reach appropriate city officials

The Coordinator

The Office of Neighborhood Services is a conduit of assistance and action between the citizens and their city government. For more information, you can contact Jane Baker at 724-3731 or by e-mail at: bakerj@ci.charleston.sc.us. You may also contact Eugenia Singleton at 724-3731 or by e-mail at: singletone@ci.charleston.sc.us