Something Great on the Horizon…

A Presentation for The Municipal Waste Management Association Fall Summit West Palm Beach, Florida November 15, 2006 Stephanie Rolle McMillon, Presenter

Introducing… Neighborhood Services Division Making Great Things Happen

Our Genesis Mayor Frankel saw a need to ensure all neighborhoods had a voice. Mayor Frankel saw a need to ensure all neighborhoods had a voice. Neighborhoods are the back bone of the city. Neighborhoods are the back bone of the city. Be the “eyes and ears” of the neighborhoods. Be the “eyes and ears” of the neighborhoods. Help neighborhoods “cut through” the red tape of government. Help neighborhoods “cut through” the red tape of government.

Our Mission To be the liaison between neighborhoods and city government through effective communication, advocacy and education to ensure quality service delivery.

Our Vision Neighborhood Services will be a vibrant division, proactively representing the interests of both the city of West Palm Beach to its neighborhoods and the interests of its neighborhoods to the city. We will be efficient in resolving issues and creative in designing programming to enhance the quality of life and celebrate our citizens.

Our Values Provide quality service. Provide quality service. Provide timely, accurate responses. Provide timely, accurate responses. Manage customer concerns in a proactive, fair and balanced way. Manage customer concerns in a proactive, fair and balanced way. Provide respectful and courteous service to external and internal customers. Provide respectful and courteous service to external and internal customers. Strive to maintain excellence and a commitment to integrity. Strive to maintain excellence and a commitment to integrity.

Our Definition We define neighborhoods as inclusive entities with the following components: We define neighborhoods as inclusive entities with the following components: –Residents –Schools –Businesses –Agencies –Faith-based organizations Our service model will be inclusive of all components as appropriate.

Strategic Priority #1 Develop and maintain strong neighborhood relationships

3 Neighborhood Liaisons / 1 Education Coordinator and 1 Customer Service Specialist 3 Neighborhood Liaisons / 1 Education Coordinator and 1 Customer Service Specialist Attend Neighborhood Associations’ meetings Attend Neighborhood Associations’ meetings Work with special entities to ensure inclusion of neighborhoods (i.e. CRA, DDA, CIP, etc.) Work with special entities to ensure inclusion of neighborhoods (i.e. CRA, DDA, CIP, etc.) President’s Council Meeting (annually) President’s Council Meeting (annually) Special Task Force Groups (Pawn Shop, Code, etc.) Special Task Force Groups (Pawn Shop, Code, etc.) Work with all schools in the city Work with all schools in the city

Strategic Priority #2 Promote linkages between neighborhoods and city government

Mayor’s Meetings w/ Neighborhoods Mayor’s Meetings w/ Neighborhoods Communication blasts (i.e. commission agenda items, public notices, etc.) Communication blasts (i.e. commission agenda items, public notices, etc.) Division newsletter Division newsletter Monitor city projects that impact neighborhoods Monitor city projects that impact neighborhoods Engage city staff in city schools Engage city staff in city schools

Strategic Priority #3 Provide effective advocacy for all neighborhoods

Created a new “How To” guide for starting a neighborhood association Created a new “How To” guide for starting a neighborhood association New neighborhood associations: New neighborhood associations: –Prospect Heights (South end) –In progress: Pleasant City Pleasant City Coleman Park Neighborhood Association Coleman Park Neighborhood Association Railway crossing project / Pleasant City Elementary Railway crossing project / Pleasant City Elementary

Strategic Priority #4 To empower neighborhoods through information, education and resources.

Hurricane preparedness programs Hurricane preparedness programs First Day of School ( book bag give-away) First Day of School ( book bag give-away) Principal for a Day Principal for a Day “Talkin Trash” (a public education campaign) “Talkin Trash” (a public education campaign)

Success Keys… Internal Collaboration Met w/ Departments to learn how they function Build relationships with professionals on the front line Understand policies that govern their decision making Learn where the leeway is Work together to identify problems and solutions.

Talkin Trash Public Information Campaign Code Enforcement observed a pattern of residential behavior. Code Enforcement observed a pattern of residential behavior. Contacted NSD to discuss possible solutions Contacted NSD to discuss possible solutions “Talkin Trash” was born “Talkin Trash” was born A helpful guide to waste disposal for Residents Presents… Talking Trash Department of public works Tel:

Talkin Trash Public Information Campaign Continuous Education: Continuous Education: –As ownership changes, information needs to be distributed –As ordinances are changed / updated, information needs to be communicated City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works Presents….. Talkin Trash Sanitation Service Guidelines for Commercial Establishments

Success Keys… –Liaison case load: 75 to 80 live neighborhood projects –Range from trees, lighting, code enforcement, public works concerns, water quality, etc. –Regional “Did-You-Know” Days –“Simply the Best” Neighborhood Forums (to share best practices)

This Presentation has been … In honor of your national president… Our very own Peter Lewis Dominique Spatara The Guru of Garbage The Sultan of Trash

Thank you Let the applause begin! Let the applause begin!