Swann Estates Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Guidelines

New Neighborhood Guidelines

Message from Shannon Edge:

Good-morning Neighborhood Leaders!

It is our sincere hope that all of you have received our annual neighborhood registry update and new neighborhood guidelines in the mail. We appreciate all the feed-back, both positive and negative. It is how our department continues to grow and best serve the entire community. It is also important for your to review the benefits of being an association as some items have been modified or removed including the postcard mailings.

First, I want to reiterate that the neighborhood
registry is the most important document our office manages and by you signing that form every
year and returning to our office, your association is protected. We have had both the media and citizens come to our office, including this week, to review this documentation to validate an association. Please know that we appreciate you taking the registry update seriously and for filling out the form. If you no longer are the neighborhood president, please pass along this important packet to our predecessor.

Secondly, I want to address the new neighborhood
guidelines which were created to help, not take control as our 100+ association are volunteer
groups. New Tampa is our only non-voluntary area
but New Tampa still received our packet. Creating the neighborhood guidelines was a
four-year process that was extensively researched, reviewed (including our legal department) and ultimately approved by the mayor and Tampa City Council as an Administrative Policy.

That brings up why the guidelines were created which is due to how empowered the associations have become under the Iorio Administration
which has made Investing in Neighborhoods a top
priority. As noted in my letter, these "new guidelines were created to aid our office but more importantly to help you with your leadership role as a neighborhood president. These approved guidelines will provide you with a framework as well as help protect you and your association."

Our five year experience demonstrated our office needed to provide our recognized associations protection from hostile take-overs, validation of the actual neighborhood leaders and assistance to those volunteers who suddenly find themselves in a leadership position because no one else wants to take on the role as president.

Another very important item is that we submitted
these as guidelines to help our 100+ neighborhood associations, not as rules and regulations. Some of the verbiage states "It is recommended." However, at bare minimum, an association, just like Neighborhood Watch should meet at least twice per year even if this gathering is a picnic, beautification or dinner. Parkland Estates for example meets twice
per year at a dinner and then at a neighborhood picnic which is great and unifying. We are concerned when an association only meets once per year that they cannot accurately gage what the neighbors issues and goals are for their
area. As for the 25%, we stated "the desired
minimum of people in attendance participating should be 25%" therefore it is not mandatory.
We had a situation where 55 people in an area voted on a major decision for a neighborhood that had 3,500 households. It is a democratic process but if our office can provide advice on how to get more involvement, we are happy to assist.

As for meeting locations, inclusion, and membership, this is included because in some situations, we have helped associations find meeting locations due to problems with neighbors who are uncomfortable with the meeting location. We are happy to help get assistance with our recreation centers. We do not agree with associations that do not invite all stakeholders to membership meetings but we have no way of attending and monitoring all meetings.

It is my sincere hope that this help clarifies any concerns you might have. In addition, I will be addressing the guidelines at THAN on Wednesday, March 12th at 7:00 PM at Union Station. Although this is not my meeting, THAN has always encouraged all of your neighborhood
associations to attend. And as mentioned a hundred times before, thank you for making a positive difference in your neighborhood. You are very appreciated!

Warmest regards,
Shannon

Shannon Edge, Director
Office of Neighborhood & Community Relations
City of Tampa
306 East Jackson Street
Tampa, FL 33602
813-274-7835 Direct Line
813-274-5696 Fax
shannon.edge@tampagov.net

Links

Shannon Edge, Director, Neighborhood/Community Relations