Rock Hill's 25 Quality Practices

Rock Hill’s 25 Quality Practices


cityofrockhill.com

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR: Rock Hill is a community that is commi ed to quality. With the help of engaged ci zens, diligent elected officials, dedicated employees, and devoted community partners, the City of Rock Hill strives to provide quality services, develop quality places, and foster a quality community.

Over the years, with the help of partner agencies and individuals, we have supported and implemented numerous programs and ini a ves that have contributed posi vely to the quality of life in Rock Hill; this booklet highlights 25 of those “Quality Prac ces.”

I hope that sharing these prac ces will make you proud of our great city and that it encourages us as we con nue our mutual quest to ensure that Rock Hill remains a quality community.

A. Douglas Echols Mayor, City of Rock Hill, South Carolina

CITY OF ROCK HILL LEADERSHIP

MAYOR

A. Douglas Echols

CITY COUNCIL

John A. Black III

Sandra Oborokumo

Kathy Pender

James Reno

Kevin Su on

Ann Williamson

CITY MANAGER

David B. Vehaun

Quality Services

1 Strategic Plan

2 Always On

3 City Website & TV Channel

4 Ranking Rock Hill

5 Fiscal Prudence

6 Grants

7 Financial Dashboard

8 Business Friendly Ini a ves

9 Green Fleet

10 Wi‐Fi System

11 CrimeView

12 Recycling Efforts

Quality Places

13 Sports Venues

14 Knowledge Park

15 Technology Incubator

16 Glencairn Garden

17 Community Art

Quality Community

18 Community Learning

19 Inside Rock Hill

21 Youth Focus

22 Therapeu c Recrea on Program

23 Neighborhood Development

24 Weed & Seed

25 Fes vals

20 Ci zen Leaders Engagement


Quality Services

Strategic Plan

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill has a vision for the future. In order to make this vision a reality, City Council and City staff work together to create a Strategic Plan. Each update to the Strategic Plan begins with the administra on of a ci zens’ survey in which residents are randomly selected to provide sa sfac on ra ngs regarding the City’s delivery of a variety of services. City Council and staff use this informa on to dra the Strategic Plan which serves as a blueprint for the City’s future. The Strategic Plan defines ambi ons, sets priori es, and provides performance targets to ensure adequate progress toward making the vision a reality. Twice a year the City produces a report detailing the City’s performance at mee ng the goals within the Strategic Plan.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES

The Strategic Plan and semiannual performance reports promote accountability and transparency. The City also has a performance dashboard on its transparency website that provides mely performance updates. Rock Hill’s Strategic Plan has earned several awards including the Interna onal City/County Managers Associa on’s Strategic Leadership & Governance Award and the Government Finance Officers Associa on’s Award for Excellence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Monica Croskey, Strategy & Performance Manager Office of Management & Budget 803‐326‐3819 [email protected] website: cityofrockhill.com/transparency

Quality Services

Always On

OVERVIEW

The City's strategic plan focuses on Rock Hill's efforts to provide quality services, develop quality places, and foster a quality community. The Always On campaign is designed to help ci zens associate the City as a good neighbor, and City employees as a major factor in that success. Key messages of the campaign are:

City employees understand the values of being a good neighbor and strive to incorporate those values into every service the City offers, 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year.

City employees are people working hard every day to do the best they can for the community.

The City of Rock Hill is made up of hundreds of City employees who are dedicated to serving the Rock Hill community, both on and off the job.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES The City logo is tagged with the words "Always on." across the bo om right corner at an angle in a design that resembles handwri ng; this symbolizes the City’s promise that it’s always on. Employee training about the campaign was completed. Wraps on highly visible City vehicles (such as sanita on trucks) feature good neighbor messages and City employees. The campaign has been successful in reenergizing customer service commitment and communica ng this commitment to the community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Ka e Quinn, Communica ons/Media Rela ons Coordinator Office of Management & Budget 803‐326‐3791 Ka [email protected]

Samples of wraps featured on City vehicles

Quality Services

City Website & TV Channel

OVERVIEW

In today’s society, a good website is impera ve for any company or organiza on. Rock Hill’s website provides access to valuable informa on ranging from applica ons and forms to financial and audit informa on. Addi onally, live streaming of public mee ngs is available on the City’s website. Residents also use the website to conveniently report service outages, pay monthly u lity bills, and to provide customer service feedback. In addi on to the website, the Rock Hill Government Television Channel (RHTV) provides the ci zens of Rock Hill transparent coverage of their City government's policies, procedures, priori es, and issues. The City also places valuable video content on its YouTube Channel.


The City’s website averages over 500,000 visits and over 1.5 million page views annually. Rock Hill’s website received an "A+" transparency grade from the Sunshine Review, a nonprofit organiza on dedicated to state and local government transparency. Rock Hill’s website, television channel, and YouTube channel con nue to serve as valuable tools for making informa on accessible to the public.


Max Watson, Media Services Administrator Office of Management & Budget 803‐329‐7234 [email protected] website: cityofrockhill.com

Quality Services

Ranking Rock Hill

OVERVIEW The City of Rock Hill is commi ed to providing quality, efficient, and effec ve services. One of the many ways the City evaluates its performance is by comparing Rock Hill to other jurisdic ons in the state and region. These comparisons are shared on a webpage, RankingRockHill.com, that is dedicated solely to sharing performance comparisons.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES With the use of graphs and tables, the public is able to see how Rock Hill compares to other jurisdic ons in a variety of areas including: crime rates, financial bond ra ngs, commute mes, fire protec on coverage, staffing levels, u lity rates, property taxes, and so on.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Monica Croskey, Strategy & Performance Manager Office of Management & Budget 803‐326‐3819 [email protected] website: RankingRockHill.com

Quality Services

Fiscal Prudence

OVERVIEW The City of Rock Hill has a strong tradi on of fiscal prudence. The City maintains ac ve and robust programs to ensure the City’s financial well‐being. These ini a ves include a grants program, evalua ng services for outsourcing when appropriate, public/private financing partnerships, and effec ve revenue collec on and management prac ces. As the electric, water, and wastewater provider, Rock Hill ensures that it appropriately maintains crucial capital infrastructure, such as the water and wastewater treatment plants, by crea ng long‐term financial models to help inform annual decision making.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES Moody's and Standard and Poor's rating agencies recognized the City's strong financial standing by increasing the City's general fund credit rating in 2013 and utility system credit rating in 2008. Both agencies affirmed the City's Utility System ratings in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The City of Rock Hill enjoys bond ratings (similar to personal credit scores) that are higher than many well‐known private companies. Addi onally, Rock Hill’s commitment to prudent financial management allows the City to maintain very compe ve tax and u lity rates. To see how the City’s tax, u lity rates, and bond ra ngs compare to others, please visit RankingRockHill.com. The City has earned the Government Finance Officers Associa on's Dis nguished Budget Award and Cer ficate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Repor ng Award mul ple mes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Anne Harty, Chief Financial Officer Finance Department 803‐329‐8764 [email protected]

Quality Services

Grants

OVERVIEW

In 2002, the City formalized its grants efforts. The Grants Division focuses on researching, applying for, and managing grants. Grant funding helps to leverage local dollars and assist with the City being able to meet service and community goals.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES In the past 12 years, the City of Rock Hill has secured more than $47 million in grant funding. These grants have been used to hire police officers, clean up old mill sites, construct affordable housing, and complete road improvements. The City believes its strong focus on grant compliance is a key contribu ng factor to its success in securing grant awards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tracy Smith, Grants Supervisor General Services Department 803‐326‐3837 [email protected]

Year Grant Ac vity

2013 $2,848,116

2012 $3,549,277

2011 $4,309,488

2010 $5,557,567

2009 $7,423,033

2008 $3,031,566

2007 $5,945,970

2006 $6,578,596

2005 $1,999,539

2004 $2,314,309

2003 $2,314,309

2002 $1,935,082

Total $47,806,852

*Years prior to 2007 reflect only federal grant expenditures; all

other years reflect both federal and state grants received.

Quality Services

Financial Dashboard

OVERVIEW

O en mes an organiza on’s financial details are viewed as being mysterious informa on that only a handful of privileged people are able to access. Keeping with the City’s commitment to transparency, the City of Rock Hill has a financial dashboard available on the City’s website that uses easy to understand graphs to provide monthly updates on revenues by source (e.g., property taxes, water and sewer revenue) and expenditures by department (e.g., police, public works, fire). Both revenue and expenditure data are compared to budgeted amounts, making it easy to know when a department is over budget or when revenues are underperforming.


With the con nua on of the “internet age” and technological advances, the public’s appe te for accessible informa on will con nue to grow. Rock Hill’s financial dashboard is a proac ve response to providing informa on in an accessible and visually appealing manner.


Steven Gibson, Office of Management & Budget Director Office of Management & Budget 803‐329‐5680 [email protected] website: cityofrockhill.com/transparency

Quality Services

Business Friendly Initiatives

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill is commi ed to cul va ng a business friendly environment. In recent years, the City has implemented various ini a ves to further this commitment. The Open for Business program streamlines service delivery by providing personal assistance to small businesses seeking to build or expand their business loca ons in Rock Hill. Addi onally, the City maintains open dialogue with local developers and small business owners by holding recurring focus groups and mee ngs.


Since 2013, the Open for Business program has assisted more than 750 businesses with various services. In 2011, the City reduced its already compe vely low business license fees by 15% for businesses that paid on me. Today this ini a ve con nues as a 10% reduc on for businesses that pay their business license fees on me. Savings to local businesses exceed $700,000 annually.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Bill Meyer, Planning & Development Director Planning & Development Department 803‐326‐3879 [email protected] website: cityofrockhill.com/openforbusiness

Quality Services

Green Fleet

OVERVIEW From police patrol cars to sanita on trucks, many of the services the City provides require the use of vehicles and equipment. The City of Rock Hill strives to provide these services with minimal nega ve impact to the environment. One way in which the City achieves this is by using alterna ve fuels. The City of Rock Hill began using compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1995 and has had electric vehicles in its fleet since 1993.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES Today all of the City’s diesel vehicles run on a biodiesel blend (B20), and the City has its own ethanol blend (E85) fueling sta on for the 100+ ethanol fueled vehicles in its fleet. Addi onally, electric charging sta ons are available free of charge for public use 24 hours a day at City Hall, the City’s Opera ons Center, the municipal parking garage, airport, and many of the City’s parks. The City also has a CNG fueling sta on at its Opera ons Center which is also available to the public.

In 2010, Rock Hill received the Palme o State Clean Fuels Coali on’s first‐ever Greenest Fleet Award.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Marty Burr, Fleet & Purchasing Supervisor General Services Department 803‐329‐5551 [email protected]

Quality Services

WI-FI System

OVERVIEW The City of Rock Hill’s WI‐FI system was completed in 2008. The system is one of the largest municipally owned wireless networks in the Southeast. The system includes over 1,300 routers and covers an area larger than the city limits. Mobile routers are installed in City fire, police, and u lity vehicles.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES The Wi‐Fi system improves service delivery in several ways. For example, while in their vehicles, police officers can access the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles interstate traffic cameras and live camera systems from apartment complexes and stores. The Fire Department uses the network to look up building plans to iden fy entrances, exits, and loca ons of hazardous materials on the way to the scene. The ability for public safety professionals to easily access real‐me informa on during crisis situa ons is invaluable.

Free Wi‐Fi services are broadcast at many of the City’s parks, allowing parents to work and check e‐mail while their children play and a end prac ces. Addi onally, the City uses the Wi‐Fi network to a ract sports tourism events to the area. Tourists enjoy having internet access and the ability to upload team scores and view tournament results. Wi‐Fi services give Rock Hill an advantage in recrui ng spor ng events, bringing tourism dollars to the community.


Melissa Davis, IT Senior Network Administrator Informa on Technology Services 803‐329‐7200 [email protected]

Quality Services

CrimeView

OVERVIEW The Rock Hill Police Department uses data to provide proactive police services. CrimeView is an initiative in which the Police Department’s crime analyst identifies physical addresses that have had several calls for service related to disorderly conduct, criminal domestic violence, assaults, or drug calls. These addresses are flagged for CrimeView, and a team of police officers and a victim’s advocate visit the address. The Police Department also partners with Catawba Mental Health and Keystone Substance Abuse and Prevention; both agencies send representatives along with the team as needed. The team discusses the calls for service with the residents and provides them with informa on about appropriate services, such as domes c abuse counseling, drug rehabilita on centers, and mental health resources. If the residents refuse the informa on, the address is flagged as a zero tolerance address which means if police officers are called to the address in the future, and there is enough informa on or evidence to warrant an arrest, the arrest will be made — no warnings are given.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES CrimeView is designed to address the root cause of calls for service by empowering residents to seek assistance for addressing their problems. Over a one year period, 137 addresses were examined; data showed a 72% decrease in calls for service to those addresses.


James Grayson, Lieutenant ‐ Community Services Unit Rock Hill Police Department 803‐329‐7262 [email protected]

Quality Services

Recycling Efforts

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill provides curbside recycling collec on services to residen al and commercial customers. Each year the City picks up recycling from nearly 180 businesses and over 9,000 residen al homes. On average, the City collects approximately 20,000 tons of recycling annually. Rock Hill has an environmental educator on staff who manages the City’s environmental educa on efforts. The environmental educator is assisted by the Rock Hill Clean and Green Commi ee, an all‐volunteer 15‐member Keep America Beau ful affiliate.


In 2012, the City began collec ng recycling from the Rock Hill School District. Through an innova ve program the City collects the recycling, records the weight of the material for each school, and provides those numbers to each school. This allows schools to track their progress and use the informa on in classroom ac vi es and learning projects. Recycling diverts waste from the landfill and saves the City, on average, $750,000 each year in landfill pping fees. Rock Hill’s recycling efforts have won numerous awards and recogni ons including winning the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Outstanding Municipal Recycling Program Award and the Carolinas Recycling Associa on’s Outstanding Municipal Recycling Program Award. In addi on, the City’s environmental educator has earned the Carolinas Recycling Associa on’s Recycler of the Year Award for North and South Carolina.


Elizabeth Morgan, Environmental Educator General Services Department 803‐329‐7027 [email protected]

Elizabeth Morgan giving an environmental educa on presenta on to students.

Quality Places

Sports Venues

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill offers a host of sports venues that are used for both local residents’ enjoyment and sports tourism events. Cherry Park is Rock Hill’s premier so ball/baseball facility. Cherry Park was the second sports venue to be inducted into the Na onal So ball Associa on’s Hall of Fame. Manchester Meadows is a 70 acre park that offers high quality soccer fields and pavilions. The Rock Hill Tennis Center provides a top notch facility for local tennis enthusiasts and tournament play. The Center provides lighted, regula on hard courts along with other ameni es. The world‐class Giordana Velodrome is part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk; it offers track cycling to both experts and novices. The Novant Health BMX Supercross Track, also located at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk, is the only Olympic‐caliber BMX training facility on the East coast. The facility has both an amateur and an elite supercross ramp.


Rock Hill’s sports venues have hosted national, regional, and local tournaments. The tournaments bring visitors who stay in hotels, eat at local restaurants, and shop locally. Since 2009, the City of Rock Hill’s sports tourism efforts have averaged over $15 million in direct economic impact to the community per year.


Mark Sexton, Opera ons Supervisor Parks, Recrea on & Tourism Department 803‐329‐8777 [email protected]

Cherry Park

Manchester Meadows

Giordana Velodrome

Quality Places

Knowledge Park

OVERVIEW

The Knowledge Park concept was developed in 2012 when the City of Rock Hill, Winthrop University as a key partner, and many other public and private leaders joined together to implement the redevelopment of Rock Hill’s urban core from Winthrop University, through what was the Tex le Corridor, and into downtown. Knowledge Park is built upon a concentra on of knowledge economy businesses and jobs already present. Knowledge Park is designed to be home to knowledge economy businesses and jobs; it will be technologically advanced, yet rooted in the city’s rich history. The a rac on and growth of knowledge economy businesses and employment will be aided by specific compe ve advantages including gigabit broadband service provided by Comporium, office space at below‐market rates, and access to a deep and diverse talent pool.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES A key community asset within Knowledge Park is Fountain Park. Once fully developed Fountain Park will transform a rarely used parking lot into a community treasure. In addition to providing beautiful green space, Fountain Park will be home to one of the largest fountains in the state of South Carolina. A master plan has been created to redevelop the en re Bleachery property on West White Street. The proposed urban, mixed‐use plan contains 19 buildings with 1.3 million square feet of space.


David Lawrence, Knowledge Park Development Manager Economic & Urban Development Department 803‐326‐3827 [email protected] website: KnowledgeParkRockHill.com

Conceptual Bleachery Master Plan

Rendering of Fountain Park

Quality Places

Technology Incubator @ Knowledge Park

OVERVIEW

The Technology Incubator at Knowledge Park (the TI Center) is designed to support the development and formation of technology companies in Rock Hill. Led by the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation, the City of Rock Hill, Winthrop University, and York Technical College, the Technology Incubator operates in association with the Clemson University Technology Villages program. The technology incubator program combines hands‐on consul ng support, resource iden fica on, and educa onal and technical assistance to improve an entrepreneur’s prospects for success and create new knowledge based jobs.


Within six months after its opening in August 2013, the TI Center exceeded its client company design capacity. At the same time, it also assisted another dozen companies seeking advice and guidance. The TI Center also hosts “Innova on Week” and other events to provide learning and networking opportuni es for entrepreneurs.


David Warner, Technology Incubator Director Rock Hill Economic Development Corpora on 803‐329‐8721 [email protected]

Collabora ve workspace at the Technology Incubator

Quality Places

Glencairn Garden

OVERVIEW

Glencairn Garden is located in the heart of Rock Hill’s Old Town. The Garden began as the six acre backyard of Dr. David and Hazel Bigger, and in 1959 it was transformed into a beau ful public space by renowned landscape architect Robert Marvin. Glencairn also includes the Veterans Garden, a tribute to veterans past, present, and future. While the peak bloom period is the last week of March through mid‐April, there is something beau ful to behold at Glencairn Garden year‐round.


Glencairn is the birthplace of Rock Hill’s annual Come‐See‐Me fes val and remains a popular loca on for weddings, events, and concerts. The Learning Center provides space for educa onal programs for residents of all ages.


Rhea Faris, Parks Division Supervisor Parks, Recrea on & Tourism Department 803‐329‐5567 [email protected]

Quality Places

Community Art

Bike racks in downtown

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill recognizes the ability of art to transform spaces into community treasures. The City has sought to encourage the inclusion of art throughout the community.


In 2011, sculpture students from Winthrop University unveiled handmade bike racks that were placed throughout downtown. The func onal art project provided students with a valuable opportunity to display their work while fulfilling the community’s desire for more bicycling facili es. The Civitas statues are beau ful 22 foot‐tall sculptures that stand at the intersec on of Dave Lyle Boulevard and Gateway Boulevard and in the rotunda of City Hall. The Civitas, which is La n for “civic pride”, reflects the spirit of Rock Hill’s tex le heritage in the clothing and hair, which suggest billowing ribbons of material. That material transforms into wings represen ng the fact that Rock Hill’s tex le history provided the texture and founda on that gave the City wings to move forward. The Gateway intersec on where the four Civitas statues stand is circular to symbolize unity, teamwork, and togetherness.


Stephen Turner, Economic & Urban Development Director Economic & Urban Development Department 803‐329‐7090 [email protected]

Art on the municipal parking garage pays homage to the City’s past local automobile manufacturers: Rock Hill Buggy Company 1892‐1926 and

Anderson Motor Company 1916‐1925.

Civitas at the Gateway

Quality Community

Community Learning

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill, Rock Hill Schools, York County Library, and other community organiza ons joined together to promote the importance of reading for all ages. Rock Hill Reads is a community‐wide ini a ve that encourages every Rock Hill ci zen to read for at least 20 minutes each day. The collabora on between the City of Rock Hill and Rock Hill School District for the iRock ini a ve leverages the talents of 800+ City employees, 17,400 student ci zens, and 1,450 teachers/administrators to create viable solu ons to community challenges. As part of iRock, students work with City employees to address community projects. These projects provide the students real world opportuni es to demonstrate learning.


In 2013, the City collected over 800 books to donate to children in Rock Hill. The City also includes reading ps in its employee newsle er and in the City newsle er that is sent to some 40,000 homes in Rock Hill.

There have been many successful iRock projects. One iRock project involved fi h grade history students studying Rock Hill’s connec ons to na onal history. The students found WWII lookout points in Rock Hill, an old fallout shelter during the me of the Cold War, and much more. Students created a historic walking tour with staff from the City of Rock Hill.


Janet Carswell, Mayor’s Assistant Office of Management & Budget 803‐329‐8717 [email protected]

The above picture is of City employees and Rock Hill School District students working on an

iRock project.

Quality Community

Inside Rock Hill

OVERVIEW

Inside Rock Hill is a popular 10‐week civics course offered to residents of the City of Rock Hill. This course offers residents an in‐depth understanding of how the City operates so they will be able to access services necessary to maintain and improve their quality of life. The course is offered during the spring and fall. During the course, City representatives provide interactive presentations to attendees to provide them hands‐on information about how the City functions. Additionally, Inside Rock Hill participants attend City Council meetings in order to see first‐hand how elected leaders take official action on City matters. Par cipants who successfully complete the requirements “graduate” from the program and are recognized by City Council.


Inside Rock Hill has been extremely successful at enhancing citizen engagement. Over 400 residents have graduated from Inside Rock Hill. With nearly 50 of the graduates either currently serving or having previously served on City of Rock Hill Boards and Commissions, Inside Rock Hill graduates prove to be valuable resources to the community. The graduates have formed an advisory board and publish a bi‐monthly newsle er exclusively for graduates to keep them informed of City happenings and events.


Dorene Boular, Weed & Seed Coordinator Housing & Neighborhood Services 803‐325‐2527 [email protected]

The above pictures are of Inside Rock Hill cohorts.

Quality Community

Citizen Leaders Engagement

OVERVIEW In 2006, Mayor Doug Echols began mee ng with small groups of civic, government, business, and educa on leaders to discuss projects, ini a ves, and the future of the community. In addi on to providing the City with valuable insight, these mee ngs have provided community leaders with an opportunity to engage one another in informal se ngs.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES In 2012, Mayor Echols assembled over 100 community leaders, who had previously met in small groups, to discuss one subject ‐ Rock Hill. During the event, Mayor Echols challenged a endees to think about and share their thoughts on the future of the community. Through the use of small table exercises, a endees discussed the future they wanted for Rock Hill. They talked about jobs, technology, arts, the importance of educa on, future transporta on needs, and so on. The topics were varied and meaningful. The feedback gained from the 2012 mee ng, as well as past Ci zen Leaders mee ngs, con nues to influence and guide the City’s strategic, business, and opera onal plans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Janet Carswell, Mayor’s Assistant Office of Management & Budget 803‐329‐8717 [email protected]

A endees at a ci zen leaders mee ng

Table discussion during a ci zen leaders mee ng

Quality Community

Youth Focus

OVERVIEW The Rock Hill Youth Council provides high school students (public, private, and homeschooled) an active role in addressing youth related issues, encourages positive youth development, promotes public awareness of the strengths and abilities of youth, and provides opportunities for participation in community projects. The Youth Service League teaches teens and pre‐teens about the benefits of volunteerism and leadership through actual volunteer experience. Each year, these students give more than 2,000 hours of volunteer time to the community. In 2006, Rock Hill’s Commission for Children and Youth adopted an awareness campaign called “The #1 Ques on: Is It Good For the Children?” The campaign encourages everyone to make this ques on part of their daily language: in homes, in neighborhood ac vi es, at work, in board rooms, in places of worship, in schools, and in every corner of the community where decisions are made. By asking “Is It Good For the Children” whenever a decision is made, Rock Hill can improve life for its young people.


Rock Hill’s focus on engaging youth and its commitment to providing them with leadership and volunteer opportuni es have impacted countless young people. Addi onally, the community’s efforts have won several awards and recogni ons including being named one of the 100 Best Communi es for Young People by the America’s Promise Alliance.


Pa Pane , Program Coordinator Parks, Recrea on & Tourism 803‐329‐5625 Pa .Pane @cityofrockhill.com

Rock Hill Youth Service Day

Quality Community

Therapeutic Recreation Program

OVERVIEW The City of Rock Hill’s Therapeutic Recreation programs focus on providing meaningful experiences through leisure activities for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. Children in special education classes participate in programs during school hours through a partnership with Rock Hill Schools and adults participate in programs and fun social events throughout the year. Therapeutic art programs (TAP) offer activities in the areas of photography, pottery, painting, and dance. The artists showcase their work at the TAP Into the Arts show which is held annually. In 1970, a group of citizens from various civic organizations created the community’s first residential camp for intellectually disabled children and adults. In 1997, Camp Arc grew to include children who are not disabled. Camp Arc serves York County with eight weeks of day camp and one residential session each summer. Rock Hill’s Parks, Recrea on & Tourism Department and its partner, South Carolina Special Olympics Area Eleven, provide year‐round sports training and athle c compe on in many Special Olympics sports.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES The Therapeutic Recreation programs, Camp Arc, and Special Olympics programs serve over 2,700 people with intellectual disabilities annually. The TAP Into the Arts show is developing into a wonderful community event that showcases the exceptionally talented artists who participate in the therapeutic art programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Wendy Waddle, Special Popula on Supervisor Parks, Recrea on & Tourism 803‐329‐5659 [email protected]

Special Olympics Awards Ceremony

Quality Community

Neighborhood Development

OVERVIEW The City of Rock Hill is commi ed to ensuring that every ci zen living within the city limits inhabits a dwelling that is decent, safe, and sanitary. The City’s Neighborhood Development Division is ac vely involved in efforts to promote this philosophy with its First‐Time Homebuyers and Housing Rehabilita on Programs. Through the First‐Time Homebuyers Program, eligible first‐ me homebuyers may receive down payment and closing cost assistance. Prior to receiving assistance, poten al homebuyers must complete a homebuyer educa on course. This course provides home purchase counseling and home maintenance informa on. The City also maintains a Housing Rehabilita on Program that provides funding assistance to repair single‐family, owner‐occupied homes with eligible housing deficiencies such as electrical and plumbing hazards and structural failures. Owners must meet income limit requirements.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES Since 2006, the First Time Homebuyers Program has provided assistance for 170 homebuyer closings. The City strives to complete at least 40 homeowner occupied rehabilita ons each year through partnerships with the World Changers program and other faith‐based organiza ons. Rock Hill has a history of working with community partners to encourage homeownership. In 2007, Clinton College and the City worked together to obtain HUD grants to provide affordable housing near Clinton College’s campus.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Arthdale Brown, Neighborhood Development Coordinator Housing & Neighborhood Services 803‐325‐2528 [email protected]

Volunteers work to improve a home.

Quality Community

Weed & Seed

OVERVIEW Weed and Seed is a national initiative that aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high‐crime neighborhoods across the country. The strategy involves a two‐pronged approach. First, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate and work to “weed out” violent crime, gang activity, and drug use in targeted areas. Next, “seeding” brings human services to the area by addressing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.


The current Urban Rock Hill Weed and Seed initiative focuses on seven neighborhoods: Hagins‐Fewell, Sunset Park, Crawford Road, Flint Hill, South Central, Saluda Corridor, and The Triangle. These areas were exceptionally hard‐hit by the loss of the textile industry. Since beginning the Weed and Seed ini a ve, there has been a decrease in crime and more community engagement in the targeted areas. The quality of life has certainly been enhanced in the Weed and Seed neighborhoods.


Dorene Boular, Weed & Seed Coordinator Housing & Neighborhood Services 803‐325‐2527 [email protected]

The above pictures were taken at a Weed and Seed neighborhood

cleanup event.

Quality Community

Festivals

OVERVIEW

The City of Rock Hill recognizes the role that festivals and events play in creating a sense of community. The City routinely partners with the Arts Council of York County and other community agencies to provide residents the opportunity to attend exciting local events. Downtown sets the stage for the annual ChristmasVille event which turns Old Town Rock Hill into a charming, picturesque holiday village and outdoor art festival. Since 1962, Come‐See‐Me has been the place to celebrate spring and to

showcase Rock Hill. Come‐See‐Me offers 10 days of family‐friendly

events including: the Mayor’s Frog Jump, Sundaes with Glen and Mother

Goose, Glencairn Garden concerts series, Broadway Nights, and the

Barbeque Cook‐Off at Winthrop Lake.

Boo‐HaHa, a safe alterna ve to trick or trea ng, occurs in downtown Rock Hill every Halloween. Red, White and Boom, held on July 3rd on Black Street, brings thousands to downtown for a free concert and family friendly fun. Other popular events include a St. Patrick’s Day celebra on and Oktoberfest.

INITIATIVES & OUTCOMES ChristmasVille has been named Event of the Year for six consecu ve years by the North Carolina and/or South Carolina Fes val and Events Associa ons. Sponsorship opportuni es for events remain very popular and contribu ons con nue to increase each year.


Cathy Murphy, Downtown Development Manager Economic & Urban Development Department 803‐329‐8756 [email protected]

Pictures taken from Boo‐HaHa

ChristmasVille entertainment

Come‐See‐Me poster

ward-winning Community

Our community has received a number of prestigious awards. A few of these awards are listed in order to recognize the dedication and hard work of community leaders and partners, citizens, and City staff.

Strategic Leadership Governance Award The City’s performance management efforts earned this award which recognizes innova ve local government programs or processes that have significantly affected a local government organiza on’s culture or strategic direc on.

Cer fica on of Excellence Received the highest designa on of the ICMA performance management award—Cer ficate of Excellence.

KaBOOM!

Playful City Community

America’s Promise Alliance

100 Best Communi es for Young People Award Five‐ me award winner, recognizes communi es making extraordinary efforts to provide outstanding services and support to youth.

Interna onal City/County Management Associa on (ICMA)

Na onal League of Ci es

Municipal Leadership for Children and Families in Small and Mid‐Sized Ci es Rock Hill was featured in a report highligh ng promising City efforts to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in communi es.

Safe Kids York County

Lee Huey Memorial Award Recognized the City’s #1 Ques on efforts.

AAA (American Automobile Associa on)

Outstanding South Carolina Traffic Safe Community

Award-winning Community

Government Finance Officers Associa on (GFOA)

Dis nguished Budget Presenta on Award Honoring local government’s budget documents that reflect both the guidelines established by the Na onal Advisory Council on State and Local Budge ng and the GFOA’s best prac ces on budge ng.

Cer ficate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Repor ng Established to encourage and assist local government to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accoun ng principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.

SC DHEC

Space the Air Award Awarded for voluntarily improving the air quality in our area, especially with regard to fleet services.

North Carolina Associa on of Fes vals & Events

Event of the Year, Best Event Brochure Both awards earned by ChristmasVille.

South Carolina Associa on of Fes vals & Events

Best Print Media, Best Website Both awards earned by ChristmasVille.

League of American Bicyclists

Bicycle Friendly City Bronze Designa on

Rock Hill Children’s A en on Home

Dis nguished Service Award City employees collected enough laundry detergent to wash 2,253 loads of clothes, and enough fabric so ener for 1,052 loads.

City of Rock Hill 155 Johnston St.

Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730 www.cityofrockhill.com

Documents

Rock Hill's 25 Quality Practices