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August 2014
Livability Shows Growth, Progress During First Year
The KICA Livability Department was officially launched in
the summer of 2013 with the goal of preserving and enhancing
Kiawah’s quality of life. During its first year, the young department
has taken large steps forward. At the July meeting of the KICA
Board of Directors, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jimmy Bailey
updated members on the department’s progress.
Background
Formed in June 2013, KICA Livability brought together the talent
and functions of three areas that previously operated independent
of one another: Encroachment, Covenant Compliance and Safety.
Photo: American Beautyberry
The new department was formed through a reorganization of
existing staff members rather than the addition of new staff.
During its creation, particular emphasis was placed on assuring that
appropriate resources were dedicated to provide staff with the tools
they would need to achieve the department’s goals.
The department consists of Supervisor Ed Monahan, Senior
Livability Advisor Dana Muckelvaney, and Livability and Safety
Advisor Emily Simpson. Livability also works closely with
Architectural Review Board (ARB) staff member Laura Philpott
who acts as the ARB’s official liaison to KICA.
Technology Upgrades
After launch, the department began to identify areas where
improvement was needed in order to meet its goals. Lack of
technology was an apparent problem, as covenant compliance
was operating with hand-written records and outdated database
software. These limitations created a great deal of lost time for
employees who needed to be out in the field.
To resolve this issue, earlier this year KICA began using a new
software solution called Citizenserve. The system, which is linked
to KICA’s member database and contains a contractor database as
well, allows employees to share information, track all activity and
violations, and maintain a record of all documents. All of these
features can be accessed from the office or while in the field.
With this new software, Livability staff are able to spend more time
in the field, creating a more efficient and effective department.
Collaboration with the ARB
Since the launch, Livability has continued to work closely with the
ARB, striving to improve communications in order to streamline
processes. In July 2013, Monahan was appointed to the ARB’s
board as the KICA liaison and a full voting member. Also, KICA
began sharing information with the ARB through the Citizenserve
program so that violations involving both organizations can be
more quickly communicated and solved.
Overall Positives
In addition to the benefits realized through upgrades in technology
and better collaboration with the ARB, having a singular department
devoted to encroachment, covenant compliance and safety has
made it easier for members, contractors, rental agents and others to
easily communicate with the department and more rapidly resolve
issues. The structure of the department also allows for one of the
three staff to be physically present in the office at all times during
regular operating hours to assist members/contractors.
As with the ARB, lines of communication with the town
have improved as well, which helps with permitting and rules
enforcement.
Finally, Livability’s new ability to email inspection letters better
serves the contractors on the island.
Additional Challenges
Though there have been a number of steps in the right direction,
Livability continues to work through challenges as it enters into its
second year of operation. The department is working to strengthen
relationships with rental agencies in order to make vacation guests
aware of island rules and regulations. They have made some progress
in this regard, including the development of a new Community
Standards document (kica.us Island Living/Guest Information).
Livability is still working to improve upon communications via
Citizenserve between KICA and the ARB in order to create a more
seamless process for members, contractors, etc.
Ultimately, the department will continue to grow and evolve, but
through its first year, it has already accomplished a great deal,
further bettering Kiawah’s quality of life.
For more information on KICA’s Livability Department, visit kica.us
(Inside KICA/Departments), or contact the department at livability@
kica.us, 843-768-9194 (office) or 843-708-3611 (mobile).
A Message From KICA Livability: Yard Debris Pickup
A clean, well-landscaped yard is paramount to maintaining and enhancing one's property. Yard work does, however, create debris that must be
disposed of properly. To aid in this process, KICA has the following regulations regarding yard debris.
• Yard debris is picked up every Thursday.
• At no time should you or your landscaper place debris, including
• Debris may be left in paper bags on your property's right-of-way at
blown leaves, on KICA's easements, rights-of-way or other
the street.
properties (even if undeveloped).
• Large amounts must be hauled away by you or your landscaper.
• Leaves and grass must be placed in paper bags for pickup.
Please speak with your landscaper to be sure they understand the debris regulations on Kiawah. For Town of Kiawah Island regulations on yard debris,
visit kiawahisland.org, and for KICA's Rules and Regulations, visit kica.us.