The S.C. Association of Counties, in cooperation with the S.C. ETV Public Services Network, Presents

 

Orientation Training for Planning/Zoning Officials and Employees

PART I:  Let’s Get Started!

 

This orientation is the FIRST of two three-hour segments.

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Part I is designed to get officials and employees started in the right direction by providing:

 


 

•           Overview of the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act – as the foundation for local government planning.  Topics include components of the planning process; elements of the comprehensive plan; powers and duties of the planning commission, board of zoning appeals, and board of architectural review, as well as their relationship with planning/zoning staff, county council, and each other.

 

•           Keys to Community Planning:  Effective Meetings, Hearings, and the Freedom of Information Act – will stress the importance of rules of procedure in conducting successful meetings.  Topics include the roles of the chair, the public, and the staff; parliamentary procedure with emphasis on Robert’s Rules; requirements of the FOIA; and protecting the local government’s liability and that of its officials and employees.


 

 

•           Principles of Ethics and the South Carolina Ethics Act – will provide an understanding of what constitutes ethical behavior.  Topics include an overview of the Ethics Act; rules of conduct for public employees; the American Planning Association’s Code of Ethics; ethical values and principles; resolving ethical dilemmas; and conflicts of interest.

 

 

WHO:                       This FREE teleconference is for members of local planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, and boards of architectural review as well as employees who are planning professionals, zoning administrators or zoning officials, or their deputies or assistants.  The teleconference is open to all who register, including municipal officials and employees.

 

WHERE:                   S.C. ETV Studios in Columbia or any ETV downlink site (see potential sites enclosed)

 

INSTRUCTORS:    Mark Tollison, Greenville County Attorney and Part-Time Lecturer, Clemson University; Bo Shetterly, Of Counsel, S. C. Association of Counties; Clif Scott, Senior Staff Attorney, S. C. Association of Counties; Cathy L. Hazelwood, Assistant Director and General Counsel, State Ethics Commission; Edwin C. Thomas, Director, Governmental Research and Service, Institute for Public Service & Policy Research, University of South Carolina        

 

 

 

 

TO PARTICIPATE: 

  • Identify a “Coordinator” to be the official contact for the county who will arrange all of the logistics prior to the teleconference and to be on-site the day of the event.

  • Contact the nearest satellite viewing site and arrange equipment, seating, phone access.

  • Encourage employee participation – announce via interoffice memo from the County Administrator.

  •  Arrive at the viewing site by 8:30 a.m. and confirm that all equipment is working.

  •  Identify a “Proctor” to  encourage participants to participate with questions and/or comments.