Leaders can make themselves unnecessarily anxious by focusing too much on negative thoughts that lead to all or nothing conclusions or over-generalization of situations that prevent them from seeing opportunities and solutions, writes LaRae Quy. "If we practice a more balanced way of analyzing outcomes daily, it helps to dial down our level of anxiety when confronted with a more threatening situation," Quy notes.
We are standing on the edge of a technological revolution. AI has the potential to transform governance with its wide-ranging uses and implications, from large-scale data analysis to simple process automation. With so much potential, how exactly are local governments using AI? What are the most valuable use cases? Is your organization prepared to leverage AI to its fullest potential? Find out in this upcoming ICMA webinar brought to you by Polco. Save your spot!
Training will begin next month in Buncombe County, N.C., on an AI system that will triage emergency and nonemergency calls. The new system will allow first responders to handle emergency calls while nonemergency calls get a more appropriate response.
Muscatine, Iowa's, Department of Parks and Recreation and the Vision Center have partnered on a tree-planting project to expand the area's urban forest. The business has donated 40 trees that will be planted by park staff around the city.
The effects of scorching heat waves, powerful storms and lengthy droughts are felt most keenly by Africans living in urban regions, but a growing number of cities on the continent are offering lessons on climate resilience, writes Ecotutu co-founder Babajide Oluwase. Durban, South Africa, has restored wetlands, planted mangroves and embraced green infrastructure to mitigate flooding while organizations in Nairobi, Kenya, have collaborated on promoting rainwater harvesting to fight drought.
A view of houses along Lake Como. (Universal History Archive/Getty Images)
Authorities in Como, Italy, have proposed a fee on visitors coming into the city for the day as part of an effort to curb over-tourism. The annual 1.4 million visitors who arrive in Lake Como make running the city a challenge, says Mayor Alessandro Rapinese.
Officials seek to identify seismically vulnerable concrete buildings in San Francisco and guide the creation of new city retrofit standards. The mayor's executive directive for the initiative calls on the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning and the Department of Building Inspection to complete their survey and draft legislation in the next six months to create a screening process for concrete buildings, after which standards would be developed.
Chelan and Douglas counties in Washington will have a public outreach effort next month at events and online to gather ideas for a paved trails project. The Pathways project will provide transportation alternatives and connect area communities.
State University of New York Niagara and Niagara County have partnered on a new Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy to train public safety professionals. The $8 million Academy will have classrooms, open areas for reality-based tactical scenarios and a simulated jail pod.
The call for presentations for the 2024 ICMA Equity Summit is open! The Equity Summit, July 25-26, is a virtual event for diversity, equity, and inclusion officers (and those doing the work without the title), as well as local government professionals interested in ideas to deepen strategies, shape actions, and create solutions. Submit your session ideas by April 19.
The 2024 ICMA Awards season is in full swing, and nominations are open for the Distinguished Service Award and Honorary Membership Award! The ICMA Distinguished Service Award is ICMA's highest honor and is awarded to a manager who has retired from the profession for a minimum of two years and has made an outstanding contribution to the management profession and local government. The ICMA Honorary Membership Award is awarded to an individual outside of the management profession, who has displayed distinguished public service and contributions to strengthening local government. Submit nominations by May 1.
