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February 20, 2013

Building livable communities that improve people's lives

Leadership and Management

A little word with big power
Saying "no" to colleagues is a professional skill that requires practice and the right mindset, Peter Bregman writes. You'll feel less guilty if you remind yourself that you're not rejecting the person, just his or her request. Be polite and appreciative, but push back against people who are persistent, Bregman writes. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (2/15)

Md. city council chairman drafts rules for meeting order
To combat the problem of councilors interrupting and talking over one another, New Carrollton, Md., City Council Chairman Duane Rosenberg is pushing for "standing rules" that would define who has the right to speak during meetings. "They seem to think it's OK to keep blurting things out and interrupting each other," Rosenberg said. "It's not fair to the audience or to the speakers who are cut off in the middle of their statements." He is working on draft rules with another councilor, and they could be adopted as early as next month. The Gazette (Gaithersburg, Md.) (2/19)

Colo. city council presents community vision
The Cañon City, Colo., City Council's community vision includes improving customer service, establishing plans for development, efficiency and sustainability, and promoting growth and land use. "My hope is that all organizations and people in the community will understand the vision, get behind the vision and all work together to see if we can make this vision happen," City Administrator Doug Dotson said. Daily Record (Canon City, Colo.) (2/18)

Budgeting and Finance

Va. county manager proposes job cuts for fiscal 2014
Arlington County, Va., Manager Barbara Donnellan says her budget proposal for fiscal 2014 would eliminate more than 45 positions to address a shortfall. The cut would equal 1.3% of government staff, including 20 filled positions. Sun Gazette Newspapers (Springfield, Va.) (2/19)

Fla. county takes cautious approach to suggested raises
Interim Lee County, Fla., Manager Doug Meurer presented a plan at the first 2013 budget hearing that includes ending a five-year pay freeze and putting $1.3 million toward merit-based raises for county employees, to help with retention. Some county commissioners, however, questioned the need for raises and said they need more information, citing a $30 million budget gap. Naples Daily News (Fla.) (2/18)

Emergency Management and Public Safety

Texas city council sets fire and police stations as priority
The Lubbock, Texas, City Council says police and fire stations top a list of priorities for renovation. Voters could decide whether to pursue replacement stations during a bond election as early as next year. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Texas) (2/19)

Economic Development, Restoration and Sustainability

Ala. city council allocates $600,000 for stadium work
The Hoover, Ala., City Council has approved a $600,000 plan for maintenance, signs and repairs at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Officials are looking to attract more events to the stadium, which used to house the Birmingham Barons, a minor league baseball team. The plan includes changing the Barons' signs, repainting, repairing handrails and seat backs, and replacing flooring in tunnels. AL.com (Alabama)/Real-Time News from Birmingham blog (2/18)

Residency ordinance kicks off redevelopment of N.D. downtown
Williston, N.D., officials are developing a plan to renew and redesign downtown, starting with an ordinance to minimize residency in commercial buildings. The City Commission, aiming to avoid a "man camp" situation, has approved the first reading of the ordinance. Williston Daily Herald (N.D.) (2/18)

Public Works and Infrastructure

Mich. city agrees to countywide water-treatment plan
The Saginaw, Mich., City Council has approved an agreement to sell untreated drinking water to Bay County. The agreement is part of a plan among 15 municipalities to spend $60 million on a water-treatment facility that will connect with existing water intake. The plan, slated for completion by 2015, should result in improved water quality and long-term savings for customers. The Saginaw News (Mich.) (2/18)

Recognitions and Transitions

Ga. city hires first manager in decades
Shawn Gillen has been hired as the first city manager of Doraville, Ga., since the 1980s. Voters approved switching back to a manager form of government, after the city changed to strong-mayor government in 1981. Gillen has been city manager in Grand Rapids, Minn., since 2007. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2/18)

ICMA News

6 scholarships are available to ICMA members
Each scholarship enables a local-government team with an ICMA city or county manager to participate in the Environmental & Sustainability Management System Institute. Learn more.

"Reinventing Government" workshop: The book's continuing impact after 20 years and its message for our future -- March 28 in Phoenix
Presented by ICMA's Center for Management Strategies, the Alliance for Innovation and Arizona State University, as well as sponsored by CH2M HILL, this half-day program will feature an interview with Ted Gaebler, discussing the impetus behind the book and insight about improving performance in the future, as well as a critical review of criticism of the book. The afternoon session will feature leading managers' assessment of the impact of reinventing government principles and examination of the future of practice and research in the profession. The discussion will offer insight and tools to address issues and challenges we face. Reread the book before you come to this thought-provoking workshop! Register.

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SmartQuote

Everything that lives, lives not alone, nor for itself."

--William Blake,
British poet and painter

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