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February 22, 2013

Building livable communities that improve people's lives

Leadership and Management

4 ways to praise your employees
Some bosses find it easy to be critical of failure but difficult to praise good work, writes Mary Jo Asmus. It's important to notice and celebrate small victories as well as milestones, Asmus argues. "A little bit of noticing and letting them know what you observe can go a long way, especially if you have a habit of being critical," she writes. Aspire-CS.com (2/18)

Colo. city council is in final push before election
The Fort Collins, Colo., City Council will consider several major issues before an April 2 election that will bring in three new members. Some of the issues, including mall redevelopment, recycling and parking, have been on the to-do list for years and will require the council to address a full agenda during regularly scheduled meetings and to schedule special meetings. The Coloradoan (Fort Collins, Colo.) (tiered subscription model) (2/20)

Calif. city council, planning commission work on communication
The Mill Valley, Calif., City Council and the Planning Commission have decided on recommendations to improve communication between the commission and City Hall, after Planning Commissioner David Rand accused city officials of being disconnected from the commission. Councilors and Rand agreed that city and commission leaders should meet regularly; the commission will provide project information to councilors ahead of meetings; study-session guidelines should be determined; and performance evaluations should be implemented. Patch.com/Mill Valley, Calif. (2/21)

Budgeting and Finance

N.Y. city manager supports proposal to limit union raises
Auburn, N.Y., City Manager Douglas Selby has expressed support for state legislation that would limit the power of independent arbitrators in the negotiation of union contracts, saying the proposal could help fiscally distressed cities, including Auburn. "It would be helpful because it does put a cap on what comes out of an arbitration award," he said. However, the legislation has been criticized by the city's firefighter and police unions, which say it could affect the fairness of contract negotiations. The Citizen (Auburn, N.Y.) (2/20)

Mich. city council authorizes union pay cut
The Detroit City Council has approved a 10% pay cut in the form of unpaid furlough days for about 600 union workers. The move follows similar action for nonunion workers and employees of the legislative and executive branches. The mayor's office estimates that the cuts will save about $500,000 per month. Detroit Free Press (2/21)

Emergency Management and Public Safety

Md. county commission weighs results of emergency-call study
Allegany County, Md., commissioners have been presented with results of a study that could cause the commission to alter the handling of emergency medical calls. The study highlights the importance of servicing patients from the closest rescue company and enforcing an automatic alert for advanced life support in life-or-death cases. Cumberland Times-News (Md.) (2/19)

Economic Development, Restoration and Sustainability

Plan to revamp Texas city's farmers market gains support
The Dallas City Council and business owners have expressed support for a proposal to revitalize the Dallas Farmers Market, which has required taxpayer subsidies the past few years to stay open. The Farmers Market Group would take majority ownership and develop the market into restaurants, stores, residences, recreational areas and a beer garden. The Dallas Morning News (free content) (2/20)

Legislation, Policy and Grants

N.C. city council backs state's through-truck proposal
The Wilmington, N.C., City Council has expressed unanimous support for a state proposal to ban large trucks from driving on certain roads to pass through the city. Similar restrictions are already enforced downtown. The ban would apply to tractor-trailers, trucks that are longer than 25 feet or wider than seven feet and trucks that weigh at least 2.5 tons. Port City Daily (Wilmington, N.C.) (2/21)

Public Works and Infrastructure

Calif. city council OKs changing one-way street to 2-way
The Palm Springs, Calif., City Council has agreed to turn a downtown street into a two-way road and to study the conversion of another one-way street. The study will cost $35,000 and will evaluate traffic flow, signals, bike lanes and angled parking on the street, which has been one way since 1966. "I think it's a lot more friendly for pedestrians and people coming to shop in our stores to have two-way traffic," Councilwoman Ginny Foat said. The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.) (tiered subscription model) (2/21)

Recognitions and Transitions

S.C. city council gives interim manager permanent appointment
The Tega Cay, S.C., City Council has unanimously approved hiring interim City Manager Charlie Funderburk permanently. Funderburk, who joined the city's staff in 2001 as parks and recreation director, was appointed interim manager last month when former City Manager Dennis Pieper resigned. Funderburk also has served as the city's operations manager. The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.) (2/20)

ICMA News

"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.

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.

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SmartQuote

Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."

--Maria Montessori,
Italian physician and educator

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