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February 7, 2013

Building livable communities that improve people's lives

Leadership and Management

Why specificity is key when praising your staff
As the research of psychologist Carol Dweck shows, it's important to be specific when praising your employees. Rather than offering general compliments, highlight the specific behavior that you want to encourage, writes Margaret Heffernan. This sort of feedback can motivate employees to keep up the good work, she writes. Inc. online (free registration) (2/4)

Texas city council pushes legislative agenda forward
The Waco, Texas, City Council has approved an agenda that focuses on health care, schools and taxes that it will send to state legislators. The council will wait on officials from McLennan County, McLennan Community College and the Waco Independent School District to approve the agenda, which represents common goals. Items include accepting a federal Medicaid expansion, reinstating prekindergarten funding, expanding community and technical colleges, and avoiding property-tax caps. Waco Tribune-Herald (Texas) (2/6)

Calif. city manager gives encouraging State of the City address
Novato, Calif., City Manager Michael Frank told about 100 business leaders, officials and residents during his State of the City address that the city is coming out of recession and that things are looking better than last year. Specifically, Frank said vacancy rates are decreasing and retail sales and business activity are increasing, citing restaurants, offices and a hotel slated to open. Marin Independent Journal (San Rafael, Calif.) (2/5)

Budgeting and Finance

Ala. city council OKs $10M credit line for tornado recovery
The Tuscaloosa, Ala., City Council has approved borrowing $10 million for storm recovery after the city was damaged by a tornado in April 2011. There is no specific plan for the money yet, but it might be used to remove debris or to improve an intersection, among other projects. The Tuscaloosa News (Ala.) (2/5)

N.M. city council expects rough time setting next budget
The Farmington, N.M., City Council says it will face a tough budgeting process after receiving a report on finances. This economic crisis is the worst the city has experienced in the past three decades, but officials have been able to manage the budget. However, the report reveals that revenue from gross tax receipts is below budget, giving the council few options. The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) (free registration) (2/6)

Emergency Management and Public Safety

N.Y. city council wants answers about Sandy accommodations
The New York City Council has questioned Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond about the plan for getting 2,000 to 3,000 families displaced by superstorm Sandy into temporary housing. Most of the families are staying in hotels, but Diamond would not disclose when they will be relocated to permanent homes or how much is being spent on temporary accommodations. Daily News (New York) (2/5)

Economic Development, Restoration and Sustainability

La. city council considers forming historic district
The Mandeville, La., City Council is expected to vote tonight on creating a historic district in Old Mandeville. The measure would create the district and a preservation commission and regulate historic buildings and development in the area. While many have voiced support for the measure, several residents oppose it, saying it would take away their rights as property owners. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (2/5)

Legislation, Policy and Grants

La. city council puts off vote on Carnival parades
The Slidell, La., City Council has delayed a vote on a parade ordinance that has been three years in the making. The ordinance, which is meant to cut the cost of Carnival for the city, would require parade krewes to follow safety guidelines, cap parades at eight each year and shorten Carnival season from six weekends to four. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (2/5)

Public Works and Infrastructure

Tenn. city council changes Confederacy-related park names
The Memphis, Tenn., City Council has approved changing the names of three parks named after the Confederacy and two supporters. Confederate Park has been renamed Memphis Park; Jefferson Davis Park has become Mississippi River Park; and Nathan Bedford Forrest Park is Health Sciences Park. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.)/The Associated Press (2/5)

Recognitions and Transitions

Fla. county reorganizes upper-level government
Lee County, Fla., has added three acting assistant county managers, who report to interim County Manager Doug Meurer. The positions are on a probationary period, but county officials might make them permanent. The News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.) (tiered subscription model) (2/6)

ICMA News

There's still time to sign up for today's Web conference: "Service Delivery in Today's Economy"!
Times are tough. Costs are rising rapidly. Yet, citizens expect the same -- if not a better -- level of service. Learn how one midsize California city is addressing the economic downturn and positioning itself to save millions without sacrificing quality of service. Join us at 1 p.m. Eastern today for "Service Delivery in Today's Economy," an eye-opening presentation by Cynthia Haas, deputy city manager of Carlsbad, Calif.; and Christine Smith, principal of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, part of ICMA's Strategic Partners Program. Get details and register.

Sign up for the 2013 Brownfields Conference in Atlanta
The National Brownfields Conference is the largest training and networking event in the nation focused on economic redevelopment and sustainability. This event is designed to bring people together from a wide range of fields to learn, discuss and take action on brownfield sites to ultimately revitalize communities and restore the environment. In its 15th year, this event attracts thousands of attendees and more than 200 exhibitors for 2½ days of interactive educational sessions, mobile workshops, keynote speakers and the exclusive economic-redevelopment forum. The National Brownfields Conference, co-sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and ICMA, invites you to be part of the solution from May 15 to 17. See details and register.

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SmartQuote

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

--Maya Angelou,
American author and poet

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