Local Gov Life

It takes a lot of courage to manage a local government. Between elected officials, your staff, and your residents, deliverables and expectations need to be managed with a level of complexity that can intimidate many. Fortunately, ICMA has tons of resources on how to make the best decision for your community- including the expertise of our members. In this episode of Local Gov Life, we talk to some ICMA members who discuss resilience in the face of The Great Recession, offer some advice on transparency with your elected officials, and share stories that remind us that you aren’t in this alone. If you’ve ever had to make a tough decision when it came to budgets and contracts, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. Give it a listen and check out some ICMA resources meant to help navigate you through the budgeting process without a scratch. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world

For those of us in public service, it can feel like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. With an unending mission of providing essential services to all reaches of our local populations, it’s good to know that there’s a helpful group of residents ready to get their hands a little dirty- literally. In this episode of Local Gov Life, we sat down with a handful of ICMA Members at our 2018 Annual Conference to weigh in on volunteerism and provide some useful tips on how you can start building a successful volunteer program in your community. Discussing some of the programs volunteers in their communities have assisted with, how to keep them engaged, and knowing when to take a step back, we promise this episode is worth a listen (or two, or four). If you’ve been looking for ways to get your residents active and volunteering, this is one podcast you won’t want to miss. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thrivin

ICMA’s history is rooted in the sharing of best practices among local government managers. From practical guidance, to the more ephemeral, a good mentor can provide the advice you need when you need it most. They can even help you think outside of the box, and approach issues in an innovative way. So, when asked to share stories of their own mentoring experience, these ICMA members had plenty to share. In this episode, we caught up with some ICMA members at the 104th ICMA Annual Conference in Baltimore to learn what it means to be a good mentor, and some of the most valuable ways that you can pay it forward. Take a listen and see what lessons you can take home to become a more present, equitable, and influential mentor in your community, and beyond. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption

In this episode of “Making a Difference,” Chris Clark, a city council member from Mountain View, California, shares his perspectives on how professional local government managers can make the job easier for elected officials by bringing a high level of expertise and experience to the oversight of their communities. Councilmember Clark also discusses how the involvement of a professional manager helped Mountain View navigate a series of tough decisions during the 2008 financial crisis. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrati

It has been quite a year for Bertha Henry, county administrator of Broward County, Florida. She received ICMA’s Award for Career Excellence at last year’s ICMA Annual Conference and Governing magazine named Henry a Public Official of the Year. But those who know her are not surprised. Her passion for the people she serves and the profession of local government management drives her to make a difference “day in and day out,” as she says. In this podcast, Henry talks about the challenges her community has faced—from natural disasters to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida—and how it has brought people together. She also discusses why she believes it is important to serve in a leadership capacity in local government, “to lift all in the community you have to help shape public policy.” About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 00

In 2009, a citizens' group known as VoteCM'09 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, bid to adopt the council-manager form of government. The group was led by Dr. Robert Fortner, a retired kidney specialist turned activist. Fortner, alongside several other Bainbridge Island residents, was instrumental in bringing the council-manager form of government to the city. Residents successfully adopted council management with 71 percent of voters approving the change. Nine years later, ICMA sat down with Fortner for the latest episode of ICMA's Local Gov Life: Making a Difference, where they discuss the transition from the previous structure. They talk about how the relationship works between the city manager, Doug Schulze, and elected officials, as well as how the city is now light years ahead of what it used to be prior to being a council-manager form of government. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throug

For four decades, Carl Valente has served local and state governments throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while also serving five years as financial management director of ICMA. For the past 13 years, Valente has served as the town manager of Lexington, Massachusetts, a town that is celebrated as the site of the first shots of the American Revolutionary War in the Battle of Lexington in 1775. Valente notes in the podcast that this moment in history has an impact on the community to this very day. In this episode of Making A Difference, Valente briefly touches on why he chose the local government management profession - and it came down to three things: 1) a call to public service made by President John F. Kennedy; 2) local government management principles and how important they were to running a local organization; and 3) exposure to policy aspects of government. And after a long career, Valente, who is set to retire in August 2018, credits his longevity to proficiency, keeping up with the changes,

Julie Underwood, city manager of Mercer Island, Washington, has been the first woman and the first person of color in not one, but two, communities. “It seems silly but I thought if I fail, they’ll never hire another woman…another person of color again,” she said. She shared an anecdote about a councilmember remembering a woman who left a job to spend more time with her family. “He wanted to know if I would do the same thing,” Underwood said. Her manager asked the councilmember whether he would have asked that same question of a man. “He was mortified,” she said. “Unconscious bias. It happens all the time.” In this final episode of LocalGov Life, United Front, Underwood describes her career, her philosophy on finding mentors, and how she manages the “second shift.” With three children at home and a demanding career, Underwood stressed how she and her spouse team up on most family responsibilities and how she outsources some of the household chores. She also gives some great advice on how to have those difficu

Jane Brautigam has been city manager of Boulder, Colorado, since 2008 and is the first woman manager in the city's 90-plus-year history. Brautigam started out in the legal profession and then engaged with local government to eventually become manager of one of the most beloved and recognizable cities in the United States. In this episode of “Making a Difference," (powered by Capella University), Brautigam discusses how she "fell in love" with local government, as well as the challenges of diversifying a community and creating more affordable housing. She also discusses what being a professional local government manager means to her. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, profess

After a 26-year career in court administration in Minnesota and California, Chris Volkers became the first female city manager of Moorhead, Minnesota. Volkers said she is proud that Moorhead is a community run mostly by women in leadership roles. “We all work well together; we each bring our own talents to our roles.” In this podcast, Volkers talks about the advice she received when she was starting out in her career—listen first before you speak—and says she gives advice now to young women beginning their careers. She advises anyone in the middle of their careers to reach out and help the next generation of managers. “I am so proud of those relationships,” she says of the mentoring experiences she has shared with students and others who have asked her advice. One thing Volkers admits she has been guilty of is to feel the need to “do it all.” She advises “Ask for help! The mother, wife, executive female doesn’t have to be the only one who takes the kids to the doctor.” She says that she and her husband often

Marcela Piedra is the first female CAO of El Centro, California. As a 20-year veteran of local government, she has moved through a number of departments, including economic development and community services, before moving to the CAO position. With this extensive experience, plus her educational background, Piedra is a well-respected leader and role model. Piedra believes that having had a city manager that “really embraced diversity,” helped her with the confidence to step into the leadership role she now holds. Here are a few other highlights: You have to believe in yourself first because if you don’t, how can you expect others to believe in you. Remember, you are a role model for every woman in the community and beyond. Be open to learning everything you possibly can; you have to be teachable no matter what you do. We’re all going to have challenges, it’s the relationships you have built that help you get through the difficult times. “To have an opportunity to change and impact people’s lives….and an opp

Gina Holt began her career in Springfield, Tennessee, as the assistant to the city manager. Now, 28 years later, she holds the top spot as the city's very first female city manager. In this episode of United Front, a special season of Local Gov Life, Holt opens up about her longstanding career in government (both private and public) and discusses what it has been like as a woman working in a male-dominated field. Yes, at one point she was asked to retrieve a cup of coffee for her male colleagues, and no, it was never asked of her again. Here, she digs deep about why the confidence gap exists, and strongly suggests that "women need to think more positively of their strengths and just go for it, and get out there and aim high." About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading loc

Dana Muscott is the first female city manager of Bay City, Michigan. In this episode of United Front, a special season of Local Gov Life, Muscott opens up about the criticism she has received about her education credentials - and how she overcame it; the management of a big career and a family; how to remain grounded in the CAO role; as well as the importance of mentorship in the profession. She also discusses why she chooses a hands-on approach as a local government leader with both her employees and the community - stating that everyone needs to have a voice - "so step out of your box, step out of your office!" About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development program

Bonnie Svrcek, city manager of Lynchburg, Virginia, is the first female city manager for her community. She also became the second woman ICMA president in ICMA's history. A true groundbreaker for women in the local government management profession. In this episode of United Front (powered by TownCloud), Svrcek opens up in the first half about her early career in the profession, talks about her time as ICMA president, and asks women to see what they can become as leaders in the profession. She also discusses women in the workplace, including the challenges and barriers to female leadership, the importance of inviting men to join the conversation about getting more women into the CAO role, building equity and inclusivity within the organization, sexual harassment, and more. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify

Sitting as one of the lowest-lying areas in the state of Florida, the city of Miami Beach is very much aware that it is on the front lines of sea level rise. The impact of rising sea levels has pushed the city to spend millions of dollars on climate change strategies including elevating roads, raising sea walls, and installing pumps to push flood waters back into the Bay. In this episode of Local Gov Life, ICMA member, chief resiliency officer, and assistant city manager of Miami Beach, Susanne Torriente, sits down with ICMA to give us a snapshot of Miami Beach's current infrastructure, discusses how residents take part in the fight against climate change, and provides great insight for other local governments planning to build rising sea-level resiliency programs in their community. Listen in to hear why this city is considered a leader in fighting the threat of climate change and rising sea levels. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creat

We asked Patrick Malone, who has been a frequent contributor to PM Magazine if he would weigh in on the LocalGov Life Season 2 topic of resilient leadership in the face of crises and he did not disappoint. In this podcast, he reflects on the leadership lessons he learned firsthand in the wake of 9/11 and how he sees them being applied on a daily basis on the local government level. Patrick Malone, Ph.D. is an executive-in-residence in American University’s Department of Public Administration and Policy, where he teaches courses in public sector leadership, executive problem solving, organizational analysis, action learning, leadership ethics, and public administration and policy. He also serves as the director of American University’s Key Executive Leadership Programs and is a 22-year veteran of the Department of Defense. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by work

The Canterbury Earthquake sequence from 2010 to 2012 became known as the worst natural disaster in the history of New Zealand. Though it struck first and hardest in September 2010, it was an aftershock six months later near Christ Church that proved to be most devastating. It claimed lives and property and the affected communities are still recovering seven years later. Waimakariri District Council Local Government Manager and ICMA member Simon Markham quickly found himself in an unexpected role: leading through the disaster and recovery. Though he was not an emergency management professional, he tapped his strong expertise in community engagement and communication to build community trust and resilience. The Waimakariri District, which has a population of about 60,000, is part of greater Christ Church, a metropolitan area of 450,000. The earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people and causing billions of dollars worth of property damage. Markham describes the problem of liquef

Stockton, California, became a symbol of finacial disaster when the combination of a downward spiraling economy and politically expedient decisions led to a highly publicized Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing 2012. The upheaval caused by this crisis affected city staff members and residents and as City Manager Kurt Wilson put it, led to literally life and death decisions in some cases. Wilson describes how the crisis came about, and what steps were required for the city to become financially viable again, in this podcast based on a session held at the ICMA West Coast Summit last March. Wilson explains that in navigating any crisis, a calm, steady presence can help alleviate the anxiety, confusion, and fear that is pervasive when the outcomes are unknown. He also suggests that experience is the best teacher in leading an organization through any type of disaster. While the effects of the bankruptcy will be felt for many years to come, Stockton was able to emerge from bankruptcy two years ago. In fact, the city is no

It has been four years since one of the worst tornado outbreaks struck the state of Illinois. The rare event resulted in 20+ tornadoes, hundreds being injured, several fatalities, and millions of dollars' worth of damage. In this episode of Local Gov Life, Tim Gleason, former city manager of Washington, Illinois, sits down with ICMA to discuss how he managed the crisis of an EF-4 tornado striking his community of 16,000 residents - the leadership lessons learned, the behind-the-scenes decisions made, and the emotions of that fateful November day. Ultimately, the 2013 tornado was a lesson in being prepared for the worst and being able to make quick-thinking decisions. Four years later, has the community recovered? You can listen to the episode by clicking the "play" button below or by downloading it in iTunes or Google Play Music. Subscribe now so you don't miss future episodes! About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and suppo

"We were managing the fear and the panic more than we were managing Ebola itself." In 2014, A. C. Gonzalez was Dallas city manager and Sana Syed was the public information officer. They took a look back at how they navigated through the crisis when the first confirmed U.S. case of Ebola surfaced in their city. The deadly disease had struck West Africa initially, killing more than 11,000 people. When a Dallas man traveling from Africa returned home and fell ill with symptoms, residents became so frightened, they were pulling children out of school and avoiding public venues. Before the crisis ended, two additional residents contracted the disease and city officials worked around the clock to keep everyone—from city staff to medical professionals from the Centers for Disease Control—informed. The city even had to find a way to test and house the dog of one of the patients. Gonzalez looks at how the crisis impacted the city in unprecedented ways, in this episode of the Local Gov Life Podcast. He and Sy