Spring Is Here! And So Is the New Issue of Minnesota Cities Magazine

It’s been a long winter, and spring is here at last! It’s a great time to thank our friends in public works for all their hard work to keep our roads clear and safe. In the new issue of Minnesota Cities magazine, that’s exactly what LMC Executive Director David Unmacht does, as he reflects on the great job our public works pros do during brutal winters—and all year! Check it out in St. Paul to City Hall.

In this issue, you can also read about a slightly new twist on the topic of community engagement. Cities are always looking for ways to get residents more involved, right? But could your city be giving residents the cold shoulder without realizing it? As our cover story shows, it’s easy to do.

“During my 20 years as a community organizer, I’ve seen how small, overlooked flaws can collectively serve as a significant obstacle to participation,” says cover story author Dave Meslin who, by the way, will be a keynote speaker at the League’s 2019 Annual Conference. “If we want to create a culture that invites people in rather than pushing them away, the first step is to open the doors.” To learn more, read Is Your City Creating Obstacles to Participation?

Other highlights of the May-June issue include:
• How to be an effective leader in today’s multicultural communities.
• Tips for successful advocacy at the state Capitol from the law firm of Lockridge Grindal Nauen, a member of the League’s Business Leadership Council.
• Two cities’ experience with short-term rental ordinances in Two-Way Street.

You can also check out photos from a recent trip to Washington, D.C., taken by a group of Minnesota city officials; get summaries of recent court cases in From the Bench; learn about a great funding source for projects in rural areas in Focus on Small Cities, and more!

Read the May-June issue of Minnesota Cities magazine online

 

 

Municipal Clerks Week: What Does '50' Mean for You?

What does "50" mean to you?

If you're a local gov history buff, you might know that 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Municipal Clerks Week, initiated by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 1969.

 It might also mean the 50 (!) new city clerks, deputy clerks, and administrative assistants that are attending their first Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute training in St. Cloud this week. 

Clerks attend this annual week of training for sessions on issues including elections, finance, parliamentary procedure, race equity, data practices, and emergency management.

That list reminds us, you could say that 50 also represents the number of hats that a city clerk can wear throughout the course of a year!

So let's give 50 cheers to the clerks. Minnesota cities couldn't run without your hard work and commitment. You are appreciated, this week and every week, for the 50 years in the rearview mirror and the 50 years ahead.