Friday, May 17, 2019

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!