LMC City Speak

Go Big So Minnesotans Can Go Home

January 03, 2020 05:00 - 31 minutes - 71.1 MB

Housing is a critical infrastructure issue in cities across Minnesota, and it intersects with many other basic needs and services. One of the partners working to solve this complex problem is Minnesota Housing Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Community Development Ryan Baumtrog. His agency’s goal is for everyone in Minnesota to have a safe, affordable home in the community of their choice, and he discusses the programs and tools his agency offers to cities to help achieve that goal. (Re...

The Ballet of the Snow Plows

December 20, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 57.7 MB

We live in a winter wonderland in Minnesota, which is great until you need to drive in it. In this episode, we talk about a crucial city service — snow plowing and clearance — and the policies that cities enact to keep us safe on the roads. Hear from two cities that are taking a leading approach to snow maintenance: Shoreview’s Public Works Director Mark Maloney; and Duluth’s Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman, and Director of Public Works and Utilities Jim Benning. They share how e...

2020 Census: Why a Complete Count Matters

December 06, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 59.3 MB

Is your city ready for the 2020 census? Minnesota State Demographer Susan Brower explains why the census is so important and how it’s used at the local level (including the distribution of billions of dollars in funding). Brower also discusses ways your city can promote the census, especially to those who may feel uneasy about participating. More information, tools, and resources about the 2020 census are available at www.mn.gov/2020census.

Mental Health Crises and How Police Respond

November 22, 2019 05:00 - 29 minutes - 66.7 MB

Across Minnesota, police are responding to an increasing number of calls for those who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. We talk with Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering to find out what this means for police departments, the types of training needed to respond appropriately, the importance of partnerships across agencies, and how city officials can understand and support this work.

Collaboration in Scott County

November 08, 2019 05:00 - 29 minutes - 66.5 MB

SCALE, the Scott County Association for Leadership & Efficiency, is helping local governments forge innovative ways to collaborate. Learn how this collaboration leads to providing superior service while making the most of limited resources. SCALE members Janet Williams, mayor of Savage, and Jon Ulrich, Scott County commissioner, share their thoughts on the benefits of multi-jurisdictional cooperation. They’ll discuss the successes they’ve seen and how SCALE can serve as a model to help buil...

How We Lead Starts with Who We Are

October 25, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 51.6 MB

What does leadership in race equity look like in other organizations and what does it take to be a leader in this area? In this episode, Damon Shoholm, director of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute and Amherst H. Wilder Foundation takes a broad look at race equity and what this work means for leaders across many sectors in Minnesota. Damon shares his thoughts on the importance of examining your beliefs and why you hold them. He also discusses the need to make changes to the systems...

Greater Minnesota Cities: We Can Lead in Achieving Race Equity

October 11, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutes - 79.6 MB

When we talk about race equity in city government, we’re talking about city services, policies, and practices that work for everyone in a community, regardless of their race. Cities — even smaller ones and/or those in Greater Minnesota — have an opportunity to lead in this work. Hear Gordon Goodwin, Midwest region project manager with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, discuss his recent work with a cohort of Minnesota cities. The group has worked on using race equity analysis to be...

My Word Is My Bond: Award-Winning Mayor Shares Sage Advice

September 27, 2019 15:08 - 29 minutes - 66.9 MB

Mayor Jerry Faust’s long career in public service for the City of St. Anthony Village has taught him a lot about how best to govern his city. The recipient of the League of Minnesota Cities 2019 C.C. Ludwig Award, Jerry talks about some of the challenges he’s faced and how integrity, strategic goals, and willingness to listen are key to successfully serving as an elected city official. (Check out St. Anthony Village’s Strategic Plans, and read more about Jerry Faust in the League’s Minnesot...

Engineering City Success

September 13, 2019 04:00 - 21 minutes - 48.3 MB

When Steve Bot became St. Michael city administrator in 2012, he was assigned the goal of expanding the number of lanes on I-94 near his community. Winner of the League of Minnesota Cities 2019 James F. Miller Leadership Award, Steve shares how collaboration with city staff, elected officials, and key partners helped to make what seemed like an impossible goal a reality. Hear how this city leader approaches major challenges by focusing on the “what” and not the “how” to keep projects moving...

Do Well by Doing Good: Thoughts on a 40+-Year Career in City Government

August 16, 2019 04:00 - 20 minutes - 46.4 MB

If you’ve been involved in Minnesota city government in the last several decades, you’ve likely heard of or met Kevin Frazell, director of member services at the League of Minnesota Cities. As Kevin prepares to retire after a 40+-year career, he reflects on his experiences working with city officials and offers his thoughts on the leadership skills that can help elected officials succeed.

Your Stories Make a Difference at the Capitol

August 02, 2019 04:00 - 16 minutes - 36.9 MB

More than 150 city officials are volunteering this summer to help shape the League of Minnesota Cities’ legislative agenda for the next year by participating in the League’s legislative policy committees. Hear first-hand from two of those committee members about their experiences in helping to develop policies that can have a state-wide impact. Spring Lake Park City Administrator Dan Buchholtz and Blaine City Clerk Cathy Sorensen share their stories about policies they helped to craft and th...

LMC Year in Review With David Unmacht

July 19, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 50.9 MB

Just as resident engagement is the “holy grail” of city services, member outreach and engagement is key to the League of Minnesota Cities’ ability to provide the most relevant resources to Minnesota cities. League Executive Director David Unmacht reflects on the past year and how member feedback has helped to spotlight major areas of focus for member services. Host and LMC Education Manager Adriana Temali-Smith talks with Dave about those top priorities, as well as his thoughts on the League...

What I Learned Over 100 Cups of Coffee

June 21, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 51.9 MB

Duluth Councilmember Noah Hobbs wanted to get feedback from his constituents in a different way. So, he set a goal to have 100 cups of coffee with residents! Listen in as host Adriana Temali-Smith talks with Councilmember Hobbs about the lessons he learned through this experience. He’ll also offer a few tips to other elected officials who might be interested in embarking on a similar type of resident engagement journey.

I’ll Drink to That! Turning Wastewater (and Beer) Into Energy

June 07, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 61.8 MB

When you flush your toilet or run water down the drain, where does it go? Well, in most cases it ends up at your municipal wastewater treatment facility, where it is cleaned and returned for the public’s use. But what if you could take the byproducts from that wastewater—and add other byproducts like expired beer or brewing residue—and turn it into energy? Tune in as Pat Shea and Tracy Hodel of St. Cloud talk about how they are doing just that with their city’s state-of-the-art, award-winnin...

Legislative Check-In: End of Regular Session

May 22, 2019 11:44 - 17 minutes - 40.5 MB

Gov. Walz and legislative leaders announced the framework of a two-year budget agreement that would require a short special session in the coming week or so. Tune in as LMC lobbyists Gary Carlson and Ann Lindstrom give an update of where things stand 12 hours after the official end of the regular legislative session. Your hosts for this episode are LMC Education Manager Adriana Temali-Smith and LMC Deputy Director Luke Fischer.

Inspiring the Next Generation of City Leaders

May 10, 2019 04:00 - 29 minutes - 23.6 MB

Young people are the city leaders of the future—but how can we recruit and retain them for city careers? Tune in to this episode to find out what cities have done to encourage young people to get involved with city government. Waconia City Administrator Susan Arntz and former Oakdale and North St. Paul City Manager Craig Waldron, professor at Hamline University, talk about their experiences encouraging the next generation of city leaders. Slayton City Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Josh Malch...

Staff-Council Relationships: Understanding Roles & Developing Collective Wisdom

April 26, 2019 04:00 - 20 minutes - 16.5 MB

A good working relationship between a city’s staff and council will help ensure the success of the city. In this episode, Mayor Rita Albrecht and City Manager Nate Mathews of Bemidji talk about how the roles of elected city officials and city staff can complement one another and help build a collective wisdom. Your host for this episode is LMC Education Manager Adriana Temali-Smith.

Legislative Check-In: How Are Cities Faring at the Capitol?

April 19, 2019 04:00 - 27 minutes - 22.3 MB

With about a month left in the 2019 legislative session, what kind of outcomes can cities expect? Tune in as LMC lobbyists Gary Carlson and Ann Lindstrom give an update of Capitol happenings and discuss bills that could impact cities. Your hosts for this episode are LMC Education Manager Adriana Temali-Smith and LMC Deputy Director Luke Fischer.

Tips for Building Council Collaboration, Part II

April 12, 2019 04:00 - 20 minutes - 16.2 MB

Join City Speak Host Adriana Temali-Smith, LMC education manager, for a conversation with Clint Gridley, city administrator of Woodbury about how to acclimate new councilmembers and mayors to their roles as elected city officials. Get a copy of the City of Woodbury’s City Council Orientation Menu to see what they are doing by clicking on the PDF icon.

Tips for Building Council Collaboration, Part 1

March 29, 2019 04:00 - 19 minutes - 16 MB

Everyone can learn to interact more productively, whether you’ve been a mayor or councilmember for two decades or two months. During this episode, LMCIT Collaboration & Mediation Services Manager Pam Whitmore will join hosts Ed Cadman and Phil Trebatoski to share insights on how elected officials can avoid negative responses and proactively work together to model good governance and discourse.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Public Finance

March 15, 2019 04:30 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MB

Whether you are a new councilmember, mayor, or city clerk, managing a city budget is a big responsibility and comes with a lot to learn. In this episode, we hear from Merrill King, finance director for the City of Minnetonka, to discuss tips for successful budget planning and creating a dialogue about city finances with the public, no matter how large or small your city.

You’re Elected, Now What?

March 01, 2019 05:30 - 27 minutes - 22.2 MB

Winning an election is a huge accomplishment. Now, there is much to learn about your new role as a mayor or councilmember. Tune in as League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director David Unmacht and Edina City Councilmember and LMC Board member Kevin Staunton join podcast hosts Phil Trebatoski and Adriana Temali-Smith to offer some tips and guidance. They discuss interpersonal skills, setting expectations, agreeing to disagree, and ways to stay connected to residents once you are elected into...

What’s Ahead for Cities in the 2019 Legislative Session?

February 06, 2019 20:40 - 24 minutes - 20 MB

Two of the League’s lobbyists, Gary Carlson, Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Director, and Ann Lindstrom, IGR Representative, join podcast hosts Ed Cadman and Phil Trebatoski to discuss what might be around the corner for cities this coming legislative session. They discuss the League’s legislative priorities for cities, a new governor, new House leadership, and other new dynamics at the Capitol. Learn context about the political climate at the Capitol and tips for communicating with new l...

Episodes