(Timestamps are an approximation) 00:52 Defining Mediation 02:34 Mediation in Local Government 05:08 Mediation in Noise Complaints 09:05 Benefits of Mediation for Local Government 11:41 Mediation in Policy and Ordinance Development 13:11 Cost Benefit of Mediation 15:15 Mediation and Community Engagement 20:22 Challenges in Mediation 25:56 Implementing Mediation in Local Government 28:26 Finding and Hiring Mediators 29:13 Conclusion   Resources Sage Mediation ICMA Learning Lab on-demand webinar: Managing a Divided Council ..read more

In part two, Santy and Hemant continue covering these topics: How should IT or HR departments answer when employees ask: "How will AI make my job easier instead of replacing me?" How residents can use AI to help themselves and create better interaction with local government. What is the next step for local governments and individual staff after experimenting? AI architecture. Creating internal guidelines. Fear and optimism from our favorite fictional AI. Resources City of Boston Interim Guidelines for Using GenerativeAI ICMA's Local Government Reimagined Conferences: Explore the Futu ..read more

Define AI, GenerativeAI and dismiss common myths or misconceptions. How can AI can be used as a precise tool for a specific project right now? How can local governments vet vendors? Application for smaller towns and counties. Are GenerativeAI tools going to remain free? AI’s ability to help and/or hurt public discourse and local government employees caught in the middle. Resources City of Boston Interim Guidelines for Using GenerativeAI ICMA's Local Government Reimagined Conferences: Explore the Future of AI in Local Government One Topic.  Two Locations. ICMA is headed ..read more

Resources: ICMA Economic Mobility and Opportunity Tools and Resources   ICMA Annual Conference, Austin, Texas Free Breakfast Workshop with Danielle Arigoni: Affordable, Climate-Friendly Housing as a Pathway for Economic Mobility October 2, 2023 7:45am to 9:45am CT Austin Convention Center Room: Meeting Room 4 Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation, by Danielle Arigoni. Use promo code "webinar" for a 30% discount.   More from ICMA strategic partner, Cigna: Local government healthcare resources ..read more

ICMA experts on brownfields, Clark Henry and Chris Harrell, explain why brownfields are a problem and how to transform them into sustainable spaces with positive economic, social, and environmental impact. Often at no cost to the local government. Then they preview the Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in Detroit. Resources Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities: Free technical assistance and workshops (in-person or digital) via ICMA in region four, or find your representative organization on the resources page. Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in Detroit ..read more

ICMA experts on brownfields, Clark Henry and Chris Harrell, explain why brownfields are a problem and how to transform them into sustainable spaces with positive economic, social, and environmental impact. Often at no cost to the local government. Then they preview the Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in Detroit. Resources Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities: Free technical assistance and workshops (in-person or digital) via ICMA in region four, or find your representative organization on the resources page. Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in Detroit ..read more

City and County government organizations face significant challenges, including budget constraints, changing regulations, and increasing demand for transparency and accountability. Finance transformation can help address these challenges by improving financial processes, increasing efficiency, and enhancing decision-making capabilities.  Jim McClurkin and Miriam Rayward explain how initial assessment, defining vision and objectives, developing a roadmap, engaging stakeholders, and implementing and monitoring progress, local government organizations can begin their finance transformation j ..read more

Local government spends 2 trillion dollars annually on procurement. Co-founder and CEO of Pavilion, Mariel Reed, shares her unique perspective working in both local government and technology to create solutions that improve the often tedious, slow, and painful procurement processes, including: Drastically reduce buying cycles. Maintain compliance. How city/county managers and department heads can empower purchasing managers to transform the dreaded procurement headache into a strategic advantage. Resources Pavilion's free platform for local governments. Connect with Marie ..read more

ICMA Southeast Regional Director, Randy Reid joins the share nearly 50 years of wisdom on: Advocating for the profession of local government administration. Responding to public criticism and handling an unwanted spotlight as a city/county manager. Separating local government service delivery from the partisan pitfalls of national or local politics. Specific strategies to identify and support the next generation of managers. Resources ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conferences, Louisville, May 10-12 and Long Beach, June 7-9. Free E-Book: The 2023 State of Local Government Report ..read more

Mental health for local government leaders, their staff, and their residents is discussed with Johnny Crowder. ICMA Affinity partner, Cope Notes, is a daily text service that interrupts negative thought patterns with positive stimulus to help improve mental wellness. Co-hosts Jessi Atcheson and Joe Supervielle collected questions about mental health and the Cope Notes model from ICMA  members, staff, and others for an Ask Me Anything interview, including: How does peer support connect with neuroscience? How does it fit in or compliment with seeing a pr ..read more