Gov News

Loudoun County has received a National Association of Counties (NACo) 2008 Achievement Award for innovative programming for the career development program implemented by the Loudoun County Office of the Assessor.

Congratulations to:

Fort Collins, Colorado,

Naperville, Illinois,

Round Rock, Texas,

Overland Park, Kansas,

and Fishers, Indiana!

Burlingame City Librarian, Alfred Escoffier, announced today that the Library has won seven national awards for public relations from the American Library Association. The awards were for public relations and graphic art in a variety of service areas, including Adult and Family Reading materials (One Book, One Community program); Library Calendar of Events; Special programs and events; Children’s summer reading club promotion; Young adult summer reading club promotion; Foundation fundraising materials; and an Honorable Mention for promotion of the Library website for access to information.

PHOENIX (June 27, 2008)—Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross has been selected to lead the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the regional planning agency for the metropolitan Phoenix area. MAG is a Council of Governments that provides a regional forum for analysis, discussion and resolution of regional issues, including transportation, air quality, and human services. MAG was founded in 1967.

Washington DC – Leading members of the Latino community gathered last week to celebrate the launch of DSG Latinovations at an event during the National Association of Latino Elected and Officials’ (NALEO) Annual Conference. At the reception, Latinovations hosted and thanked colleagues, clients, and friends, including key Latino leaders, for their support in the launching of the Dewey Square Group’s newest brand – Latinovations – a premier public affairs practice specifically focused on servicing all aspects of communications with the Latino community. In addition, during the NALEO conference, Latinovations also announced its innovative new blog La Plaza, which will offer fresh and insightful coverage and commentary of political news related to the country’s Hispanic community. The blog can be found at: http://Latinovations.wordpress.com/.

For your convenience, the Alliance has compiled a Fuel Conservation guide consisting of policies that our member governments have instilled in their jurisdictions.

Call 911 in Richmond about a toothache, an ear infection or a child's fever, and an emergency-room nurse may offer you medical advice.

The unique staffing addition helps the only program of its kind in the United States provide alternative care to those in need while curbing unnecessary ambulance runs.

(Palm Bay)—The City of Palm Bay now plays a key role in shaping emergency response and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). City Manager Lee Feldman has been appointed to a three-year term on FEMA’S National Advisory Council (NAC) which provides advice, analysis and assistance in all aspects of preparedness and emergency management.

On Monday, June 23, 2008, the City of Santa Fe will team with SunMax, LLC and Sundancer Creations, Custom Builders, in a ceremonial ground breaking for "The Emerald Home," a pilot project for the forthcoming Santa Fe Green Building Code. "The Emerald Home" will be a true net-zero home, showcasing innovative design, materials, building systems and renewable energy.

By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP Technology Writer Thu Jun 19, 8:51 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO - Most employees know their bosses are usually within their rights snooping on workers' e-mail, but text messaging has been in murkier territory.

A federal appeals court sought to clarify matters in a ruling Wednesday by distinguishing between electronic communication that employers store on their servers, or pay someone to store, and communication they contract out for.

KATY STECH, The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC), June 16, 2008

Construction companies owned by women or minorities could pick up more subcontracting work under a new program being developed by the city of Charleston.

City officials are finalizing details of a program that certifies businesses as women- or minority-owned, giving them a spot in a database that will be given to local developers and builders who bid on city contracts.

The offices of the Alliance for Innovation will be closed on Friday, July 4. We wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.

The Port of Pensacola has entered the wind energy sector thanks to an agreement to handle 182 wind turbine generator systems (WTGs) being shipped this summer by Vestas Wind Systems to a new wind farm development project in Fowler, Indiana.

GOSIA WOZNIACKA; The Oregonian; Thursday, June 26, 2008

As prices skyrocket each week, the three small cities in east Multnomah county have come up with a creative approach to buying gasoline, though they're not sure how much they will actually save.

Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village are purchasing gas for some or all of their city vehicles from the Reynolds School District. The district's prices are significantly lower than the general public's, Reynolds' Director of Business Services Chuck Rhoads said, because the district purchases large volumes of gas and diesel at bulk prices to run its buses and maintenance vehicles.

By Jason Jacks, Loudoun Times-Mirror To battle the growing problem of unkempt lawns at vacant homes dotting Loudoun, county officials are considering a plan that may have prisoners and volunteers pushing lawn mowers on neglected properties.

City of Surprise, AZ Communication Department Receives National Recognition

The city of Surprise has received national recognition for its innovative cable television productions and Web site.

In a time when we’re all experiencing tight budgets, the Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough County ensured that needy families received more money from their 2007 tax returns.

Watch as Newport News, VA is recognized for their innovation and effort in their winning 2008 Havlick Award e-Gov project.

The Las Vegas City Council recognized the value and importance of its existing and future tree cover by recently adopting the Urban Forestry Initiative. This effort will contribute to the city’s long-term sustainability as trees clean the air, improve stormwater management, conserve energy, reduce the urban heat index, improve public health and increase property values.

At its June 10 meeting, Bothell City Council adopted a resolution to develop a Carbon Reduction and Energy Independence Plan (http://www.ci.bothell.wa.us/dept/CM/SustainCool/index.html) that signifies the City’s commitment to serve as a leader in climate protection and to reduce City energy costs. The resolution officially launches the City’s new program, Bothell CO2OL, and directs the City Manager to pursue and provide Council with recommendations concerning the development and implementation of a Carbon Reduction and Energy Independence Plan in phases, with its first programs to be introduced in September 2008. Earlier this year, the Bothell City Council identified the development of green building incentives for the private sector development as one of its top priorities for 2008.

Registering for recreation programs has become much easier for the citizens of Arlington, TX. The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department has launched online registration services, allowing residents to enroll in a variety of programs online, 24 hours a day.

City Receives National Recognition for Excellence in Technology

The Public Technology Institute (PTI), a national, non-profit technology organization that promotes the use of technology to achieve excellence in local governance and management, recently recognized the city of Phoenix with 2007-2008 Technology Solutions Awards.

The City of Ann Arbor launched its most substantial solar energy project to date with installation in progress of 156 solar panels at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (315 Detroit St.). The 10 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the market’s northerly shed structure will be capable of powering the entire facility — the equivalent of five homes. The project is funded by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and is targeted for completion in July 2008.

The City of Tamarac has officially been certified as a Florida Green Local Government. The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the built environment through conservation efforts which recognizes local governments for exceptional environmental stewardship, has designated the City of Tamarac a Florida Green Local Government. Tamarac is the first municipality to be awarded this designation in South Florida, and also the first City in Broward County to win.

Skateboarders have a wealth of opportunities to roll in Bellevue, with the new Highland Center Skate Plaza adding "street skating" elements to the mix. The country's top skateboarders gave the new facility a grand opening Friday in contests and demonstrations.

Inviting all Ohioans to join in a first-of-its-kind "Transportation Conversation" to determine the type of transportation system the state needs for the future, the Ohio Department of Transportation officially launched the Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force by naming the diverse mix of industry experts and state leaders who will lead the historic endeavor.

Tour of LEED Gold Certified Northside Aztlan Community Center – The City of Fort Collins recently announced that the Northside Aztlan Community Center earned gold level certification from the United States Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. In recognition of this accomplishment, the representatives from the EPA will tour the facility and the site to view the green building elements that resulted in the gold level certification.

The City of Santa Monica has won a technology solutions award and received three honorable mentions from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for four new and innovative technology projects.

The SantaMoniCard parking meter debit card program was recognized by PTI with a technology solutions award. This highly competitive award is presented to local governments who have demonstrated innovative technology solutions to improving service delivery, lowering operating costs, and creating new revenue opportunities.

More than 150 people packed the Moses Jackson Community Center on Tuesday, May 27, to celebrate the release of an exciting new project, "Low Land and the High Road: Life and Community in the Hudson Hill, West Savannah and Woodville Neighborhoods." The 139-page book explores the untold story of how industry and workers combined to produce a vibrant community on Savannah’s westside.

Crews working for Bellevue's Transportation Department are wrapping up the largest project yet in the city's effort to make curbs and sidewalks easier to navigate for people with disabilities. A total of 211 new curb ramps have been installed along streets and sidewalks throughout Bellevue. All comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which took effect in 1992.

Concord is one of 84 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn Reliable Public Power ProviderTM (RP3) recognition from the American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

The City of Fort Collins Colorado's Climate Wise Program was selected as one of the Top 50 Programs of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards competition from a pool of approximately 1,000 local, county, city, tribal, state, and federal applicants. The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School announced the selection of the Top 50 Programs that represent the best in government innovation on April 15, 2008.

Prince William County officials, trying to cope with the highest number of foreclosures of any jurisdiction in Virginia, are considering making loans available to county employees to buy homes there.

The Alliance for Innovation's offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Offices will re-open on Tuesday. Thank you.

For the first time in the history of the Transforming Local Government Conference, we will be welcoming municipal representation from the People’s Republic of China.

Delray Beach, FL Fire-Rescue will be honored at the opening ceremonies of this year’s Fire-Rescue Med Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 22, 2008, for its innovative approach to implementing and maintaining community public access to defibrillation.

City of Phoenix and Phoenix Sister Cities are working to help our friends in Chengdu, China with relief efforts from last Monday’s massive earthquake.

With rising fuel costs and growing worldwide concern about global warming, Ann Arbor is right on target with its Green Fleets program. Adopted in 2004, the Green Fleets program goals are to cut vehicle emissions and reduce the city’s gasoline and diesel use. The Green Fleets Policy team spent a year researching programs in other cities and creating a database of all the city’s vehicles and fuel-using equipment to determine strategies for cutting gasoline consumption.

by Tonia Moxley - Apr. 15, 2008
Roanoke Times

Two Blacksburg environmental projects have won the 2008 Governor's Environmental Excellence awards.

The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has launched an online parking reservation system that allows visitors to the Downtown area to reserve a parking space in advance of their visit. The RDA is piloting this new system in time for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which will run from April 18 to 20, 2008.

The Alliance for Innovation is proud to announce the winners of the 4th Annual J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Government Award and the Thomas H. Muehlenbeck Award for Excellence in Local Government. The awards will be announced and presented at the 2008 Transforming Local Government Conference being held in Greenville, SC, June 4-6, 2008. The presentation will be made during the awards lunch on Thursday, June 5th at 12:15 PM. There were 82 entries for this year's award program, so congratulations to this year’s winners!

The second edition of the Recycling and Waste guide was delivered to every Airdrie home two weeks ago. The guide offers a wealth of information on waste management, recycling, and many other important environmental programs. The guide provides a handy reference throughout the year as a handy resource to clarify the schedules and services provided by our environmental group. In keeping with forward environmental thinking, this guide is produced on 50 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

The City of Tamarac has officially been certified as a Florida Green Local Government. The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the built environment through conservation efforts which recognizes local governments for exceptional environmental stewardship, has designated the City of Tamarac a Florida Green Local Government. Tamarac is the first municipality to be awarded this designation in South Florida, and also the first City in Broward County to win.

Written by Peter Malgieri, Alliance for Innovation

May 4th, 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the tornado that devastated Greensburg, KS. The tornado that struck the town that night was nearly 2 miles wide and wiped out roughly 95% of the town’s homes and businesses.

Citing its growth as a high-tech hub, balanced by cozy neighborhoods and nearly 100 parks, Fortune Small Business Magazine rates Bellevue, WA the best place in the United States to live and launch a new business.

Redwood City’s Public Works Services Department has produced a really great, informative video that provides an overview of everything they do for the community. It’s called, “Redwood City Public Works Services - Safe, Clean, and Green.”

Scottsdale’s Financial Services Department is receiving national honors for its Debt Management Guide and Debt Forecasting Model.

by William Hermann - Apr. 4, 2008 07:14 AM
The Arizona Republic

New wind turbines soon will provide electricity at the Global Institute of Sustainability on ASU's Tempe campus.

"Cover the Uninsured Week" is April 27, 2008 through May 3, 2008. In recognition of this important initiative, Alachua County, FL's CHOICES Health Services Program will host its 1st annual CHOICES Community Health Expo, Saturday, May 3, 2008.

It is now easier than ever before to watch a City Council or Planning Commission meeting in Grand Junction, CO. Effective last month, City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and informational City video productions can be accessed through the city’s website at www.gjcity.org by looking for the ‘Streaming Video’ link on the home page.

Fast and efficient communication is the backbone of public safety. A person facing an emergency must be able to communicate with the emergency telecommunicators who can send help. The telecommunicators must then be able to communicate with the law enforcement officers, paramedics, first responders or firefighters who need to be sent in response.

The National League of Cities and National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) recently presented the City of Phoenix, AZ with the first place award in the Excellence in Diversity category.

Written by: Randall Reid, County Manager of Alachua County, Florida

In celebration of Earth Day, I have written this message to share a link with you to a video entitled “The Story of Stuff.”

Surprise, AZ is committed to growing a community that is sensitive to the environment, from improving air quality to conserving the desert's most precious resource- water. At the newly-launched Green Surprise Web page you can learn more about what the city is doing to build a Sustainable Surprise.

The Loudoun County Government has been recognized as a Fit-Friendly organization by the American Heart Association, Loudoun. County Administrator Kirby M. Bowers announced Tuesday.

The Englewood Public Library is pleased to announce two new online services for patrons: a new "TutorVista" tutoring service for students, and an e-mail reference service so patrons can submit reference questions 24/7.

During the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) conference in late February, the City of Plano, TX Building Inspections Department was presented with the BOAT 2007 Award for Excellence.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the City of Charlottesville’s Downtown Transit Station (DTS) in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC®) certification at the Gold level.

“Everything You Need a Building Permit For, But Were Afraid to Ask”. That could be the alternative title of Chandler's extremely informative (but rarely requested) “Homeowner Building Permit Manual”. The 50-page manual is hardly flying off the shelves at the City’s Planning & Development Department, yet is packed with helpful instructions, plans and details that can aid residents with a number of home renovation projects.

The Alliance's new webcast, Going Green!, has been rescheduled for May 2, 2008. If you have not already registered for this event, download and complete a registration form today.

The City of Alexandria, VA was one of seven cities to receive the 2008 Cultural Diversity Award from the National League of Cities’ National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO). The award recognizes cities for their efforts to enhance and celebrate cultural diversity in the community. The award was presented to the City at the annual “Celebrate Diversity” breakfast at the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC on Monday, March 10.

The City of North Richland Hills, TX recently invited the community to Discover: Project Green. Discover: Project Green was held in Cross Timbers Park on Saturday, March 29. This FREE event focused on conservation, preservation of natural resources, and steps to sustainability. The knowledge obtained at this event can provide the community the ability to reduce their negative effect on the earth and to increase their environmental awareness.

Buying a home can be stressful, even more so if you are a first-time homebuyer. A recent class, offered by the City of Surprise, was designed to help smooth the process.

As the bright purple lockers were installed outside Long Beach’s City Hall, many people wondered what they would be used for. Now the curiosity can be put to rest.

If you’re driven downtown Airdrie, AB lately, it’s hard not to notice the changes taking place. From Towerlane Mall’s expansion and redevelopment to the recent demolition of The Old Hotel to the launch of the Centre Pointe mixed-use project (see Planning Update), the stage is set for the emergence of a whole new look and feel for Airdrie’s downtown.

Congratulations to the City of Plano for being selected as one of the “top 10 cities to visit in America” by AmericaTheBeautiful.com. This website is dedicated to inspiring the hearts of all Americans through videos, photographs and more as they showcase the beauty of this great country. AmericaTheBeautiful.com features two primary programs that highlight outstanding cities and Chambers of Commerce around the nation: the See America Bus Tour and America's Featured Cities.

The TLG conference is a unique conference that focuses on team attendance by local governments, best practice case studies from innovative local government organizations, acclaimed and thought provoking speakers, and great networking options.

The Alliance for Innovation Business Office in Florida is in the process of relocating to a new office suite. Effective April 1, 2008, the Business Office will no longer be located at 6604 Harney Road in Tampa, as the Florida staff are moving to a beautiful office plaza at 11450 N. 53rd Street, in Temple Terrace, FL.

TheCity of Bothell, WA has been awarded with the Certificate of Excellence by the Puget Sound chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for its entry in the public relations/crisis communications category for the “Operation: Every House Prepared” emergency preparedness campaign. The city was presented with its award recently at the annual PRSA Totem Awards ceremony in downtown Seattle. “Operation: Every House Prepared” was an outreach program created to provide and deliver emergency preparedness information door-to-door to 15,000 Bothell residents within city limits and Snohomish County Fire Protection District #10, which occurred in March 2007.

Broward County, FL Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section is the first public child care licensing regulatory agency to pursue and receive accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA accreditation attests that an organization meets the highest national standards and is delivering the best quality services to the community it services.

A recent press conference sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) featured iMovie Mentors (iM2), a unique youth program sponsored by the City of Alexandria, VA. As part of the presentation, Tavaun Green, 14, described his experiences in iM2, a program funded by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Green’s testimony was part of an effort sponsored by Senator Harkin in support of restoring funding cut from the Byrne grant program, which provides support for a broad range of crime-fighting activities, including crime prevention and education.

The City of Plano, Collin College and Plano Independent School District (PISD) have unveiled a new citywide mentoring initiative that pairs volunteers with teens in Collin County – the MAN-Up Program. This Program sponsored the Plano Male Youth Summit in phases during February.

A March 17 article featured in the Arizona Republic describes how the Phoenix Convention Center is preparing to install peel-and-stick solar panels on roughly a third of the West Building's 2-acre roof. The panels will help supply power to the facility. For a limited time, the newspaper article can be found in its entirety by clicking here.

On February 12, 2008, the Long Beach City Council unanimously passed a new tobacco control ordinance to protect youth from illegal sales of tobacco products to minors. The new law will require all sellers of tobacco products to obtain an annual permit from the city. The permit will allow city staff to enhance the education and enforcement of all state and local tobacco laws that relate to youth.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department introduces Segway Adventure Tours of Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 5226 Sample Road in Huntersville. Segways are battery-powered two-wheel personal transporters with gyroscopic balancing mechanisms and a top speed of 12 miles an hour. They are an ideal way to get around and see the wildlife, natural areas, and trails.

American City & County is currently accepting award nominations for a variety of honors, including County Leader of the Year, Public Works Director of the Year, Municipal Leader of the Year, and more.

Now is the time to register for the 2008 Transforming Local Government Conference (TLG) taking place in Greenville, SC, June 4-6, 2008. Visit the conference website today to view a complete list of conference activities, register, and book your hotel room. Go to www.tlgconference.org.

The City of Alexandria, VA has entered into an agreement to purchase the property at 1& 7 East Del Ray Avenue, the second parcel the city has acquired for its Pocket Park Program since it was approved by City Council in March 2005. The purchase, approved by Council in January, received final approval in February by the City’s Planning Commission, as required by the City Code.

Years of careful consideration, study and deliberate planning came to fruition as officials of the City of Farmers Branch and Dallas Area Rapid Transit dug shovels into soft earth to celebrate the beginning of work on the Farmers Branch Station that will see DART Light Rail on the Green Line by 2010.

Are you planning a remodel or building a new home in Lake Oswego? This new hotline can help you make your home a better place for you and the environment. In a collaborative effort, Metro, the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties have launched a new region-wide Green Building Hotline. The hotline provides a wealth of information about green building strategies and resources, as well as financial incentives for new and existing commercial and residential projects.

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners was recently presented with the results of a neighborhood citizen survey that assesses the public perceptions of the County’s first modern roundabout project at North Taft Hill Road and Vine Drive in west Fort Collins. The opinions on last summer’s roundabout project are predominantly positive.