Following are updates on various topics for your information. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
Federal Stimulus
· ICMA/NLC Urge Local Governments to Act Immediately on Federal Stimulus: The following message was sent earlier this week to cities across the country:
President Barack Obama signed into law the $787 billion stimulus package on February 17. For local governments, the challenge now is to move into action quickly to ensure that they gain access to the funds that are available. Equally important, local government managers can make sure that everyone knows how the funds are being spent—and, that there is full accountability for them.
As National League of Cities (NLC) Executive Director Donald J. Borut wrote in his February 16 column, this is a time when local governments can demonstrate their effectiveness and accountability. He urges cities to “act immediately" by:
§ Contacting state departments of transportation to learn how they plan to allocate transportation funds that must come through the state.
§ Reviewing the regional metropolitan planning organization priorities to define priority projects that will be most effective in creating jobs.
§ Reviewing the permitting process to ensure that projects can move quickly and in accordance with oversight and accountability requirements that are likely to be included in the funding legislation.
§ Streamlining procurement processes, consistent with accountability requirements.
§ Meeting with school superintendents and/or school board presidents to coordinate on how federal education funds can be used most effectively to address local needs.
§ Developing a plan with regional workforce investment boards for summer youth employment projects and other workforce development initiatives.
The City of Oberlin has been actively working to position the community to receive stimulus funds. In addition to reviewing the advice above, we have already:
- Revised our list of requested projects for the community to align with the final bill.
- Contacted our delegations in Congress and the Ohio General Assembly to share our list and request assistance.
- Collaborated with Oberlin City Schools, Oberlin College and local and state organizations to advocate for specific types of projects. Oberlin College is sharing their resource in Washington, D.C. to assist in this effort.
- Submitted our list to the State of Ohio via a special website, www.recovery.ohio.gov.
As a side note, when I go to Washington, D.C. in mid-March for training, I will make time to visit with Congressional staff. Economic Development
· Main Street Oberlin to Receive Accreditation: We were notified this week that Main Street Oberlin has been evaluated and determined to meet all 10 performance standards and criteria required to be an accredited Main Street program. Criteria include: Having broad-based community support from both the private sector and public sector, having a comprehensive work plan, and possessing an active board of directors and volunteers. A formal announcement will be made in March by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center.
· Annual Tax Increment Financing Meeting Set: Attached is a memo regarding the annual review of TIF agreements and districts in Lorain County. The City Manager must appoint two resident representatives to our Tax Increment Review Council with the concurrence of the City Council. I will ask for a motion of support during the City Manager’s Report on Monday.
City Manager’s Office
· OCMA Conference Educational for City Manager and Assistant: Thank you for the opportunity to spend two days with city managers and assistants from across Ohio. We exchanged ideas, shared information and learned from great presenters. Darlene attended a session on coaching employees that will soon result in her passing on those lessons to our management team. I attended sessions on cultural competency and sign code updates, and spoke as part of a panel on sustainability (my presentation is attached). Over the next few weeks, we will be going through my notes of ideas to filter them out to appropriate staff/departments in the organization. Thanks again!
