2024 MME Summer Workshop

• April M. Lynch, Strategic Advisor/Organizational Development, Double Haul Solutions

Welcome to your first MME Winter Institute! Grab coffee and your breakfast to get a jump start on networking. Plenty of friendly faces will be on hand to help you make the most of your conference experience and your MME membership!

State and Federal issues often become talking points at the local level.  After all, "all politics is local".  However, many communities have experienced an increased level of political divisiveness in their local elected bodies.  Listen in as a panel of managers share their experiences dealing with political upheaval and the lessons they learned along the way.

Speakers

• John Shay, City Manager, City of Wyoming
• Keith Van Beek, City Manager, City of Holland
• Patrick Waterman, Deputy City Manager, City of Wyoming
• Al Vanderberg, County Administrator/Controller, Kent County
• Cameron Van Wyngarden, Township Manager, Plainfield Charter Township (moderator)

• Achieving New Heights: A Tale of Two Cities
  The Cities of Sterling Heights and Dearborn Heights have revitalized its approach to seeking federal and state funding using strategy, advocacy, and technology. While each City faces a very different set of challenges and opportunities, they provide successful examples of how to strategize and execute an aggressive funding strategy. This session will tell the story of their success and provide tips and insights for other municipal executives seeking to improve their funding game.
  Speaker

• • Wayne Hofmann, Client Funding Director, Wade Trim

• City Management Ethics Challenge: Scenario Based Conversations - CANCELLED
  In an era marked by lack of trust in government and new and complex challenges for local government, what is the role of public entity ethics? How can a commitment to public ethics be reconciled with the need to deal with conflicting stakeholders? What does it even mean to be “ethical” in a public context? And what are the laws, regulations, and policies which can guide a manager’s conduct? This session will explore these current questions facing the managers of today and jump into real life situations that our Managers face every day.
  Speaker

• • Gregg Guetschow, MME/ICMA Senior Advisor

• No Community Left Behind: the MMSA's IT Collaborative Program
  It's more critical than ever for local governments to focus on managed IT and cybersecurity services. The Michigan Municipal Services Authority is partnering with Dewpoint to provide these critical services for communities. Dewpoint will share examples of communities who are finding creative ways to use IT to meet their goals.
  Speakers

• • Samantha Harkins, CEO, Michigan Municipal Services Authority
  • Mike Coyne, Account Executive, Dewpoint

• Common Grounds: Local City Government and Indigenous Tribal Nations
  Michigan's landscape is rich with the history and culture of Native American tribes who have inhabited these lands long before it was known as Michigan. We stand on land that has long been under the stewardship of Michigan's Native American tribes. Native American communities continue to enrich our state with their cultural heritage, independent governance, and economic contributions. As we aim to build respectful and productive partnerships between municipalities and tribal leadership, it is essential to explore avenues for fostering effective collaboration, highlighting historical contexts, current initiatives, and future opportunities for mutual growth and understanding of all who now inhabit this land. The goal of this panel is to examine how city managers representing local governments can collaborate with their local tribal nations regarding issues that affect both parties. The panel will begin by offering contextual Indigenous and Native American history and culture in Michigan and the United States. This context will serve as a framework to explain how inclusivity and culturally responsive collaboration is vital to understanding the unique governance and leadership dynamics when collaborating with tribal nations as it relates to sovereignty and federal protections.
  Speakers

• • Mark Washington, City Manager, City of Grand Rapids
  • Dr. Riley-Mukavetz, Community Engagement Manager, City of Grand Rapids

Artificial Intelligence is making its way into facets of government operations. Identifying ways for your organization to harness its potential requires careful consideration, including a plan for managing its use and a clear understanding of the risks. Join us for a presentation and discussion of AI in local government.

Speakers

• Ashley Higginson, Principal, Miller Canfield

• Leading Technology Change and Getting Staff on Board
  The session discusses how two cities adopted new agenda management systems and how staff led the charge for new technology across department boundaries.  Although the session will draw on examples of agenda management, we will focus on change management and helping staff get on board for change when thinking about new technology.
  Speaker

• • Susan Barkman, Assistant to the City Manager, Royal Oak

• Coastal Resiliency Planning and Implementation
  This session highlights how the City of Marquette, heavily supported by the Superior Watershed Partnership, created a long-term vision and implemented resilience efforts for a one-mile section of heavily damaged shoreline in the City of Marquette. Utilizing multiple NOAA Coastal Zone Management grants, the City was able to have a community-based plan in place that led to funding opportunities from FEMA, the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, USDA Forest Service - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Federal Maritime Administration to accomplish their goal of implementing the first living revetment in the State of Michigan to serve as a model for all coastal communities.
  Speaker

• • Dennis Stachewicz, Community Development Director, City of Marquette

• Fostering Community Awareness and Community Growth as Professional Managers
  Participatory round table discussion about community involvement and educating our communities and regions on how professional municipal management creates strong communities. Members of the Advocacy Committee will prompt the discussion to share current stories about managers advocating for our profession in Michigan towns.
  Speakers

• • Jared Olson, City Manager, City of Roosevelt Park
  • Jason Smith, City Manager, City of Belleville
• Planning for Public Health and Climate Resiliency
  Planning for public health and climate resiliency is not just a worthy social cause - it is good business sense. As communities face compounding issues related to aging populations, car-dependence, and a changing climate, we will explore the business case for the planning and implementation of effective solutions in a post-pandemic world and how community leaders can leverage the discourse. Case studies from around Michigan will highlight the work already being done to address these so-called "wicked" problems. The future is healthy and resilient...as long as we have a plan!
  Speakers
  • Gage Belko, Associate Planner, AICP, McKenna

Shuttle busses will loop between the Marquette Commons to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Marquette and the Holiday Inn of Marquette.