MML #2 – Communities Explore Methods of Intergovernmental Cooperation (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 13, 2018) Frankenmuth, MI- “There’s a tendency to think we’re in a box,” said Steve Mann of Miller Canfield as he addressed representatives from across the state as part of the Michigan Municipal League’s Elected Officials Academy. Mann’s presentation encouraged councilmembers and…
MML#1: Officials Learn Basics of Being a Good Public Servant (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 6, 2018) Frankenmuth, MI – For Bob Slattery, former Mayor of Mt. Morris, a life of public service is “the perfect life.” And as a past President of Michigan Municipal League and an ongoing educator for elected officials, he’s been able…
MML#1: Officials Learn Basics of Being a Good Public Servant (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 6, 2018) Frankenmuth, MI – For Bob Slattery, former Mayor of Mt. Morris, a life of public service is “the perfect life.” And as a past President of Michigan Municipal League and an ongoing educator for elected officials, he’s been able…
MML#7 – Communities of all Kinds Facing Middle Housing Issues (C. Proxmire, April 17, 2017) Lansing, MI – Access to housing is not just an issue that affects low income people. In fact, all across Michigan communities of all types are struggling with a lack of diverse housing options. The aging population, as well as…
MML#6 – The Future of DDA and TIF Funding (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 13, 2017) Lansing, MI – There are 640 TIF Authorities through the state, and sometimes their value gets questioned when budgets get tight. As the Michigan Legislature discusses potential change to the Downtown Development Authority Act and other Tax Increment Funding (TIF)…
MML#5 – Are Cities Prepared for Autonomous Vehicles? (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 1, 2017) Lansing, MI – There are two statistics that stood out in the presentation about autonomous vehicles at the Michigan Municipal Conference in March. The first is that 94% of auto accidents are caused by human error. The second is that the…
MML#4 – Wireless Antennas and Poles in Public Rights of Way (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 27, 2017) Lansing, MI – With expanding needs for wireless services comes expanded need for the infrastructure to support it. Smart phones, smart cars, wireless devices etc. only work if there are towers and supporting antennas to give them data…
MML#3: Senator Marty Knollenberg Named Legislator of the Year (Michigan Municipal League, March 26, 2017) LANSING, MI – The Michigan Municipal League has honored State Rep. Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) and Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) as the League’s 2017 Legislators of the Year. The awards were formally presented to Rep. Kosowski and Sen. Knollenberg during the…
MML#2 – How Changes in DC Impact Local Governments (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 24, 2017) Lansing, MI – Local elected officials of all political persuasions need to be in tune with decisions made at the state and national level. That’s why the Michigan Municipal League included a panel discussion called “The Changing Landscape in Washington…
MML#1 – Working Towards Complete Streets (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 21, 2017) Lansing, MI – Civic leaders came together Tuesday to learn about topics important to local governments including “Complete Streets.” Representatives of Ferndale, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo sat on a Michigan Municipal League’s Capitol Conference panel Tuesday to share what successes their communities have…
MML#7 Livonia Chief Assistant Attorney Shares Insights on Marijuana Regulation (Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 9, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Communities across the state are trying to stay abreast of how the Medical Marijuana Act and subsequent case law and legislation impacts them. Some officials welcome the efforts to cultivate medical marijuana based businesses, others…
–MML #6 – State Helps Communities Become Redevelopment Ready (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 29, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Change in communities happens in one of two ways, either with thoughtful planning or by chaos. Across the state there are communities on the cusp of recovering from the recession of the past decade, and those…
MML #5 – Michigan Municipal League CEO Reflects on Year of Successes and Challenges (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 27, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – A Michigan Municipal League convention would not be complete without an update about the organization itself. MML Executive Director and CEO Dan Gilmartin addressed over 500 representatives from cities, townships and…
MML #4 – How Crowdfunding Builds Community with Patronicity (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 23, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – “When most people think of cities, they think of buildings, streets and cars. But when I think of cities I think of people… Where people go and where people meet is at the core of community,”…
MML#3 – Cities and Civic Tech, How Local Governments Serve Residents Online (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Cities vary on how much effort they put into their websites, apps, social media, and online presence. Yet clearly the internet is important to residents and those wishing to do business. How can…
MML#2 – Cities Facing Increasing Lawsuits over Fees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 18, 2016) Mackinaw Island, MI – Class action lawsuits against municipalities are becoming more common, particularly those over water and sewer billing. Litigation attorney Soni Mithani, a Principal at Miller Canfield in Ann Arbor, took time to educate officials about these types of…
MML #1: From Pork to Pollination, Best Ways to Support Local Development (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2016) Mackinac Island, MI – Development professionals often use the phrase “attract and retain businesses” as their main job functions. But economist and author Michael Shuman is determined to change that. “You cannot attract a local business,” Shuman…
Clawson Skate Park, Hazel Park John R Plan Among Projects Vying for MML Award (Michigan Municipal League, June 30, 2016) Clawson, MI – Thirteen projects, programs, and initiatives involving communities throughout Michigan are vying for the statewide Community Excellence Award (CEA)—the most prestigious Michigan Municipal League honor. The communities involved in this year’s competition are…
MML #6: Lessons Learned at the Michigan Municipal League Conference (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 6, 2016) Lansing, MI – Each year employees and elected officials from cities, townships, villages and counties from across the state gather in Lansing for the Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference. This year oc115.com was able to attend and bring you…
MML #5: Making the Economic Case for Place (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 4, 2016) Lansing, MI – What do communities need to thrive? This is the question explored in depth by The Michigan Municipal League and Public Sector Consultants in 2015. They came up with eight elements of prosperous communities, and explored what research had…