Crystal City Manager Anne Norris recalls how a budget process gone wrong provided a painful lesson on the importance of clear communication. She shares how owning the mistake helped rebuild trust with city officials and the community.

Buffalo Mayor Teri Lachermeier shares how a city redevelopment project taught her the importance of getting community input. She also describes her method to ensure people feel their opinion is heard. Episode Transcript (pdf)

Chatfield Clerk Joel Young shares how seeing others become downtrodden and cynical reinforced the importance of maintaining connections and relationships with others in local government. He also reveals the one word that has helped him through some stressful times. Episode Transcript (pdf)

Biwabik Mayor Jim Weikum shares how a mistake he made taught him the importance of doing your homework and anticipating the perspectives of others. He also talks with us about a simple practice that can help elected leaders work successfully with each other. Episode Transcript (pdf)

Melrose City Administrator Colleen Winter talks with us about leadership lessons the pandemic has taught her. She shares how these experiences reinforced the importance of active listening and ensuring people feel heard along the way.

Wyoming Mayor Lisa Iverson shares how a ride-along in a squad car gave her a new perspective on decision-making, and how the words she chooses in her city leadership role can help the public understand council action.

Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz talks with us about the big role that mentors played in her leadership journey, and why we all need to have a buddy to support us and help do the hard things together.

Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes chats with us about a leadership lesson that taught him the importance of embracing community input, and shares what keeps him going after nearly 30 years of serving his city.

Baudette Clerk-Treasurer Tina Rennemo chats with us about lessons she’s learned in her career. She shares the importance of learning by making mistakes, and explains how focusing on the great things happening in her city helps her stay positive. Episode Transcript (pdf)

Brooklyn Park Fire Chief and President of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association T. John Cunningham shares stories from his experiences as a public sector leader and some of the valuable lessons he’s learned. Cunningham also shares his advice on surrounding yourself with supportive peers and keeping your focus on the important things even when the metaphorical fires are all around you. Episode Transcript (pdf)

This teaser episode for season four of The City Speak features League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Dave Unmacht. Dave shares a story about a surprise meeting early in his career where he learned that his transition to a new role was not going well. Hear how that feedback helped to shape his approach to managing and leading in what he considers to be a true “aha” moment in life and leadership. Episode transcript (pdf)

In this episode — League intergovernmental relations (IGR) representatives Daniel Lightfoot and Ann Lindstrom address federal support for cities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the need for any future aid to be disbursed directly to cities with more flexibility and clear direction from the Treasury; the careful coordination needed among federal, state, and local government partners; and the importance of sharing your experiences with state legislators and your congressional...

In this episode — one of three in a legislative series — you’ll hear about the League’s new racial equity legislative policy. League Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Counsel Irene Kao and IGR Representative Craig Johnson explain how the policy was developed, and how it can be used to address equity in policy areas ranging from housing to less obvious topics like energy.

In this episode — one of three in a legislative series — you’ll hear about economic issues affecting cities that will likely be discussed in the 2021 legislative session. League Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Director Gary Carlson and Assistant IGR Director Anne Finn share updates on the state budget deficit, transportation funding, and duty disability for first responders. They also emphasize the importance of sharing your local stories.

League of Minnesota Cities intern and college senior Laurel Poole takes over the hosting duties in this bonus episode, interviewing fellow intern and classmate Elijah Henderson. Henderson spent the summer focusing on research for the League’s race equity initiatives, including conducting interviews with city officials of color. Elijah shares some of the themes he heard in their experiences, and explains how this work has inspired him to become a part of local government. Episode Transcript...

As we approach the general election and the end of 2020, we check in with Brad Wiersum, president of the League of Minnesota Cities and mayor of Minnetonka. Wiersum shares valuable lessons he’s learned while in office and offers practical advice for newly elected officials just starting out on their city leadership journey. He serves up some nuggets of wisdom we can all use, including focusing on the future, not taking yourself too seriously, and being kind to yourself and others. Episode...

We talk with David Maeda, director of elections for the Minnesota Office of Secretary of State, who gives us the lowdown on all things elections – including safety and security of the voting process, absentee voting and naked ballots, and when we can expect final election results. Sign up for weekly emails with election updates from David Maeda, and find election results at www.mnvotes.org.

We wanted to share with our listeners this Center of Everywhere podcast episode from our partners at the Center for Rural Policy and Development and featuring our own Dave Unmacht, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Dave discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Minnesota’s small cities, how uncertainty will be the defining characteristic of the next five years, and why getting involved in local government may just be the best thing you ever do in life. Podcast...

Community first responders are repeatedly exposed to trauma, and that trauma can take its toll. Dan Willis, retired police captain and author of Bulletproof Spirit, talks with us about proactive wellness strategies for first responders. He explains the cultural shift needed to emphasize emotional survival as well as physical survival.

Dan Greensweig, administrator of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, shares some interesting takes on how the Trust partners with cities on managing risk and solving problems. Dan explains how preventing claims is just as important as providing coverage protection, and talks about Trust efforts to help cities deal with some of the bigger challenges and issues they are facing these days.

It’s that time again — budget season is here, and this year there’s the added twist of factoring in the impacts of a global pandemic. Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson and Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse share the challenges their cities face as they make difficult decisions on spending and city services. Hear about the importance of transparency and educating others on the budgeting process, and how tenacity and creative approaches are helping these mayors tackle complex budget issues this year.

As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, we talk with three city leaders about the opportunities, challenges, and impact of women in city government today. Maplewood Assistant City Manager Michael Sable, Sartell City Administrator Anna Gruber, and Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez share their experiences and insights.

Mahnomen City Administrator Mitchell Berg shares the results of his doctoral research on tribal and municipal relations. Even if your city doesn’t have the opportunity to work with a tribal nation, his findings on the trust, purposeful engagement, and skills needed to build intergovernmental collaborations can be applied to strengthen relationships with partners of any background.