No. 286

November/December 2009

SEASON’S GREETINGS … Your MML Board and staff wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season! We look forward to serving you and working with you to solve governmental issues and growing our communities together.

“GROWING OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER” … Many of you who attended the recent MML Annual Conference heard about a new public relations campaign undertaken by the League called “Growing Our Communities Together.” This new initiative was approved by the League’s Board of Directors last year and after an extensive RFP process, the HUGHES firm in St. Louis was awarded the project.

     We are now excited to bring to our member municipalities access to this new campaign and the materials produced to help you partner with the League in our efforts to promote and enhance the value of our local governments across the state.

     “Growing Our Communities Together” is more than an ad campaign, legislative initiative, or a short-term marketing plan, although the initiative includes these and other elements. This long-range strategic approach is intended to change the mindset of our target audiences about the value of cities by giving municipal leaders support and resources to help communicate and demonstrate the positive impact of Missouri’s cities, towns, and villages using common themes, resources, and messages. Visit mocities.com and click on the campaign’s “Toolkit – members only” icon – a user id and password can be obtained by e-mailing kbradley@mocities.com or by calling League headquarters.

MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS … If you arrange a meeting with your legislators either in Jefferson City or at home, please remember to invite MML staff. If we are able to attend, it is helpful to us in our lobbying effort.

MML LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE … The MML Annual Legislative Conference will be held February 17-18, 2010, at the Jefferson City Capitol Plaza Hotel. Registration material will be included with the January Newsletter. We urge all city officials to attend this important, informative Conference

VOTERS APPROVE SALES TAXES … In November, voters approved local sales taxes in St. Louis County (public safety communications); Jackson County (drug enforcement); and in Springfield (police/fire pensions).

VOTERS APPROVE SMOKING RESTRICTIONS … In November, voters overwhelmingly approved smoking restrictions in St. Louis County, Kirkwood, and Liberty. Also, the board of aldermen in St. Louis approved an ordinance restricting smoking.

A.G. OPINION OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE … Attorney General Chris Koster has issued an opinion (#914-2009) that municipal governments are not preempted by state or federal laws from passing an ordinance making the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine by prescription only. The cities of Washington and Union have passed such ordinances.

SALES TAX REVENUE DECLINES … According to the Missouri Dept. of Revenue, statewide sales tax collections declined 24 percent in October compared to the previous year. The Dept. of Revenue believes that most of this decline is based on the dates of the reporting period and will be reported next month.

A.G. OPINION ON TAX RATES … Attorney General Chris Koster has issued an opinion that political subdivisions located at least partially within a charter county or the city of St. Louis have until October 1 of each year to set their property tax rates without fear of penalty. (Opinion #196-2009).

ENROLLMENT STARTING … The Missouri Municipal League (MML), the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), and the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs (TSPA) at the University of Missouri are sponsoring a Leadership Academy. The Academy curriculum is highly interactive, utilizing real-life case studies, experiential exercises, and up-to-date readings and materials. The sessions are led by Truman School faculty and practitioners chosen for their expertise and experience in public sector issues and leadership training. Classes start January 28, 2010. More information and registration materials can be found on the League’s Web site.

NLC’S CONGRESS OF CITIES WEB CASTS … Video from the recent National League of Cities Congress of Cities in San Antonio is available to watch for free on the NLC Web site. Web casts include general session speakers as well as select conference workshops. Go to: http://tinurl.com.vcqjbat.

2009-2010 POLICY STATEMENT … The 2009-2010 Policy Statement is now available for download on the MML Web site at www.mocities.com. Members may also request a hard copy from League headquarters. The policy statement was adopted at the business meeting during the Annual Conference.

CITY CLERKS SCHOLARSHIPS … MoCCFOA will be awarding ten scholarships for the New Clerks Conference to be held in March. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the MoCCFOA and must be a city clerk, city treasurer, city collector, finance officer, or hold a similar position. The scholarship encompasses the registration fee, one-half of a single/double occupancy room, and $40 for mileage and other expenses. Applications are available from any scholarship committee member and are available on the MoCCFOA Web site at www.moccfoa.org. The scholarship chairman must receive the applications no later than December 31, 2009, for the New Clerks Conference. Applications should be mailed to Sharon Kakouris, 202 S. Third St., #118, Louisiana, MO 63363.

NLC POLICY COMMITTEES … We have openings for appointments to the following National League of Cities Policy and Advocacy Committees: Community and Economic Development; Energy, Environment and Natural Resources; Finance Administration and Intergovernmental Relations; Human Development; Information Technology and Communications; Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee; and the Transportation Infrastructure Committee. Committee members are expected to attend the two regular NLC conferences. Preference will be given to officials from cities that are not already represented on NLC committees. Please let us know if you are interested in serving on one of the above committees.