No. 272

July 2008

MML ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOTES … You will find enclosed program and registration material for the MML Annual Conference on September 7-10, at the Springfield Exposition Center. The program includes topics of interest to all municipal officials. In addition to more than 26 sessions on municipal issues, we are planning enjoyable evening events: the Sunday night opening reception in Exhibition Hall, the Tuesday night reception, annual banquet and entertainment (Comedian Yakov Smirnoff has been booked). Spouses are encouraged to attend (no registration fee). We hope you and a large delegation from your municipality will join us in Springfield for this informative and enjoyable event.

ST. LOUIS REGION AND GLADSTONE SELECTED AS ALL AMERICA CITIES … The National Civic League has selected the St. Louis Region and Gladstone as two of the 10 All America Cities for 2008. In order to be selected, communities must demonstrate their ability to address serious challenges with innovative, grassroots strategies that promote civic engagement and cooperation between the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Gladstone was selected for neighborhood revitalization efforts and the St. Louis Region for downtown revitalization, bike trails, greenways, and teen art programs. Congratulations to both communities!

COMMITTEE CHAIRS APPOINTED … The following Policy Committee chairs have been appointed for 2008-2009: Councilman Arthur Sharpe, Jr. of University City, Natural Resources and Urban Development; Mayor Pam Fogarty, Dardenne Prairie, Economic Development and Human Resources; Alderman Scott McCaulley of Hollister, Municipal Administration and Intergovernmental Relations; and Mayor Bert Gates of Shrewsbury, Finance and Taxation.

CARR TO CHAIR RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE … Mayor T.R. Carr of Hazelwood will chair the 2008 MML Resolutions Committee, which will meet on August 21 to draft the proposed Municipal Policy Statement for approval by the general membership at the Business Meeting during the Annual Conference. It you have an issue or policy you wish the Committee to consider, please send it to the League headquarters by August 15.

MML ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM … The MML Board of Directors has authorized up to four Annual Conference scholarships this year. Scholarships are awarded to an elected or appointed official of a municipality that has not sent a delegate to the Annual Conference within the last four years. The scholarship will pay for the Conference registration fee, meal functions and hotel accommodations for three nights. To be considered for one of the four scholarships, the governing body of an eligible municipality should nominate one person, either an elected or appointed official, to receive the scholarship. All nominations must be

received by August 8 at League headquarters, 1727 Southridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Those selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by August 13.

MML DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD … The Board of Directors has selected the five-member MML Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee. This award is presented to a current or former Missouri municipal official (elected or appointed) who has made outstanding contributions to the Missouri Municipal League. The Committee will consider length of service, enthusiasm and dedication, participation in MML activities and outstanding leadership in the Association. If you would like to recommend any current or former Missouri municipal official for this award, please request a nomination form from League headquarters.

REMINDER TO READOPT ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE ORDINANCES … When the General Assembly adopted the ethics/personal financial disclosure law in 1991, an MML supported amendment allowed municipal officials to adopt their own simplified personal financial disclosure requirements by ordinance. This law affects only municipalities with an annual operating budget in excess of $1 million. The General Assembly requires each political subdivision to readopt the ordinance every two years. However, in order to avoid the significant consequences of the failure to readopt the ordinance, we urge each municipality with an annual operating budget over $1 million to adopt the personal financial disclosure ordinance by September 15, 2008 and forward a copy of the ordinance to the Missouri Ethics Commission, PO Box 1370, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

MML COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED … The Missouri Municipal League College Scholarship Committee recently announced the recipients of the newly created MML College Scholarship program. Ten applications were received and an applicant from each of the following cities will receive a scholarship to assist in furthering their education; Pleasant Hill, Mexico, Rolla, Aurora, Oak Grove, and University City. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients.

NEW MCMA OFFICERS … The Missouri City/County Management Association elected the following officers: President, Assistant City Manager Rich Noll, Kansas City; and Vice President, City Administrator Barry Alexander, Shrewsbury. Director of Administration Bill Johnson, Fulton and City Administrator Dianna Wright, Wentzville were elected to the MCMA Board. Bob Cumley, City Manager of Springfield was the 2008 recipient of the Jay T. Bell Professional Management Award.

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S ETHICS CONFERENCE … The Attorney General’s office will sponsor a free, one-day seminar on ethics and legal issues including: the Sunshine Law, conflicts of interest, nepotism, sexual harassment, residency requirements, the Hancock Amendment, etc. The Conference will be held on July 10 at the Truman Office Building in Jefferson City. You may register online at www.ago.mo.gov or phone 573-751-7052.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OFFICERS … The St. Louis County Municipal League recently installed the following new officers: President, Mayor Joe Adams of University City; Vice President, Mayor Rick Lahr of Des Peres; and Finance Chairman, Mayor Rich Magee of Glendale.

NEW MML MEMBER/IT/IS GROUP … There has been some interest expressed from the League’s members to create a new information technology/information systems discussion group. If your city has an IT/IS employee interested in joining this new group, please forward the person’s name, city, title, and e-mail address to kbradley@mocities.com.

EOT CONFERENCE HANDOUTS AVAILABLE … Handouts from the recent MML Elected Officials Training Conference are now available for download from the League’s Web site at www.mocities.com or from League headquarters.

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