The League of Wisconsin Municipalities E-Newsletter | November 2021
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The League's Urban Alliance Invites you to a DNR PFAS Update
The League’s Urban Alliance invites you to a webinar on Thursday, December 2, from 11:30-1:00, featuring a discussion with the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) on remediation, redevelopment, and PFAS. DNR experts will lay out the process and considerations for municipalities to understand DNR expectations for sampling, cleaning up and redeveloping a PFAS-contaminated site. DNR will discuss the importance of identifying PFAS contamination in your municipal water and waste systems, and opportunities for state and federal funding support, including funds that may be available in the near future to address concerns with PFAS in firefighting foam. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your PFAS questions and concerns addressed by DNR staff.
Speakers include:
- Darsi Foss, Environmental Management Division Administrator
- Christine Haag, Remediation and Redevelopment Bureau Director, Environmental Management Division
- Mimi Johnson, Office of Emerging Contaminants Director, Environmental Management Division
Via Zoom, Thursday, December 2, 11:30-1:00 > link here.
Meeting ID: 883 9569 7346
Passcode: 966171
Dial In: 312 626 6799
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The League's Municipal Water Issues Web Series
December 7, 8, & 9, 2021 via Zoom - $50.00
12PM each day
- Best Practices for Managing Small Water Utilities
- Municipal Experiences with PFAS–Approaches, Practices, & Lessons Learned
- Managing Increased Flooding Events
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Check out "Events" below. Several are happening this week! |
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Note the corrected link to the Floodplain 101 Webinar on Dec 2.
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Infrastructure Bill Impact In Wisconsin
On November 6th, the House passed the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. The President signed the $1.2 trillion bill into law on November 15th. The impending modernization of the nations infrastructure includes investments over five years touching on everything from bridges and roads to the nation's broadband, water, and energy systems. For more information on how the Infrastructure bill will impact Wisconsin see the following White House analysis.
Read all of the League's 2021 Legislative Bulletins here.
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New ARPA FAQ
The League and the Wisconsin Towns Association joint ARPA FAQ answers specific questions our associations have received over the past several months.
Stay tuned for more information from Treasury on reporting and compliance for non-entitlement units of local government (NEU's).
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ARPA Revenue Loss Calculator
The Calculator was created by the League in partnership with the Wisconsin Towns Association with help from the WI Department of Revenue.
The Calculator will download to your computer as an Excel spreadsheet.
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"Non-Exclusive List of ARPA Eligible Uses" by the DOR is available online here.
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Take the Office of Rural Prosperity Assistance Survey
The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) is within the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). It was developed to support and maintain the vibrancy of rural communities, assisting their many industries from agricultural production and working forests to main street businesses through a coordinated statewide approach.
The survey will be used to assess and facilitate technical assistance in identifying funding options, planning services, grant writing opportunities, support from topic experts, and to share practical experiences that have been successful in other communities. This will be an ongoing and engaging process to develop statewide resiliency initiatives. Take the survey!
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Lead Service Line Amendment to the State Fiscal Year 2022 Intended Use Plan Q&A Session
Friday, November 19, 2021 from 11:30-1:00 - Zoom
Safe Drinking Water Loan Program
The primary focus will be on changes to the scoring and ranking of projects as well as confirming deadlines. For more information, including the link to the Zoom meeting, please visit the Private LSL Replacement Program webpage.
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EMS Service Award Program
Dec 8, 2021 01:00 PM - webinar
The Wisconsin EMS Association & the Horton Group
Join us for an overview of the State of Wisconsin Service Award Program, a retirement like program for volunteer EMS staff. Learn: Who is eligible, plan rules, how the award is paid and how to start a SAP program.
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WEDC Economic Development Communications Survey
WEDC is partnering with our marketing agency of record, Hoffman York, to review its communications strategy. I am writing to ask you, as a member of the Wisconsin economic development community, for your input and wisdom on issues related to the state of Wisconsin, economic development and WEDC.
Deadline - Monday, November 22nd.
Scott Champion, Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
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The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) first public comment period of a new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. This first draft focuses primarily on the elements that would broadly define professional urban forestry programs and practices in the U.S and Canada. The Task Group recognizes that some of the elements in the standard would be aspirational to most communities.
To view the draft standard click here.
To submit comments click here. Comment deadline is December 1, 2021.
Questions? Reach out to Paul Johnson Director of Urban and Community Forestry.
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Community Tree Canopy Maps
Individual tree canopy maps can be found on the DNR website. The list of communities and counties with maps/links to maps is here. Or you can obtain a handout ready map by contacting your regional Urban Forestry Coordinator or connecting with the DNR's canopy assessment specialist Dan Buckler: [email protected].
(Thanks to Brian Wahl, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator for this information. Brian presented at the Fountain City Small Community Forum on October 27.)
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In addition to the basic Campaign WalkSafe information, visit the Resource Library to find safety articles, eLearnings, printable PDFs, videos and other materials to help you reduce slips, trips and falls throughout the year.
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Heads up! Scientists Needed - please share with anyone interested
UniverCity Alliance and Thriving Earth Exchange -- an American Geophysical Union program -- are partnering to connect Wisconsin communities with scientists and experts as they work to solve local challenges related to natural hazards, natural resources and climate change. A Wisconsin-based community science project cohort is expected to launch in April 2022. Opportunities for involvement include being a community lead, science fellow, scientist or expert. Wisconsin-based communities and volunteers who are interested can contact Gavin Luter, [email protected] or 608-261-1141, to get involved!
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The State of WI Investment Board (SWIB) is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Learn more about the agency's history here.
Listen to the latest SWIB podcast here and look back at some of the people who created SWIB and milestones SWIB has hit along the way since 1951.
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League Handbook Orders!
You can order the following Handbooks in print or as a PDF:
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Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials - Completely updated in January 2017. PDF Available!
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Handbook for Wisconsin Police and Fire Commissioners - Completely updated in January 2019. PDF Available!
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Municipal Licensing and Regulation of Alcohol Beverages - Updated in July 2021. PDF Available!
League Handbooks include: Annual Directory of Wisconsin City and Village Officials (Free PDF) * Annual Products and Services Guide for Wisconsin Municipalities * Annexation of Territory to Wisconsin Cities and Villages * Basic Financial Administration for Wisconsin Local Governments * The Conduct of Common Council Meetings * The Conduct of Village Board Meetings * A Citizen's Guide to Wisconsin Cities and Villages FREE (PDF) * Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials - Completely updated in Jan. 2017. * Handbook for Wisconsin Police and Fire Commissioners - Completely updated in Jan. 2019. * Municipal Licensing and Regulation of Alcohol Beverages - Updated in July 2021. * The Powers and Duties of Wisconsin Mayors * The Powers and Duties of Wisconsin Village Presidents * Proceedings of the Annual Municipal Attorneys Institute * So You've Been Elected (Booklet) * So You Want to Be An Elected Official (Booklet) * Special Assessments in Wisconsin
Orders for print Handbooks will be fulfilled once a week. Put in your order here.
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One monthly in-depth issue and alerts as needed.
Questions or suggestions? Contact the League's Robin Powers at email.
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Creative Placemaking: New Tools for Empowering Community-Led Revitalization
Thursday, November 18, 11 am
Arts, culture, creative organizing, and placemaking have the power to create lasting, radical change to improve quality of life for residents, even in times of crisis. Learn how to leverage your existing community assets and draw inspiration from resident-led projects to spur healing, hope, investment and the physical transformation of vacant spaces and structures through creative placemaking. Milwaukee's HomeWorksBronzeville initiative in the Bronzeville Historic District will be featured. More info and register here.
Cities in the Wake of COVID
Thursday, November 18 at 11 a.m.
UniverCity Alliance
Broadband ReConnect Program
Thursday, November 18 at 1 p.m.
USDA-Rural Development will host a webinar on the Broadband ReConnect program. The webinar will include an update from previous rounds of funding, fiscal year 2022 program requirements, and a Q&A for participants to learn how to bring broadband to their rural communities. Register for the free webinar here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5887807119951457039.
Federal Priorities to Ensure Equitable Access to Workforce Funding Opportunities
Thursday, Nov. 18 | 2:00 p.m.
Join USDA Rural Development and members of the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) to learn about how the Biden-Harris Administration is prioritizing equity and how federal priorities outlined in a recent executive order will facilitate equitable access to workforce funding opportunities for people in rural America.
The order outlines this administration’s commitment to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
This event will be held on Microsoft Teams. Upon registering, you will receive a ticket with the link to join the event.
Lead Service Line Amendment to the State Fiscal Year 2022 Intended Use Plan Q&A Session
Friday, November 19, 2021 from 11:30-1:00
Safe Drinking Water Loan Program
The primary focus will be on changes to the scoring and ranking of projects as well as confirming deadlines. This session will be held via Zoom on . For more information, including the link to the Zoom meeting, please visit the Private LSL Replacement Program webpage.
Show Me How: Brownfields Redevelopment in Economically Distressed Areas
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Federal Highway Administration's Active Transportation Funding and Finance Toolkit
Tuesday, November 23, from 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Transportation agencies frequently face unique challenges in securing adequate funding to facilitate timely project delivery of standalone active transportation projects.
• The webinar will highlight an upcoming web-based toolkit of innovative strategies to fund and finance bicycle and pedestrian projects such as
value capture, bond financing, public private partnerships, Federal funding options, and local planning assistance grants.
• The webinar will feature a demonstration of the toolkit, highlight three case study examples, and provide details on the various funding sources and financing methods to consider when building out multimodal networks.
• A report that will accompany the toolkit includes a literature review, six case studies, and a peer exchange summary that highlights innovative methods used to successfully implement bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout the U.S.
Leading for Racial Equity Series: Understanding Individual, institutional and systemic levels of oppression in state and local government
Wednesday, December 1, 2021–– 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, FREE
Local Government Education - UW Extension
Systems of oppression can occur at all levels and are often unrecognized by those within local governments. During this webinar, you’ll sharpen your understanding of how systems of oppression operate at the individual, institutional and systemic levels, learn applications for addressing multilevel systems of oppression in organizations, and begin identifying and exploring equity project goals and implementation strategies. This session will be led by the nINA Collective, a multicultural group who bring decades of experience and expertise in systems change, equity and inclusion capacity building in local government.
“Highway Safety”
Tuesday- Wednesday, December 1-2, 2021
Transportation Information Center. Virtual. 8:00-11:30 a.m.
In this course, you will learn how to meet signing and marking requirements from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), apply High Friction Safety Treatment to reduce wet weather crashes, adopt Safety Edge treatments, and more. Cost: $85.
Baseline Chief Inspector Training
9:00 a.m. December 1, 7, 8, 1:00 p.m.
Wisconsin Elections Commission
See the full schedule & locations for these trainings on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website here.
This training is only for New Chief Inspectors, chief Inspectors who have lost their certification, Municipal Clerks for recertification training hours (once per 2-year term), Chief Inspectors for recertification training hours (once per 2-year term). To register, visit: https://elections.wi.gov/clerks/education-training/schedule
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League's Urban Alliance Invites you to DNR PFAS Update
The League’s Urban Alliance invites all cities and villages to a webinar on December 2, from 11:30-1:00, featuring a discussion with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on remediation, redevelopment, and PFAS. Department experts will lay out the process and considerations for municipalities to understand DNR expectations for sampling, cleaning up and redeveloping a PFAS-contaminated site. DNR will discuss the importance of identifying PFAS contamination in your municipal water and waste systems, and opportunities for funding support on the state and federal level. DNR will also discuss state and federal funds that may be available in the near future to address concerns with PFAS in firefighting foam. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your PFAS questions and concerns addressed by DNR staff.
Speakers include:
- Darsi Foss, Environmental Management Division Administrator
- Christine Haag, Remediation and Redevelopment Bureau Director, Environmental Management Division
- Mimi Johnson, Office of Emerging Contaminants Director, Environmental Management Division
Join Zoom Meeting on December 2, 11:30-1:00 > link here.
Meeting ID: 883 9569 7346
Passcode: 966171
Dial In: 312 626 6799
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Floodplain 101 Workshop
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2
DNR
All community floodplain zoning administrators, community officials, building officials and other development professionals are encouraged to attend.
This workshop is free, but registration is required.
Wisconsin Clean Cities Annual Stakeholder Meeting - Sustainable Transportation Awards
Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
City of Madison Fleet Service Facility
4151 Nakoosa Trail
Madison, WI 53714
Join WCC for an afternoon of sustainable transportation! Join us as we recognize our members' successes, learn how the state's top clean fuel leaders achieved environmental & economic successes, network with industry leaders, visit with exhibitors, attend breakout sessions & tour the City of Madison Fleet Service Nakoosa Trail Facility!
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The League's Municipal Water Issues Web Series
December 7, 8, & 9, 2021 via Zoom
12PM each day
- Best Practices for Managing Small Water Utilities
- Municipal Experiences with PFAS–Approaches, Practices, & Lessons Learned
- Managing Increased Flooding Events
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“Highway Safety focused on Urban Areas”
Transportation Information Center. Virtual. 8:00-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday- Wednesday, December 7-8, 2021
EMS Service Award Program
Dec 8, 2021 01:00 PM - webinar
The Wisconsin EMS Association & the Horton Group
Join us for an overview of the State of Wisconsin Service Award Program, a retirement like program for volunteer EMS staff. Learn: Who is eligible, plan rules, how the award is paid and how to start a SAP program.
Creating a Sustainable Future for Local Parks
Virtual Event | December 10 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Wisconsin Policy Forum
This installment will focus on local park systems in Wisconsin, which are encountering hurdles but also some opportunities and increased usage amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’ll discuss recent Forum research on specific issues facing the Milwaukee County Parks, as well as parks and rec issues facing other local governments and some creative approaches to navigating these challenges.
“Leading for Racial Equity Series: From tolerance for diversity to deep systems change for equity in state and local government”
Wednesday, January 5, 2021– 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, FREE.
Local Government Education - UW Extension
Tolerance of diversity isn’t enough, local governments need to intentionally be equitable and inclusive in order to better serve their communities. This often involves changing local government systems. Through this webinar, you will understand organizational change management frameworks, learn how to integrate transformative leadership throughout your organization, and analyze the complexities of diversity, inclusion and equity and its application at the organizational level. This session will be led by the nINA Collective, a multicultural group who bring decades of experience and expertise in systems change, equity and inclusion capacity building in local government. To register, please click on the registration link below: https://charge.wisc.edu/LocalGovernment/workshop_register.aspx?workshop_id=135
Ongoing
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON CONTINUING STUDIES
Leadership, Management and Workplace Skills Classes
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Rural Business Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program is designed to provide grants to support technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Each year, Congress has mandated that a portion of this program is set-aside to fund projects that benefit members of federally recognized Tribes. Applications are due no later than 4:30 PM local time on February 28, 2022.
· What? The NEA Big Read is a community engagement opportunity with grants of up $20,000 for community-wide reading programs (in-person and/or virtual). Organizations can choose one of 15 available books. The majority of these selections are new to the NEA Big Read program!
· Who? Eligible organizations include arts organizations, humanities councils, community service organizations, institutions of higher education, libraries, literary centers, school districts, theater companies, museums, tribal governments, and more.
· Why? Past grantees have a proven track record of successfully engaging their audiences through the power of literature and stirring up a passion for reading that persists year after year. They've also developed meaningful and lasting partnerships with other organizations in their community, and program participants have the opportunity to meaningfully connect in-person and/or virtually.
· When? The deadline to apply is January 26, 2022.
REMINDERS
Community and nonprofit funding and grants, educational offerings, and key resources
The Very Popular Municipal Dam Grant Application period is OPEN!
The 2021 Biennial Budget increased the Dam Safety Grant appropriation and provided $10 million for Dam Safety Grants. The Biennial Budget also changed the cost-share amount so that Grants now provide a cost-sharing opportunity for eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal up to a maximum of $1,000,000.00. The DEADLINE IS MARCH 4TH, 2022.
Rental Assistance Funding
U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. The funds are provided directly to grantees such as states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of the first round of funding) Indian tribes. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs. To learn more about how to apply for emergency rental assistance in your state, please visit this link. Information in Spanish for renters can be found here, and information in Spanish for landlords can be found here.
DNR Surface Water Grant Funding
More than $6 million is available to provide cost-sharing grants to support projects in the following areas:
• Education, outreach and organization development
• Planning for protection and restoration
• Restoration of surface water and shorelands
• Management plan implementation
• Aquatic invasive species prevention & control
Download the grant application from the “Applying” tab. Fill out the sections labeled “pre-application” and submit it to [email protected] by Sept. 2. This rough project outline and draft budget will help the DNR understand what you are looking to propose and help them provide technical assistance and feedback before the complete application is due on Nov. 1.
Subscribe!
Thanks to the Green Tier Legacy Communities staff at the WDNR for putting these lists together. Learn more about how your municipality can benefit from the popular and growing Green Tier program for local governments chartered by the League and others in 2010.
GTLC Funding Opportunities
October - December 2021
As a service to Legacy Communities, the Department of Natural Resources compiles funding opportunities that we believe you will be interested in. This list includes upcoming funding applications that are due by October – December of 2021, and also includes funding opportunities available year-round. If you are intending to apply for any of the grants listed below, or others not included, please notify [email protected] so we may continue to inventory funding opportunities of interest to Legacy Communities.
December
Grants
Year-Round Opportunities
Grants
Loans
Other State/Federal Grants
Additional Resources
Questions? Contact Will Erikson
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