The League of Wisconsin Municipalities E-Newsletter | August 2021
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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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Washburn's Mary Motiff invites you to join us for this workshop on Thursday, October 21 at the League's 123rd Annual Conference > Spoofing, Phishing and Fraud - Oh My!
(One-Day Registration is available.)
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Treasury Releases ARPA Reporting Portal
Also last week, the U.S. Treasury released the User Guide: Treasury's Portal for Recipient Reporting. The User Guide provides recipient governments with instructions to submit information in the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), which is the local government component of ARPA, recipient reporting portal. The User Guide contains detailed guidance and instructions on how to create and submit Interim Reports, Project and Expenditure Reports, and Recovery Plans as required by Treasury's Interim Final Rule. This information functions as a supplement to the Compliance and Reporting Guidance issued by Treasury on June 17, 2021.
Additional Resources
"Non-Exclusive List of ARPA Eligible Uses" by the DOR is available online here.
Supporting Prenatal-to-Three with Federal Funds
The National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers’ new resource, Supporting Prenatal-to-Three with Federal Relief Funds, showcases how states and localities can use the nearly 30 federal relief funds to support infant-, toddler-, and family-well-being. This timely resource includes strategies to expand, improve, target, and make early care and education, family support, and maternal and infant/toddler health services more accessible and responsive.
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Westby's Danny Helgerson invites you to join us for this workshop on Thursday, October 21 at the League's 123rd Annual Conference > ARPA: Best Practices, Lessons Learned, and an Innovative Project
(One-Day Registration is available.)
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Submit your Salute to Local Government award nominations
Deadline: September 3, 2021
The Wisconsin Policy Forum is now accepting nominations for the 29th annual Salute to Local Government awards. The Salute recognizes public sector innovation, excellence, and collaboration by local governments, school districts, and individuals. They welcome nominations for candidates from all across Wisconsin.
Our award categories for local governments and school districts include effective problem-solving, intergovernmental cooperation, public-private cooperation, and a new category for advancing racial equity. We also accept nominations for three awards that recognize individual excellence, including one for a "Pandemic Hero" who has gone above and beyond during the response to COVID-19.
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Main Street Bounceback aka Vacant Storefronts Grant
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location. The program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and will be distributed by WEDC’s regional partners. Businesses must apply through the partner organization for the region in which they are located.
More information. Click here to share this information from the League's Facebook page to your own or municipal Facebook page.
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Sheboygan Fall's Randy Meyer invites you to join us for this workshop on Thursday, October 21 at the League's 123rd Annual Conference > Steps to Revitalize Your Commercial District.
(One-Day Registration is available.)
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Imagine a Day Without Water
October 21st
No Shower - No Toilet - No Coffee - No Beer - No Food - No Hand Washing
Imagine a Day Without Water is a national education campaign that brings together diverse stakeholders to highlight how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment. This year, the day of action will take place on October 21, 2021, and will include events, resolutions, student contests, social media engagement, and more, all across the country.
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Milwaukee's Chantia Lewis invites you to join us for this workshop on Thursday, October 21 at the League's 123rd Annual Conference > Combating Erosion and Enhancing Waterfronts
(One-Day Registration is available.)
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Civil Leadership for Vibrant Communities
Leaders who lead and foster civil conversations and welcome diverse perspectives make better decisions. That's particularly important now, when communities, non-profits, and businesses are making decisions in a historically unique time of transition.
Green County Leaders is partnering with Braver Angels and Leadership Wisconsin to provide an engaging way to learn and lean into civil leadership to build vibrant communities by honing civil leadership skills.
This is open to anyone who lives or works in Wisconsin and provides a great way to hone leadership skills and build networks. This program will include 18 hours of professional development. Program facilitators with UW-Madison can provide confirmation of the number of professional development hours for each participant.
Click here for more information and to register by 5pm on Friday, August 27.
Tuition costs $150. All classes are virtual.
Questions? Contact Victoria Solomon, Community Resource Development Educator with UW-Madison Division of Extension-Green County, at [email protected] or 608-328-9440.
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Greener Parks for Health
National Recreation and Parks Association, in partnership with the Willamette Partnership, developed a suite of resources for park and recreation professionals and partners to address the inequitable climate-related health impacts and advocate for solutions. Learn more about this work in the Creating Greener Parks for Health video.
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Municipal DataTool
Examining and comparing Wisconsin cities and villages
August 2021
Wisconsin Policy Forum
Some cuts to police predate calls for defunding
August 2021
Wisconsin Policy Forum
Debate over “defunding” police departments has generated national controversy for the past year and led to legislation in Wisconsin – recently vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers – that would have penalized municipal governments for reducing police budgets. We reviewed municipal spending and found that even prior to the controversy over defunding, communities throughout the state were reducing police spending or staffing for reasons that may have had more to do with their finances than calls for reform.
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Rhinelander's Zach Vruwink invites you to join us for this DEEP DIVE on Wednesday, October 20 at the League's 123rd Annual Conference > The EMS Problem: Working Toward a Solution.
(One-Day Registration is available.)
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Reminder - Interested in helping to delineate the Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs*) for your local geography?
Why? Because PUMA shapefiles are used by the Census Bureau as the geographic lines to deliver the ACS and PUMS data that will inform your municipality/county for the next decade.
Who? Census Data users with local knowledge of or interest in the growth and development patterns for your area.
If this is you, contact Jim Young, Demographic Services Center Lead & State Data Center Lead, WI Department of Administration, Division of Intergovernmental Relations at [email protected]
*PUMAs are non-overlapping, statistical geographic areas that partition each state or equivalent entity into geographic areas containing no fewer than 100,000 people each. The Census Bureau defines PUMAs for the tabulation and dissemination of decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data.
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Reminder - USDA Launches Resource Guide to Help America’s Rural Workforce
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a resource guide (PDF, 2.5 MB) to help rural community leaders start and expand employment opportunities and access resources to train, recruit and create a sustainable rural workforce.
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Want to learn more about the ins and outs of the new "Basic Financial Administration for Wisconsin Local Governments" Handbook?
Glendale's Tomika Vukovic invites you to join us at the League's 123rd Annual Conference for a "how to" session provided by the people who literally wrote the book on Financial Administration.
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Wondering about Covid protocols at the League's In-Person Meetings?
Review this PDF for details. It may even make you smile.
Photo of the League's Board President Todd Schmidt added for interest. :)
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Hazardous Waste & Solid Waste Infrastructure in Wisconsin
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
Aug 19, 2021 03:00 PM
Wisconsin’s Report Card grade for both Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste is B- (between good and mediocre). Authors will give 20-minute presentations and then begin a live Q&A conversation with panelists and audience on how to raise the grades for hazardous waste and solid waste.
Food Access & Affordability
Tuesday, August 24, 1pm CST
Mayor's Innovation Project
Debbie Lyons, Director, Salt Lake City Department of Sustainability
Charlotte Brody, Program Director, Healthy Babies Bright Futures
We are excited to feature cities that have created innovative solutions to food access and affordability issues, engaging residents and collaborating across city departments and with local partners to improve children’s health. This event is open to all mayors and city staff.
Promising Practices Webinar: Embracing Youth Leadership and Activism
Wednesday, August 25th at 1 pm CT
Join the National Civic League for a webinar featuring examples of youth who are making positive change in their cities and on their campuses.
Building the Water Workforce
The Water Alliance
Thu, Aug 26, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
The water sector is facing a high retirement rate and utilities need new water workers to close that gap. In addressing this challenge, utilities have an opportunity to invest in their communities and build a more inclusive water workforce. By creating targeted workforce development programs, utilities can prepare individuals who are new to the sector for future employment. Participants will hear from One Water leaders addressing workforce challenges through community engagement and professional development programs.
UW System interim President Tommy Thompson
WisPolitics
August 26 - noon to 1:00 pm
University of Wisconsin System interim President Tommy Thompson will discuss the return to in-person classes during the ongoing pandemic, the UW System building repair program and budgeting without the tuition freeze, among other topics.
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2021 Municipal Attorneys Institute
Monday -Wednesday!
August 30 – September 1, 2021
Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake
Please thank our sponsors!
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Housing - WHEDA Annual Conference
Sept 1-2 - virtual
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
From national speakers to innovative panels to engagement opportunities with financial experts and affordable housing leaders, WHEDA's annual conference will offer industry leading insights.
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Local Government 101:
For New & Experienced Local Officials and Staff
Sept. 10 in Waupaca in person (capped at 65)
Please thank our sponsors!
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TRANSFORMATION of the UTILITY INDUSTRY
September 14 - 9:00-2:00 virtual
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
The utility industry faces unprecedented challenges, including the pandemic, climate change, development and implementation of new technologies, a changing workforce, and equity issues. How the industry embraces transformation will be indicative of its success.
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2021 Plumbing Inspectors Institute
September 15-17, 2021 Eau Claire
Hotel Lismore
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2021 Community Transformation Workshop
Main Street America
Wednesday, September 15 – Friday, September 17, 2021
Times: Wednesday, 10 am – 4 pm CST, Thursday, 10 am – 2 pm CST and Friday, 10 am – 2 pm CST*
*These times may be slightly adjusted to best fit the virtual content
Pricing: $800 Member | $1000 Non-Member
ENERGY UTILITY BASICS 2021
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
Sept. 21-23, 28, 29 & Oct. 5-8 (One-Day Registration is available.)
Energy Utility Basics is an intensive course on the fundamental concepts critical to being conversant in today’s energy industry. Course content is updated yearly as technology, regulation and markets evolve.
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Municipal Assessors Institute 2021
Sept 28-30, 2021 in Oshkosh
Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center
Building Inspectors Institute
October 6-8, 2021
Lismore Hotel, Eau Claire
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Toward One Wisconsin Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service
October 12-13, 2021 In-person and virtual
Register before 9/25/2021 to take advantage of the reduced conference fee
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The League's 123rd Annual Conference
Join us (and Manitowoc's Justin Nickels)
Bonus Pre-conference Webinars October 12-14 Via Zoom
(These are included in the full conference registration, but if you can't attend in-person, you can also register for just the Bonus Virtual Workshops.)
Annual Conference October 20-22
The Conference Hotel Room Block is now open!
K-I Center, Green Bay
Police & Fire Commission Workshop
November 3, 2021 in Wisconsin Dells
Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center
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National Foundation for Women Legislators 2021 Annual Conference
November 8-10, 2021
Memphis, TN
Scholarships Available
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REMINDERS
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority 2021 Housing Grant
For developers:
WHEDA opens applications for Innovation Housing Tax Credits
Available through 9% federal housing tax credit set aside
The application period for this special round of housing tax credits is now open and will run until Sept. 3, 2021. The Innovation Housing Tax Credit application is on WHEDA’s website here.
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 founded by the League and others in 2010.
July
August
September
Grants
Loans
Year-Round Opportunities
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