2015 July-August Actionlines Magazine

ACTION LINES

INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF CITIES AND TOWNS MAGAZINE

JULY / AUGUST 2015

2015

Join Us in French Lick!

CONTENTS JULY / AUGUST 2015 VOLUME 18 / ISSUE 4

22 ACTION LINES IACT OFFICERS Duke Bennett President Terre Haute Mayor Greg Goodnight First Vice President Kokomo Mayor

Natalie Hurt Special Events & Conferences Director Erin JamisonKoenig Communications Coordinator

Lloyd Winnecke Second Vice President Evansville Mayor

Jennifer Simmons Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Matthew Greller Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer

Jodie Woods General Counsel

REGULAR STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Rhonda Cook Deputy Director and Chief Federal and State Policy Officer Brian Gould Field Services Manager

ADVERTISING Anne Trobaugh Corporate Relations Director Indiana Association of Cities and Towns 125 W. Market St. Suite 240 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone (317) 237-6200 Fax (317) 237-6206 www.citiesandtowns.org

COVER STORY: Get ready for networking and workshops at Annual Conference! DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION

IN WRITING

MUNICIPAL DEADLINES

QUESTION OF THE MONTH What are a communities PPC and ISO and how do these affect your citizens?

18 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Election or not, Annual Conference is the place to be

IN VIEW 10 MEMBER NEWS 11 CALENDAR & EVENTS 12 WORKSHOP Growing your Community: An Overview of Indiana’s Annexation Laws 17 Q&A Vicki Kitchen, North Liberty Clerk-Treasurer

19 BLISS MCKNIGHT Avoiding 5 things that guarantee you’ll get into trouble IN PLACE 20 BODY CAMERAS Should police officers be equipped with body cameras? IN BRIEF 26 HUNTINGBURG IS ON A ROLL!

Actionlines (ISSN 1092-6259) is published by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an official opinion on the part of the officers, staff or membership of IACT. Indiana elected municipal officials receive an annual subscription to this publication through payment of their municipality’s membership dues. IACT Associate Members receive an annual subscription to this publication through payment of their annual membership dues. The annual subscription rate is $50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Actionlines, 125 W. Market St., Suite 240, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IN ACTION

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

MUNICIPAL DEADLINES JULY 31

Last day for a redevelopment commission to file a report on each tax increment financing district with the fiscal body of the unit. IC 36-7-14-13.

Last day to make report and complete payment of federal tax and F.I.C.A. (Social Security Tax) tax withheld in the second quarter of the year to the District Director of Internal Revenue.

Make report and file quarterly unemployment compensation report with the Indiana Employment Security Division.

AUGUST 1

Deadline for the State Budget Agency to certify an estimate of the income tax distribution for 2016. IC 6-3.5-1.1-9; IC 6-3.5-6-17; IC 6-3.5-7-11

Deadline for county auditors to certify 2015 pay 2016 net assessed values and estimates of miscellaneous revenues with units and the Department of Local Government Finance. IC 6-1.1-17-1

Deadline for units to submit to the Department of Local Government Finance cumulative fund proposals. IC 6-1.1-17-16.7

Last day to report and make payment of state and county income tax withheld during June to the Department of State Revenue, Indianapolis.

The Department of Local Government Finance and the State Budget Agency jointly calculate the CAGIT or COIT rate that must be imposed in a county to raise income tax revenue in 2016 for the property tax levy freeze. IC 6-3.51.5

SEPTEMBER

Last day for units, including certain libraries under IC 6-1.1-17-20.3, to submit proposed 2016 budgets, tax rates and tax levies (as applicable) to county fiscal body or other appropriate fiscal body for review and recommendation or binding adoption. IC 6-1.1-17-3.5; IC 6-1.1-17-20; IC 6-1.1-17-20.3

Last day to submit notice to taxpayers of proposed 2016 budgets and tax levies and notice to taxpayers of public hearing (Budget Form 3) to the DLGF through Gateway. IC 6-1.1-17-3

Last day for a county or municipal fiscal body to compile reports received from the redevelopment commission on each tax increment financing district and submit a comprehensive report to the DLGF. IC 36-7-14-13

Deadline for the State Budget Agency to certify the actual income tax distributions for 2016. IC 6-3.5-1.1-9; IC 6-3.5-6-17; IC 6-3.5-7-11

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

QUESTION OF THE MONTH What are a communities PPC and ISO and how do these affect your citizens? ANSWER: The Public Protection Classification (PPC) and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) are two acronyms that are used in relation to your communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire protection classification. The PPC for your community is determined by the ISO on a broad spectrum of factors. The ISO will provide your community a rating from 1-10, with 1 being the best score and 10 the lowest score. The rating for your community will directly impact premiums or discounts your citizens and businesses will pay for property and homeowners insurance. The rating for your community is based on three key areas, which each have several subcategories. The first area which is rated as 10% of your score includes fire alarms and the communication system (PSAP) in your community. The second item is a rating of your communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire department. This score will include vehicles, personnel, training and equipment. The rating of your fire department will account for 50% of your rating. The last item scored by the ISO is the water supply in your community and the access to working fire hydrants for emergency personnel. This last item makes up 40% of your communities score. The overall score given to your community can help reduce the insurance premiums paid by your citizens and businesses by as much as 56%. Working with your fire department, engineers, utility experts and department heads, you will be able to address any specific issues as to why your community may have a low score or recently received a decrease in score from the ISO.

This feature should not be considered a complete list of deadlines. If you know of an important deadline, please submit it to Jennifer Simmons at jsimmons@citiesandtowns.org.

IN VIEW

INSIDE • • • •

Member Q&A Calendar Webinars Events

MEMBER NEWS •

•

Corydon, Evansville, Fountain City, Greenfield, Lafayette, North Manchester, Orleans, Peru, Rushville, Washington, and Winona Lake are winners of the 2015 Place Based Investment Fund -- a $500,000 competitive matching grant program to support collaborative community and economic development projects. Grants range for $25,000 – 50,000 and are targeted toward quality of place initiatives across Indiana to improve both the quality of life and tourism experience in a community. Marion and Terre Haute are among the Top 10 “Best Small Cities in America” ranked by NerdWallets. The list measures cities with fewer than 75,000 residents based on economic health, affordability, and quality of life. Brownsburg is the latest community aiming to make downtown a destination. Town officials hope plans for a roughly five-story, $70 million mixed-used project will spur additional development and help transform the nondescript downtown into a cluster of retail and residential character. Mid-America Commerce Park in Wolcott has been designated as Indiana Shovel Ready Gold by Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. A once-contaminated patch of land is now Cornerstone Park in downtown Muncie. The new park will have a small performance stage, streetlights, sidewalks, landscaping, and a concrete seat wall paid for with nearly $470,000 raised from foundations and city agencies. An automotive components manufacturer is planning to expand its presence in Berne and add nearly 75 jobs by next year. FCC (Adams) LLC is looking to invest around $130 million

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

•

into new assembly lines, technology and 140,000 square-feet of space. Source: Inside Indiana Business Mayor Shawna Girgis and City of Bedford officials held the official groundbreaking for the Plaza Drive South project. The event marks the culmination of nearly 20 years of efforts that first began under the leadership of Mayor John Williams when the first piece of property was acquired for the project. The Gary/Chicago International Airport will receive a $2.75 million federal grant for runway rehabilitation and another $2.99 million annual grant for its runway expansion project. Anderson is celebrating its 150th birthday with “cornerstone” events scheduled for August. The city has released a video highlighting the city’s past and vision for the future and celebrations will be taking place all year.

IN VIEW

CALENDAR IACT CALENDAR I

JULY 9

Webinar – Fraud and Theft Detection and Prevention Practices

Legislative Committee Meetings, Indianapolis

IACT Board of Directors Meeting, Indianapolis

Workshop – Growing your Community: An Overview of Indiana’s Annexation Laws, Indianapolis

A-D, G, K

AUGUST

Webinar – Rail Crossing Quiet Zones: Case Histories and Practical Advice

19-20

IACT/IU-SPEA Mayors Institute, Indianapolis

E-F L H

Webinar – Management of Public Records

SEPTEMBER E

IACT Board of Directors Meeting, French Lick

29Oct. 1

IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition, French Lick

AFFILIATE CALENDAR (con’t) AUGUST

AFFILIATE CALENDAR JULY G

North Central & South Central Mayors Roundtable, Indianapolis

Southern Mayors Roundtable, Huntingburg

Northern Mayors Roundtable, Auburn

4-6

IMPACT Annual Conference, Bloomington

25-27

Indiana Street Commissioners Association Annual Convention, Indianapolis

Southern Mayors Roundtable, Jasper

SEPTEMBER M

Southern Mayors Roundtable, Sullivan

27-30

ICMA 101st Annual Conference, Seattle, WA

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IACT WORKSHOP Growing your Community: An Overview of Indiana’s Annexation Laws

July 22, 2015 // 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Indianapolis Marriott North // 3645 River Crossing Parkway Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 This one-day workshops was designed to help the leaders of Indiana’s cities and towns understand the legislature’s sweeping changes to the state’s annexation laws. Whether you are planning an annexation imminently or down the road, this workshop will provide vital information to help put your community in the best strategic position for any future growth and development requiring annexation. We have a great lineup of prominent fiscal and legal analysts, as well as many of your peers, ready to offer their insights and expertise.

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Mail IACT / 125 W Market Street, Suite 240 / Indianapolis, IN 46204 Fax (317) 237-6206

Online www.citiesandtowns.org

Agenda

Registration Form

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Registration

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Welcome Matthew Greller, Executive Director & CEO, IACT Linda Sanders, Wessler Engineering

10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Overview of HEA 330 – Indiana’s New Annexation Law To kick off the day, IACT’s Rhonda Cook will lead participants through a deep dive into Indiana’s new annexation law. There are new provisions impacting nearly every aspect of annexation as you knew it before this year’s legislative session. If you are considering an annexation or are in the process of doing one, having this point by point overview will give you the foundation for how to proceed. Speaker • Rhonda Cook, Deputy Director, Chief Federal and State Policy Officer, IACT

Registration Fees for 2015 Annexation Workshop q IACT Member $99.00 q Non-Member: $170.00

Your Information Name Title Municipality/Company Address City

State

Phone Email

Your Fiscal Plan: Rules and Restrictions You NEED to Know Fiscal plans have always been critical to the success of any annexation. Umbaugh’s leading annexation expert Deen Roger’s will guide attendees through the fiscal planning process with great emphasis on the recent changes that will dramatically impact your fiscal planning strategy. Speaker • Deen C. Rogers, Principal, Umbaugh

Special Needs and Dietary Restrictions

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon

Check Number

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Planning and Outreach, New Provisions and Best Practices A solid annexation process has always included sound planning and opportunities for public involvement. SEA 330 amended annexation law to require even greater attention to outreach and more opportunities for citizens to either provide their support or voice concerns. This panel will explore the new requirements, offer advice for meeting these requirements and provide participants with some best practices and lessons learned about how to communicate with and involve affected property owners in your annexation. Moderator • Jennifer Simmons, Deputy Director and COO, IACT Speakers • Tonya Galbraith, Town Manager, McCordsville • Greg Goodnight, Mayor, Kokomo

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Zip

Method of Payment (Circle One)

Check

MasterCard

Visa

Discover

American Expr.

Card Number

Common Pitfalls in Municipal Annexations and Strategies for Heading off Potential Conflicts Nicholas Kile, one of Indiana’s pre-eminent annexation attorney’s will offer participants his candid and instructional views about where cities and towns often misstep during the annexations. He’ll review how municipalities can best approach remonstration process, including how to approach the new County Auditor requirements. Speaker • Nicholas K. Kile, Esq., Barnes & Thornburg

3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Question & Answer Session

4:00 p.m.

Adjourn

Expiration Date

Security Code

Name of Cardholder Authorized Signature Billing Address (if different from above)

City

State

Zip

CANCELLATION POLICY Only written cancellations will be accepted. Please mail your written cancellation to 125 West Market Street, Suite 240, Indianapolis, IN 46204; fax to (317) 237-6206 or email to tbaldwin@citiesandtowns.org. Written cancellations received on or before Wednesday, July 15 will be refunded less a $40 processing fee. E-VERIFY COMPLIANCE IACT is an enrolled employer in the E-Verify Program verifying the work eligibility status of its new employees and will remain so until that program no longer exists. EARN MMI CREDIT Participation in this IACT workshop is eligible for IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) credit. Learn more about MMI at www.citiesandtowns.org/mmi. Thank you to MMI sponsor Wessler Engineering.

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IN VIEW

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IN VIEW WEBINARS Rail Crossing Quiet Zones: Case Histories and Practical Advice August 11

Fraud and Theft Detection and Prevention Practices July 9 Fraud and theft can cost a business its profitability. In the public sector the costs are even more highlighted. It will make the news and impact public confidence. There will likely be unreimbursed costs incurred to prove and recover a loss. Reputations will be tarnished and general employee morale will likely suffer. There are practices and controls available though to reduce the risks. Some could even be mandated. Register for this webinar to help your community to identify areas of concern and address them appropriately.

Why would a city or town need a rail crossing quiet zone? How can they be funded? What should they be prepared for? These are all questions that will be answered on this timely webinar. Participants will also hear about the time it takes to obtain a quiet zone, the approval process that must be undergone and how you can shave time off of the process. You’ll hear from some local officials on their experiences, as well as some alternatives to quiet zones. Join us for this informative webinar where information will be in great supply and a variety of views and perspectives will be discussed.

Management of Public Records August 25 Public records management is an area of constant concern for all municipal government leaders. Some common issues that will be addressed during this webinar are the classification of duplicate records, what and how to destroy records at the end of a term and what are the best practices in records management. We’ll also tackle a few of those “what not do to” scenarios to avoid!

MAYORS INSTITUTE IACT/IU-SPEA Mayors Institute, Indianapolis August 19-20 IUPUI The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) and the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (IU-SPEA) will hold their next session of the Mayors Institute on

August 19-20, in Indianapolis. Hoosier mayors are invited to participate in the Mayors Institute to achieve certification in this exciting city leadership program. Through enhanced leadership training and sharing of new, effective strategies to run city government, the Mayors Institute is an essential tool to guide Indiana’s mayors.

MMI CREDIT Participation in workshops and webinars is eligible for IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) credit. Thank you to Wessler Engineering, the 2015 sponsor of the IACT Municipal Management Institute. The IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) was created to provide innovative, quality education programs to municipal officials across Indiana. Institute participants are given the opportunity to sharpen their management and leadership skills, learn new techniques for tackling common local issues and improving services for citizens, all while working toward certification as an IACT “Certified Municipal Official” (CMO). As officials complete each MMI level they are recognized by the Association, and, more importantly, will benefit their community with the knowledge and experience that they gain.

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

IACT MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

IN VIEW

MEMBER Q&A

VICKI KITCHEN NORTH LIBERTY CLERK-TREASURER

On Behalf of IACT and our membership, we would like to start by congratulating you on your new position as the President of the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (ILMCT).

To start can you tell us a little bit about your plans for ILMCT during your term and goals you have set for the organization? I would like to get all the new clerks and clerk-treasurers engaged. I want them to realize all the resources, mentors, and education available to them through the SBOA, DLGF, IACT & ILMCT. They need to realize they are not alone and there is support for them through these agencies.

As municipalities prepare for turnover following the 2015 municipal election, what benefits would a new clerktreasurer find in joining ILMCT and what services does the League offer to someone new to office? The wonderful education classes and the ILMCT and IACT list serves to ask questions if you can’t find them in the Cities and Towns bulletins or the SBOA Accounting Manual.

We would also like to congratulate North Liberty on being selected as a 2015 Stellar Community finalist. Can you tell us a little bit about the process and what the town has planned if selected as a winner? Stellar is nine state agencies pooling their resources to make an impact on a community. This is the first year that the State is awarding a Stellar designation to one community above and below 6,000. A driven Stellar community is vital. Organizations, citizens and regional partners working together to complete the application process is a great asset. Your community’s comprehensive plan is the first step in the discussion of Stellar. The partnerships that have been established will remain even if we are not selected as the under 6,000 Stellar Community. Our Stellar projects include a Trail to Potato Creek State Park, 5 more Senior Housing duplexes, spray pad at our Town Park, marketing and tourism to the region and Potato Creek State Park, Downtown Façade Program, WPA Phase II of our Town Park stonework, enhance our healthy living initiative, and greening Shamrock Alley.

In 2012 the town of North Liberty won an IACT Community Achievement Award for your downtown revitalization project. Can you tell us a little bit about how the successful revitalization has benefited the residents and town of North Liberty? Our downtown revitalization has brought pride to our citizens

and downtown businesses. While the revitalization was being constructed, a new building was erected for a locally owned Subway in the center of our beautiful downtown. In the last year we have three new successful businesses and one to be opened in August, in our one block downtown district.

What has been the most satisfying moment in serving as the clerk-treasurer of North Liberty? North Liberty becoming a 2015 Stellar Finalist has been a goal of mine since I first heard about the program. It has engaged our community to look at common goals and think outside the box.

Looking back on your time in office, what is one piece of advice you would give to clerk-treasurers who are about to finish their first term in office? Our commitment to our communities is not always easy. You can’t make everybody happy, but remaining true to your obligations and attending every education session possible will make you the best you can be! Find at least one thing to devote yourself to outside of work for your health and peace of mind. There will be challenges every single day. Be ready to tackle them in the best frame of mind.

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IN WRITING COLUMNS • •

From the Executive Director Guest Column

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO MATTHEW C. GRELLER

Election or Not, Annual Conference is Place to Be The IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition is IACT’s largest annual event. This is one time each year that Indiana’s municipal officials from all disciplines gather to learn from each other and a huge lineup of experts in government, finance, engineering, risk management and more. This year, as it does every four years, the Conference is held within two months of the municipal general election. This can result in a couple of questions. How can I leave my city or town so close to the election? I’m not on the ballot in November, why should I come to the Annual Conference? Implying that attending any conference in a municipal election year isn’t a big deal would be like trying to convince a three year-old that spinach tastes like cupcakes. It’s hard enough under ideal circumstances for local officials to take time for the continuing education that makes them a better, more effective leader. When you add the stress of an election and everything that comes along with it, I can see how skipping this particular Annual Conference might seem like a good idea. Let me tell you why it’s not. Upcoming election or not, most citizens’ expectations of their municipal leaders do not change just because there is an election. They expect you to have the most current information available to ensure the city or town is operating at maximum efficiency. They expect you to be constantly in search of the best practices available. They expect you to know how to operate the community under any new administrative or legislative guidelines. And, their expectations do no wane whether it’s your first day in office or your last. Some expectations of you might even be raised in an election year. After all, this is the ultimate performance review.

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Many voters are looking at what is currently happening and will be making their judgements right up until the last minute. This conference gives you the opportunity to learn the hot-button current issues to take back to the community – and some of the things you’ll learn at the Annual Conference you can start implementing immediately. At this year’s Conference we have among the most diverse lineup of workshops that I’ve seen. From tips for selecting software solutions to use of police body cameras to understanding public/private partnerships, our workshops will cover a lot of ground. We’ve also added even more workshops than we’ve had in previous years, including a new take on our Peer Networking Sessions. Of course, some things can wait and should wait until later this year, or even next January. Likewise, there are things that really can’t and shouldn’t wait. If the opportunity allows, however, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the only opportunity available to access the kind of expertise amassed at an IACT Annual Conference. The vital need to firmly grasp the proper uses of TIF revenues, understanding the gray areas of public access laws and learning new code enforcement laws pertaining to broadband citing and wireless availability are all matters you and your colleagues need to hear as soon as possible. Whether your future includes another term in office in 2016 or some year down the road. Or, whether you’re graduating from municipal office and plan to be an active civic volunteer, the information you’ll receive will pay dividends for you and your community. I hope to see you in French Lick!

IN VIEW GUEST COLUMN Bliss McKnight

Manage Smart Avoiding 5 things that guarantee you’ll get into trouble All over Indiana, cities and towns are doing more with less. Elected officials are balancing how to provide services for their citizens while reducing spending. They are managing smarter and more efficiently to make their municipalities attractive to citizens and businesses. This is happening while offsetting the adverse impact of tax caps, unfunded mandates and increased costs of doing local government business. Avoiding mistakes is one of the surest ways to reduce both political and economic costs of doing business. Here are five kinds of trouble public officials can get into and some ideas on how to avoid the mistakes.

Trouble #1 Making a critical decision without first establishing policy. This is like diving into a swimming pool without first reading the rules for swimming and diving.

Trouble #2 Starting a major project using someone else’s contract. Allowing their contract to bind your city or town to an agreement is like using someone else’s toothbrush. It might be OK, but why take a chance?

Trouble #3 Disciplining or terminating an employee without first being able to prove that you did so for legitimate reasons. Oh, sure, everyone will believe you meant well.

Trouble #4 Not looking a gift horse in the mouth might be considered polite, but it can also lead to major embarrassment ... or worse. Stuff for “free” is nice but sometimes there are unintended (at least by you) consequences.

Trouble #5 Thinking that the goodness of your deeds will keep them from going unpunished. Even the best of intentions, if not carefully thought through, can come back to bite you. Making critical decisions, doing major projects, dealing with employees, accepting grants and subsidies or just trying to be a good municipal citizen is fraught with risks you have to manage

... or trouble will surely come calling. The good news is that you are not alone. Your insurance agent should be able to help as you manage these troublesome risks. If they can’t, maybe you have the wrong insurance program. For instance, your agent can help you identify areas where establishing policy before taking action can help preserve immunities. Or help your legal counsel review risk elements in contracts before you sign. Employment law is complex and changing all the time. Model employee handbooks and on-line training should be an important benefit of your liability insurance program. And a good risk management program should also include knowledgeable people to help you sort out the gifts from the gotchas.

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

IN PLACE Should you equip police officers with body cameras? Although several municipalities in Indiana have adopted the use of police body cameras over the past few years, recent national events have accelerated the interest in the role such technology can play in contemporary policing strategies. The driving force behind outfitting police officers with body cameras is the belief that recording police-civilian interactions will increase accountability and reduce exposure to unwarranted litigation. However, successfully implementation of this emerging technology is not as simple as sticking cameras on police officers and sending them out into the field. The effective adoption of police body cameras presents many challenges

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

for policymakers who must harness the anticipated benefits of this initiative while avoiding the potential pitfalls through careful consideration of crucial policy decisions, including but not limited to public access to the videos, privacy, the cost and storage of the data and how to fund such a program. Be sure to mark your calendars for IACTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Conference on September 29 to October 1 in beautiful French Lick, Indiana to learn what you need to know before considering and equipping your police officers with body camera. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Justin Swanson

IN WRITING

The Municipal Law Group at

www.cchalaw.com

IACT would like to thank its 2015 Strategic Partners:

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Get ready for Peer Networking Sessions, Workshops and more September 29-October 1! By Jennifer Simmons and Natalie Hurt

JULY / AUGUST 2015

ACTIONLINES

Join Us in French Lick! French Lick will be home to the 2015 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition. The conference, which begins September 29 and runs through October 1, will showcase more than 25 workshops and nearly 150 experts in municipal government, state agencies, non-profits and universities will be represented in the exposition hall. The opportunities to learn at this year’s event are endless. IACT affiliate groups, exclusive Peer Networking Sessions, the IACT Awards Program presented by Umbaugh and the many meal functions and general sessions all afford opportunities to exchange information, hear best practices and build partnerships. This year, IACT’s newest affiliate group, the ADA Coordinators Association, will be meeting to organize and create an operating structure for what is already a hugely popular and productive group of professionals. The business of the Annual Conference is a key element of the annual event as well. Reviewing and approving the platform, selecting the 2016 Officers and Board of Directors and recognizing achievements in our Municipal Management Institute are among the highlights of the conference’s business meetings.

Workshops Following the conference each year IACT sends you an extensive evaluation that helps us understand the workshops you valued most and why. We also learn a lot about what you didn’t find as useful. We try to use this feedback as we develop the coming year’s lineup. Last year, we heard you say that you wanted even more workshops and peer to peer learning opportunities. In response we’ve added an entirely new block of workshops to the first day of the event and changed up how we’ll facilitate the Peer Networking Sessions on day-three. We’ll also get you moving! One of this year’s Early Bird workshops will involve some classroom instruction coupled with an assignment that will find participants walking the streets of French Lick using what they’ve learned about evaluating a community’ walkability. Many other workshops are a great mix of the practical nuts and bolts of running a government and the kind of innovation or best practices that could help you grow the quality of life in your community. And, it wouldn’t be an IACT Annual Conference if our workshop lineup didn’t include the implementation requirements of many new laws passed during the recent legislative session!

EXHIBIT HALL Spend some time in the IACT Exhibit Hall and visit with nearly 150 exhibitors at their booths to learn what they can offer your city or town. Companies will be on hand to display their products and services, answer questions and offer unique solutions to issues municipalities face every day. This year’s exhibit hall will feature a welcome reception and continental breakfast. The popular IACT Treasure Hunt will be back for a third year. Participate in the Treasurer Hunt and your key could unlock the treasure chest of prizes. Conference delegates can receive a token from each of the participating vendors. Take your tokens to the treasure chest, exchange them for keys and try your luck to see if you are a winner!

VOTING DELEGATE INFORMATION Voting delegates must be designated by the chief elected executive to receive voting credentials at the 2015 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition, September 29 – October 1, 2015, in French Lick. The form is available at www.citiesandtowns.org. Voting delegates will be electing the Association’s officers and Board of Directors, adopting a policy platform and considering any other propositions presented at the closing business session on October 1. We ask that the mayor or town council president designate voting delegates by filling out a Voting Delegate Designation Form (VDDF) (available on the IACT website at www.citiesandtowns.org). Please return the form to the IACT office by September 25. Although we are requesting that voting delegates be designated in advance, the chief elected executive can designate voting delegates during registration hours at the conference, with a credentials deadline of 10:30 a.m., on October 1. According to the IACT Constitution, every member city or town that is represented at the IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition shall be entitled to vote. No city or town will be able to vote by proxy. The number of delegates per municipality is based on population and is detailed on the VDDF. Contact Jodie Woods at jwoods@citiesandtowns.org or (317) 237-6200 with any questions or concerns.

Tuesday, September 29 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Registration

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

IACT Affiliate Group Meetings • Indiana Conference of Mayors (ICOM) Luncheon • Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (ILMCT) Executive Committee Luncheon

1:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Early Bird Workshop • Active Living Promotion and Complete Streets Policies

1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Early Bird Workshop • Maintaining an Up-to-Date Employee Manual

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Workshops • Broadband, Wireless Deployment and Compliance • Tips and Tricks When Selecting a New Software Solution • Enhancing Quality of Life with Traditional Public Works Projects • Executing Financial and Comprehensive Plans

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

IACT Procurement Card (p-Card) Consultations

2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Board of Directors Meeting

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Opening Business Session

5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall

7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Board of Directors Dinner

11:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.

IACT Annual Awards Luncheon presented by Umbaugh, Keynote Address sponsored by Bingham Greenebaum & Doll LLP

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Associate Member Advisory Council Meeting

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Workshops • Understanding Indiana’s New Annexation Requirements - Part 1 • Managing Smart, Presented by Bliss McKnight • The Benefits of Open Data Initiatives and Implementation Strategies for Cities and Towns • 3 Benefits Sources for Police Officers and Firefighters • Indiana Downtown®

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

INform Consultations

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

IACT Procurement Card (p-Card) Consultations

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

State Board of Accounts Resource Center

2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Guest Program

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Workshops • Understanding Indiana’s New Annexation Requirements - Part 2 • Successfully Incorporating ADA Requirements • Answering the Many Questions about Public Safety Body Cameras • Integrating Cultural Awareness and Understanding across Your Community • Vendor Solutions Workshop

Wednesday, September 30 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Registration

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Indiana Downtown® Consultations

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Policy Platform Hearing

8:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Presidents’ Reception

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

IACT Affiliate Group Meetings • Redevelopment Association of Indiana (RAI) Meeting • Indiana ADA Coordinators Association Meeting

Thursday, October 1

8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Registration

State Board of Accounts Resource Center

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

IACT Affiliate Group Meetings • Democrat and Republican Mayors Breakfasts

Guest Program

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Workshops • The Proper Uses of TIF • Managing Smart, Presented by Bliss McKnight • Public Private Partnerships – Understanding the P3 Approach to Capital Projects • Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act and Digital Communication • Vendor Solutions Workshop

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Peer Networking Sessions Mayors; Fiscal Officers & Clerks; Council Members; Attorneys; Appointed Officials & Town Managers

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Workshops • GAAP, CAFR, Where are we headed? • Jasper’s Giga City: An Initiative Promoting Talent Attraction and Quality of Life • Best Practices for Working with Developers and Builders • Making Systemic Changes that Foster a Healthy Workforce and Healthy Community • Vendor Solutions Workshop

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Closing Lunch and Business Session

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

INform Consultations

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

IACT Procurement Card (p-Card) Consultations

11:15 a.m.

Grand Prize Giveaway and Exhibition Closes

IN BRIEF

Huntingburg is on a Roll! Bike share programs are emerging all over U.S. cities and Indiana’s smaller cities are no different. With its accessible trails and park system and a planned expansion of the trail system, Huntingburg was the perfect site to pilot a bike share program in Dubois County. The City of Huntingburg and Zagster launched the public bike sharing service for residents and visitors in April, just in time for summer. The idea for the program was presented last fall to the Huntingburg Park Board as a capstone project by the Dubois County Leadership Academy. Eight bikes are now located in Huntingburg City Park – a perfect location for getting around historic Huntingburg, exploring its shops and riding nearby bike trails. “The City of Huntingburg has so much to offer our residents and visitors, and experiencing it all on a comfortable bike adds a new level,” said Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner. “Our investment in the Zagster program is yet

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015

another way we’re showing that we are, ‘A City Like No Other!’” The ease of the program attracted the Huntingburg Park Board and the Huntingburg Parks Director Jim Rueger. The city contacted Zagster in November with intentions of implementing the program this spring. Because of the early notice, the $3,000 installation/distribution fee was waived. The city will pay $880 a month as part of the annual contract and will receive 93 percent of the rental fees. The City’s proceeds will be used to offset the cost of the program. Zagster features the Breezer Uptown, an award-winning bike known for its lightweight, yet durable construction, specifically for city riding. Those interested in joining the program can download the Zagster Mobile App or go to zagster.com/huntingburg. Rentals cost $3 an hour or $24 a day up to 24 hours. — Erin Jamison-Koenig

ACTIONLINES

JULY / AUGUST 2015