+ Equity and Inclusion Council Meets in Macon + Creating a roadmap to jobs Young Gamechangers present Big Ideas to Dalton/Whitfield County on September + Learning the Ropes: Mentorship Program Brings Benefits on Both Sides + Making Cultural Diversity Work Training Hosted at GMA Headquarters + Better Together: GMA and ACCG Hold Joint Legislative Policy Council Meetings + Georgia Government Communicators Convene to Learn and Network + 2023 Newly Elected Officials Institute Set For March + Pembroke’s Walraven Elected Municipal Training Board Chair + 2022 LEAN Conference Puts Priority on Preparedness + The Importance of a Hometown Connection + Connect with GMA at Fall District Meetings + Talk it Up Thursday + GMA Cares

is the highlight of his department’s year.

“The sessions are always on point,” said Harrison, who has attended the conference every year since 2017. “We’re still working through our list of takeaway points, which will impact our communications department strategy in the months ahead.”

East Point Public Information Officer Shannon Wiggins, a first-time conference attendee, had a lot of takeaways from the conference and plans to attend next year.

“I now feel more equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to implement strong communication strategies when a crisis occurs,” she said. “It was also a great networking opportunity to connect and learn from other government communicators and share ideas on how to communicate with our residents effectively.”

Dunwoody Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher, a first-time attendee, said she enjoyed the conference.

“I learned a lot and made great new connections,” she said.

Georgia communicators interested in joining the group should join GMA’s Georgia Government Communicators Communities. Contact Amanda Coyne at acoyne@gacities.com for more information.

Georgia Municipal Association | New Headquarters, Renovation, and Parking Deck

City of Milton | Public Safety Complex City of Fayetteville | City Hall

2023 Newly Elected Officials Institute Set For March

SAVE THE DATE

The 2023 Newly Elected Officials Training will be held March 1-3 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens.

Registration will open on gacities.com in October 2022.

In 1990, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation (O.C.G.A. 36-45-1) requiring all persons elected as members of a municipal governing authority who were not serving as members of a municipal governing authority to attend and satisfactorily complete a training program specifically designed for newly elected municipal officials.

The Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government are pleased to provide this required training to Georgia’s newly elected municipal officials.

The Newly Elected Officials Institute provides an opportunity for mayors and councilmembers to increase their knowledge and understanding of city government, especially as it relates to the role and responsibility of the elected official. The training provides information designed to increase the awareness of the legal, financial and ethical responsibilities of city officials. Further, the course provides six hours of credit toward the voluntary training certificate program available through the Municipal Training Institute.

Municipal elected officials that have served before and have been reelected are required to take the Newly Elected Officials Institute again if they have been out of office for more than four years or more than one term, whichever is longer.

Visit the GMA website for registration details.

Newly Elected Officials Training Testimonials

Mayor Kurt Ward, Braselton: “After cranking the Suburban, driving to Athens, and walking into a huge crowd full of excitement, I was reminded of many Saturday game day experiences - Go Dawgs! This one, however, was different. While all of these fans may not pull for the Georgia Bulldogs, every person feeling the undeniable excitement at this event cheers for the citizens of

“the state of Georgia, especially those who live in our municipalities. As a newly elected official, it was an honor and a privilege to join with hundreds of others that participated in GMA’s Newly Elected Officials Training in 2022. When newly elected to office, ideas and initiative are easy. But leaders also need to always improve on implementation and perspective. The facilitators from

GMA and the Carl Vinson Institute provided a perfect balance of positive reinforcement and practical instruction. Also, the Newly Elected training created an organic environment for building relationships with other municipal leaders in Georgia.

Thank you, GMA, for intentionally investing in newly elected officials in Georgia and for inspiring us to be our best for Georgia!”

Tara Graves, Councilwoman, Stonecrest:

“Thank you for the Newly Elected Officials Training. The experience was amazing. This is a new arena for me, so attending the training gave me the opportunity to sharpen my knowledge while at the same time building relationships. It is so important to build relationships to gain and share new ideas and best practices. The training also clarified the importance of the city charter and why it is the most important document for the city and my role as a council member. I am still trying to read through our charter. Another important aspect of the training that was extremely important for me was zoning. Stonecrest is a relatively new city, so to ensure balance and proper land use that provide value to citizens that own property. Of course, in this position, we learn something new every day and are continually growing.

Thanks so much for your valuable training. I really enjoyed it and appreciated that you made it fun!”

Pembroke’s Walraven Elected Municipal Training Board Chair

GMA’s Municipal Training Board has new leadership.

PEMBROKE MAYOR PRO TEM TIFFANY WALRAVEN, an at-large member of the training board since 2018, started her one-year term as Training Board Chair on July 1.

“I am honored and excited about serving as the chair of the Municipal Training Board,” Walraven said. “Over the next year, my goal is to increase awareness of training opportunities and the impact that training can have on cities across our great state.”

The Municipal Training Board provides oversight to the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. The training institute is operated through a partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The program offers more than 70 training classes designed for city officials.

Walraven has long encouraged municipal elected officials to participate in the training program as she and her fellow councilmembers have leveraged the knowledge gained in the training classes.

“Many times, we rely on staff within our municipalities to bring about change and implement programming,” she said. “However, we as mayors and city councilmembers have the ability and responsibility to bring new ideas and resources back to our cities that can help move us all forward.”

As the Training Board Chair, Walraven is now also a GMA Board of Directors member. As an elected official serving a small city — Pembroke has fewer than 2,900 residents — she brings a valuable perspective to both boards. Cities with fewer than 5,000 people comprise approximately 75% of GMA’s membership.

“The more than 1,100 training hours our council has earned has helped the city garner more than $29 million in funding over the past decade for projects that we would otherwise not have been able to afford,” she said. “As Training Board Chair, my ultimate goal is to help our fellow elected officials see the impact that they, too, can have on their cities.”

During her term as chair, Walraven will work closely with Pelham Mayor James Eubanks, who has been named Vice Chair of the training board.

2022 LEAN Conference Puts Priority on Preparedness

The Georgia Municipal Association and Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS) group held their tenth annual Large Entity Annual Networking (LEAN) Conference Aug. 17-18 at the Hotel Indigo in Athens.

LAST HELD IN 2019, WITH THE TWO-YEAR PAUSE caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this conference was much anticipated by attendees and LGRMS staff.

The theme for the 2022 conference was “Local Government Readiness: Preparing for the Known and the Unknown.” LGRMS staff had a full lineup of guest speakers and staff members to present on different aspects of risk management, including: • Charity D. Clark, CWCP, Director of Forsyth County

Employment Services, who spoke on commitment, discipline, participation, and planning • Bruce Ure, Retired Deputy, Seguin (Texas) Police

Department, who was at the Las Vegas shooting and spoke on what he saw and what he learned • Sarah Huffman, Risk Manager for the city of Rome, who spoke on DOT’s new regulations on CDL drivers • Kate Collyer, Samsara’s Insurance Program Manager, who spoke on using technology to improve employee’s driving • Teaa Alston-Bing, Human Resources Director,

Douglasville, who presented Upskilling 101: Opportunities and Risks • Candace Amos, LGRMS Health Promotions Services Representative who spoke on Emotional

Intelligence In addition to the guest speakers, attendees also enjoyed roundtable discussions, team building activities, a group dinner and a morning health walk. Seventeen counties and 16 cities were represented at this event.

Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS) is a non-profit company created in 1988 to provide risk control services for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association self-insurance pools. LGRMS assists local government members in the control of workers’ compensation, property & liability, and health insurance risks. LGRMS is the first line professional resource for promoting, safety, loss reduction and wellness for Georgia local governments. Their mission, through education, training and consulting is to save lives, reduce injuries and loss of property for the benefit of employees, citizens and taxpayers.

For more information visit their website at www.lgrms.com and to become a member, contact your member services consultant for your district.

The Importance of a Hometown Connection

It’s not a novel idea that at times, legislators can be uninformed on issues. Just this past session, more than 4,000 pieces of legislation were in circulation under the Gold Dome, and hundreds were heard and voted on by committees.

TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUANCES and particulars of each bill would be next to impossible — so how could we blame them?

We can’t, but we can blame ourselves. The GMA advocacy team works tirelessly to keep city officials and legislators informed on legislation under the gold dome that is pertinent to cities during the session. But it could be said that what actions are taken outside of the legislative session, are far more important that the maneuvering we can conjure within.

Now is our time to prepare. In the 1972 film The Godfather, Don Corleone delivers the following to a man asking for his help,

“Bonasera, we’ve known each other for years, but this is the first time you come to me for help. I don’t remember the last time you invited me to your house for coffee...even though our wives are friends.”

Lobbying under the gold dome isn’t as treacherous as navigating mob politics, but the Don’s message still rings true. We don’t have to wait until the eleventh hour to be asking of our legislators. We can build those relationships now and call upon them later.

Come November, the state legislature is poised to see significant turnover. Several current legislators have chosen to retire or seek higher office, lost in a primary or are facing a November challenger. Some state representatives and senators you may have known for years could be soon replaced. To add an increased layer of complexity, the 2022 elections are taking place under redrawn district maps. Representatives and senators who were previously outside your city’s boundaries may now represent portions of your municipality.

Legislators need a thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges cities face daily. Too many legislators do not have a level of experience in or appreciation for city government that would enable them to take a more practical perspective on issues including design standard preemption, unfunded mandates and the redirection of dedicated funds into the state’s general fund. In recent legislative sessions, we’ve learned that too many legislators don’t know enough about the work city officials do and the hard choices they must make every day. GMA’s Hometown Connection program is a way for city officials to remedy this problem. The program provides a framework that allows you to invite legislators to your city to show them what is going on in your community and to talk about the challenges and opportunities

We don’t have to wait until you and your citizens face. the eleventh hour to be asking The Hometown Con nection is based on the sim of our legislators. We can build ple premise that the relationthose relationships now and ship between city officials and legislators is vital to citcall upon them later. ies and to the advancement of Georgia. GMA’s legislative team is available to assist you in your efforts. Please consider holding a Hometown Connection between now and December, and tell your member services district consultant if you decide to plan one. If invited, we guarantee GMA will be there. If you need some help or guidance in setting one up, contact Legislative Outreach Associate Noah Roenitz at nroenitz@gacities.com or 470-734-7182.

Connect with GMA at Fall District Meetings

GMA leaders have begun a statewide journey to meet with local leaders in all 12 member services districts.

AT THESE MEETINGS, YOU’LL GET AN UPDATE ON GMA’s work and be able to ask questions, suggest ideas and talk face-to-face with association leaders. District meetings are a great way to become more involved in GMA, meet other local leaders in your area and ensure your city is getting the most out of its GMA membership. GMA Executive Director and CEO Larry Hanson, President Julie Smith and various members of GMA staff will be present at these meetings, and they’re all looking forward to seeing and hearing from you.

Districts 2, 3, 4 and 7 will already have met as of this magazine’s publication. The remaining meeting schedule is below:

District 6: Thursday, Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 301 Cherry Street, Macon

District 5: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6 - 7:30 p.m., When Pigs Fly BBQ, 118 N. Wayne Street, Monroe

District 11: Thursday, Oct. 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m, Senior Center Multipurpose Room, 315 W. 2nd Street, Tifton District 10: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Camilla Depot, 212 East Broad Street, Camilla

District 1: Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Calhoun Depot, 109 S. King Street, Calhoun

District 12: Monday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Cherokee Rose Country Club, 225 Cherokee Trail, Hinesville District 9: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Vidalia Community Center, 107 Old Airport Road, Vidalia

District 8: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Flint EMC, 3 S. Macon Street, Reynolds

If you cannot attend your own district’s meeting, you are welcome at another one. If you have any questions, contact your member services consultant or Director of Member Services Pam Helton (phelton@gacities.com).

GMA fall district meetings are currently underway across the state through November.

Participants will hear a preview of the 2023 Georgia legislative session from GMA’s government relations team; learn about GMA programs, services and training; and get an update on the American Rescue Plan Act and opportunities through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The meeting is also a great opportunity for networking and peer learning, as participants will gain knowledge from cities in attendance about how ARPA funds are being invested around the district; as well as a “city showcase” focusing on exciting new initiatives and programs taking place in the district.

“District meetings are a time for cities to share ideas and bring them back to their community. You always hear about new things that you can be doing better in your community.” - MAYOR TERRY BRANCH, CLAXTON

“The District Meetings are fun and convenient. At these meetings, council members network with leaders from neighboring cities to share ideas. We always gain so much from GMA staff briefings on state legislative issues.” - RICHARD NEWBERN, CITY MANAGER, COCHRAN “Every city should attend GMA’s district meetings. This is a time for cities to come together, share ideas, and implement new initiatives in their communities.” - MAYOR MARY PARHAM-COPELAN, MILLEDGEVILLE

We hope you can join us for a great meal, networking and sharing of new ideas and initiatives this fall. There’s no cost to attend, but to help plan for the meal, attendees are asked to preregister on GMA’s website.

Talk it Up Thursday

GMA’s Talk it Up Thursday webinar series has become a staple for many members since its beginning in 2020.

TALK IT UP THURSDAY FEATURES LEADERS AND innovators in various sectors offering useful information and lessons – and it’s all free! Georgia’s Cities caught up with Director of Member Services Pam Helton to learn more about this webinar series.

GEORGIA’S CITIES: How and when did the Talk it Up Thursday series start? PAM HELTON: When the member services team was expanded to 7 members in 2020, we wanted to reach our members thru a virtual platform during the pandemic.

GC: What are some interesting topics and guests that have been featured in Talk it Up Thursday webinars in the past? PH: We have covered topics in a variety of areas, such as redistricting, solar power energy, downtown development, vehicle and equipment asset management and many other topics which can be found at gacities.com/ Events/Talk-It-Up-Thursdays.

GC: How are topics and guests chosen? PH: Usually, when we have requests from our members, or there is a report or grant that’s available, we will have a topic that will answer questions and help our members understand the topic in more detail.

GC: What do participants get out of these webinars? PH: Lots of valuable information in municipal operations, compliance issues, tools and resources to assist in creating a more effective and efficient government.

GC: What is a topic or guest coming up in the near future that you’re particularly excited about? PH: Since some of our cities have an election in November, we will be offering an “Onboarding New Elected Officials” session. This will give cities a better understanding of what needs to take place to educate new officials on their roles and responsibilities and a general overview of city operations. Orientation is key to any city’s new hire process.

GC: How can GMA members ensure they are aware of each month’s Talk it Up Thursday information? PH: Visit our website at to view upcoming and past recorded session. Register for the upcoming sessions on the GMA calendar of events.

THE GMA CARES COMMITTEE IS KICKING OFF its annual season of giving back. Throughout the next few months, we will be focusing on several core areas: childhood literacy, food insecurities, wellbeing, and homelessness. We will connect with some of the Atlanta Metro areas most philanthropic organizations to tackle these specific issues in our communities. The opportunities range from packing pantry boxes, preparing healing meals, educational equity, to mental health and wellbeing.

In September, GMA CARES Committee members participated in the Kaiser Permanente Run, Walk and Roll in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. This event was designed to promote fitness and provide an opportunity for coworkers to bond and spend time together off the clock. The CARES Committee also participated in Urban Recipe Pack and Prep at the end of September. GMA staff worked together to prepare packaged meals and food for Atlanta residents in need.

Upcoming GMA CARES events include: • Peace on the Move Community Food Pantry,

Thursday, Oct. 6, 9 – 11 a.m. • Urban Recipe: Pack & Prep, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2 – 4 p.m.

If you are interested in becoming a Cares Committee member or giving back at either of these events, please reach out to Lucretia Leigh (lleigh@gacities.com) or Sherea Robinson (srobinson@gacities.com) for more information.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SERVE! HELP YOURSELF WHILE HELPING OTHERS!

Volunteering has enormous benefits to you and your community. Time is precious and scarce in this busy world, but committing a portion of your time to volunteering is one of the best ways to meet fellow coworkers and new friends, advance your social skills and increase self-esteem and life satisfaction. Volunteering is good for your mind, body and spirit.

• BOOST SELF-CONFIDENCE - Doing good for others can make you feel better about yourself and give you a sense of pride. • REDUCE RISK OF DEPRESSION - Volunteering reduces your risk of depression by keeping you in contact with others and building up your social support. • ADVANCE YOUR CAREER - Experience a new field, build upon skills you already have, a brilliant way to get life experience while positively impacting others. • ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY MUNDANE - Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun and fulfilling. Escape your everyday routine and create balance in your life. • MEET NEW PEOPLE - Expose yourself to people with common interests, expose yourself to a diverse population of people and make more friends and contacts. • IMPROVED IMMUNITY– Research shows by cultivating an attitude of gratitude and giving we can improve our state of well-being.

GMA Workshops Lay Out Budgeting Process

One of the services that GMA offers is facilitation of workshops and retreats for member cities.

RECENTLY, GMA STAFF FACILITATED A BUDGET workshop for Augusta-Richmond County. This was the second year that GMA worked with Augusta’s mayor, commission and staff to set their priorities for the coming budget cycle. In preparation of the workshop, GMA staff met with all department supervisors one-onone to go over their previous year’s work plan and to access their needs for the coming year. The information gained was relayed to the mayor and commission to use as part of the budget workshop.

The one-day workshop was held on Aug. 3 at the Augusta Museum of History. The theme for this year’s workshop was “Mission Possible,” a theme that Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse created to set the tone for the coming year. The budget workshop was broken into various sections to include an overview of the historical data of revenues, expenses, and fund balance over the past ten years, an economic outlook report, a review of revenue projections for the coming five years, and finally setting the goals and priorities of the Augusta Commission. These workshops are created to be interactive, and GMA encouraged open dialogue among the elected officials as well as the city officials in attendance. Through group activities, moderated discussions, and guidance from GMA staff, Augusta-Richmond County was able to establish specific and measurable goals for their 2023 budget cycle.

If your city would like to host a workshop or training event, reach out to your member services consultant for your district. You can find a complete list of consultation offerings on our website under “What We Do” and “Consultation Services.” GMA can also customize trainings to fit your city’s needs.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

It’s almost time for action to begin again under the Gold Dome. You know what that means – GMA’s Cities United Summit! For four days in January, elected officials, city staff and special guests will have access to advocacy tools, policy committee meetings and unrivaled training and networking opportunities.

WHEN: Jan. 20-23, 2023 WHERE: Hilton Atlanta Downtown Hotel REGISTRATION OPENS: Nov. 14, 2022

We hope to see you in Atlanta in January to show the legislature we are all cities united!

KEEP YOUR PROJECTS FLOWING SMOOTHLY.

Tony King

404.992.0707 tking@crewsfs.com When it comes to water and wastewater financing – for upgrades, savings, expansions and more – we are your go-to resource. Contact Tony King and see what Crews can do for you.

Cities Create Community Through Placemaking

BY NIKKI PERRY

THE ECONOMIC PLACEMAKING COLLABORATIVE GUIDES CITIES IN THE USE OF CREATIVE DESIGN TO SOLVE TYPICAL MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS.

EVERY PLACEMAKING PROJECT BEGINS WITH some sort of issue: How can we improve pedestrian safety on this street? How can we discourage illegal parking downtown? How can we attract people to these businesses? The creative process of placemaking unearths more questions: What unmet needs exist in the community? What are ways that people can interact in and with this space? How can we use it to tell our city’s untold stories?

The newest members of the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative will spend this fall answering these types of questions. Adel, Clarkston and Thomasville have formed community teams to engage in education, visioning and planning community-building spaces. The 2021 class—Covington, Fitzgerald, Jackson, Powder Springs, Young Harris and Meriwether County—will complete the two-year program with project development, funding, implementation and impact analysis.

The program is a collaborative effort of public and private organizations in the individual communities as well as throughout the state. Georgia Cities Foundation administers the program, with support from Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Power, Electric Cities of Georgia, UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Conservancy and Georgia City Solutions.

Each community team consists of elected officials, city staff, members of downtown development organizations, chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, local associations, business owners/operators and residents. Teams meet in a retreat setting to learn the basic principles of placemaking and get their creative juices flowing. Then each community team is matched with a facilitator, who expertly guides them through the process of turning ideas into reality.

At its core, the program is collaborative. Community engagement is the most important component of a truly impactful placemaking project, said program facilitator Leigh Askew Elkins, a Senior Public Service Associate with the Carl Vinson Institute.

“First is community engagement – with just about any project that I do in a community, I come to the project with the belief and recognition that those who live in a place know what is best for that place. So, having people engaged and involved is, to me, the key ingredient,” Elkins said.

Placemaking should be a ground-up movement, said Charles Ewert, Principal Planner for Weber County Corporation in Utah, during the open plenary session in May. If the project is to be successful, all the affected stakeholders should be represented on the community team, including naysayers.

“There is something in common that everybody has. Focusing on commonalities, focusing on things that you can do, as opposed to the things that people don’t want you to do or you can’t do, is going to get you to a better future,” Ewert said.

Creating interaction within a space is another key component of a successful placemaking project.

“Second, an impactful placemaking project should be an active project, and by that, I mean, creating or enhancing a space where you interact and engage in a way that reflects and builds community,” Elkins said.

The city of Gainesville participated in the pilot program launched in 2018. Assistant City Manager Angela Sheppard said the city’s team started out with a specific project in mind but left with an expanded vision of placemaking possibilities. “It really gave us a different way to look at projects and some ideas and goals to shoot for,” Sheppard said.

“We have several projects in the works, and we have taken what we have learned from placemaking and are thinking about how we apply it to these projects,” she said.

The Gainesville team is applying that knowledge to existing and upcoming projects, including downtown alleys, a plaza attached to new downtown parking deck, and the Highlands to Islands Trail extension through downtown.

The benefits of the program extend well beyond the resulting projects. Elkins said a renewed, collaborative focus on community-building is so valuable.

“Placemaking provides a structure to really think about your community, ways to actively and creatively engage your residents, and to create positive economic opportunities. Stepping back, thinking about the assets that you have, what they say about the place, the community, and how those assets might provide opportunities that haven’t been considered before is important to building community,” Elkins said.

New this year, grant funding is available to alumni cities for implementation of placemaking projects.

“In partnership with Georgia Power, we are now able to provide grants for our GEPC cities,” program administrator Sadie Krawcyzk said.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 cohort of the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative, which is limited to three cities. Visit georgiacitiesfoundation.org to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative georgiacitiesfoundation.org Oct. 31: Letter of intent due Dec. 2: Application due Dec. 30: Accepted applicants notified