Show Notes: Lee Feldman: When to Walk AwayHeart Attacks, Politics, and Permission to Leave

Episode 236 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies and Zencity

Overview

What does it take to lead a city for decades, and how do you know when it's time to step away?

In this episode, I sit down with Lee Feldman, past ICMA President and city manager in multiple Florida cities, to explore the highs, lows, and lessons from a 40-year career in local government. Lee's journey—from a teenage "gopher" in a city manager's office to the top seat in cities like North Miami, Palm Bay, Fort Lauderdale, and Gainesville—offers a rare window into the realities of municipal leadership.

We unpack:

• The jump from #2 to #1: Why being a city manager is lonelier, and why your words carry a different weight.

• Health and politics as turning points: How a heart attack and a hostile mayor taught Lee when it was time to move on.

• Culture through language: Why he stopped calling people "residents" and "employees," and instead reframed them as neighbors and community builders.

• Small gestures with big impact: From hand-signed anniversary cards to "Lunch with Lee," the little things that still matter to employees decades later.

• Navigating crises: Lessons from leading through the pandemic, where college students became "vectors" and a skate park filled with mulch made national news.

• Networks as lifelines: Why no city manager can thrive without professional associations and trusted peers.

Lee's story is a masterclass in resilience, culture change, and knowing your limits. For every municipal leader, it's both an encouragement and a challenge: you don't have to stay forever, but while you're in the seat, you can shape lives and communities in ways that last.

Connect with Lee Feldman

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leerfeldman

About Our Sponsors

Zencity This episode is made possible by Zencity, a trusted partner to hundreds of local governments worldwide. Zencity helps leaders cut through the noise of the "same ten people" by gathering real-time resident feedback across every neighborhood and demographic. With Zencity's AI-powered tools, decisions can be made with clarity and confidence.

Learn more at Zencity.io

Tyler TechnologiesWe're also proud to be sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the largest software company in the nation dedicated exclusively to the public sector. From financial management and utility billing to citizen engagement and digital government solutions, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently, transparently, and effectively.

Learn more at Tyler Technologies

Connect with Seth Winterhalter:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions

At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs like the Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDC).

Learn more at HaltingWinter.com

Seth's Upcoming Keynotes:

ELGL 2025 Conference | Camp Govlife October 1-3 | Santa Rose, CA Details at ELGL

2025 City Clerks New Law and Elections Seminar November 12-14 | Los Angeles, CA Details at CalCities

2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 3-5 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA