By LMC
A look at issues important to Minnesota cities.
Evan Vogel worked in state government before shifting to city administrator in Cambridge. Hear how he strives to make big things happen in his small city and creates a culture of appreciation for the hard work and talent of...
Dianne Miller has worked in Eagan for 20 years — first as an intern now as city administrator. She shares her leadership journey and how being curious helped build her expertise and how setting boundaries brought balance to her...
Laurie Hokkanen worked for Chanhassen and moved on to several other roles and cities before returning to Chanhassen as the current city manager. Hear how those experiences helped build her confidence, understand the difference between formal and informal leadership,...
Elizabeth Torkelson shares her career transition from working in the Library of Congress to her new role as city administrator in Olivia. Hear how her experience at the federal level taught her the importance of being a resource and...
Sharon Hanson shares how she took on the first county coordinator position with Pipestone County and after 13 years there decided to make the leap to become the Marshall city administrator. Hear why she made the switch, and how...
Faith Jackson, Bloomington’s first chief equity and inclusion officer, is a realist who has had some great successes in her work while also understanding she won’t achieve all her goals during her job tenure. Hear how her work in...
Mankato Mayor Najwa Massad shares how her experiences as an immigrant and small business owner shaped her outlook on life and her role as mayor. Hear how living in a war zone, starting over in Mankato, and working in...
When Lindy Crawford became the city manager of White Bear Lake two years ago, she shifted from being an expert on many things to managing and leading the experts. Hear how she handled that transition and allowed staff and...
Brad Martens transitioned from working in a small community where he wore many hats to being the city manager in Shoreview with long-tenured department heads. Hear how he learned to get out of the way and let the experts...
Duluth Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman shares how having a network of city leaders was instrumental in helping him when starting out in his career in city government and when he made an unconventional career shift. Learn how he cracked...
We're kicking off a new season of the City Speak podcast starting Sept. 1! Join host Luke Fischer, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities, as he talks with city stafe and elected officials who are new to leadership...
Crystal City Manager Anne Norris recalls how a budget process gone wrong provided a painful lesson on the importance of clear communication. She shares how owning the mistake helped rebuild trust with city officials and the community. Episode Transcript (pdf)
Buffalo Mayor Teri Lachermeier shares how a city redevelopment project taught her the importance of getting community input. She also describes her method to ensure people feel their opinion is heard. Episode Transcript (pdf)
Chatfield Clerk Joel Young shares how seeing others become downtrodden and cynical reinforced the importance of maintaining connections and relationships with others in local government. He also reveals the one word that has helped him through some stressful times. ...
Biwabik Mayor Jim Weikum shares how a mistake he made taught him the importance of doing your homework and anticipating the perspectives of others. He also talks with us about a simple practice that can help elected leaders work successfully...
Melrose City Administrator Colleen Winter talks with us about leadership lessons the pandemic has taught her. She shares how these experiences reinforced the importance of active listening and ensuring people feel heard along the way. Episode Transcript (pdf)
Wyoming Mayor Lisa Iverson shares how a ride-along in a squad car gave her a new perspective on decision-making, and how the words she chooses in her city leadership role can help the public understand council action. Episode Transcript...
Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz talks with us about the big role that mentors played in her leadership journey, and why we all need to have a buddy to support us and help do the hard things together. Episode...
Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes chats with us about a leadership lesson that taught him the importance of embracing community input, and shares what keeps him going after nearly 30 years of serving his city. Episode transcript (pdf)
Baudette Clerk-Treasurer Tina Rennemo chats with us about lessons she’s learned in her career. She shares the importance of learning by making mistakes, and explains how focusing on the great things happening in her city helps her stay positive. ...
Brooklyn Park Fire Chief and President of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association T. John Cunningham shares stories from his experiences as a public sector leader and some of the valuable lessons he’s learned. Cunningham also shares his advice on...
This teaser episode for season four of The City Speak features League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Dave Unmacht. Dave shares a story about a surprise meeting early in his career where he learned that his transition to a new...
In this episode — one of three in a legislative series — League intergovernmental relations (IGR) representatives Daniel Lightfoot and Ann Lindstrom address federal support for cities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the need for any future aid...
In this episode — one of three in a legislative series — you’ll hear about economic issues affecting cities that will likely be discussed in the 2021 legislative session. League Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Director Gary Carlson and Assistant IGR Director...
In this episode — one of three in a legislative series — you’ll hear about the League’s new racial equity legislative policy. League Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Counsel Irene Kao and IGR Representative Craig Johnson explain how the policy was developed,...
League of Minnesota Cities intern and college senior Laurel Poole takes over the hosting duties in this bonus episode, interviewing fellow intern and classmate Elijah Henderson. Henderson spent the summer focusing on research for the League’s race equity initiatives, including...
As we approach the general election and the end of 2020, we check in with Brad Wiersum, president of the League of Minnesota Cities and mayor of Minnetonka. Wiersum shares valuable lessons he’s learned while in office and offers practical...
We talk with David Maeda, director of elections for the Minnesota Office of Secretary of State, who gives us the lowdown on all things elections – including safety and security of the voting process, absentee voting and naked ballots, and...
We wanted to share with our listeners this Center of Everywhere podcast episode from our partners at the Center for Rural Policy and Development and featuring our own Dave Unmacht, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Dave discusses...
Community first responders are repeatedly exposed to trauma, and that trauma can take its toll. Dan Willis, retired police captain and author of Bulletproof Spirit, talks with us about proactive wellness strategies for first responders. He explains the cultural shift...
Dan Greensweig, administrator of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, shares some interesting takes on how the Trust partners with cities on managing risk and solving problems. Dan explains how preventing claims is just as important as providing coverage...
It’s that time again — budget season is here, and this year there’s the added twist of factoring in the impacts of a global pandemic. Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson and Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse share the challenges their cities face...
As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, we talk with three city leaders about the opportunities, challenges, and impact of women in city government today. Maplewood Assistant...
Mahnomen City Administrator Mitchell Berg shares the results of his doctoral research on tribal and municipal relations. Even if your city doesn’t have the opportunity to work with a tribal nation, his findings on the trust, purposeful engagement, and skills...
Access to reliable, high-speed internet is vital to the economic success of a community — a big reason why Minnesota has a goal of border-to-border broadband by 2026. But building a broadband infrastructure in a community takes more than technical...
Brainerd City Administrator Jennifer Bergman and Human Resources Director Kris Schubert share the unique challenges their city faced (including a fire at City Hall) while working to reopen the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear how their preparedness plan, a...
Discover how the City of Watertown created its own economic stimulus package to help Main Street businesses and residents weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Watertown Mayor Steve Washburn shares how partnerships, innovative thinking, and quick work got $96,000 worth of “Chamber...
Hear from two members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation as we talk with Rep. Angie Craig (2nd Congressional District) and Rep. Pete Stauber (8th Congressional District). They share their opinions about direct federal aid to cities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,...
In this episode of the #WeGotThis Series on pandemic response, Minneapolis Interim City Coordinator Mark Ruff, a public finance expert, shares his thoughts on basic actions cities can take now to help weather economic uncertainty, where cities can find opportunity...
In this episode of the #WeGotThis Series on pandemic response, Plymouth Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Mike Goldstein shares how his city’s emergency management planning prepared them for the pandemic (including a stockpile of PPEs), and how creative...
In this episode of the #WeGotThis Series on pandemic response, Nisswa City Administrator Jenny Max discusses the steps her city has taken to keep things running and the positive relationships they’ve forged with other entities as they work together to...
In this episode of the #WeGotThis Series on pandemic response, we talk with Becker Mayor Tracy Bertram, whose city dealt with a large fire just prior to the current COVID-19 crisis. Hear how that first incident helped to build the...
In this episode of the #WeGotThis Series on pandemic response, Royalton Mayor Andrea Lauer shares the impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on her community and what it’s like to lead a city in times like these. Hear about the...
Minnesota cities are facing the challenge of pandemic response, but working together, #WeGotThis! In this first episode of the #WeGotThis Series, we talk with League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director David Unmacht about how the League has responded during the...
Prep for the 2020 legislative session with this episode — one of five in a special series with League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) staff covering the top issues affecting cities at the Capitol this year. In this episode,...
How did your first year go as an elected city official, what did you learn, and what advice would you give others? We check in with two elected officials as they wrap up their first year in office. Warren Mayor...
