Executive Director Notes
It's been a busy month around the Metro West office.
Our transition continues as we work to streamline the
office, so it runs efficiently. In the coming months we
will be revamping our website to be user friendly, relevant and interactive. We continue to transition to a current version of bookkeeping and general communication vehicles so we can bring you the most up to date information in a timely manner.
New for members and business partners is the ability to pay on site with a credit card for meetings and events. Hopefully this will be a more convenient way to manage our invoicing and payment system.
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Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
The MMC sent an email last week letting us know of a grant opportunity from the
U.S. Soccer Foundation for safe places to play grant. Please see the below link for more information and to apply:
Join the Greenest Region Corps
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is accepting applications for the Greenest Region Corps (GRC). GRC is a new partnership between the Mayors Caucus and AmeriCorps that pairs enthusiastic volunteers with GRC communities for 10 months to lead sustainability projects at the local level. Volunteers receive a living allowance and an educational award from AmeriCorps upon completing 1,720 service hours. Apply before Sunday, August 25.
Click here for more details:
https://mayorscaucus.org/greenest-region-corps/
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CMAP Update
 Register for the ON TO 2050 Symposium
to learn how ON TO 2050, the region's
new comprehensive plan, can make a difference in your community.
Attend an all-day symposium with your peers to learn from communities like
yours who have had success making and implementing local plans. In addition to learning about potential technical assistance opportunities, attendees will have the chance to discuss best practices with past award recipients and get one-on-one input on the application process for the 2019 joint call for projects for the CMAP Local Technical Assistance (LTA) and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Community Planning programs.
Registration costs $30 and includes lunch. The day will also include a "Planning with your neighbors" facilitated networking session to encourage multijurisdictional planning, a resource fair with educational and technical assistance opportunities from our partners, and a lunchtime conversation hosted by CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. Need-based waivers or discounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Symposium will take place on Thursday, October 10
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from 10am-4:30pm at Conference Chicago at University Center, 525 S. State Street, Chicago
Panels will include:
Finding equitable solutions to build climate resilience, Rightsizing parking in your community, Future-proofing commercial districts, Achieving TOD without displacement, How can technology improve public safety and Aspiration to implementation.
Click the link below for more information and to register:
Public comment now open on regional transportation investments
Public Comment: ON TO 2050/FFY 2019-24 TIP Conformity Analysis and TIP Amendment.
Join us for 'Harnessing technology for a safer future,' September 17 in Aurora
How can municipalities in the Chicago region best approach technology changes? Hear from the panel about responsibly sharing data and leveraging CMAP's research and innovation services to help communities prosper, improve safety, and bolster inclusive growth.
This event is the first in the Small Plans, Big Ideas Forum Series that will connect you with local leaders and provide expert advice about how ON TO 2050 can make a difference in your community.
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From IML
There is still time to register for
IML Annual Conference:
September 19-21, 2019.
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On August 1, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that cities and towns are no longer able to regulate broadband delivered over cable systems. The new rulemaking also severely limited the fees that municipalities can charge cable companies. The new rules would subject all expenses incurred by a cable entity to the 5% cap on franchise fees. The regulations will threaten the viability of local public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels. The rules would also preempt local franchising authorities from regulating the provisions of most non-cable services, like broadband Internet services. IML filed comments opposing the rulemaking.
The National League of Cities (NLC) is hosting a webinar on the cable order on Tuesday, August 27 at 1:00 p.m. (Central). The webinar will help municipal officials understand what was in the FCC order, when it goes into effect, how it might impact your city and what cities are doing to fight back against this federal overreach.
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Upcoming MWCOG Meetings
Watch your email for a new Lunch & Learn event on September 10th at our Metro West office. Members will be invited to discuss the Cannabis Regulation and the Impact on Municipalities.
Our next board meeting will be on September 26
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hosted by The United City of Yorkville at Lakeview Grille, 604 Veteran's Parkway. Hope to see you there!
Also mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting and Business Partner Appreciation Dinner on October 24
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at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora.
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Legislative Corner
The Legislative Committee met to discuss and evaluate the priorities for the upcoming veto session. Veto session will be October 28-30 and November 12-14 although there is a good chance some of those days will be cancelled as the Governor has not vetoed many bills this session. The priorities of Metro West remain strong with the protection and hopeful restoration of LGDF at the top. We will continue to advocate for local control as well as work with our partners on legislation that is mutually beneficial. Pensions continue to be a topic of discussion in the state and we will monitor any action that takes place. We await further information on a list of capitol projects, appropriations and timeline for the newly passed capitol plan.
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MWCOG Executive Director, Lesli Melendy, attended a meeting with U.S. Representatives
Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood to get an update on federal issues. Topics included immigration, healthcare, energy and mental health. |
Federal Legislation:
U.S. Senate Committee Passes Surface Transportation Infrastructure Legislation
On July 30, the United States Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee passed an authorization of surface transportation funding. S. 2302, America's Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019, would invest more than $280 billion over five years into roads, bridges and other critical transportation infrastructure needs.
The legislation that passed out of the committee would increase funding for Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grants, create a new competitive grant program for bridges and would implement the administration's One Federal Decision policy that would shorten the federal review process.
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Thank You to the following valued Business Partners who have renewed since April:
Gold Level
Aqua Illinois
AT&T
Azavar Audit Solutions
Nicor Gas
Silver Level
Applied Ecological Services
The Concord Group
Realtors Association of the Fox Valley, Inc
Robinson Engineering, Ltd.
V3 Companies
Welcome to our new Silver Level Member
Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd.
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Thank you to our loyal Business Partners!
The Metro West Council of Government Business Partners Program provides marketing and networking opportunities for businesses, non-profit organizations and units of government that share a common commitment to the well-being of municipalities in DeKalb, Kane and Kendall Counties. Business Partners enjoy heightened visibility among member communities' elected officials and staff by participating in annual events, workshops, publications and sponsorship opportunities.
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Gold Level Business Partners
Aqua
AT&T
Azavar Government Solutions
Comcast
ComEd
Engineering Enterprises Inc.
F.H. Paschen
HR Green Inc.
Kathleen Field Orr & Associates
Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien
, PC
Nicor Gas
Ottosen, Britz, Kelly, Cooper, Gilbert & DiNolfo, Ltd.
Sikich LLP
Wight & Company
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Silver Level Business Partners
Advanced Disposal
Alliant/Mesirow Insurance Services
Applied Ecological Services
Baxter & Woodman
Call One Telecommunications
CDM Smith
Chastain & Associates LLC
Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd.
The Concord Group
Fifth Third Bank
First National Bank
Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona
GovHR USA
The Horton Group
Klein, Thorp and Jenkins, LTD
Lamp Incorporated
Larson & Darby Group
Metro Strategies Inc.
PMA Financial Network, Inc.
Presidio
Realtors Association of the Fox Valley, Inc.
Robert Arthur Land Company
Robinson Engineering, Ltd
Signarama, North Aurora
Speer Financial, Inc.
Trotter & Associates, Inc.
V3 Companies
Waubonsee Community College
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2018-2019 Metro West Council of Government Officers
President...................................... Sean Michels, President, Village of Sugar Grove
Vice President............................... Kathy Curtis, President, Village of Maple Park
Secretary...................................... Steve Bosco, Administrator, Village of North Aurora
Treasurer...................................... Dan Di Santo, Administrator, Village of Oswego
Immediate Past President............. Steve Ward, President, Village of South Elgin
Past Presidents at Large............... Matt Brolley, President, Village of Montgomery
David Kaptain, Mayor, City of Elgin
Stephan Pickett, President, Village of Sleepy Hollow
DeKalb County Municipal Rep....... Open
Kane County Municipal Rep.......... Jeff Walter, President, Village of Elburn
Kendall County Municipal Rep....... Jeff Zoephel, Adminstrator, Village of Montgomery
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