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New FOIA Executive Order - Flexibility During COVID-19

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Lisa J. Hamameh, Attorney, Rosati, Schultz, Joppich & Amtsbuechler, PC

On April 5, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-38, which relaxes the requirements for responding to FOIA requests received during the State of Emergency related to COVID-19. The stated purpose of the Executive Order is to protect workers who handle FOIA requests by allowing public bodies to defer all or some portion of requests that would require workers to report to work in-person. This webinar will help you understand how to handle FOIA requests under the relaxed rules and will offer suggestions for best practices.

COVID-19 - Leading in a Crisis, with Harvard Professor Stephen Goldsmith

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Stephen Goldsmith, Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government and the Director of the Innovations in American Government Program, Harvard University

Leadership skills are never more important than in an emergency such as the coronavirus pandemic we are currently experiencing. In this webinar, Harvard Professor Stephen Goldsmith shares some of the best ways to harness leadership in times of crisis. He also highlights how to use technology to create a more responsive government that engenders citizen trust.

 

 

Monday Morning Live - FOIA Executive Order and more - Episode 26

Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League
Chris Hackbarth, Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
John LaMacchia, Asst. Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Herasanna Richards, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

COVID-19 is causing actions in the Governor's office and the Legislature to change rapidly. One of the latest changes is a new executive order protecting workers who handle FOIA requests. In this informal chat with our Lansing legislative team, participants were able to ask questions and get answers in real-time.

2020 Census: Getting a Complete Count During COVID-19

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Kerry Ebersole Singh, Director, Michigan 2020 Census
Eric A. Guthrie, Demographer, State of Michigan

2020 Census operations have been extended due to COVID-19. In this webinar, you'll  hear about the changes and new deadlines. You'll also learn how Michigan has responded historically, the changing demographics, and projections for Michigan. Presenters will also share information about Michigan’s Complete Count strategy for increasing the state's response rate, and how to mobilize citizens to “Get Out the Counts” for their communities. The census online process will be explained, and a sample census questionnaire will be reviewed.

Update on Federal COVID-19 Response and Stimulus

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: U.S. Senator Gary Peters

U.S. Senator Gary Peters provided a first-hand account of the federal stimulus package and national response to the COVID-19 crisis during a special Michigan Municipal League webinar. The webinar is part of a series of informational tools, including regular emails, a constantly-updated resource page, and webinars, that the League is providing to our members during this unprecedented time in our world’s history.

 

Background on the CARES Act

Last week, the CARES Act (H.R. 748) was signed into law after passing with bipartisan support in Congress. The stimulus package provides $2.2 trillion in aid to counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is the third COVID-19 bill to be passed by Congress, following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201).

Monday Morning Live - Water reconnection order, May election, city and state income taxes & more - Episode 25

Host: Matt Bach, Director, Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Chris Hackbarth, Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
John LaMacchia, Asst. Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League
Herasanna Richards, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

Governor Whitmer has issued Executive Order 2020-28 requiring the reconnection of service to residences that have had water service shut off. The order requires public water suppliers to immediately identify residences in their service area that do not currently have water service and to make best efforts to restore service to homes where service has been disconnected due to non-payment or damaged infrastructure. The order is effective for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.

 

On this Monday Morning Live webinar, our team covers the water reconnection executive order and:

• $2 million fund being established through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to help communities reconnect homes to their water supplies
• May election
• City and state income taxes
• Federal stimulus program
• And much more

 

Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order & What it Means for Your Community

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Courtney Nichols, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Laura Dinon, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Rhonda Stowers, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Sydney Puricelli, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney 

This webinar provides direction for local governments on Michigan's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order. Attorneys from the municipal law firm Plunkett Cooney give general direction to the most critical and time sensitive questions that the Michigan Municipal League is getting on this executive order, including: Who can go to work? Who is responsible for enforcement of the rule? What does this mean for our meetings? And more.

 

COVID-19 Message from Lt. Gov. Gilchrist

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Governor, State of Michigan

Michigan’s Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist gives an update to local government leaders on the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Facebook for Community Communication

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Rachel Holland, Pollitics and Government Outreach, Facebook

At a time when it’s hard to engage with the people you represent in person, Facebook is an option for you to provide the latest information and updates to your residents. Learn directly from Facebook official Rachel Holland about the latest Facebook tools you can use to make personal connections with your constituents. Rachel Holland (originally scheduled to speak during our now cancelled CapCon) lead the webinar to share resources and best practices for hosting engaging Facebook Live videos, Town Halls, and providing COVID-19 updates to your residents. You won’t want to miss the timely webinar. 

Crisis Communications

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
David Waymire, Partner, Martin Waymire public relations firm
Matt Bach, Communications Director, Michigan Municipal League

The COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented time for the world. How we show leadership and communicate to our residents is vitally important in these difficult times. Crisis communications expert Dave Waymire, a former newspaper reporter and now partner with the Martin Waymire public relations firm, lead members in this interactive webinar about the do’s and don’ts of crisis communication. We covered top tips for effective communications with your citizens, business owners, media and community leaders. You’ll get an overview of how to handle day-to-day as well as crisis communications such as Coronavirus updates, and how to determine if what you’re doing is making a difference.