February 2, 2009

Mayors, Business Leaders Breakfast:

2009 Excellence in Public/Private Partnership Awards

By Judy Reid

The United States Conference of Mayors recognized outstanding partnerships between cities and members of the business community at the Conference's 77th Winter Meeting January 18 in Washington (DC).

During opening remarks, Conference President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz emphasized the importance of the relationship between business and cities. "We are all aware of the importance of the private sector as the backbone of the U.S. economy. Every mayor recognizes how businesses of every size in the city positively affect the strength, vitality, and viability of our community."

Before announcing the awards, Conference Second Vice President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz, who presided over the Business Council Breakfast, remarked, "We must have cities and businesses, mayors and CEOs, working together for the long-term prosperity of our cities and our nation."

In addition to Kautz, USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran participated in the awards program, recognizing best practices in Fayetteville (AR), Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach (CA), Phoenix and Miami.

Cochran highlighted the importance of the Mayors' Business Council, stating, "The Conference's relationship with the business community is stronger than ever. We will continue to strengthen the Mayors' Business Council by sharing best practices and identifying innovative solutions to the challenges cities face through our Excellence in Public/Private Partnership Awards program."

Awards

The Mayors' Business Council established the awards to encourage businesses and cities to work together to bring innovative solutions to challenges facing local communities and to highlight successful public/private partnerships.

The award winners are as follows:

Award of Excellence: Miami and EcoMedia for the "EcoZone Miami" project.

Outstanding Achievement Awards: Fayetteville (AR) and CH2M HILL OMI for the "Partnering for a Greener Green Valley" project; Los Angeles and Verizon for the "LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program"; Manhattan Beach (CA) and Waste Management, Inc. for the "Manhattan Beach School Recycling" project; and Phoenix and Black & Veatch for the "Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant" project.

Visit the website www.usmayors.org/uscm/buscouncil for additional information about the Public/Private Partnership Award winners.

An independent panel of judges was appointed by the Conference of Mayors to review the submissions. Criteria upon which their selections were made included: improvement in delivery of services; sustainability; cost savings; creativity of approach; benefits to both public and private partners; economic and business benefits; and measurable results.