By Erin Wenglekowski
February 6, 2006

On January 26, The United States Conference of Mayors recognized outstanding partnerships between cities and companies at the Conference’s 74th Winter Meeting. Following the awards ceremony, mayors and business council members participated in an interactive session entitled Mayors, Business, and Business Friendly Cities.

During opening remarks, Conference President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill commented on the importance of this session. “We want your ideas on what cities must do to keep and attract business, build a stronger workforce, and stay competitive in the global economy. That is why we have set aside time this morning for an interactive discussion that I believe will be very fruitful,” she said.

Before announcing the awards, Chair of the Mayors and Business Community Task Force Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman remarked, “These awards support the Conference’s message of creating a strong and engaged business community inside our organization, sharing and working with us on visions of success to make our cities—and ultimately our nation – economically stronger.”

In addition to Goodman, Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran participated in the awards presentation for best practices in Alexandria, Kansas City, Corpus Christi, Indianapolis, Pasadena and Stamford.

Cochran highlighted the growth of the Mayors’ Business Council stating, “The Conference relationship with the Business Community is stronger than ever, we now have more than 100 members.” He pledged to continue future growth and strength of the Mayors’ Business Council.

The award winners are as follows:

• Alexandria (VA) and Comcast for Alexandria & Comcast: Development of the Institutional Network

• Kansas City and MWH, Inc. for the Capital Improvements Management Office

• Corpus Christi and Northrop Grumman Corporation for the Corpus Christi, Texas wireless initiative

• Indianapolis and Veolia Water North America for the City of Indianapolis-Veolia Water Indianapolis LLC Public-Private Partnership

• Pasadena and Parsons Corporation for the La Pintoresca Park Picnic Shelter

• Stamford and CH2M HILL for the Stamford Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade and Expansion Project.

See usmayors.org for the “Public/Private Partnership Awards Best Practices Guide.”

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.

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.

The interactive discussion between mayors and business leaders entitled: Mayors, Business, and Business Friendly Cities took place after the awards ceremony. This interactive exchange explored what works for mayors and what works for business to attract and conduct business in and with cities.

Goodman and Cochran moderated the session while both public and private leaders asked and answered questions. Goodman prefaced the session by explaining that “although the needs of business and mayors may be different, they are not incompatible.”

The interactive exchange provoked many valuable questions from both the private and public sector. Questions covered a broad range of topics such as: procurement, streamlined government services, tax incentives, city specific regulations, emergency preparedness, infrastructure needs and corporate citizenship.

The success of this session encouraged both the Conference and business to continue this constructive dialogue, and also provided a model for upcoming Conference of Mayors’ meetings.