By Ed Somers and Conference Staff
March 5, 2007

The leadership of the Conference of Mayors has identified a wide array of activities to move forward the Mayors 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families, For a Strong America, released at the 75th Winter Meeting in January 2007.

As Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer told the leadership during their meeting in Key West on February 22-24, “we need to make sure that the 10-Point Plan is part of the vocabulary of every mayor in America.”

Palmer also said there must be a two-tract approach to pushing the Plan which includes both achieving legislative victories in 2007, and gaining support from ’08 presidential candidates.

While the mayors discussed all aspects of the 10-Point Plan, key immediate objectives include:

• Pass, sign into law, and fund a new $4 billion Energy and Environmental Block Grant to help mayors address issues related to climate change

• Increase CDBG funding to $4.1 billion in FY 2008

• Continue restoration of key anti-crime programs like COPS and Byrne Justice Assistance Grants

• Gain improvements in homeland security funding and FEMA responses to disasters

• Increase education, job-training and health care services and opportunities for children and youth

The mayors also discussed important issues related to brownfields reauthorization, Amtrak, and rail security. Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster also discussed the work plan for a new Sustainable Freight and Goods Investment Task Force he is chairing.

And Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson hosted a wonderful evening event for the leadership.

The Conference has sent the Plan to every member of Congress, the Presidential candidates, and the national media. And, 50 copies of the Plan have been sent to every mayor, with more available if needed. Mayors are asked to:

• Present copies directly to their Senators and Representatives;

• Discuss the Plan with the 2008 presidential candidates;

• Forward copies to local media, accompanied by statements of support;

• Share copies with city council members, so that they can help support;

• Discuss the plan with the local business community and non-profit organizations, and ask their assistance in advocating for the policy recommendations.

It was agreed that candidates for President of the United States will be invited to special forums during the upcoming 75th Annual Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles June 22-26.

Moderated forums will be held on separate days during the Annual Conference for Republican and Democratic candidates, at which they will be asked to address the priorities contained in the 10-Point Plan.

In addition, the leadership discussed plans to engage with the candidates during activities in key primary and caucus states.

It was announced that a new Climate Protection Center has been created within The U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Center will work on initiatives including: signing-up 500 mayors to the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement by the Annual Conference in Los Angeles; supporting legislative activities related to passage of a $4 billion block grant; providing technical assistance and best practices; strengthening communications with the press and grass roots; establishing an awards program; sponsoring additional energy and environmental summits; creating an opportunity for private'sector engagement; and much more.

Unfortunately, the Administration has once again proposed to cut Community Development Block Grant funding by over $1 billion.

The Conference is working closely with the National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, and The National Community Development Association (NCDA) to fight the proposed cut, and instead seek $4.1 billion in formula grant funding for FY 2008, up from the $3.7 billion provided in FY 2006 and 2007.

Cardell Cooper, Executive Director of the NCDA, participated in the meeting and said that there is bi-partisan support in the House for the $4.1 billion funding level, and that a sign-on letter of support will soon be circulated among members of Congress. It was agreed that mayors will contact their Representatives to urge them to sign the letter once it is finalized. A similar effort is also under discussion in the Senate.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett encouraged mayors to show members of the House and Senate, especially new members, projects that have been funded out of CDBG and make a real difference in their districts and states. An ideal time for these activities is April 9-15 which is National Community Development Week.

The leadership was joined by Nelson Peacock from the Senate Judiciary Committee, who discussed strategy for restoring the more than $2 billion lost annually in anti-crime programs.

Peacock told the mayors that the Senate leadership has rejected the Administration’s proposal to further cut crime funding and create new, smaller programs.

Instead, he said that the strategy is to reauthorize the COPS program, create a new trust fund to insure long-term funding, and increase funding for programs like COPS and the block grant.

Peacock said that Senate Crime and Drug Subcommittee Chair Joseph Biden (DE), who is sponsoring key legislation, will hold hearings on violent crime increases and the impact of funding cuts in April, and will include mayors in the hearing.

Mayors are asked to contact their Senators and urge co'sponsorship of the COPS Reauthorization (S. 368) and Homeland Security Trust Fund (S. 345).

Louie Watson, Vice President of Strategic Relations for Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) gave an overview of the USCM Deferred Compensation Plan. NRS has been a partner with the Conference for 28 years and is a Platinum Partner. There are currently almost $6 billion in assets and approximately 300,000 participants in the USCM program.

Watson thanked the members of the Conference’s leadership that are participating in the USCM deferred compensation plan and urged those Mayors that have not offered it to their employees, to do so.

Judith Cascio, Vice President of EMA, a management consulting firm focusing on the Public Sector, presented “The Mayor’s Dashboard.” The Dashboard is a web based information tool that presents current and retrospective operational and financial information in a graphic view. It allows users to track organizational initiatives, operational indicators, and budgetary alignment.

Many cities rely on multiple information systems to manage the activities of individual departments. The applications for these activities, as well as the information, are typically available only to the department managers, but managing performance without a comprehensive view is challenging. The Dashboard integrates information from many business applications. Performance indicators are defined and presented at three different levels — manager, department, and leadership.

Leadership may view strategic information; Departmental managers will have a snapshot of multiple functions; and Managers will monitor their specific functions. The combined information view also has the ability to drill down multiple levels. This comprehensive view of program performance gives mayors the information they need to identify performance issues at any level, and integrate the management of diverse programs and initiatives. EMA is also a Platinum Partner with the Conference.