Academy Notes
October 2014  
glass of water
In this Edition

Clean Water

Fall 2014 is a shaping up to be a great time for learning more about local government's role in assuring clean water, with a number of events on the topic for local government officials. 

We are looking forward to the Three Rivers Wet Weather Conference on October 15 - 16, 2014 at the Monroeville Convention Center.  LGA is following up this important event by hosting a number of events designed specifically for (but not restricted to) local elected officials. 

First, we are hosting "Sewer Maintenance; Whats Going on Down There?" on October 28 at the Upper St Clair Community and Recreation Center. This evening event is one of LGA's "learning labs" with a field demonstrations as well as instruction on sanitary sewer operations and maintenance.  Given the future costs associated with this critical infrastructure, this is a must-see for budget-minded officials. 

Then on the evening of November 13 join us in Etna for "Clearing it Up for Elected Officials," a program that will explain the background and newest developments in storm water and flooding regulations.  Make sense of the alphabet soup: MS4, FEMA and Act 167 all on the docket for that one! 

Lastly, on December 5, we will examine low volume roads, dirt and gravel roads, and trails as sources of sediment and pollution to our waterways.  Learn about the grant programs of the Allegheny County Conservation District at this 9:00 AM program in Green Tree. 

See registration details for these programs, as well as the complete list of upcoming programs, below. 




Public Works Learning Lab

SewerLabSewer Maintenance: What is going on down there?
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
6 PM - 8 PM  |  Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center  


No one has probably ever been elected to local office on the promise that they would keep storm and sanitary sewers clean. Maintenance is costly. Projects are likely to cause traffic restrictions or delays. And, no one can see the results. That is, until there is heavy rain and flooding - or a sinkhole - then everyone develops an appreciation for properly maintaining the pipes underground.

With many communities in southwestern Pennsylvania under consent decrees and other state and federal regulations to clean up their pipes and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, it is increasingly important that local elected officials understand what takes place during sewer maintenance and why is is a critical - although not always popular - function of local governments.
Maintenance and repair of sewer laterals is expected to be a big project for municipalities over the next few years and now is the time that local elected officials should consider starting a program to inspect and repair sewer laterals on a routine basis. 

This upcoming "learning lab" will give local elected officials hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to learn about the various pieces of equipment (which will be on site!) that are used during sewer
maintenance and the important role that each one plays in the process. 

 

Program Details:  

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
6 PM - 8 PM  |  Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center 
Free Roundtable Discussion

The clock is ticking for bond issuers to determine  how they want to handle the SEC's Municipal Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative

Recently the Government Finance Officers Association of US and Canada (GFOA) issued an alert on the Securities Exchange Commissions Municipalities Continuing disclosure Cooperation Initiative. This initiative allows for self-reporting of material misstatements in bond offering documents. The deadline is December 1, 2014.  

 

What is the intention of the requirement? Does your municipality need to report? GFOA has encouraged caution in response to the reporting requirement-be familiar with the details and legal consequences of participating. As such, LGA is hosting a FREE Roundtable where you can get up-to-date on these requirements and learn from and discuss this topic with Bond Counsel and Underwriting Professional.

 

Click here for the GFOA announcement on the extension.  

 

Click here for a list of issuers in southwestern PA in the last 5 years.

  

Roundtables are FREE and designed to be interactive and participatory. Bring a brown-bag lunch and your questions. Beverages and dessert from LGA!


Wednesday, October 29, 2014
11 AM - 1 PM
Community College of Allegheny County, Office of College Services
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required.  


____________________________________________________________
TVs on the curb....happening in your town?

Free Roundtable Discussion

Recycling Update

 The Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) has changed the way residents can dispose of televisions, computer monitors, and other e-waste. There remains, however, confusion in the public about the new rules.  

 

Municipalities, leaders when it comes to recycling, are addressing this in a variety of ways. Attend this free roundtable discussion to learn:

  • History and context of the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA)
  • Current status of e-waste processing/recycling in PA
  • Consequences of non-CDRA compliant collection systems
  • Strategies to ensure citizens receive the services required by CDRA

Presenters/Facilitators:

 

Justin Stockdale, Western Regional Director of Pennsylvania Resources Council

Sharon Stivek, Solid Waste Supervisor, PA Department of Environmental Protection.  

   

Roundtables are FREE and designed to be interactive and participatory. Bring a brown-bag lunch and your questions. Beverages and dessert from LGA!

  

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 

11 AM - 1 PM
Community College of Allegheny County,
Office of College Services
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required
SSO
Regulation, Intergovernmental Relations

MS4Clearing it Up for Elected Officials:  MS4 Permits, New FEMA Flood Maps and Act 167

Local Governments are facing increasing responsibilities for Storm Water Management. Attend this program to learn how three key regulations will impact municipal operations and budgets.

  • MS4 - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) deal with storm water runoff and the required permits to prevent pollution being discharged untreated into waterways. If your municipality has storm drains you need to know about MS4 regulations.
  • FEMA Flood Maps-Big changes could be in store for your community as designated flood risk areas are being revised-signaling changes in insurance for property owners and regulatory responsibilities of local governments.
  • Act 167 Plans-The impact of land developments and accelerated storm water runoff lead to Pennsylvania's storm water management act and Counties are required to develop "Act 167" watershed based storm water management plans. Local governments must develop consistent ordinances.A represenative from Allegheny County will be on-hand to discuss the progress of the County's Act 167 plan and updates that have an impact on local communities.

 

 

Thursday, November 13, 2014 6 PM - 9 PM

Etna Fire Hall

Click here to register

 


 


Info for Grant Seekers

lowvolLow Volume Roads, Dirt and Gravel Roads, and Trails - Programs to Improve and Protect

Low Volume Road,  Dirt and Gravel Roads, and Trails can contribute sediment and pollution to our waterways.   

 

Allegheny County Conservation District administers a statewide program that includes grants funds for local projects to protect the environment.  Better road materials and better road maintenance could result for your community if your municipality participates in this program.  Attend this informational session with representatives of the Allegheny County Conservation District and learn how projects are prioritized and selected for funding, and the process for applying and receiving grants. 

 

The Allegheny County Conservation District is one of a network of Conservation Districts that exist in every county expect Philadelphia.  Created by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1945, Conservation Districts support grass-roots conservation efforts by providing a variety of assistance unique to the needs of each county.


Friday December 5, 2014 9 AM - 11 AM

Green Tree Municipal Center

click here for registration information 

 


 
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Local Government Academy
1501 Preble Avenue  |  Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA  15233
412.586.5659   fax 412.904.4928
www.localgovernmentacademy.org
 
In This Issue
Sewer O&M Learning Lab
Clock Ticking on Disclosure
MS4, FEMA, Act 167
Advocates for Good Government
Join Our Mailing List

Local Government Academy has moved!

Effective September 2, 2014, LGA has a new mailing address:

1501 Preble Avenue
Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA  15233

LGA's phone and fax numbers will remain the same.

Phone: 412-586-5659
Fax: 412-904-4928

Please update your records to reflect this change.  

 

Township Manager, Middlesex Township 

 

 

   



LGA On-line

Overcome time and distance barriers with these FREE webinars

 

Storm Water Ordinances - Friend or Foe to Sustainable Storm Water Management?  

 

Blight & Abandonment
Webinars

Managing Marcellus Webinars
 

 

TreeVitalize
Grant Program  


Sustainable Community Essentials Certification
4/29/2013

 

Summary Information & Important Data for Municipalities Regarding ALCOSAN's Recommended Draft Weather Plan 


3 Rivers Wet Weather's Municipal Data Support Tool
11/14/2012


Environmental Advisory Councils 101
5/30/2012 

 

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Local Government Academy (LGA) is a collaborative effort of business, government, education and civic leaders promoting excellence in local government.  LGA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan  organization specializing in programs that promote economic development and revitalization, environmental quality, & intergovernmental cooperation. Educational programs are presented as a service to  elected and appointed officials, public employees and citizens to help local governments perform  with greater efficiency and effectiveness. LGA has been in existence for 25 years and serves the 10-county southwestern Pennsylvania region.