Regional Roundup: Local governments earn kudos

Metro cities receive ICMA Certificates of Excellence — The International City/County Management Association recognized the cities of Kansas City, Missouri, and Olathe, Kansas, with Certificates of Excellence in Performance Management. Certificates of Excellence recognize communities that conduct surveys of residents and local government employees, incorporate data into performance dashboards and foster a performance culture throughout the organization. ICMA Certificates of Excellence represent the highest level of recognition for performance management.

League of Kansas Municipalities recognizes the city of Merriam — The League of Kansas Municipalities honored the city of Merriam, Kansas, with the Inspire-Create-Innovate Community Award for its economic development efforts. Merriam is one of six cities in the state of Kansas to receive this award, and earned this acclaim for its use of grants to fund projects that are led by residents. The League of Kansas Municipalities recognized the city of Merriam at its annual conference held in October.

North Kansas City receives L.E.A.F.S. award — The city of North Kansas City, Missouri, earned a Leading Environmentalism and Forwarding Sustainability (L.E.A.F.S.) award from the EPA’s Region 7 office. The L.E.A.F.S. award recognizes communities that support the EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Initiative through sustainable practices, innovative thinking and environmental stewardship. North Kansas City earned the award for its remediation and revitalization efforts.

Olathe receives awards at Kansas Water Environment Association conference — During the annual Kansas Water Environment Association (KWEA) conference, the city of Olathe, Kansas, received multiple awards. The KWEA recognized Olathe’s wastewater treatment facility as a top Class 5 plant within the state. KWEA also recognized Olathe’s composting facility as the top biosolids management program in the state of Kansas. The city received a number of staff awards as well.

Managers Roundtable celebrates 40th anniversary — At the October Managers Roundtable, city and county managers and administrators gathered at the Mid-America Regional Council offices to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Managers Roundtable. The roundtable is a forum that gives city managers the opportunity to network with peers and develop innovative solutions for the region. The program for the October meeting featured past recipients of the Buford Watson Jr. award and the Jay T. Bell award. These awards are presented annually by the Kansas Association of City/County Management and the Missouri City/County Management Association.