LMR_October FINAL 2018

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Unsung Heroes of Municipal Government By Douglas Schmidt, LCMC, LMCA Public Relations Officer The importance of a municipal clerk is demonstrated by the wording of the Lawrason Act, which provides that every municipality MUST appoint a clerk. Title 33 sets forth certain duties of the clerk: auditor, potential tax collector, minute-keeper, custodian of the municipal seal, and custodian of all ordinances and records. But, the myriad of responsibilities assumed by most municipal clerks far exceeds what is provided in the statutes. For every action undertaken by a municipal government – from contracts, to ordinances/ resolutions, to purchasing – there is paperwork that must be carefully created, processed, and maintained. Further, the clerk is often the “face” of the municipality, interacting with the public daily regarding the things that matter to them the most. To a large extent, the success of a municipal government rests on the shoulders of the municipal clerk, and a well-trained clerk makes everyone’s lives easier. A clerk’s statutory duties coupled with the level of service that must be delivered daily to the mayors and the public, should come with an instruction manual and a superhero’s cape. Thankfully, the Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association (LMCA) provides both instructions and a cape in the form of the 43rd Annual Louisiana Municipal Clerk’s Institute (LMCI) and the Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The LMCA is the organization that provides critical training and mentorship opportunities for clerks. The LMCI will take place on October 21-26, 2018 at the Embassy Suites in Baton Rouge. Through generous contributions from LMA, LaMATS, and LMCA, clerks who might not otherwise be able to participate, due to limited financial resources of their municipality, are given the opportunity to attend and gain the knowledge needed to be effective municipal clerks. This year, ten scholarship applicants were awarded Mayor Eugene Smith Memorial LaMATS scholarships, and eight applicants were awarded Gloria King Memorial LMA/ LMCA scholarships to attend LMCI training. The LMCI is a full week of classes and discussions on topics that affect all sizes of municipalities. It is of vital importance that we, as clerks, keep up with the laws that affect our cities, towns, and villages. For example, the LMCI provides training on public records and records retention. It is imperative that municipalities create record retention schedules so that they do not have an abundance of out of date files taking up much needed space. This is also important when public records requests are received so that the clerk, as custodian, knows exactly what records are available and where they are located. Additionally, LMCI classes allow clerks to gain points that accrue toward obtaining status as a Certified Municipal Clerk and eventually a Master Municipal Clerk. Friday morning sessions have been added to this year’s institute to provide even more points toward certification. We are hopeful for a record turnout this year, as the committee has booked some new speakers and topics, as well as fun activities. For new or fledgling clerks, the LMCA provides a program to gain expert assistance from an experienced certified clerk. Through the Technical Assistance Program, experienced clerks travel to other municipalities to mentor new clerks with hands-on knowledge about the municipal clerk’s responsibilities. This has been a very successful program that has enjoyed the full support of the LMA, and has been especially helpful for those new clerks unable to attend LMCI training. It is imperative that these new clerks know their responsibilities, and the legal and technical expertise of a certified clerk is essential to maintain operations within the boundaries of Louisiana law. For more information about the Technical Assistance Program, please contact LMCA Past President Sherry McCann at mccann.sherry@bellsouth.net, or LMA Member Services Coordinator Kelly Drone at kelly@lma.org. Every month, the LMCA features information in this publication through the “Clerk’s Corner.” We aim to apprise our members of upcoming events and provide a little levity through a “Lagniappe” section. For example, October is Health Literacy Month and Pizza Month. We encourage you to learn ways to stay physically and socially healthy, but to also leave room for the occasional slice or two of good pizza! Thank you to all of the municipal clerks who are indeed unsung heroes. Our united superpowers are keeping Louisiana strong! Page 18 LMR | October 2018
Sunday, October 21 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. [4] Basics of Being a Clerk LMCA Panel 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Evening Reception Monday, October 22 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. [.25] Opening Remarks 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. [1] TBD 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. [1] Dear Younger Me Nancy Boudreaux 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. BREAK 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. [1.75] MERS Municipal Responsibilities Susita Suire, Retirement Benefits Administrator 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. [1] Topic TBD Leman Raphael 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. [1] Red Flags of Investment Scams Nancy Boudreaux 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. BREAK 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. [.75] Records Retention Carrie Martin 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. [1] TBD Program Schedule 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Pizza & Game Night Please bring a gift not to exceed $10 Tuesday, October 23 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. [.25] Opening Remarks 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. [7] Education Excursion to Myrtles Plantation & Angola Prison St. Francisville 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. [1] Nnamdi Thompson, Government Consultants 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. [.5] Technical Assistance Program Sherry McCann, MMC, LMMC, Clerk Town of Sibley, Past President 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. [.5] Certification Application Process LMCA Certification Committee 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. [.5] LA Government Assistance Program (LGAP) Traci Watts, Director Office of Community Development Wednesday, October 24 Crazy Hat Day 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. [1.25] Opening Remarks Lawrason, Homerule & Legislative Charters John Gallagher, Executive Director, LMA LMCI Agenda 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. [1] Special Elections & Appointments Ray Wood, Attorney, Secretary of State 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. BREAK 10:15 a.m.– 11:00 a.m. [.75] Legislative Updates Karen White Executive Counsel, LMA 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. [1] Best Practices: Taking Minutes & Writing Skills Yvonne Lewis Day 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. [1] Utility Policy & Procedure Rusty Reeves, Deputy Director, Louisiana Rural Water Association 2:30 p.m. – 3:30p.m. [1] Three W’s of Social Media Anita Tillman, Communications Consultant, LMA 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. BREAK 3:45 p.m. – 4:45p.m. [1] LMCA Business Meeting 4:45 p.m. [1] Skits 5:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Sponsor Reception Thursday, October 25 LMCA Polo Shirt or Black Shirt Day 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. [.25] Opening Remarks Sponsor Introductions Feature 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. [2] Public Relations & Public Information Requests Karen White, Executive Counsel, LMA 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. BREAK 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. [.75] TBD 11:15 a.m. [1] GROUP PHOTOS 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) LMCA Executive Board Mtg. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. [2] Programs and Services Cliff Palmer, Executive Director, LaMATS 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. BREAK 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. [1] Roundtable Discussions 6:30 p.m. Banquet Reception 7:00 p.m. [1] Banquet & Graduation Ceremony Friday, October 26 8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. [.25] Opening Remarks 9:00 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. [1] TBD 10:00 a.m. –10:15 a.m. BREAK 10:15 a.m. –11:30a.m. [1.25] TBD Friday classes are at the LMA building, 700 North 10 th St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802. LMR | October 2018 Page 19
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal Review PUBLISHE
Page 3 and 4: Inside the LMA Director’s Viewpoi
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMA Governor’s Column
Page 7 and 8: Inside the LMA Beauregard Parish Fa
Page 9 and 10: Municipalities Condolences Mayor Pa
Page 11 and 12: A Word from Our Affiliates Premium
Page 13 and 14: A Word from Our Affiliates LMR | Oc
Page 15 and 16: Partner Insight Rural Development U
Page 17: Partner Insight Put Advance Refundi
Page 21 and 22: Feature Statement Of Proposed Const
Page 23 and 24: Feature Pre-Disaster Training and D

LMR_October FINAL 2018

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