The Square

Latest Episodes:

Episode 12 - The One About Our Favorite City Slogans Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

It's summertime in Iowa, so we wanted to have a little fun with this episode and share some of our favorite city slogans and welcome signs that we've seen around the state. We talk about some of the clever city slogans, interesting welcome signs and memorable places that stand out to us. Check these out when you're out traveling this summer! There are so many great city welcome signs, slogans, public art installations and other landmarks across our great state - way too many to mention in one podcast. We'd love to see your favorites too! Send us pictures and your list to thesquare@iowaleague.org. We also cover the question of how a person can run for city office during Your Questions Answered and then interview the League's Office Manager, Shannon Busby, in the Get to Know Your League segment. As usual, we wrap up with some fun trivia as League Trivia Expert Ryan Pealer answer's our previous question of which city is home to the American Gothic House Center, and then ask in which city was the first ever Heisman Award winner, Jay Berwanger, born? Please send your trivia answers, question of the month and any comments to thesquare@iowaleague.org! References for slogans gotten from onlyiniowa.com and onlyinyourstate.com

Episode 11 - The one about the 2019 legislative session May 29, 2019

Show notes

This month's episode features a recap of the recently completed legislative session, which includes several pieces of legislation important to city governments. We sat down with Robert Palmer and Daniel Stalder from the League's Government Affairs team to get their thoughts on the session. They provided some interesting perspectives on what it's like to work in the Capitol, a few of the important issues that came out of the 2019 session and what kind of work is planned before next year. Also, be sure to read the New Laws of Interest Special Report to get more information on the bills passed that affected cities. The Get to Know Your League segment includes a fun interview with Kim Gannon, our claims examiner with IMWCA. And this month's Your Questions Answered features a question from Decorah city council member Johanna Bergan, who asked what cities can do create a more equitable government. Our top trivia expert Ryan Pealer provides the answer to last episode's trivia question that asked which state has the most disc golf courses per capita, and for this month's trivia we have the following: What city is home to the American Gothic House Center, which was the inspiration for Grant Wood's famous painting? Be sure to send your trivia answers, the question of the month and any comments to thesquare@iowaleague.org!

Episode 10: The one about nuisance abatement Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

Nuisance abatement is challenging for all communities, and this month we sit down with Charlie Nichols, Linn County's Planning & Zoning Division Manager and formerly with the City of Burlington. Charlie offers his thoughts on how city's can effectively manage nuisance properties and describes the Healthy Neighborhoods program in Burlington, a proactive approach that helps residents improve properties. The Your Questions Answered segment provides guidance on teenagers working for a city, and Katie Wheeler is featured in our Get to Know Your League interview. We also provide the answer to last month's trivia question: what is the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi River? And offer the following for this month's trivia: which state has the most disc golf courses per capita? As always, please send your trivia answers, questions and any comments to thesquare@iowaleague.org!

Episode 9: The One From Colfax Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

The one from Colfax On the road again...that's right, The Square ventured out to Colfax for another fun episode. We had the pleasure of talking with city clerk Nancy Earles and city administrator Wade Wagoner about what it's like to serve in their roles. Nancy had a lot of interesting stories from her career working as a city clerk... some the of the strangest things can come through city hall. Wade shared thoughts on how cities can be innovative to find solutions to problems, which sometimes comes with risk but also great reward. We get into who is eligible to serve on a city council in this month's Your Questions Answered segment and put one of our co-hosts, Mickey Shields, on the hot spot in the Get to Know Your League interview. The episode wraps up with our monthly trivia as we answer which is the smallest city in the U.S. to be granted a Carnegie library (spoiler: it's in Iowa!) and ask because winter must end at some point, what is the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi River? We want your feedback! Send your questions, trivia answers and comments to thesquare@iowaleague.org.

Episode 8: The one from Atkins Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

The Square went on the road this month to visit Atkins, a beautiful city of 1,670 residents that has experienced some growth in recent years with expectations of adding to their population in the coming years. We are joined by Eric Christianson, a field specialist at ISU Extension, who helped the city develop strategic initiatives and plans for the community. Eric shares what that process is like and how it can be beneficial for any city. Atkins Mayor Bruce Visser talks about how the community has changed over the years and what the city has done to work with citizens. The city has constructed a new wastewater treatment facility, improved roads, and added subdivisions. Mayor Visser describes the challenge in keeping up and the need to thoughtfully prioritize projects. We tackle the issue of council member compensation and elected officials performing work as independent contractors in the Your Questions Answered segment. And The Square's producer (and League Network Administrator) Ryan Pealer is our featured guest in the Get to Know Your League segment! Get the answer to last month's trivia question (which city had the largest population increase from 2000 to 2010) and take a stab at this month's: The smallest community in the U.S. to be granted a Carnegie library is in Iowa, which city is it? Send your questions for the Your Questions Answered segment and trivia answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org

Episode 7: The one to kick off legislative session. Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

Happy new year! The Square kicks off 2019 with a special look at this year's legislative session. The episode features an interesting conversation with Kim Downs, city administrator of Hiawatha, who shares some of the important legislative issues for municipal governments, her role on the League's Legislative Policy Committee and some tips for successful grassroots advocacy. We also chat with our very own Robert Palmer, Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel, about his role in representing cities at the legislature and what a typical day is like at the Capitol. Get a double dose of Robert, as he is this month's featured staffer in our Get to Know Your League segment! In the Your Questions Answered segment we're asked what limitations cities have in establishing local property taxes (it must be budget season for cities). Hear the answer to last month's trivia (what is the newest city in Iowa?), and send answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org to this puzzler: which city in Iowa had the largest increase in population from 2000 to 2010?

Episode 6: The one with a few of our favorite things Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

As 2018 winds down we took the opportunity to look back over the past year and recognize some big moments for the League and cities around the state. We even brought in the boss to help as League executive director Alan Kemp co-hosts to share his perspective! We talk about some of our favorite Cityscape magazine cover photos and articles, new League events and services that stood out to us, what we remembered most from the 2018 Annual Conference & Exhibit (hint, it involves dancing), and a few other fun things. We also had Alan stick around for the Get to Know Your League segment where you can learn a little more about his path to the League, how he spends his free time and a big event that occurred in his life this year. This episode's Your Questions Answered segment provides information on how to fill a council vacancy, something nearly all cities encounter at some point. You can send your trivia answers and questions, as well as hobby suggestions for Alan, to thesquare@iowaleague.org. Happy Holidays!

Episode 5: The one with Jim Thompson from IEDA Dec 03, 2018

Show notes

Jim Thompson, Downtown Economic Development Specialist at the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), joins the podcast for a fun conversation about his experiences working with cities and programs that can help communities at the IEDA. Jim previously served as a council member in Charles City before getting involved in economic development work, giving him keen insight into what works for cities and the challenges that so many face. Hear his perspective on what cities can do to understand their identity, make important improvements around the community and specific programs that cities can utilize through the IEDA. In this episode's Your Questions Answered segment we dive into the differences between a city manager and a city administrator. And the Get to Know Your League conversation features a fun talk with Tim Kirgan of IMWCA, who talks about his role with the League and shares a little baseball wisdom. As always, send questions and trivia answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org.

Episode 4: The one where we talk to Scott Naumann Oct 22, 2018

Show notes

Our fourth episode of The Square features a fun interview with Scott Naumann, Bettendorf Alderman and current President of the League Executive Board. Scott's passion for his community and local government is evident throughout our chat as he talks about how he got on the city council, the important projects that have been completed in his tenure and some of the challenges he's faced as a public official. You'll also get to know Scott a little better in our lightning round of questions and see if he answered this month's trivia question correctly. Thanks Scott for such a great conversation! This month's Your Questions Answered segment covers a topic that nearly all cities struggle with - how to complete important city infrastructure projects. We give our thoughts on ways cities can better understand their road, utility and facility needs while making sound financial decisions. We also have a special treat for you in this episode as our Get to Know Your League segment features none other than Bethany Crile, co-host of The Square! Enjoy the episode and be sure to send your questions and trivia answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org.

Episode 3: The one about the 2018 Annual Conference & Exhibit Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

We took The Square on the road! This month's episode features interviews with city officials in the Exhibit Hall at the 2018 Annual Conference & Exhibit in Council Bluffs. Hear about some cool things happening in different communities and get a feel for the networking and fun that is always part of the annual conference. In the Your Questions Answered segment we give our take on how to best manage citizen complaints and social media comments, and in a new segment we introduce the newest member of the League staff. Listen until the end to hear this month's trivia, and be sure to send your answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org!

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