Municipal Equation Podcast

Municipal Equation is a podcast about cities and towns in changing times. Created by the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Producer/host/music Ben Brown.

EP 80: Comprehensive Planning in an Age of Change 04/29/2024

EP 80: Comprehensive Planning in an Age of Change When a city's or town's governing board adopts a comprehensive plan -- a big document meant to guide or manage growth and other elements of the locality's future -- it's a pretty big deal. Sure, municipalities across North Carolina have them, with insistence from state law. But for an individual city or town, it's a tremendous feat to complete such an intensive product in its purpose and sensitivity for the community, requiring all kinds of self-awareness work, public involvement, math, predictions, visioneering (the "blue sky" versus the real and practical) and, of course, time investment. On this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast from the North Carolina League of Municipalities about cities and towns and how we shape them, we talk with a number of officials about how they view and pursue comprehensive planning guides, and how that might be changing with time. Philosophies, ideas for public engagement and inclusion, and plenty of other takeaways make this episode a solid one in the ongoing conversation of ever-improving and protecting the places we call home. // Municipal Equation is a publication of the N.C. League of Municipalities, . Contact host/producer Ben Brown at . /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/31033588

EP 79: How Sister Cities Work 03/14/2023

EP 79: How Sister Cities Work Recently, during a visit to North Carolina by municipal officials from the country of Moldova, they and fellow municipal officials from around Wake County discussed possible "sister city" arrangements, to learn from one another and possibly create mutual resource opportunties. But sister-city arrangements can form for a number of reasons. On this episode we look at the impacts of sister city arrangements in North Carolina and beyond, and how it all works. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/26228373

EP 78: Ideas from the Alley 02/03/2023

EP 78: Ideas from the Alley When you think of downtown alleys, what comes to mind? Bad associations, maybe? The place to avoid at night? Ever since childhood, Americans have had the general impression that alleyways are dark, dirty, dangerous -- the right setting for noir crime stories. And that might sometimes be the case. But some U.S. cities are starting to embrace their alleys like assets -- as places to be -- with art, lighting, planters, seating and cleanliness. This is a classic episode of Municipal Equation from 2017, loaded with interesting voices and ideas. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/25826985

EP 77: So You Want to Commission a Mural 01/04/2023

EP 77: So You Want to Commission a Mural Welcome to a special LIVE episode of Municpial Equation, NCLM's podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, recorded in December with a panelists about HOW public art is achieved, with expert voices from the realm of local government. This episode was recorded at the N.C. Local Government Budget Association's winter conference. Special thanks to them. 2017 episode: Previous live episode with NCLGBA: /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/25498872

Episode 76: Town of Cary A Best Place to Work, Nationally 11/30/2022

Episode 76: Town of Cary A Best Place to Work, Nationally The Town of Cary was recently recognized as one of the top three places to work, nationally, in terms of local government. What does that mean? How is something like that achieved? We speak with Cary Manager Sean Stegall to learn what they're doing differently. Municipal Equation is the podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, from the North Carolina League of Municipalities. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/25181121

Ep 75: Digital Service Teams at City Hall 10/31/2022

Ep 75: Digital Service Teams at City Hall As various public and private services adapt to evolved consumer expectations, local governments around the country are themselves adapting with in-house "digital service teams" to deliver in a modern, convenient way. In fact, these teams are becoming ubiquitous. But let's back up. What is a digital service team in the context of local government? What do they do? How are they assembled? And are they feasible for towns of all sizes? Joshua Pine of the National League of Cities joins us to discuss digital service teams, which some observers say aren't just a trend, but are here to stay. Related reading: /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/24859719

EP 74: Preparing for the Future of Work 09/30/2022

EP 74: Preparing for the Future of Work We talk with Lena Geraghty of the National League of Cities about in our cities and towns, and how municipal leaders can play a role in making it as good and inclusive as possible. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/24540186

Episode 73: ARP in Action 08/31/2022

Episode 73: ARP in Action Let's take a tour around this state we love so much. On this episode of Municipal Equation, NCLM's podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, we explore how municipalities from the mountains to the coast are programming their American Rescue Plan allocations -- federal funds with transformative potential, and recipient cities are acting in that regard. Our guest on this episode is NCLM's Jack Cassidy, who has been covering ARP from its inception and likes to point out that when municipalities get support, they get the job done. Plenty of examples to celebrate and inspire, here. Listen now. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/24227553

EP 72: Dreaming Big in Small Towns 07/27/2022

EP 72: Dreaming Big in Small Towns Cities and towns so good that vacations become permanent stays. On this episode of Municipal Equation, we talk with VisitNC, the state's promotional and tourism outfit, about its Dream Big in Small Town NC initiative, which aims to connect travelers with the state's alluring small towns -- places so great they're hard to leave, and that's the idea. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/23882190

EP 71: Flexing the River (with Weldon, NC) 06/30/2022

EP 71: Flexing the River (with Weldon, NC) On this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast about cities adapting to change, we talk with Mayor Hugh Credle of Weldon, N.C., to learn how his small town is thinking big with the help of the river -- the Roanoke -- running just alongside its limits. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/23596862

EP 70: President Neisler Speaks 05/26/2022

EP 70: President Neisler Speaks In April, during his acceptance speech as the new president of the N.C. League of Municipalities, Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler emphasized that public service can be fun, that we can enjoy ourselves in working together, knowing our communities and their histories, charting how they've changed over time and what the future calls for. On this episode, we hear the affable president's perspective on service and his priorities ahead, in addition to some of the ways he's stepped forward to make positive change where he lives. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/23240714

Episode 69: Vision Zero 04/30/2022

Episode 69: Vision Zero In 2017, the City of Greensboro logged more than 40 vehicle crash fatalities, at the time a high mark that rattled officials enough to explore ways toward safer travels. This led city officials to a global movement in the form of a scalable initiative called Vision Zero. On this episode, City of Greensboro Transportation Planning Engineer Lydia McIntyre explains what Vision Zero is, how it seeks to reduce traffic fatalities and serious accidents, and what the city has learned (with surprises) since embarking. Related material: /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/22963817

EP 68: Recruitment and Retention, Challenges and Ideas 03/31/2022

EP 68: Recruitment and Retention, Challenges and Ideas It seems inconsistent: pandemic-related, record-level job losses while employers report their own hardships in finding workers. But that’s the nature of what analysts have called one of the strangest labor shortages in memory. Nationally, employers have reported too-tight talent pools or general hard times retaining staff. While much of the labor-shortage news spotlight is usually either broad-talking or sector-specific, municipalities far and wide indeed have felt the effect. On this episode, we hear from a few on their unique challenges and ideas to improve their situations. And we've love to hear about yours. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/22629878

EP 67: Boone Shifts to Renewables 02/25/2022

EP 67: Boone Shifts to Renewables The Town of Boone appears to be the first in North Carolina to have shifted from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy for its municipal facilities, and many years ahead of its own timeline for doing so. But how? On this episode of Municipal Equation, the League’s podcast about cities and towns adapting in the face of change, we talk with Boone Sustainability Manager George Santucci for an education on how the town and its leaders paired will with recognition of resources to achieve a big goal the town’s people can be proud of. Is there a story from your town that would make a great highlight for Municipal Equation? Email the show’s host/producer Ben Brown at to be featured. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/22255310

Episode 66: The American Rescue Plan and Local Infrastructure 01/20/2022

Episode 66: The American Rescue Plan and Local Infrastructure North Carolina cities and towns will receive $1.3 billion in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in 2021 and 2022. That is a staggering number, and it encompasses just a small piece of the ARP. More funds will be sent to North Carolina counties. Still more is going to the state itself. Never before has money flowed directly to our cities and towns like it will through the ARP, and as such, it is a generational opportunity—to both recover from the pandemic and to prosper well into the future. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/21841739

EP 65: DIRECT Talks on Race (and Equity vs. Equality) 12/09/2021

EP 65: DIRECT Talks on Race (and Equity vs. Equality) A new program from the North Carolina League of Municipalities is convening frank talks with municipal officials about racial tensions and inequities in our communities. Learn how DIRECT (Diversity, Inclusion & Racial Equity for Cities & Towns) works for better lives through best practices and historical knowledge. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/21431300

NCLM Fiscal Year 2019-20 Report Audio Companion 12/15/2020

NCLM Fiscal Year 2019-20 Report Audio Companion Audio companion to the North Carolina League of Municipalities' fiscal year 2019-20 annual report. Produced by the League's Communications team. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/17206925

EP 64: Sick and Tired of Flooding 10/16/2019

EP 64: Sick and Tired of Flooding We head to Iowa to look at a flood-rebound and resilience program that everyone's talking about. It could change the game. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/11659376

EP 63: UFO Town 09/04/2019

EP 63: UFO Town What could aliens and flying saucers mean to a community and its government? Like, for real. On this episode, we head to Roswell, New Mexico, to dig up answers. We're joined by a ufologist and one of the world's foremost experts on what's called "the Roswell Incident" and from a spokesperson of the local government itself. Ultimately it's about embracing your community's story and taking it to intergalatic levels. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/11121032

EP 62: Cities Initiative on Climate Change 08/16/2019

EP 62: Cities Initiative on Climate Change Calling climate change an intimidating issue may be understating it. It's massive, right? Being so global and often pulled into intense debate, climate change may have us individuals feeling helpless against it. But there are local-level approaches for making a difference, and municipal governments are sharing best-practices with one another to that end. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/10895345

EP 61: Actual Mask-Wearing Superheroes 01/30/2019

EP 61: Actual Mask-Wearing Superheroes Superheroes exist. Yes, in real life. Just like in the comics, they wear masks and uniforms, they nab bad guys, and they spread peace across the city. On this episode, we talk to a couple of them, and their stories are absolutely amazing. Thanks to Sgt. Clint Ferguson and Officer Damon Cole for making this happen. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/8448386

EP 60: Inside the 2020 Census 01/03/2019

EP 60: Inside the 2020 Census It's one of the biggest federal projects going, and it affects all of us. What do we need to know about the 2020 Census? It's different from any in the past. How private is the information being collected? What's it's used for? And how can we be sure it's accurate? We're joined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the National League of Cities, state government and academics on this, our 60th episode. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/8117786

EP 59: Street Photography, the City and You 12/12/2018

EP 59: Street Photography, the City and You On this episode, we continue our quest for ways to better connect with or figure out the city you're in -- whether it's your hometown or a place you've never been before. Here we're documenting and learning the secrets of the city through street photography as guided by notables from around the world. Hear from Craig Reilly, Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin and Jerome De Perlinghi on what they're able to extract between curiosity, chance, a walk and a camera. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/7886009

EP 58: The Map Is Wrong 10/29/2018

EP 58: The Map Is Wrong The FCC's map of broadband availability in the U.S. is a basis for policymaking, funding decisions and planning to close service gaps for communities. But what if we told you that map, as many can testify, is pretty inaccurate? How? Why? What's the fallout, here? /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/7360493

EP 57: 'We Can't Arrest Our Way Out of This' 09/17/2018

EP 57: 'We Can't Arrest Our Way Out of This' A little while back, we began meeting with police chiefs for a video series on what they're doing differently to tackle the opioid problem locally -- and were blown away by the approaches of chiefs Tom Bashore in Nashville, N.C., and Bill Hollingsed in Waynesville, N.C. They're seeing results. So we made an episode to explain it all, step by step. (This joins with the video series and other resources now available in the N.C. League of Municipalities' Opioid Solutions Toolbox at nclm.org/opioidsolutions.) /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/7032555

EP 56: The Best Food Delivery Ever 09/04/2018

EP 56: The Best Food Delivery Ever We revisit the intersection of drones, local government and public need with a trip to Holly Springs, North Carolina, a small town innovating nationally with a pilot project to see commercial food delivery by way of drone. As you can imagine, it's stuffed with logistical and policy questions. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/7006571

EP 55: Games Over Gangs (Encore) 08/07/2018

EP 55: Games Over Gangs (Encore) Here's an encore of a favorite: Games Over Gangs. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/6897493

EP 54: A Day at the Beach (The Wild Intersection of Gov't and Summer Vacation) 07/23/2018

EP 54: A Day at the Beach (The Wild Intersection of Gov't and Summer Vacation) It's summer, and beach towns all along the coast are each receiving thousands and thousands of visitors from across the U.S. Take Atlantic Beach, N.C., for example. It has a year-round population of about 1,500, but in the summer months that number surges to roughly 50,000. How in the world does such a small community -- with limited staffing and resources -- prepare for that? How can it provide adequate services, like police or even enough public water, amid outsize demand? What's the procedure when someone calls the authorities to report mysterious matter washing ashore? And did you know it's somebody's job there to make sure the beach is still there for tourists? Yes, literally. It's amazing how it all comes together, though we suntanned beneficiaries seldom ever consider it. Let's think back to that classic summer vacation as we hear from a panel of experts in this special live episode of Municipal Equation, recorded with an audience in Atlantic Beach. /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/6843525

Episode 53: Back Into the Alley 07/10/2018

Episode 53: Back Into the Alley Muni Replay! Here's one of our most popular episodes. Meanwhile, we're headed to the coast to record a special live episode, which we'll bring you soon! When you think of downtown alleys, what comes to mind? Bad associations, maybe? The place to avoid at night? Ever since childhood, Americans have had the general impression that alleyways are dark, dirty, dangerous -- the right setting for noir crime stories. And that might often be the case. But some U.S. cities are starting to embrace their alleys like assets -- as places to be -- with art, lighting, planters, seating and cleanliness. Inviting spaces that pedestrians can use to cut from block to block. Some alleyway owners even hold weekend events in them. There's a lot you can do to sweep out the bad associations and boost charm and use, if you want to. What could you do with your downtown alleys? You'll hear tons of ideas and considerations on this intercontinental episode. Show notes: Peter Gorman, "A Guide to Value Added Alleys" - Allison Meier, Hyperallergic, "LED Street Art Lights Up a Dark, Dodgy Alley in Philadelphia" - Wilson, Artsy Alleys - Wilson Times, "Project adds color to downtown alleys" - Shelby Star, "Local scout takes on alley beautification for Eagle Scout Project" - "Alleys in Urban Design: History and Application" - Public art episode followups (thanks for sending these!): Monroe, La., News Star "'Wish you were here'! Artists paint postcard-style murals in the Twin Cities," Wilmington, N.C., Star-News, "Public art in New Hanover Co. spurs both aesthetic and economic activity, backers say" - Durham, N.C., Herald-Sun, "New public art in Durham coming to a corner near you?" And some vintage stranger-danger vids: "Don't Talk to Strangers" - "Dangerous Stranger" - "Never Be A Victim" - /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/6792126

EP 52: Driverless Cars 2 06/26/2018

EP 52: Driverless Cars 2 Let's catch up on driverless cars, shall we? Last year, we did a primer on autonomous vehicles and policy implications, but it seems like a lot can change in short time with this technology. What's the latest? How does the public feel about it? What are some example scenarios of how we as people might interact with autonomous vehicles in our day-to-day? Brooks Rainwater of the National League of Cities has the research and joins us to flesh it out. NLC report, "Autonomous Vehicles: Future Scenarios" Related news release Pew Research Center, "Americans' attitudes toward driverless cars" AAA, "More Americans Willing to Ride in Fully Self-Driving Cars" Municipal Equation Episode 24: Autonomous Vehicles in Your City 1971 film clip about driverless car /episode/index/show/municipalequation/id/6744153

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