ClassInfo

Explore the expanding and unique role of the city in today's world and our increasing reliance on cities to solve big policy problems. The environment for city policy-making is rapidly changing, with the influence of social movements and protest, higher levels of engagement with city government, and use of a race equity lens to redefine the priorities of public entities. In 2021 we will explore big challenges facing local government using discussion, exercises, and guest speakers for inspiration and real world examples. This year will include an in-depth look at city charters as an instrument of structural and public policy change, with examples drawn from Minneapolis and around the country.

Past guest speakers include: Edina City Manager Scott Neal, St Paul Council President Amy Brendmoen, former Virginia Council Member Nevada Littlewolf, Director of Minneapolis' Race and Equity Division Joy Marsh Stephens, and League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Dave Unmacht.

Why take this class?

• Understanding local government structure, power relationships, and policy making authority is key to those who will work in and interact with city, county, and regional government systems. As state and federal government continues to struggle political and philosophical divides, local government remains at the forefront of many significant public policy change efforts.

• Understand the basic structure and functions of local government and the roles of stakeholders inside and outside of government.

• Identify and analyze pressures on local government and individuals in local government.

• Engage with those who seek to influence local government decisions, such as community advocates, lobbyists, elected officials and city staff, and explore their motivations and objectives.

• Understand the policy making process at the local government level and how to impact that process.

Instructor Elizabeth Glidden was a Minneapolis City Council Member for 12 years, including 4 as Council Vice President, and today is the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Policy at the Minnesota Housing Partnership. During her time on the Minneapolis Council, Elizabeth authored the city's safe and sick time ordinance, $15 per hour minimum wage, Ranked Choice Voting election reform, and helped create the City's first Department of Race and Equity.

• Understand the basic structure of local government and the roles of stakeholders inside and outside of government.
• Identify and analyze pressures on local government and individuals in local government.
• Engage with those who seek to influence local government decisions, such as community advocates, lobbyists, elected officials and city staff, and explore their motivations and objectives.
• Understand the policy making process at the local government level and how to impact that process

A = 100%-90%

B = 89%-79%

C = 78%-68%

D = 68%-59%

F = less than 59%