Levin College of Urban Affairs - CSU - News of the week 6.22.09

Here's what’s happening at the Levin College...

Forum Program-Cuyahoga County Government Reform
Levin College Out and About
Future of Downtown Forums and Survey-DCA
Don't Forget to Renew Your Parking Decal

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Forum Program-Cuyahoga County Government Reform

Thursday, June 25, 2009 . 4:00-6:00 p.m. Levin College Atrium
About the Forum: The push to reform Cuyahoga County government is on and so is the debate over what that restructuring should look like.

The current reform plan being considered would replace the three-member board of commissioners with an elected county executive and 11-member council with many county offices being eliminated. Will this plan implement a more effective, efficient, and financially and economically viable county government structure that better serves the people of Cuyahoga County?

On June 25th, a panel of local representatives will present a range of perspectives on the proposed reform and engage the public in an open discussion on this very timely topic. Join us as we explore this plan . For more information and online registration or call (216) 523-7330.

Kevin O'Brien, director of CSU's Center for Public Management is mentioned in the Plain Dealer article "Public forum on Cuyahoga County governemnt reform set for Thursday at Cleveland State University."

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LCUA Out and About

Dr. Ronnie A. Dunn has an article in Public Performance & Management Review, "Measuring Racial Disparities in Traffic Ticketing Within Large Urban Jurisdictions," June 2009, volume 32, number 4.

On Thursday June 4, Kirby Date, AICP led a workshop for landscape architects on the Balanced Growth Program, Storm Water Management, and Best Local Land Use Practices, at the Canalway Center in Garfield Heights.

On Friday June 5, Kirby Date led a workshop at the Northeast Ohio Planning and Zoning Conference, on "Citizen-Led Comprehensive Planning".  Co-presenters were Christine Zuniga, ('09 MUPDD), and Melissa Schneider, AICP, consultant.

Kirby Date, AICP led a group of statewide experts in a roundtable on local government and renewable energy, held on the OSU campus in Mansfield.  This is part of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission's Balanced Growth program for Best Local Land Use Practices, and provided early input in anticipation of more extensive conversation in the future. Participants included County planning staff, an OSU expert on local regulation, and representatives from Green Energy Ohio, the Ohio Farm Bureau, the County Commissioner's Association of Ohio, OSU Extension, and the Ohio Coastal Training Program.

Thomas Bier wrote an op-ed for the Plain Dealer, "Cleveland's Opportunity Corridor mustn't be stalled by insular insterests" on Sunday, June 14, 2009.

Levin College’s NODIS (Northern Ohio Data and Information Services) was the consultant for the Ohio Redistricting Competition sponsored by the Ohio Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner.  According to the partners, the competition provides concrete proof that Ohio can rely on an open process based on objective criteria to produce fail legislative districts in Ohio.  More information about the competition here.

Dr. Mark Salling, CSU, is noted for software training on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.  Mark Salling and Jim Wyles guest star in the videos linked from the page. Here and here.

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Future of Downtown Forums and Survey-Dowtown Cleveland Alliance

Since 2006, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance has managed the Downtown Cleveland Special Improvement District (SID). The SID collects a special assessment on downtown properties to fund enhanced services, including uniformed safety ambassadors, sidewalk cleaning teams, marketing programs and special events. By state law, SID revenue must be used to enhance, not replace, the level of service that City government can provide. Through the SID, everyone downtown has had a role in helping to achieve the goal of a downtown Cleveland that is safe, clean and vital.

The Downtown Cleveland Alliance invites you to participate in the discussion of the SID’s continuation.  We will be hosting several public forums as well as an online survey to collect your feedback and gain an understanding of your vision and priorities for the next five years in Downtown Cleveland.

Please join us for one or more of the following forums (the same program will be presented at each forum):

Forum One | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 8:00-9:30 a.m.
200 Public Square, Great Lakes Room, 3rd Floor

Forum Two | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Avenue, Main Board Room, 2nd Floor

Forum Three | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Reserve Square Embassy Suites Hotel, 1701 East 12 Street, Renaissance Room, 7th floor

Forum Four | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 1:00-2:30 p.m.
KA Architecture, 9th Street Design Studio, 1468 West 9 Street

Future of Downtown online survey www.downtowncleveland.org/page/sidsurvey.aspx

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Don't forget to Renew your CSU Parking Decal

Annual Registration Required. All 2008-2009 Faculty/Staff Bi-Annual and Annual parking permits expire on June 30, 2009. Bi-Annual permits are discontinued for 2009-2010.Faculty and Staff who wish to obtain or renew their Annual parking permit with Payroll Deduction may download the registration form at: www.csuohio.edu/services/parking/facstaffparkregform.pdf