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“These cities have demonstrated leadership and imagination in creating municipal programs and are being recognized as winners for the Awards for Municipal Excellence,” said Donald J. Borut, NLC’s executive director. “These programs are illustrative of the types of projects that are improving the lives of residents in cities and towns across the country.”
Congratulations to the 2008 Awards for Municipal Excellence Winners!
The Winners of the 2008 Awards for Municipal Excellence were recognized at the National League of Cities' Congress of Cities in Orlando, Florida, on November 14, 2008. Click on the Population categories to read more about these outstanding programs.
Population Categories: under 50,000 | 50,001 to 150,000 |150,001 - 500,000 | 500,001 and over
Population Category Under 50,000:
Gold Award Winner: Bristol, Virginia
Broadband Partnerships & Sustainability Project (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Linda Davis, 276-645-8751, LDavis@bvub.com
The City of Bristol Virginia (Washington County) is a model for municipal excellence for having the first public utility in the nation to implement triple-play broadband over a fiber-to-the-user (FTTU) network and for entering important partnerships for bringing ubiquitous broadband access to six additional counties in the Southwest Virginia region.
Bristol Virginia’s investment and unwavering determination to achieve its goals, despite facing numerous obstacles – including having to sue the State of Virginia in federal court – are inspirational and have made the utility’s “OptiNet” infrastructure the national benchmark for small-town government, triple-play broadband technology. Bristol Virginia Utilities (BVU), which operates as the government enterprise fund for the city, has invested millions to build the innovative network and had to pay $2.5 million in legal fees to fight local internet and cable companies that sought to block its entry into the telecommunications business. The city‘s pioneering efforts have been recognized by the American Public Power Association, FTTH Council, telecommunications industry and government entities across the country.
“Bristol, Virginia, is a perfect example of how any small community can position for growth and improve quality of life through digital fiber optics,” said Bristol Mayor Jim Rector. “Our partnerships have helped transform rural southwest Virginia into a technology hub.”
Fiberoptic Installation Government Technology Award
Silver Award Winner: South Sioux City, Nebraska
Siouxland Y (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Lance Hedquist, 402-494-7517, Lhedquist@southsiouxcity.org
When the indoor city pool was deemed unsafe for competitive swimming, the City of South Sioux City, building upon a 31-year positive history of cooperation, embarked on a unique public/private partnership with the South Sioux City Community School District and the YMCA to develop a regional $10,000,000 recreation center.
“South Sioux City is blessed with a community of innovation, cooperation and caring. Our future is brighter as a result of this positive community attitude,” said South Sioux Mayor Robert J. Giese. “The Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA recreational project is an exceptional example of a city, school and non-profit cooperative venture.”
Siouxland Y
Population Category of 50,001 - 150,000:
Gold Award Winner: High Point, North Carolina
Overt Drug Market Strategy (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Strib Boynton, 336-883-3298, strib.boynton@highpointnc.gov
Since 1997, the High Point, North Carolina Police Department has used a comprehensive, collaborative, data driven strategic approach to identify violent repeat offenders, employing prevention and intervention techniques to reduce violence. This effort is a partnership between law enforcement (federal, state, local, probation, district attorney and the U.S. Attorney) and the High Point Community Against Violence (grass roots community members, clergy, service agencies, non-profits, and government). The success of this approach is evidenced by a 26% decrease in violent crime between 1997 and 2002. 
“The strength of this initiative clearly lies on the strong foundation of support provided by the communities,” said High Point Mayor Rebecca R. Smothers. “The real success can be measured by the willingness of many people to work together to build safe neighborhoods and offer hope to those whose future would most likely be spent in prisons.”
High Point Overt Drug Map Minister Counseling Client
Silver Award Winners: West Covina, California
West Covina Commercial Center & Sportsplex (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Benjamin Kim, 626-939-8417, Ben.Kim@WestCovina.org
In 2001, the City of West Covina took decisive action and took charge to convert a hazardous and blighted landfill that has impacted the community for over 30 years. Without the City’s intervention, the 583-acre BKK Landfill would have sat idle. Today, the “West Covina Commercial Center and Sportsplex” project has been successfully transformed into a model Brownfields project consisting of commercial and office developments as well as much needed recreational amenities for the community (Big League Dreams Sports Park, 18-hole golf course and natural habitat with walking trails weaving throughout the project site).
“This redevelopment of this Brownfields site will have many benefits for years to come to West Covina residents. By transforming the landfill from a blighting influence that used to negatively impact the community into a viable revenue generating land mark, West Covina residents will have recreation, shopping and dining amenities in the middle of the City,” said West Covina Mayor Sherri Lane. “In addition, land values in the area are no longer declining and have been increasing at outstanding rates. More importantly, residents no longer have to say they live next to a landfill, they can say they live next to an amazing landmark.”
 
Landfill Sportsplex
Population Category of 150,001 - 500,000
Gold Award Winner: Henderson, Nevada
Service Guarantee Program (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Christine Kidd, 702-267-3615, Christine.Kidd@cityofhenderson.com
We often hear that government should run like a business. As the largest-full service city in Nevada, the City of Henderson understood the value of transforming the development services operation into a business model that would meet customer needs with service level expectations. As a result, the City’s Development Services Center (DSC) implemented a Service Guarantee Program (SGP).
The SGP was established through interdepartmental planning and continuous process improvement delivery for development related services. Since its inception in 2005, the DSC has maintained a customer service on-time rate of over 99% for plan review and inspection services. Based upon a fee based cost recovery model, the program is designed for development to pay its way without taxpayer support. Modeled through public-private collaboration with development industry leaders, implementation of new higher-based fees would support DSC enhancements in order to meet performance specific results and outcomes.
“It’s a great honor for the City of Henderson to be recognized by the National League of Cites for Municipal Excellence,” said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the success we have seen with our Development Services Center and we are excited to be recognized for the hard work and dedication from everyone in the DSC.”
Resort Construction
Silver Award Winner: Boise, Idaho
Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless (CATCH) (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Greg Morris, 208-493-2503, gmorris@cityofboise.org
Charitable Assistance To Community’s Homeless (CATCH) is an unprecedented, community-wide, collaborative effort initiated and administrated by city government, and supported by local congregations of faith, area businesses, and the United Way. CATCH was developed to address the burgeoning, complex problem of family homelessness. By rapidly housing families first, then providing resources, services, and case management, CATCH is unique in its approach. The verb catch means to “keep from falling”, which best captures the spirit of this program.
“The CATCH program is successful because it emphasizes long term sustainability over quick fixes,” Boise Mayor David Bieter said. “I’m glad to see this innovative program getting the national recognition it deserves. It proves that great things can be accomplished through partnerships between cities, faith communities, businesses, and charitable organizations like the United Way. In tough economic times like we are seeing now, these partnerships are even more vital.”
 
CATCH Me If You Can Braddock Family Move Out
Population Category of 500,001 and over:
Gold Award Winner: San Jose, California
Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Janice Rombeck, 408-535-8521, janice.rombeck@sanjoseca.gov
The San Jose Strong Neighborhoods Initiative was launched in 2000 as a collaborative, resident-focused approach to improve blight-ridden neighborhoods and build strong community relationships. With its grass-roots approach to neighborhood renewal, the City and the Redevelopment Agency treated residents as partners rather than customers. The result is a lasting alliance that continues to improve the quality of life in hundreds of neglected, low-income neighborhoods.
“In San Jose, we are creating safe and livable neighborhoods. Our Strong Neighborhoods Initiative connects residents with the resources they need to change,” said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. “Whether it’s gang prevention, traffic calming or revitalization, residents partner with San Jose staff to make our neighborhoods better places to live and raise families.”
Affordable Housing
Silver Award Winner: Denver, Colorado
The Five by Five Project (click here to view the Nomination Packet)
Program Contact: Maxine Quintana, 720-913-0905, maxine.quintana@ci.denver.co.us
To put into action the belief that municipalities can and should play a role in supporting the development of the City’s children, Denver created The 5 By 5 Project. The 5 By 5 Project provides Denver Head Start families with children under the age of 5 year-round access and educational opportunities at 12 of Denver’s top cultural venues at no cost.
The 5 By 5 Project’s goal is to support school readiness and strengthen families by providing children with extended learning to expand their experiences and success in and out of the classroom. A central purpose of the Project is to support parents in their role as “first teachers” by providing them with enjoyable and fulfilling experiences to increase family engagement. The 5 By 5 Project provides Head Start teachers with age-appropriate lessons and classroom materials, free access to the cultural venues and professional development opportunities, to connect students’ cultural experiences with classroom learning.
“We proudly accept this award on behalf of the City and the many cultural partners responsible for the success of The 5 By 5 Project,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We appreciate the recognition by the National League of Cities of our efforts to give children the best possible foundation for school and life – regardless of family income – by combining cultural experiences with the learning opportunities provided by Head Start.”
Amanda Painting Girl With Water Hyacinth
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