Title
Alliance for Innovation Annual Membership for the City of Phoenix
Description
This report requests the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of the Budget and Research Department's payment of $9,000 for annual dues for 2021-22 membership with the Alliance for Innovation.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix has been a member of the Alliance for Innovation since its establishment in 2006. Located in downtown Phoenix, the Alliance for Innovation was established in cooperation with Arizona State University (ASU) and is an international network of local governments and partners committed to driving innovation to enhance organizations' operations and build stronger communities. The Alliance advances those values by sharing emerging practices, cutting-edge research, and professional development opportunities.
The Alliance partners with ASU to promote excellence in local government and build a community of innovative local governments. With the help of ASU, the Alliance seeks to bring together the best local government practitioners along with private-sector partners and academic scholars.
The City's Alliance membership is available to the entire organization and provides the following benefits to all City employees:
- Learning: access to emerging local government topics through newsletters, webinars, workshops, Transforming Local Government Conference, and the BIG Ideas invitation-only event.
- Research: access to results from research collaborations. The Alliance partners with local government practitioners and academia for research on topics that will have an impact on the profession which includes a partnership with ASU.
- Leadership Connections: an online forum for local government professionals that fosters rich content, social networking and global knowledge exchange.
Over the years, staff has presented and participated at the Alliance's annual Transforming Local Government Conference. In 2018, Phoenix presented a case study on "Phoenix /Tucson Water Exchange - Storing and Moving Water Through Time." In April 2015, Phoenix hosted the Transforming Local Government Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Phoenix.
Notably, the City has been recognized with several innovation awards from the Alliance including the Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation in 2019 for "Public Private Sports Partnerships." Prior to that, Phoenix won the Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award in 2017 for the PHXteens Program, in 2016 for Fit PHX-Partnerships for a Healthier Community, in 2012 for the Innovation and Efficiency Task Force, and in 2008 for the Library Department website.
In October 2016, the City participated in the Arizona Idea and Culture Exchange Ambassador Forum which gave municipalities across Arizona the opportunity to engage and exchange ideas and concepts of innovation and culture. The Alliance Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan in 2016 that identifies ways in which the Alliance can serve as a catalyst for local government innovation. The four-part plan includes:
- Support and grow a network of local government innovators.
- Leverage research to identify leading practices and emerging issues.
- Inspire innovative cultures and practices in local government.
- Be a major force in the innovation space.
Financial Impact
Funds are available in the Budget and Research Department's budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Budget and Research Department.