Township Talk

MTA Q&A: Clearing up the Confusion Surrounding COVID-19 Executive Orders

With the upcoming primary and general elections, there are a lot of questions about elections administration and safety—both for election workers and voters—during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get your questions answered at our upcoming live MTA Q&A with the state Bureau of Elections, featuring director Jonathan Brater. Held at noon on July 22, this free hour-long event is designed for the entire township board, to help you understand how the new requirements are impacting your township, your budget and the role of your clerk.

MTA Q&A: The Impact of Proposal 18-3 & COVID-19 on Elections

MTA Q&A reviews details, deadline for CARES Act funding

COVID-19 was a game-changer for many things, MTA's Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—joined by Shila Kiander Director, Mecosta County Equalization Department and President, Michigan Association of Equalization Directors and Rob Thall, MTA Legal Counsel, Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, P.C. discuss how Executive Order 2020-87, granting a temporary extension of March BOR appeals, impacts your township. Find out how the challenges leftover from March Boards of Review spills into July and gain insights into the guidance offered by the Governor’s office as well as the State Tax Commission. Web Resources:   EO 2020-87 STC Guidance Bulletin Dated June 9, 2020 July/December BOR Bulletin 

MTA Q&A: The Impact of COVID-19 on July Boards of Review (audio-only)

As Michigan begins a phased re-opening, townships across the state are focused on the economy. Getting back to work, and back to business, is crucial for all of us, learn steps your township can take to help stimulate your local economy and facilitate Michigan’s successful grand reopening. MTA Executive Director Neil Sheridan hosted this recorded webinar, and discussion with the Small Business Association of Michigan, Meridian Charter Township (Ingham Co.) and Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.). A vital summer season is still within reach, but a key driver to speedy recovery includes healthy local business. Webinar Resources: Small Business Association of Michigan Michigan Township Association Recovery/Re-opening resources Michigan Economic Development Corporation Michigan Small Business Development Center U.S. Small Business Administration 

MTA Q&A: How townships can help businesses re-open (audio-only)

Find out how the most current executive orders and regional lifting of restrictions impact your township. MTA’s entire Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden, Staff Attorney Catherine Mullhaupt and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—joined by Seth Koches, legal counsel from Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman P.C., offer insights into the evolving impact of the COVID-19 crisis on your township operations. We tackled a wide variety of topics, from meetings to campgrounds, to help you understand where we are now. Webinar Resources: UPDATED! MTA Guidance on Township Employees Working from Home (Updated May 27, 2020) UPDATED! Return to Work Planning during COVID-19 (Updated May 27, 2020) UPDATED! MTA Tips on Township Operations after EO 2020-92 (Updated May 27, 2020) UPDATED! MTA Guidelines for Conducting Meetings under Executive Order 2020-75 and the Open Meetings Act (Updated May 27, 2020) UPDATED! COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Sample (.doc) (Updated May 27, 2020) MTA Examples of Electronic Public Meeting Notices (.doc) (May 27, 2020) Michigan Townships Association COVID-19 resources MI Safe Start Map 

MTA Q&A: Rolling with the changes during COVID-19 (audio-only)

COVID-19 drove us all into remote workplaces creating a target-rich environment and exposing our data to new vulnerabilities, from ransomware to phishing attacks. Listen in as the experts review security measures and recommend controls to help protect your township network and the data stored there. Finally, gain insights into what to do if you do have a data security breach. Webinar Resources: Cyber Security PowerPoint Telework Policy and Procedure Cyber Security E Book COVID-19 Guidance State of Michigan Cyber Security Michigan Townships Association COVID-19 resource Dept. of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) FBI FCC Publishes Pandemic Scam List/Website Next Gov Stay Safe Online 

The Impact of COVID-19 on Municipal Cyber Security (audio-only)

This webinar is about the planning efforts your board must consider as you prepare to return to the township hall. From risk management to safety guidelines, physical screening to confidentiality, townships must ensure their workplace (and workforce!) is prepared for a safe return. MTA’s Member Information Liaison Cindy Dodge teams up with MTA Legal Counsel Seth Koches from Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, P.C. to review actions that should be considered as your township plans to resume operations in light of recent COVID-19 restrictions. Discussion includes precautions that need to be implemented in both the short- and long-term, as well as in the event of another emergency closure. Resources from webinar: COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (Powerpoint as presented by MTA Legal Counsel Seth Koches at the MTA Q&A, Returning to Work) COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Sample Return to Work Planning during COVID-19 

MTA Q&A - Considerations for Re-Opening Your Township Hall (audio-only)

This morning, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the MTA Board for a briefing on COVID-19 and Michigan’s response—including the impact on the state budget, the need for additional federal stimulus funding, and insights in the stages of recovery and reengaging while mitigating risk. “We have to give the public confidence that they are safe," the governor said of local leaders serving residents during this time. "We need to tackle this together, and I appreciate your leadership in your communities.”

MTA Board Briefing with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on COVID-19

On Friday, May 8, state Sen. Jim Stamas joined members of MTA's Executive Committee and MTA Board members from the senator's district to provide a briefing on the state budget process amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The senator shared the estimated revenue loss of $3 billion the state is facing with less than five months remaining in its fiscal year with a larger impact expected for the upcoming fiscal year. Sen. Stamas emphasized the importance of local officials sharing with their state legislators the impact that COVID-19 is having on their communities. "I appreciate it, and look forward to working with you," he said. "Only together will we get through this." We greatly appreciate the time Sen. Stamas provided in meeting with members of our Board, sharing the latest budget information and learning about the financial challenges townships and other local governments are facing.

Sen. Jim Stamas, Senate appropriations chair, briefs MTA Executive Committee

Cemetery expert and Member Information Services (MIS) Liaison Cindy Dodge leads this free hour-long session, moderated by MIS Director Michael Selden, offering guidance on the township’s role on burials and funeral services during the crisis, as well as providing answers to your questions on maintaining township properties. Resources from webinar: • American Cemetery and Cremation www.americancemetery.com • Executive Order 2020-43 – Public accommodations & gatherings (see section 3c) https://bit.ly/EO2020-43 • CDC Resources for Parks & Recreational Facilities (language for signage) https://bit.ly/CDCParkRec • CDC Visiting Parks and Places of Recreation (Dos & Don’ts language for signage) https://bit.ly/CDCVisitingParks • CDC Frequently Asked Questions including funerals https://bit.ly/CDCFAQfuneral • Mlive Closed Playgrounds & park sample signs & photos of preventative measures https://bit.ly/MLIVEplayground • MTA Cemetery & Parks Management due to COVID-19 https://www.michigantownships.org/coronavirus.asp • OSHA Guidelines for Employees in the Workplace due to COVID19 https://bit.ly/OSHAGuidelines

"MTA Q&A" Township Cemetery and Park Management During the COVID-19 Crisis (audio-only)

Everything seems more difficult now than ever before. This is not an easy transition. MTA and 2018 Conference keynoter Brett Culp want to remind you that you are not alone. Listen to a special message from Brett including three tips on staying strong and leading your community through this crisis.

Leadership in challenging times

Join MTA’s entire Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden, Staff Attorney Catherine Mullhaupt and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—as they launch our live video series about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on your township operations. This free hour-long session, moderated by MTA Executive Director Neil Sheridan, gives you an opportunity to get your questions answered on a variety of new issues raised by the crisis and its impact on your meetings, FOIA requests, cemeteries, staffing and more!

MTA COVID-19 Update: "MTA Q&A" live webinar

Hear from MTA’s Director of Government Relations on our involvement during the COVID-19 period including work with the Governor’s Office and State departments. Learn more about the state budget, supplemental funding, and the federal stimulus bills as well as their impact to your township.Guest: Judy Allen, MTA’s Director of Government Relations

MTA COVID-19 Update: Legislative update

Don’t miss this special message from Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer offering insights into training, resources from the Bureau of Fire Services and the CDC as well as his insights into PPE for firefighters.Guest: Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer

MTA COVID-19 Update: Hot Topics from the State Fire Marshal

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