The Extraordinary journey of an international exchange municipal clerk
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks International Exchange Program experience is one that I will always treasure. The Program provided an unbelievable opportunity. I am fortunate and blessed to have been a participant. I am still in awe of this learning experience and personal adventure. I hope I do not wake up and find out it was all just a dream.
Beschrijving
My exchange partner was Andries Knevel, from Gennep, Netherlands. What a match! Have you ever met someone and it just clicked? Well, that is what happened with Andries and me. He visited the City of Sanibel, Florida, staying a week with me and my husband, six weeks prior to my visit to Maasbree, Netherlands, where I was fortunate enough to be the guest of Andries and his wife. Andries and I forged an immediate professional and personal friendship that will long endure the passage of time and distance between us. We communicate on a regular basis and share stories of family members and pets that we know on each other’s side of the Atlantic. While Andries was in Sanibel, we had many conversations about the role of City Clerk in our respective countries and the many and varied Clerk duties. Did you know, that until 2002 in The Netherlands, all City Managers were designated as the City Clerk, as was the case in many Florida municipalities years ago? Being a retired City Manager from Gennep, Andries understands the role of City Clerk. As a consultant of the Dutch Association of Municipalities, he assists municipalities in establishing the dualistic relationship between town councils and the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, including the clerks’ office and the clerks’ duties. Andries is active in encouraging IIMC membership and was also one of The Netherlands team that organized the 2000 IIMC Conference in Rotterdam. He is currently assisting as a contracted City Clerk for the City of Maasbree helping four municipalities consolidate into one municipality by January, 2010. Andries is also the Chairman of the School District, which includes ten schools. Andries on the Museum Board and is still affiliated with his City Managers’ Association.
During Andries’ visit to the City of Sanibel, he was introduced to all the activities of our City, meeting with Department Directors as well as our island partners: J.N. “Ding” Darling Federal Wildlife Preserve, Island Water Association (the City’s water provider), Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, the Public Library and many others. Andries also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the Florida Association of City Clerks’ Board of Directors.
My visit to Maasbree, a municipality of approximately 13,000 residents, occurred at a unique time as Maasbree and three other municipalities are in the process of amalgamating into one municipality as previously mentioned. A new community of approximately 43,000 residents will be established by the year 2010. I was privileged to have the opportunity to observe a portion of the negotiations and political considerations in action. Inasmuch as the proceedings were conducted in Dutch, Andries had previously explained the meeting content and objectives before the proceedings began. He also provided me updates during the discussion. During my visit, I felt very welcome and never experienced a language barrier since everyone I met was fluent in English.
The Netherlands is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. It was interesting to find that the Mayor was appointed by the Queen, and the elected officials appoint a Board of Alderman, who serve much like our City’s Department Directors. The City Clerk reports directly to the elected body, also known as a City Council, and works closely with the Mayor and City Manager. It was also interesting to learn that elections are partisan. Political party candidates are chosen in accordance with the party’s hierarchy, then once elected each party is seated together at their meetings to conduct the City’s business. Another item of interest was the way a Council agenda is created. The “Presidium,” a collective body of all elected party chairmen, the Mayor and City Clerk meet to determine the next agenda for City Council.
The City Clerk of the City of Venlo, Geert van Soest, graciously extended an invitation for me to attend one of his Council meetings and to tour the City of Venlo. Andries and I arrived in Venlo in time for dinner with Geert and, subsequently, attended the Venlo City Council meeting. Geert also afforded me the opportunity to tour the refurbished portion of the Council building, which now reflects its original state. The next day, I returned to Venlo and had the opportunity to attend a social committee meeting that included two Councilmembers and Staff. My next agenda item was a guided tour of the City by Martin Camp, one of six Deputy Mayors who are all Alderman and members of the Daily Board. It was wonderful hearing the history of the City and the importance of its different sections. I spent time with the youngest Deputy Mayor, the Mayor’s Head of Staff, lunched with Staffers, met with Tjeu Kessels, City Attorney, and was introduced to the City Manager. What great fun! The City of Venlo has a population of 100,000 and being only 2 km from Germany has a large German population. I found that government in The Netherlands for either a small or large municipality was basically the same.
My final destination in Venlo was to visit a coffee house. A coffee house in The Netherlands is quite unlike our Starbucks as narcotics (Hashish and Marijuana) are sold there and patrons consume their purchase within the confines of the coffee house. I mention this topic because Venlo was able to address a serious problem in that the municipality was able to rid the City of an undesirable neighborhood controlled by drug lords through the establishment of coffee houses. Venlo has five such coffee houses. Though very political, Venlo officials have found a way to license and work with owners to guarantee that patrons follow the business rules, as well as local law. City officials make frequent on-sight inspections and appear to have a good relationship with the owner. The owner/operator was thrilled to explain his operation to a visitor from the United States. The owner informed me that his focus was not only on his business, but the surrounding neighborhood in keeping it clean from litter and free of criminal activity. Upon their first visit, patrons purchase a club membership and are cautioned to abide by the many strict rules. If the rules are not adhered to, their membership is revoked on the next visit.
The Municipal Clerks of The Netherlands are highly professional and held in high esteem within the organizational structure of the municipality. They are responsible for a great deal and are well respected by their elected officials. I also had the opportunity to meet with the VvG (Netherlands Clerk Association) Board in Utrecht during my stay. Their organization is very young. Remember, City Manager and City Clerk responsibilities were only separated in 2002. We had a wonderful discussion regarding our respective responsibilities, as well as membership in the IIMC and educational opportunities available. I was interviewed by Addie Niesthoven, City Clerk, City of Zoeterwoude. We were also able to schedule an appointment for the IIMC President Mary Lynn Stratta to meet with the VvG in October, 2009 to further discuss membership and possible educational opportunities through IIMC. Since my return I have been in contact with Marion Stein, Den Haag City Clerk, who is Vice Chair of the association.
Andries did a great job in keeping my schedule full of exciting trips, information and educational opportunities. I did get to see the beauty of the Netherlands, by visiting other cities and communities, walking through the forests, flat lands and riversides with Andries, Suus (Andries spouse) and Katoh, their brown Retriever. This article would not be complete without the mention of Katoh and Spot, their cat.
My heartfelt thanks are extended to the IIMC for initiating the International Exchange Program and for selecting me to participate. I encourage all Municipal Clerks with an interest in expanding their knowledge of our profession through an international perspective to apply for their own opportunity to experience an extraordinary journey.
Pamela Smith,
MMC Sanibel City Clerk