Fresh from the ICMA Conference in Tampa, the Generation on the Rise crew dives into how to draw the line between leadership and politics. Eden reflects on his ICMA session about rebuilding trust after a $3.2 million fraud case, while Dave and Brandon unpack what it means to stay apolitical and human in a world where expectations sometimes conflict with professional ethics. From the emotional side of management to candid talk about boards, boundaries, and values, this episode captures the nuance and humor of a profession in flux. Join hosts: Dave Pribulka, Brandon Ford, Eden Ratliff.

Check out more content like this and PCC Local Time at MuniSquare@Substack.com

🎧 This episode of PCC Local Time is part of the APMM Series, featuring conversations with Pennsylvania’s municipal managers and leaders about the evolving practice of local government.

In this episode on Sustainability, host Nancy Hess talks with three guests who are redefining what local sustainability looks like on the ground:

• Sara Gibson, Borough Manager, Camp Hill Borough, creator of Stormfest
• Bailey Rocco, Sustainability Coordinator, Pennsylvania Municipal League
• Kate Robeson Grubb, Sustainability Specialist, Solebury Township, and Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

They share how communities are translating mandates into meaningful local action—from stormwater festivals and inter-municipal cooperation to new sustainability certification programs and community engagement efforts.

SHOWNOTES:

00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction

Nancy opens with reflections on the meaning of sustainability and how local governments bring it to life.

Introduction of guests: Sara Gibson, Bailey Rocco, and Kate Robeson Grubb.

02:00 – 22:00 | Sara Gibson – From Compliance to Community: The Story of Stormfest

• Origins of Stormfest and the MS4 stormwater permit requirements
• Turning federal compliance into a community celebration
• Building partnerships among watershed groups, boroughs, and volunteers
• Educating elected officials and residents about stormwater systems
• “We all live downstream” — understanding local impact and interconnectivity
• Reflection on sustainability as intergovernmental collaboration and community awareness

23:00 – 45:00 | Bailey Rocco – Measuring What Matters: The Sustainable PA Program

• Bailey’s path from social work to sustainability
• How Sustainable PA helps municipalities benchmark and communicate their sustainability efforts
• Certification levels: Bronze through Platinum
• Challenges for small municipalities and the importance of partnerships with universities
• Regional collaboration and shared learning among municipalities
• Transparency, resident trust, and the power of visibility
• Future directions: energy use, inclusion tracking, and young professionals entering the field

46:00 – 1:11:00 | Kate Robeson Grubb – Building the Future Locally

• Kate’s journey into sustainability and local government
• Solebury Township’s Energy Transition Plan and Ready for 100 goals
• Partnerships with the Environmental Advisory Council and community volunteers
• Challenges: funding large projects and public education
• The link between sustainability and equity (affordable housing, inclusivity)
• Long-term planning vs. short-term wins (solar installations, single-use plastic ordinances)
• Clarifying misconceptions about sustainability and building local resilience
• Closing reflections: “Resilient communities outlast instability.”

1:11:00 – 1:12:00 | Closing

PCC Local Time is pleased to share another episode of a new podcast series, Generation on the Rise, a great companion piece to the content we post here and something we think you are all going to like.

In this podcast series, local government's next generation sits down to talk about what's changing, what's hard, and why we believe it's worth doing. Join hosts: Dave Pribulka, Brandon Ford, Eden Ratliff, and Executive Producer Nancy J. Hess as they find the new normal — not the one we’re used to, but the one we are here to create.

Welcome to Generation on the Rise!

Be sure to follow this podcast at MuniSquare

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 – Warm-up: Tampa and Leaf Blowers

02:30 – The “Middletown Budget Roadshow”

06:00 – Introducing the Topic: Networking & Mentorship

08:00 – The Brandon Factor

09:00 – Why Networking Matters

14:00 – The Golf Myth

17:00 – Bad Advice from Mentors

23:00 – The Shadow Side of Mentorship

28:00 – When to Leave the Nest

33:00 – The Manager–Assistant Dynamic

35:00 – Bulls in the China Shop

38:00 – Competing for the Same Job

41:00 – The Unwritten Map

44:00 – How to Actually Network

47:00 – Networking as an Introvert

50:00 – Following Up

55:00 – The Value of Small Conferences

58:00 – Closing Thoughts