Title
International City/County Manager Association (ICMA), Department of Defense, and City of Lee's Summit Leadership Program - Dr. Robert Daniel Wallace, Chief - Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, United States Army Garrison, Fort Wainwright, Alaska
Body
Issue/Request:
International City/County Manager Association (ICMA), Department of Defense, and City of Lee's Summit Leadership Program - Dr. Robert Daniel Wallace, Chief - Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, United States Army Garrison, Fort Wainwright, Alaska
Key Issues:
Through a partnership between the International City/County Manager Association (ICMA),the United States Department of Defense, and the City of Lee's Summit we have been designated as one of ten communities to participate in a special leadership program. The program is focused on enhancing the Army’s Garrison (base) leadership by connecting with City Managers and their communities in the United States.
Attached to this meeting packet is information regarding Dr. Robert Wallace (Danny) , Garrison Chief assigned to the City Manager. Danny and City Manager Steve Arbo have been exchanging information about municipal-based services, community engagement, and the use of data for policy decisions. Danny will be visiting our community and meeting with organizational and community leaders September 9 - 14. He will be introduced at the Community and Economic Development Committee meeting and asked to share some of his observations regarding municipal vs. garrison activities. Below are Steve Arbo’s key observations regarding Garrison operations based upon his participation in the program:
• The population you serve is in constant transition, the typical assignment of an enlisted soldier or officer is typically three years. This makes it difficult to build a sense of community and trust when 1/3 of the population changes each year.
• Financial resources are constrained by the Federal Government and difficult to assign for other purposes. Unlike the City that may have a General Fund that can be assigned according the City Council values and community needs, there is not much flexibility for the Garrison Chief.
• The need to create modern-day bases with attractive housing options is much needed throughout the Army. Garrison Chiefs’ funding must compete for other critical demands for resources, such as “combat readiness”. It is difficult to garner the necessary funds to modernize and upgrade today’s garrisons. This is impacting recruitment of the next generation of soldier.
• The next generation of soldier is expecting a 24/7 high technology environment that is highly sophisticated, much like the “smart city” movement occurring in many of the progressive communities in United States. The current availability of internet connection for non-military purposes is lacking and frustrating to soldiers and their families.
• The Chief Military Officer assigned to the base (who supervises the civilian Garrison Chief) changes every three years. This creates a challenge in carrying forward long-term implementation plans for Garrison improvements.
Proposed City Council Motion:
No motion necessary - informational presentation.
Background:
The City of Lee's Summit has been paired with Robert Daniel Wallace from Fort Wainwright, AK. He began his military career in 1988 as an enlisted soldier and medic for the 197th Infantry Brigade, followed by commissioning through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. Eventually he retired in 2014 as Chief of Plans, United States Forces, Korea. He met his wife Yonghui Yi while stationed in South Korea. His family includes three school age children and he is currently serving as Chief - Plans, Analysis and Integration at Fort Wainwright, AK. He has been positioned at Fort Wainwright since his military retirement.
He is particularly interested in our “Ignite!” community-based strategic planning process, our Priority Based Budgeting program and our Long-Term Comprehensive Plan work. We will also focus on the four accreditation processes of three operational departments and the Parks and Recreation Department. He has attained a PhD and two graduate degrees, most of his education has been focused on intelligence and security. However one of his Masters’ is in political science. He has been instrumental in using analytics and performance measurement in his position at Fort Wainwright. Through this program, the City of Lee's Summit benefits from his knowledge and skills in performance measurements. We hope to assist him in sharing “community building” activities and connecting strategic planning efforts into long-term outcomes.
Presenter
Dr. Robert Daniel Wallace - Chief - Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, Fort Wainwright, Alaska