As I start my Master of Public Administration program this fall, I have been given the opportunity to have an internship with the City of Marshall this summer to learn more about the many ways the city serves its residents.

I have worked on research items like looking at what other cities have in their ordinances that Marshall is also considering adopting. Each city must be able to look at their own situation and impacts on residents. Often, ordinances vary greatly in terms of ordinance requirements and allowances.

Other research I completed this summer included comparing Marshall’s water utility rates and pool admission rates with other city’s rates, and reviewing what other cities provide for a citizen’s academy in hopes of Marshall developing its own program. With all this research, it taught me that it is important to compare with other cities so our city is fully aware of issues and challenges that might arise and ensuring that the city adopting something new will be positive for its residents.

When I was not doing research at my desk, I would often attend various meetings that were happening at City Hall. Depending on the week, I would attend leadership staff meetings where staff gave updates on what was happening in their departments or I would attend council meetings and watch council members vote on different agenda items. I was able to attend the Marshall Economic Development Authority (EDA) business roundtable meeting where business leaders gave insight on the rewards and challenges they have been facing.

First Children’s Finance, which is a nonprofit group that works with cities to address sustainable solutions to the childcare shortage, is currently exploring the issues and challenges facing Marshall’s own daycare shortage and I was fortunate enough to be a part of those discussions as well. Some other meetings I attended throughout the summer included a legislative update from State Rep. Chris Swedzinski and State Sen. Gary Dahms, updates on the new aquatic center, and helping plan community events for the summer.

My internship has also given me the chance to attend two different conferences, the League of Minnesota Cities and Coalition for Great Minnesota Cities. Both conferences offered different sessions that helped broaden my knowledge of what is happening in government.

Session topics included how different departments can use artificial intelligence (AI) to help do their work and cut back on time, how to manage conflict between council members and city staff, and the history of prevailing wage and why cities use it for construction projects. I was able to see state officials such as Gov. Tim Walz give an update on this past legislative session and Secretary of State Steve Simon talk about the relationship between his office and cities and counties to help audit elections during an election year.

Conferences like these have been beneficial because not only have I seen different speakers and attended different sessions that have given me a different perspective on government, but I have also met a variety of different city staff across the state that have shared their experience in government and how they got to where they are today.

While I have learned much during my time with the city, the experience that has been most rewarding has been one-on-one conversations with the city’s leadership staff. The staff I met with talked about their relationship with the city and how their work benefits residents in some way. It was also during this time I got to tour different city facilities such as the wastewater treatment plant, police department, and the different construction projects whether it be streets, parks or the airport. It was great getting to take these tours to see first-hand these facilities and how the city improves services for its residents.

During my city internship experience I was able to learn what others might not know about the city. I did not realize that the wastewater facility is one of the largest for a city the size of Marshall; the adult community center provides programs and entertainment for senior citizens to help get them involved and give them a sense of community; or that Marshall has made vast improvements to its stormwater drainage system to help with flood control after the flood we received in 1993.

I want to thank City Administrator Sharon Hanson for providing me with this opportunity. I would also like to thank all the city staff, council members, and various community members I have interacted with this summer. I know that this internship will help prepare me for what comes next once I start my Master’s program this fall.