Travel as Professional Development: Lessons from Bakersville, NC and BruneiCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
August 18, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Travel as Professional Development: Lessons from
Bakersville, NC and Brunei
SUMMARY: Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach and Climate Action
Coordinator Michelle Kim will present on their respective
professional development travels to Bakersville, NC and
Brunei.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Presentation
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation_Uploaded 8.18.25
Page 418 of 579
WORK TRAVEL AS
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
11LLL
DEVELOPMENT
PLANS AT THE CITY
OF DUBU UE
Challenging Experiences & Assignments
■ Developmental Relationships
■ Coursework & Training
Page 420 of 579
BAKERVILLE, NC
Cori Burbach
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COMMUNITY NEEDS
ALIGN WITH PERSONAL
GROWTH GOALS
• Significant infrastructure rebuilding/reimagining. Homes, roads, bridges,
businesses, and their community creek walk were destroyed or significantly
damaged.
• Financial challenges. While any disaster of this magnitude requires significant
capital investments, the community was approximately 60% public land prior to the
hurricane, and after FEMA buyouts are complete they anticipate the community will
be approximately 75% public land. This land does not generate property tax
revenue.
• Upstream watershed management. Minimize and slow down water entering their
community during large rain events.
• Variety of workforce/affordable housing creation options.
• Create a shared community vision that includes capitalizing on tourism and local
investment to grow their economy, creating a financially viable future for the town.
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To Page 426 of 5
APQ11rF PILAF
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
YSEALI PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM
EXCHANGE
Michelle Kim
I
OFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
• Gain insights into diverse perspectives on climate change
to strengthen my ability to communicate with audiences
from varied backgrounds
• Build stronger connections with outside communities for
future collaboration opportunities
• Share and exchange
climate challenges
innovative solutions for addrPqqinn
ULTURE & HISTOR
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Page 430 of 579
OTHER
DEVELOPMENT
OPTIONS
Rewarding Monitoring
ill
Rating
L_
PATHWAYS TO GROWTH
L _ CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
ON- DEMAND LEARNING
The City offers two looming platforms for employees: NEOGOV and Get
Control University. NEOGOV provides online and in -person leaming, while Get
Control focuses on Office365 training. Together, they offer courses on health
C?�r 1
and safety, problem -solving, communication, software, and more!
The City's tuition reimbursement program is available to all full- and
part-time employees enrolled in degree programs, starting on your one-year
employment anniversary. Partnership programs with Loras College and the
University of Dubuque can further reduce costs by 10%.
?I.rrhancing
Be matched with another City employee as a mentor or a mentee! Mentoring
is ooted in a fostered relationship that emphasizes building connections and
skills to achieve career goals.
CROSS -DEPARTMENT GROUPS,,��
0
From wellness and looming facilitation to employee resource groups, the City
has several teams and committees dedicated to employee engagement.
These groups empower collaboration and connection across departments.
��llllll�➢CERTIFICATION OR RECERTIFICATION
If a certification or recertification could enhance your current role or support
a role you aspire to, discuss options with your manager early. Budgeting for
these opportunities is the first step, with budget planning for the next fiscal
year starting in September-
SUTRAIN17N 'ITD
PERVISOR in supervisory roles, or those aspiring to them, can enroll into
online and in -person training through NEOGOV. In -person orientation for new
supervisors is offered annually during the second week of May, with additional
courses ovoilahle throughout the vear
O O • -SHADOWING
Job shadowing offers a chance to gain valuable insight into different roles
and departments across the organization. It's an excellent way to explore
career opportunities and potential mobility within the organization
Visitcityotdubuque.org/CODI and look for Training 6 Development or _
contact Learning 6 Development Manager Kelly Larson at �F1 BL� JE
KLarson@cityofdubuque.org or 563.690.6117
Page 431 of 579