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Moldova: Local Government Reform Program
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Background
The purpose of this program is to assist all levels of government in the Republic of Moldova in shaping and realizing their agenda for local government reform.
Approach
Municipal Property Asset Management
UI provides technical assistance on property asset management to pilot centers and training to city’s executives, members of City Councils, and participants of the private real estate industry. In October 2001, Dr. Olga Kaganova, CRE, conducted introductory interactive training on municipal asset management for over 30 people from 6 cities and for private real estate and legal companies. Direct TA to pilot centers begins from assessment of the asset management situation and areas in need of improvements and evolves into assistance to implement such improvements. TA to four cities (Ceadyr-Lunga, Hincesti, Ungheni, and Cricova) is under way, led by asset management experts Olga Kaganova, CRE, and John Hentschel, CRE, MAI, with assistance of Victor Manic. A specialized PC-based database on municipal property used for asset management will be among outcomes of this TA. Possible cooperation between LGRP and Chisinau in the area of asset management is currently under discussion. Another important direction of TA is help to improve legal arrangements regarding municipal property, including the issues of the relationship between local governments and municipal enterprises. In late 2001, UI’s legal expert, Mr. Carol Rabenhorst will work with local lawyers to provide model documents and conduct special training on legal issues of municipal property asset management.
Strategic Planning
The first pilot center to participate in a community opinion survey and then a one-week workshop to prepare a strategic plan was the City of Ialoveni. On February 13, 2001 29 local citizens, representing a cross-section of the community, responded to a survey conducted by facilitators Dr. Liubomir Chiriac and Mr. Ghennadie Grosu. Dr. Chiriac is a senior advisor with the Viitorul Foundation. Mr. Grosu is Vice Mayor of Cimislia. Both were assisted by LGRP during the second and third quarters to develop skills and experience in strategic planning consulting.
Small Infrastructure Improvements
The Urban Institute and the Viitorul Foundation are also assisting the Dwellers’ Association to establish sound financial management systems for billing, collections, and payments for support of the heating services. The Association is considering the addition of other services such as water, hot water, electricity, and gas administration. LGRP thermal engineering advisor Andrew Popelka visited Ialoveni in January of 2001 to install heating monitors and again in March to measure heating patterns and amounts throughout the buildings, in order to evaluate and recommend adjustments to the heating system.
Results
Ceadyr-Lunga, Hincesti, Ungheni, and Cricova
In September - December 2001, Mayor’s offices of all four cities have been collecting and systemizing information about the property assets using data collection forms provided by UI. Ceadyr-Lunga begins using UI recommendations to restructure its relations with several municipal enterprises.
Ialoveni
The Dwellers’ Association, with assistance from the municipal government and UI, completed the installation of an autonomous boiler, and heat was provided to the dwellers of two buildings in Ialoveni January March 2001. As of June 30, 2001, the project assisted the Association to create an accounting system to track revenues and payments incurred in the operation of the heating system that belongs to the Association. In addition, during the 2nd quarter of 2001 the city established several facilities for public participation in governance. The mayor's office established a public information center in the town's city hall by providing a room, furniture and a telephone information service. USAID donated a computer and bookshelves for the center. Ialoveni also launched its own monthly local informational bulletin (supplement to the newspaper) that covers issues and activities of the city and its mayor’s office.
Drochia
The Dwellers Association, with assistance from the municipal government and UI, completed the installation of an autonomous boiler in March and heat was provided to the dwellers for several days to confirm that the system is now operational. It will go into regular service at the beginning of the next winter. Mr. Popelka also installed heating monitors in the Drochia apartment building in January and collected data in March.
Cimislia
As of June 30, 2001, residents in Cimislia have elected leaders who will represent building residents in the implementation of a pilot water project.
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