Schedule subject to change.
Speaker names will be added as they are confirmed.
Wednesday, Sept. 20
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. City Clerks Workshop (additional registration required) 2024 Elections: Trends, Legislation, and Practical Advice The 2024 elections are right around the corner. This session will focus on trends for the upcoming local and statewide elections, related legislation and case law, and practical tips for preparing for the worst while hoping for the best in our elections.
Speakers: Randi Johl, Legislative Director / City Clerk, Temecula Paul Mitchell, Owner, Redistricting Partners
Holly Whatley, Shareholder, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC 3:45-5:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Building a Culture of Accountability in Your Police Department It is more important than ever before to reinforce trust between law enforcement agencies and citizens. Law enforcement must build, bolster, and demonstrate transparency and accountability within their departments. Hear from law enforcement leaders from throughout California about their strategies for building a culture of accountability through community conversations, transparent policies, technology deployment, and public auditing.
Moderator: Holly Beilin, Director, Communications, Flock Safety Speakers: Angela S. Averiett, Chief of Police, City of Los Altos Danny Renfrow, Chief of Police, Truckee Police Department Building Mobile Crisis Response Teams
BeWell OC and the West Hollywood Care Team have a successful track record of providing compassionate care to vulnerable community members, including the LGBTQ+ community. In this session, gain valuable insight into how you can bring similar programs to your own city. This includes understanding how to provide compassionate care, build effective mobile crisis response teams, secure funding for innovative programs, and replicate successful models in your own communities. Planned with the Cal Cities LGBTQ Caucus.
Speakers: Corri Planck, Human Services Manager, City of West Hollywood Sepi Shyne, Mayor, City of West Hollywood
California Cannabis: Seven Years After Legalization
It’s been almost seven years since voters approved Prop. 64 to regulate and authorize cannabis for adult use. Now the question is: How are we doing? Join top regulatory, industry, and local representatives for a coffee table-style conversation on the state of the industry, emerging issues, and how to effectively regulate cannabis in your community.
Moderator: Barigye McCoy, Chief of Communications, Culture Cannabis Club Speakers: Angela Hill, Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs, Department of Cannabis Control
Amy O'Gorman Jenkins, President, Precision Advocacy
Fees! You Got ‘Em. How Do They Work Today?
Every city has fees, and the state has plenty of laws governing them. Receive an update on the full range of municipal fees, including general, regulatory, development impact, and property-related fees, as well as recent legal developments. Panelists will discuss the impact of a case allowing propertyrelated fees for parts of the mandate viewed as “trash fees” on stormwater fees, changes to franchise fees under the Zolly Case, and how the proposed California Business Roundtable measure would severely restrict municipal fees and other revenue tools.
Moderator: Timothy William Seufert, Managing Director, NBS Speakers: Michael G. Colantuono, Managing Shareholder, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
Homelessness to Housed: How Cities Create and Leverage Strong Partnerships City leaders in every part of California struggle with homelessness. A 2023 Public Policy Institute of California Statewide survey found that seven out of every 10 Californians view homelessness as a big problem in their area. While federal and state resources are essential, it is local leadership and political will where strong collaborative partnerships are formed and sustainable solutions are created. This panel brings together federal, county, city, and nonprofit leaders for a discussion on best practices in effective street outreach engagement, public/private shelter and housing partnerships, and how to leverage funding to its maximum impact.
Moderator: Helene Schneider, Senior Regional Advisor, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
Speakers: Elizabeth Funk, CEO and Cofounder, DignityMoves Mike LeBarre, Mayor, King City
Terri Maus-Nisich, Assistant County Executive Officer – Retired, County of Santa Barbara
Minority Leaders Reshaping Local Government
California has become increasingly diverse and so too are the faces of local government. This panel will discuss all the challenges that minority leaders face in local government and ways to manage these challenges, including how to create real diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The panel will explore how each of these leaders has faced their own challenges in the communities they've served and the ways they've turned these challenges into opportunities for learning, growth, and management.
Moderator: Domenica Megerdichian, Deputy City Manager, South Pasadena Speakers: Arminé Chaparyan, City Manager, South Pasadena Ingrid Hardy, Assistant City Manager, Thousand Oaks
Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager, Camarillo
Thursday, Sept. 21
8:30-9:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
A Tale of Two Cities: The Mental Health Crisis
The nation’s mental health crisis, exacerbated by pandemic isolation, has prompted a new wave of advocacy for de-stigmatization, equitable access, and open dialogue. It is critical that we find new ways of delivering care. Mental health is often linked to homelessness and crime, with hospitals and jails serving as default, cyclical destinations. Data shows that this is a tale of two cities, with the most vulnerable populations facing the most difficulties. In this fireside chat, speakers will explore the mental health data from more than 300 California communities and propose new frameworks for addressing the needs of the community.
Speakers: Chad Castruita, CEO, Care Solace
Gilbert Livas, Retired City Manager, Downey
Building in Economically Challenging Times
Against the backdrop of less state funding, more state regulations, and a slowing economy, many cities are struggling to meet their housing goals, secure state financing for their civic projects, and attract private developers to stimulate economic growth. A growing number of cities have endorsed public-private partnerships for libraries, city halls, convention centers, emergency services, housing, and other buildings. What can we learn from these developments? Planned with the Cal Cities Latino Caucus.
Speakers: Korin Crawford, Executive Vice President, Griffin Swinerton Yvonne Martinez Beltran, Council Member, City of Morgan Hill Joy Silver, Chief Strategy Officer, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation Ernesto M. Vasquez, Founder and CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.
Case Study: Response to Homelessness in the City of Rialto Recognizing deep-rooted issues beyond the normal parameters of policing, the Rialto Police Department teamed up with Social Work Action Group to enhance the city’s response to homelessness. The nonprofit, which focuses on helping individuals and families achieve sustainable independence through community support, provided the city with outreach expertise and new resources. The drastic improvements in quality of life issues and homeless-related activities are now highlighted in academia as a model for public administration.
Moderator: Rafael Trujillo, Council Member, City of Rialto Navigating the New State Housing Laws
California has passed more than 100 new state housing laws affecting cities since 2016. Many cities around the state have limited planning and housing capacity and are overwhelmed by the task of understanding and implementing these laws. In this panel from the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, learn how to understand these new state housing laws, the “tricks of the trade” developers are learning about using in cities, and how cities can effectively implement these laws with limited capacity.
Moderator: David Garcia, Policy Director, UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation
Speakers: Barbara Ehrlich Kautz, Partner, Goldfarb Lipman LLP Megan Kirkeby, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Development, California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
The Mayor Said What?! Staying Ahead of the News
News and information are often sourced from not only local media outlets but also social media. To ensure that your agency’s message is relevant, and its reputation is sterling, you must tune into the world of media relations and social listening. Navigating of-the-moment buzz includes monitoring news and social sources, cultivating relationships with reporters and influencers, and analyzing data from diverse channels. Learn how public agencies can pair proactive listening with data analysis to get a leg up on their local scuttlebutt.
Moderator: Katherine Juhl Griffiths, Principal, Tripepi Smith Speakers: Sharon Gonsalves, Director of Government Affairs, Renne Public Law Group, LLP DBA Renne Public Policy Group
Peter Pirnejad, City Manager, Los Altos Hills
11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Speed Session
Centralized Customer Relations
Beverly Hills has created a centralized customer relations program to provide concierge-level access to information and non-emergency assistance to residents, businesses, and visitors. Get a speedy look at how Beverly Hills developed a high-performing centralized customer service program, some of the lessons learned, and the benefits to date.
Speaker: Michael V. Hensley, Deputy Director of Public Works, City of Beverly Hills 12:15-12:35 p.m. Speed Session
Introduction to the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System The California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System provides firefighters and fire engines to local communities during all-hazard disasters. The concept of mutual aid is based on neighbor helping neighbor. This session will give leaders an understanding of how their community benefits from the system and how their fire department participates.
1:00-2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
“What the Bleep!” Limits of Public Comment
What are the limitations of public comment? What is protected speech and when can public comment be limited? In this panel discussion, hear stories and examples of how and when public comments can be terminated. The panel will also review the newly enacted SB 1100 (Cortese, 2022), which allows a presiding officer to remove a person from a public meeting.
Speakers: Henry Castillo, Associate, Best, Best and Krieger Christopher Lopez, City Manager, Livingston
Adapting Main Street for a Changing Retail Landscape
The state of retail has changed. New research from the National League of Cities shows that retail is rebounding, but downtowns are still affected by the growth in flexible, work-from-home schedules. The session will begin with a brief presentation about important retail trends for cities, followed by a moderated conversation with three city leaders about lessons learned and creative strategies that promote downtown and main street vitality in a post-pandemic world.
Moderator: Lena Geraghty, Director, Sustainability and Innovation, National League of Cities
Speakers: David M. Sander, Vice Mayor, City of Rancho Cordova Sepi Shyne, Mayor, City of West Hollywood
Assets and Opportunities: Surplus Land Act 101
Cities across the state are examining their land assets and considering possibilities for the future. But they’re not the only ones. The state has revamped the Surplus Land Act and its implementing regulations. Drawing from the speakers’ experience as city planners, city attorneys, and planning and development consultants, attendees will learn the ins and outs of the Surplus Land Act. Despite surface concerns, the law can be a valuable tool for cities’ housing, economic development, and community improvement plans.
Speaker: Genesis Crank, Planning & Community Development Administrator, City of Barstow
Black Health and Wellness: Healthcare Services within Communities of Color African Americans seek and access health care services like any other ethnic group. But in most cases, they are provided subpar or negligent care. In light of the 2020 conversation about racism as a health crisis, this panel will explore and provide insight into how communities of color can seek adequate health care services and self-advocate for top-tier health care services that address mental, reproductive, and maternal health, as well as the overall healthcare needs of millions of African Americans in California. Planned with the Cal Cities African American Caucus.
Speakers: Lehman E Black III, Pediatrician, Retired
Rhonda M. Smith, Executive Director, California Black Health Network Enhancing Emergency Preparedness Through Whole Community Collaboration and Partnerships
Collaboration between cities, counties, and other stakeholders is crucial to disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. Hear from community leaders about effective strategies, lessons learned, and resources that can enhance local emergency management and disaster response. Speakers will also discuss how promoting authentic community engagement can strengthen community resilience and trust while reducing risks (and costs) in the face of disasters.
Moderator: Robert Madrid, Senior Associate, Operations Support (Planning), Team Rubicon
Speakers: Nancy A. Brown, PhD, Community Preparedness Program Manager, Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management
Patrice Chamberlain, Health Program Specialist, California Department of Public Health
Jason Roberts, Council Member, City of Vacaville
One City, One Team: Establishing Effective City Manager-Council Relations Running cities is complex and challenging, even when things are going well. The key to a thriving city is establishing productive relationships between the city council and the city manager. This means that choosing the right person as city manager and providing them with proper support and guidance is the most crucial responsibility of the city council. In this session geared for city managers and city councils, learn how you can navigate issues — both common and difficult — to create significant results for your community.
Moderator: Reva Feldman, Strategic Advisor, Avenu Insights and Analytics Speakers: Aaron Adams, City Manager, Temecula
Rachelle Arizmendi, Former Mayor, City of Sierra Madre and Government Industry Advisor, Avenu Insights and Analytics
Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor, City of Riverside
Stop Hate: How Local Elected Officials Can Combat Rising Hate Crimes and Hate Speech
Whether it’s community members being targeted based on their appearance or hate speech in our council chambers, it is key that local elected officials directly speak to rising hate and help lead the city’s response. Panelists will share their experiences with hate crimes and hate speech at the local level, lessons learned, and tips on how local elected officials can support their constituencies in this time of rising polarization.
Moderator: Tessa Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem, City of El Cerrito Speakers: Letecia "Holly" Tillman, Council Member, City of Clayton Kevin Wilk, Council Member, City of Walnut Creek
Cesar Zepeda, Council Member, City of Richmond
12:45-1:05 p.m. Speed Session
Opt In: Why Cities Should Care About Digital Rights
Digital technology is increasingly embedded into how our cities work. We deploy and operate cameras, sensors, and other technologies that collect data to help advance transportation, public safety, and climate goals. How can we help our constituents understand how that data is used to manage city operations? Drawing on examples from Long Beach and a growing coalition of California cities, this session will discuss the importance of being transparent and engaging with residents about the use of smart technologies in the public realm, as well as the intersections with data privacy and the emerging concept of digital rights.
Speaker: Ryan Kurtzman, Smart Cities Program Manager, Long Beach 1:15-1:35 p.m. Speed Session
Building America's Greenest City Hall
In 2023, Sunnyvale will complete the nation's first net zero energy city hall. The project will also achieve a LEED Platinum rating for sustainability. This session will describe the development of the project — from initial community outreach to planning, financing, design, and construction — with an emphasis on its sustainable features, such as the solar energy system and microgrid.
Speaker: Kent Steffens, City Manager, Sunnyvale
1:45-2:05 p.m. Speed Session
From Idea to Action: Budgeting for Strategic Impact
To create meaningful outcomes, city leaders need to identify strategic priorities, resources, and opportunities early in the budget process. No matter how you budget or measure performance, you can make small and meaningful changes that increase your budget framework maturity, better align your processes with your strategic plan, track your progress, and drive community outcomes. In this session, dive into best-in-class examples of budget planning and performance frameworks that led to exceptional progress.
2:15-2:35 p.m. Speed Session
AI in Governance: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations Machine learning has the potential to reshape governance and create a sustainable future for communities — for good or ill. It can enhance public safety, refine transportation, and promote environmental sustainability. Explore the challenges faced by governing bodies and how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower decision-makers with data-driven insights, with an emphasis on unbiased data, algorithmic fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Attendees will leave the session with an appreciation for AI's transformative impact on policy, its applications, and crucial ethical challenges for responsible, equitable use.
Speaker: Scott Larson, CFO, Inquisio.AI Inc
2:30-3:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
A Local Agency's Guide to HCD’s Housing Accountability Unit Get practical, hands-on tips to help your agency better comply with state housing law. Panelists will provide an overview of the state’s Housing Accountability Unit, examples of common accountability cases, and recommendations for documenting state housing law compliance. This session is tailored both for local agency staff processing residential development projects and those working on land use changes in the general plan or zoning code.
Speaker: Brian Heaton, Senior Housing Accountability Manager, California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
Connecting and Engaging to Make a Difference: Mentoring, Not Managing Connecting with team members is crucial to achieving organizational goals and creating high-functioning, passionate, and effective teams. In this session, focus on simple tactics for connecting and engaging with your team in a way that strengthens their skills, fosters open communication, gives work a sense of meaning, and unlocks your organization’s full potential. The discussion will cover active listening and ways to empower team members, promote ownership and growth, and encourage togetherness. Planned with the Cal Cities Women’s Caucus.
Moderator: Priya Bhat-Patel, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Carlsbad How To Solve Big City Problems in Small Towns
Anyone that has worked in a small town or city understands the challenges and opportunities that exist in smaller communities. This interactive session will bring together elected officials and city managers to discuss the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of working through complex problems in a small town. The panel of experts will share their perspective from the council dais and the staff desk on how to work through local government challenges that affect all cities, regardless of size, when the role of administrator, volunteers, elected, resident, and tenant cross the traditional lanes established in a council-manager form of government.
Moderator: Peter Pirnejad, City Manager, Los Altos Hills Speakers: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager, Los Gatos
Marico Sayoc, Former Mayor, Town of Los Gatos
Frank V. Zerunyan, Council Member, Rolling Hills Estates and Professor, USC Increasing Collaboration Between Local Governments and Utilities on Installing Infrastructure
Installing infrastructure is an expensive process, especially when you factor in the cost to resurface streets after a project is complete. Increasing the communications between local governments, utilities, and other stakeholders can reduce costs for everyone, minimize traffic interruptions, and optimize projects so that multiple projects can be completed at once. Learn about potential technological solutions and how city leaders can better track projects that have the potential for collaboration between multiple entities.
Speakers: Reed A. Reisner, Division Manager, SCE
Kenneth Rosenfield, ASCE Region 9 Director, ASCE Region 9 Reducing Wildfire Risk to Wildland-Urban Interface Communities Wildfires are hotter, more common, and frequently, popping up in new places. In this panel, learn how to understand and quantify the wildfire risk your community faces and prioritize key mitigations. The panel will also explore opportunities and gaps in the current policy framework through a review of relevant codes and statutes. Speakers will share best practices and model ordinances from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to show how regional cooperation can create fire-adapted communities that comply with the often-contradictory requirements of local housing elements.
Speakers: Keith May, Deputy Chief, Berkeley Fire Department Dave Winnacker, Fire Chief, Moraga-Orinda Fire District 4:00-5:00 p.m.
The Joint Powers Act and Its Utilization in California
California has more joint powers authorities (JPAs) than any other state by a considerable margin. Learn how and why JPAs are formed and more specifically, the how and why of investment pooling within the JPA legal and administrative framework. After this session, attendees will understand the rationale for forming a JPA investment pool, the benefits of diversifying a city’s investment program with JPA investment pools, and how JPA investment pools are managed for the benefit of participating public agencies.
Speaker: Jenna Magan, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP 4:00-5:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
After the Storm: Lessons Learned from the California Storms The last two years brought a string of storms that battered California’s Central Coast. Cities along the coast experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall that wreaked havoc, caused mudslides and evacuations, and taxed city infrastructure. Quickly and collaboratively managing the minute-by-minute impacts and recovering from the effects of a major disaster is a crucial component of a public agency’s resilience. Join the California JPIA and Central Coast cities to learn how they managed and recovered from disasters.
Moderator: Tim Karcz, Senior Risk Manager, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
Speakers: James Blattler, Emergency Manager, San Luis Obispo City Fire Department
Jorge Garcia, Interim City Manager, Pismo Beach
Gregory Kwolek, Public Works Director, City of Morro Bay Building Relationships Between Police Departments and the Community It is critical to build and maintain strong relationships between police departments and the communities they serve. The community must have trust and confidence in the police department that protects them. In this panel discussion, three seasoned police chiefs will share their experiences building and maintaining positive community relationships. Attendees will learn strategies to build and strengthen relationships with their communities.
Speakers: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police, City of Riverside Jeremiah Hart, Chief of Police, Torrance Police Department DEI Recruitment at All Levels of Your Organization
Cities deliver services to communities that are becoming more diverse every day, which means their teams need to become more diverse. Building a strong team with different cultural backgrounds requires an environment that fosters respect for others and makes your organization a welcoming place for all. It also requires the right recruitment process, starting with the hiring of the city manager and continuing through intentional staff development and investment in retention. Join this exciting and interactive discussion to learn about the executive recruitment process, strategies for diverse recruitment and retention, and city manager perspectives on leading courageous conversations on diversity and organizational change.
Moderator: Tony Winney, Assistant City Manager, Coronado Speakers: Teri Black, President, Teri Black & Co., LLC
Maxine Gullo, Assistant City Administrator, Carmel-by-the-Sea Reina J. Schwartz, Retired City Manager, Clayton
Hiring Future Local Leaders: How to Attract Top Talent
In an epidemic of high turnover, building a sustainable, all-star team of staff is a top priority for many municipal agencies. This session centers on exploring the most effective recruitment strategies that cities can use to attract and retain top talent.
Moderator: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, El Cerrito
Speaker: Cathy R. Thompson, Executive Recruiter, TS Talent Solutions Righting Wrongs: Addressing Discrimination Against AAPIs Over 11,000 acts of hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have been reported to the nationwide Stop AAPI Hate coalition since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is likely an undercount since many incidents go unreported. These acts are not just hate crimes but harassment and discrimination. Delve into the results of a landmark survey by Stop AAPI Hate and NORC at the University of Chicago to understand the discrimination faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and hear recommendations for governments to address these challenges. Planned with the Cal Cities Asian Pacific Islander Caucus.
Speakers: Candice Cho, Managing Director of Policy and Counsel, AAPI Equity Alliance
Annie Lee, Managing Director of Policy, Stop AAPI Hate
Friday, Sept. 22
8:45-10:45 a.m.
Managing Difficult Conversations with Constituents
Getting stopped at the post office or grocery store by a constituent is part of daily life as an elected official. Learn how you can show people you disagree with that they have been heard, find areas of commonality or agreement, and share your views in a way that is likely to be heard. This lively and interactive session will combine clear explanations and guided practice around common scenarios that elected officials encounter every day, with a focus on one-to-one conversations rather than large public meetings.
Facilitator: Elizabeth Doll, Director of Braver Politics, Braver Angels 9:30-10:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
California Economic Forecast: A Look Ahead
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Avenu Insights & Analytics are joining forces for a report on the Golden State’s economic future. For 60 years, UCLA Anderson Forecast has provided forecasts for economies across the country; its projections are recognized as one of the most accurate, widely followed, and frequently cited in California. Avenu has provided regional/local forecasts and trends in California for 40 years. Together, their reports provide a comprehensive macro and micro forecast for cities. The session will include a detailed explanation of the numbers and a Q&A session.
Moderator: Reva Feldman, Strategic Advisor, Avenu Insights and Analytics Speakers: Francesco Mancia, Vice President of National Government Relations, Avenu Insights and Analytics
Jerry Nickelsburg, PhD, Professor, UCLA
CalPERS Funding Levels, Projections, and Strategic Update Join CalPERS leaders for a discussion on the status of the state pension fund, strategies for managing market volatility, and what it means for cities and employees. Attendees will learn about the challenges facing pension funding today and gain valuable insights into the steps CalPERS is taking to mitigate them. Panelists will also explore the implications of these strategies for employer contribution rates and provide a roadmap for the upcoming year.
Speaker: Michael Cohen, Interim Chief Investment Operating Officer, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
Connecting With Your Community Through Human-Centered Communication Cities have greatly expanded their communication capacity, with the number of related positions more than doubling in the last 10 years. At the same time, digital outreach — from social media to email to app-based service delivery — has become the norm, accelerated even more by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using several case studies, this presentation will cover how to retain the human touch in today’s highly digital communication environment while increasing trust and transparency with the public.
Moderator: Tom Mallory, Staff Writer, City of Carlsbad
Speakers: Scott Chadwick, City Manager, Carlsbad
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director, City of Carlsbad