15-F
TO: Honorable Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: Wendi Morse, Council Member
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to receive and file Official Travel Report – California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) 2025 Newly Elected Officials Academy, August 17 – 19, 2025 (Pursuant to AB 1234).
DATE: March 23, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
See attached Official Travel Report.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Receive and file Official Travel Report for the – California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) 2025 Newly Elected Officials Academy, August 17 – 19, 2025; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
ATTACHMENT
Official Travel Report ..................................................................................................... 2
TO: Honorable Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: Wendi Morse, Council Member
SUBJECT: Official Travel Report – California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) 2025 Newly Elected Officials Academy, August 17 – 19, 2025 (Pursuant to AB 1234)
DATE: March 23, 2026
State law requires that local government officials report on their official travel acti vities when public funds are expended. Therefore, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 53232.2 and 53232.3 and Bellflower City Council Resolution No. 06-02, the following Travel Report is submitted to the City Council.
In August 2025, I traveled to Oxnard, CA for the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) 2025 Newly Elected Officials Academy.
Dates of the conference were August 17 – 19, 2025.
Attachment: Conference Program
C: City Clerk
Director of Finance
T RAVEL R EPORT
!FORNIA
J • P • I • P.
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
ACADEMY
August 17-19, 2025
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Oxnard
AGENDA
Sunday, August 17
4:tD o . Hetel check -in yr verb Ight guests
Monday, August 18
7:30®8:30 ;a.rn. Breakfast and Academy Check -in
830-9:15 a.m.
1. The California JPIA
Speaker panel: Alexander Smith
The California JPIA is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state. This session presents an introduction to the California JPIA and its role in protecting your public agency against claims and losses.
• Understanding Risk -Sharing Pools
• Approach to Risk Management
• Coverage and Protection
• Member Services
• Claims Management
9:15-1030 a.m.
2. Effective Council Member Roles; Relationships & Challenges —Part I Speaker: Kevin Duggan
The campaign is over; you are now an elected community leader —and a leader within the city organization as well. The role is complicated, sometimes confusing, and always demanding.
Expectations are high. Your life has changed in a major way with new responsibilities. This practical, participatory session covers topics such as:
How to transition from campaigning to governance
Why governing is so challenging (and hot to make it less so) The Council as a "Team"
How to deal with rogue, outlier council members
The council-manager system and partnership
Qualities of effective city councils
Session topics subject to change. 1
Register online at
CALIFORNIA
j • F • I • A
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
ACADEMY
August 17-19, 2025
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Oxnard
• How to steer clear of an ethical crisis
10:30-10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
2. Effective Council Member Roles; Relationships & Challenges —Part 11 Speakers: Kevin Duggan
Part H of this interactive session provides newly elected leaders with practical strategies for navigating the transition from campaigning to governance, fostering effective council dynamics, managing challenges, and upholding ethical leadership in the demanding world of municipal government.
12:00-1:©!D p.m. Lurch and Neltworking
1:00-2:3 p.m.
3. Fundamentals of Local Government Legal Requirements
Speaker: Rachel Richman
This session lays the foundation and understanding of the extent and limitations of municipal power and the effect that government form and structure have on decision - making and administration. Topics covered include:
• Roles of cities in the state and federal system
• Constitutional constraints on the exercise of power
• Means of exercising municipal authority
• Avoiding liability in the performance of your duties
• Assuring transparency —open meetings, public records requests, and ethics 2:3!Dm2:45 p.m. Bread
2:45®3:45 p.m.
4. Dealing with Conscientiousness —An Interactive Discussion Speakers: Kevin Duggan and Marshall Goodman
This interactive discussion will cover the increasingly contentious environment faced by local government officials and will offer strategies on how to help you develop approaches to more effectively function in such environments. 3:45®3:5D p,r . Break
Session topics subject to change.
2 Register online at
•IFORNIA
• P • I • A
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
ACADEMY
August 17-19, 2025
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Oxnard
3:50-4:3 p.m.
5. Open Forum: What Have Been the Greatest Challenges You Have Faced? Speakers: Kevin Duggan and Marshall Goodman
This session offers an open forum to discuss and brainstorm your biggest challenges. You will have the opportunity to share ideas and gain new insights. 5:30-7:0'D p.m.
Welcome Reception
Please join us for a welcome reception along with your peers, academy speakers, and California JPIA staff.
Tuesday, August 19
&:D©®9:DD a.m. Breakfast
9:00®10:5D a.m.
6. The Most Likely Causes for Governing Board / Manager Conflict Speaker: Kevin Duggan
This session will provide you with information regarding the most common areas for manager/council conflict. It will offer ideas and techniques regarding how both parties can better manage and resolve differences.
10:30-11:0D a.m. Break and Hotel Check -Oast
11:N®11:45 a.m.
7. Best Practices for Elected Officials
Speaker Panel: California JPIA Executive Committee
Members of the California JPIA Executive Committee will share their experiences, ideas and recommendations on how to effectively serve in your role as elected officials while also enjoying and getting satisfaction from the experience.
11:45 a.n ]2:.D0 p.m. Cksing Message Mfr©m Alexander Smith, CEO, Call orn a JP1,;\
Session topics subject to change. 3
Register online at