Wednesday, September 11, 2024
7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Conference Registration Hours
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
SDRMA Sponsored Full Plated Breakfast
All registered attendees and exhibitors are welcome.
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
SDRMA General Session Keynote & Awards
Leadership From the Inside Out
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, Speaker, Author, Coach, and “America’s Most-Trusted Celebrity Psychologist”
Mindset training for high-performance leaders
Shift from stress to strength as you elevate your mindset—and your leadership abilities. Your daily thoughts, perceptions, and reactions have a transformative effect on your leadership impact. In this science-informed session, you’ll identify the internal barriers holding you back, discover how to unite your team around a powerful goal, and walk away equipped to inspire everyone you lead.
Sharpen your leadership skills by:
- Uncovering the internal barriers sabotaging your connection with your team.
- Learning how to encourage greater collaboration—and stronger momentum.
- Developing the skills you need to lead anyone.
AWARDS:
- Transparency Certificate of Excellence
- District of Distinction
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
California Government Tort Claim Requirements and What Your Public Agency Needs to Know
Debbie Yokota, Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA)
Brian Hamblet, Esq., Burke Williams & Sorenson, LLP
This presentation will focus on what constitutes a government tort claim, who it needs to be submitted to, and how the public agency should process it. This session will provide best practices for receiving a tort claim and the difference between returns without action and rejections.
Setting the Stage for Success: How to Prepare for Capital Improvement Financing
Stefan Morton, Municipal Finance Corporation
Albert Reyes, Kutak Rock, LLP
Rick Brandis, Brandis Tallman, a Division of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
You’ve recognized that financing capital improvements can be a valuable strategy – or even an absolute necessity – for achieving your district’s goals. But is your district ready to communicate these goals to potential lenders? Can you provide the necessary background information? Have you weighed all the financing options? In this session, consultants from CSDA Finance Corporation discuss how your district can prepare itself and ensure a successful transaction with the best rate and terms available.
Getting Started with CEQA
Ann Danforth, Rubin Cruse, and Andrew Shen, Renne Public Law Group, LLP
CEQA can be intimidating, so join us for this important session as we uncover CEQA’s unique concepts and language. We will discuss basic concepts and requirements alongside real-world examples and illustrations. Additionally, we will explore case law developments and the newest State laws that continue to shape CEQA law. Most importantly, you will learn when a project triggers CEQA and its required processes. While it is constantly evolving, the panel will bring you up to speed on the latest and greatest in the world of CEQA.
How CUPCCAA Benefits Special Districts in Delivering Public Works Projects
Will Clemens, Oceano Community Services District
The California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act provides Special Districts with the ability to implement alternative bidding procedures on public works projects costing less than $200,000. The Act is voluntary and supports participating Special Districts with efficient and flexible project delivery. The session will cover:
- Key provisions of the act
- Benefits of participation and how to opt into the Act
- Pitfalls to avoid
- Recent updates
When Decorum and Civility Do Not Work, Then What?
Shelline Bennett, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
In defining roles, values, and expectations, the governing body – the board - and executive director help set the tone and tenor for effective and respectful district operations. If a board member attempts to violate those expectations (i.e., interfering in personnel decisions.), there may be consequences and impacts for the whole organization. In this session we will review the legal and policy process for such a situation, related sensitivities, and discuss opportunities for solutions. We will look specifically at investigating allegations of misconduct against a Board member, who does not fall within the traditional HR discipline rubric. We will break down how to navigate the perils and pitfalls in conducting investigations into a Board member’s possible misconduct, how to advise a governing body on rules, laws, and best practices on interacting with District employees, and tips to ensure Board members stay in their own “legal lane” to avoid liability.
What the X? Adjusting Your Agency's Social Media Strategy in an Ever-changing Landscape
Thomas Christensen, County of San Diego
Erin Morales, Cucamonga Valley Water District
It seems like every time you log into a social media platform, something has changed. There are big changes like Twitter becoming X, Next Door allowing special districts to join (finally!) and Facebook constantly changing their administrator pages. Keeping up with all of the changes can be daunting. This session will help you understand the latest changes in the social media world so you can consider which platforms your agency should invest time and advertising dollars on.
We will also share a strategic overview of how agencies can use different platforms to serve different purposes. Which platforms are most effective with emergency communications? Which platforms and content will help you build the strongest relationship with your constituents? Where should you focus your marketing dollars for special event promotions or PSAs?
This session will demystify these questions and more.
Creating Your Own Prevailing Wage Checklist
Deborah Wilder, Contractor Compliance and Monitoring, Inc
You have attended a lot of prevailing wage educational sessions and webinars, but what you really need is an all inclusive checklist of all the prevailing wage obligations. The checklist includes prevailing wage obligations so you know what is required by just California prevailing wage, and also when the project also needs Davis Bacon compliance or Skilled and Trained Workforce. Join this class to get your own copy of the Prevailing Wage Checklist and review the specific requirements based on your funding source.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SDLF Board and Annual Meeting
12:15 – 2:00 p.m.
Legislative Update Luncheon
CSDA Advocacy Team
(All attendees welcome)
CSDA’s advocacy and legal affairs team will present attendees with the most up-to-date information on the outcome of the biggest state and federal budgetary, legislative, and legal issues impacting special districts in 2024, as well as a sneak peek of what to expect in 2025. Learn about significant new laws coming your way and what they mean for special districts going forward.
Awards Presented:
- Innovative Project/Program of the Year Award (large district)
- Innovative Project/Program of the Year Award (small district)
- Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award (large district)
- Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award (small district)
- Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach & Advocacy Award
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Legislative Update “Post Script”
CSDA Advocacy Team
Did you leave the Legislative Update Luncheon still hungry for more? We have you covered. Here’s your chance to meet with CSDA’s advocacy experts in a smaller setting designed to expand upon and answer questions related to the topics presented earlier at the luncheon. This breakout session will allow for a deeper dive into the biggest bills and hottest state policy matters in Sacramento impacting special districts. So take notes at the luncheon and bring your questions to the Post-Script.
California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements are Here: Is Your District Prepared?
Henri Castro, CSP, Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA)
The new Workplace Violence Prevention requirements, signed into law under SB553, are effective on July 1, 2024. This workshop focuses on the written plan requirements, which will include how to conduct a comprehensive workplace violence hazard assessment, developing and implementing a written plan, understanding the violent incident logging requirements, and why tailored employee training is critical. We’ll also talk about the obstacles attendees have faced over the last couple of months and effective implementation strategies.
How Special Districts Can Work with Various Partners and Cities to Secure Revenue and Improve Services to Our Shared Communities
Scott Sear, Kevin Kalman, Barb Adair, and Troy Strange, Desert Recreation District
We’ll dive into the dynamic and multifaceted relationships between special districts, local partners and cities. Participants will explore a variety of strategies to enhance cooperation and partnership, crucial for the delivery of essential services and the promotion of community well-being. We’ll also examine the role of ballot measures and tax assessments as tools for funding and prioritizing projects that matter most to the communities. the session will highlight innovative ways to engage with communities, ensuring that funding measures are grounded in the needs and desires of the residents they serve.
Crafting Your Roadmap to Success: Developing a Meaningful Strategic Plan
Martin Rauch, Rauch Communication Consultants, Inc.
Many districts have some type of strategic plan but feel it falls short in one way or another. This session will guide you to improve an existing planning process or develop a new one because whatever the challenges facing your district, it is critical to build a realistic, step-by-step, and well-supported plan to get there. You will receive guidance on evaluating the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing your district and developing clear board direction for the future. This lively session will feature sharing of actual experiences (good and bad) by the participants and seminar leader. The session will provide numerous practical tips that you can bring home to your District. It will also demonstrate how staff can develop implementation plans and successfully engage the Board, executive team, staff, and public in this process. You will also learn how to pin down clear direction in plain English, measure results, and more.
Competency Modeling: Transforming Teams, Elevating Performance, and Fostering Inclusion
Wendi Brown, WBCP, Inc.; Bruce Griffiths, OSI
This presentation will share insights on how competency modeling enhances recruitment marketing, serving as a comprehensive HR system for assessing, developing, and training employees and applicants.
Discover how competency modeling is a powerful tool for public sector organizations, offering a systematic approach to defining the skills, behaviors, and attributes essential for success in specific roles. By focusing on competencies rather than merely considering traditional qualifications like experience, technical expertise, and education, organizations can foster a more inclusive and equitable hiring process. Competency modeling ensures that the hiring process is not only fair but also strategically aligned with the organization's mission, vision, and values. This alignment between competencies and organizational values supports a more cohesive and motivated workforce, ultimately leading to better service delivery and enhanced public trust.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn What Competencies are and why they are important to an organization.
- Discover how competency modeling can improve recruitment, selection, promotion and placement.
- Learn why a common language is essential across talent management systems.
- Learn how competencies can be used for skills and behavior assessment, development, and training.
- Understand how competency modeling ensures a more fair and equitable assessment and development processes.
Diversifying Revenue Streams: A Roadmap for Special District Funding
Donna Segura and Megan Quinn, Harris & Associates, Inc.
Mrunal Shah, Best Best & Krieger LLP
Join us for an overview of funding options available to special districts and municipalities. We will cover the basic requirements, eligibility, pros/cons, and legal requirements.
Homelessness Redux: Follow-up to What Special Districts Need to Know and What They Can Do in an Ever Evolving Landscape
Richard Pio Roda, Redwood Public Law, LLP
California continues to have the largest homeless population in the U.S. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ landmark decision in Martin v. City of Boise continues to be interpreted and stretched by decisions, focused on enforcement of sleep, lie, camping or similar ordinances where there is insufficient shelter space to accommodate all homeless people, and mitigating violations of the Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment. This session is a follow up to the 2022 session and updates attendees on the current laws, challenges and best practices for addressing homelessness and its impact on special districts.
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.
CSDAFC Board and Annual Meeting
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Keeping Up with the Surplus Land Act
Larry Kosmont, Kosmont Financial Services; Matthew Cody, Best Best & Krieger LLP; Lisa Krause, Senior Housing Policy Specialist, California Department of Housing and Community Development
The SLA was amended in 2023 and HCD is updating their guidance for disposing of surplus property. This presentation will discuss key compliance issues and resources for districts seeking to make best use of their real property assets.
Conquering Negativity: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Positivity
Neal Nybo, Motivational Speaker, Positivity Trainer
Negativity has become a pervasive force in today's organizations, threatening productivity, morale, and even profitability. But there's a powerful antidote: kindness. By expressing positivity and practicing effective kindness, we can transform our workplaces into thriving communities. In this session, Dr. Nybo will introduce simple yet impactful micro-actions that anyone can implement immediately. Discover how leaders can inspire their teams and how every individual can contribute to a culture shift towards positivity and compassion.
Attendees will learn:
- How to communicate the benefits of kindness and positivity to decision-makers.
- Easily practiced micro-actions suited for remote office culture.
- Three steps towards implementing a culture of positivity.
- The key to long-term success: Voluntary cohorts.
From Idea to Action: Budgeting for Strategic Impact
Almis Udrys, OpenGov
Driving meaningful outcomes requires identifying strategic priorities, aligning your team, securing the resources, managing the execution, and communicating impact during the budget process.
No matter how you currently budget, you can make small and meaningful changes to increase your budget framework maturity and align the budget process with your strategic plan. No matter how you measure your performance, you can also make small and meaningful changes to centralize your ability to track progress towards your strategic goals and drive community outcomes.
During this session, we will dive into best-in-class examples of planning and performance frameworks for driving exceptional progress in your community through your budget.
In this session you will learn:
- Best practices for strategic budgeting – from ideation to cross-functional coalition building;
- How performance measures can be used to better inform budgeting and strategic program decision making; and
- How to drive internal stakeholder alignment and community engagement around strategic performance measures by sharing results in the right ways.
Tools for Navigating Elected Officials Who Won't Follow the Rules
David Prentice and Margaret Long, Prentice | Long PC
What do you do when one of your board members is sexually harassing staff? How can you get your board members to attend legally required trainings? What happens when your board members personally attack each other and engage in bullying behavior? In this session you’ll learn what your responsibilities are for ensuring that the elected officials in your agency follow the laws. You’ll also learn about practical tools and resources for successfully dealing with elected officials who refuse to comply. And finally, you’ll learn about what can legally be done if your attempts to resolve these issues have failed.
Cover up to $250,000 of Cybersecurity Project Costs with the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
Corey Kaufman, VC3
The federal government has provided funding to assist State, Local, and Tribal (SLT) governments with managing and reducing systemic cyber risk. The grant will cover up to $250,000 of your cybersecurity project costs with no match requirement. In this presentation, we'll discuss how the grant program works, how to apply, and how CSDA can help.
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Taste of the City: Casino Night!
Sample local food and beverages while enjoying casino games, music from our DJ, and a lively silent auction, benefiting SDLF.
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
VIP After Party - Stir @ The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Close out the final night of Annual Conference with dancing and a DJ at the VIP After Party.
Download CSDA – The Hub 
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then stop by the Connection Spot to get your VIP Pass.