Suffering from the problem of having too much time, too much money, and too many staff resources? Didn't think so! Organizations must constantly evaluate how to apply limited resources in the most effective, highest value, and intentionally strategic manner. Too many agencies waste valuable time and resources on low-value activities and unproductive conversations because they lack the knowledge of how to effectively partner and create actionable plans that actually move the organization from ideas to execution, even when times are uncertain. Building off of studies in neuroscience, this presentation solves these problems and focuses on adaptable action plans and methods for staying creative and responsive in the face of change.

Welcome & Introductions: Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, League of California Cities | John F. Dunbar, Mayor, Yountville, President, League of California Cities

Speakers: Eric Bailey, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance | Nicole Lance, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance

Cyber exposures and attacks continue to plague government and businesses alike, creating havoc and bringing agencies to a grinding halt, and can cost millions of dollars. This session will address some recent events, and discuss resources and mitigation efforts officials can use to protect their agencies. Participants will hear from one agency's experience with a ransomware event: what took place, how they responded and recovered, lessons learned, and what resources are available to cities. Participants will hear from experts in breach response and receive practical guidance in what to do in the unfortunate event your agency is successfully targeted by cyber criminals.

Moderator: Jim Thyden, Insurance Programs Manager, California JPIA

Speakers: Erich Falke, Chief Information Security Officer, ePlace Solutions | Scott Koller, Partner, BakerHostetler | Michelle Bender, Deputy City Manager, San Marcos

Join us for some midday movement! Alexandra will guide you through a basic yoga flow to boost energy and mindfulness. Follow along with this Spotify playlist!

Facilitator: Alexandra Cole, CorePower Yoga Instructor + Purpose Coach

Join your fellow mayors for a discussion on what it means to be a leader in your city. Share your experiences and learn from your colleagues in this interactive session.

Facilitator: Amanda Young Rigby, Deputy Mayor, Vista, Immediate Past President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

With utility-initiated power shutdowns occurring across the state last year, cities are now more focused on what to do when the power is turned off. Hear about the role cities, counties, and the state play in emergency/disaster preparedness, the challenges local governments faced during power shutoffs, and how local governments can work collaboratively with each other and the state to help our communities be more resilient.

Moderator: Derek Dolfie, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities

Speakers: Eric Lamoureux, Deputy Director (Acting), Response Operations, California Office of Emergency Services | Kelly Hubbard, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Santa Barbara County | Sean McGlynn, City Manager, Santa Rosa

Collaboration can turn council goals and priorities into successful budget and policy decisions that generate rewards, from creating lasting partnerships to implementing services to making open space welcoming. Building relationships with city project managers and the community is a recipe for success. Hear how the city of Vallejo has built upon a foundation of strong relationships to move forward important council priorities, including implementing its cannabis program, working to address homelessness, creating a waterfront space open for all, and more.

Welcome & Introductions: Kelly Seyarto, Council Member, Murrieta, President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Moderator: Nancy Hall Bennett, Regional Public Affairs Manager, North Bay Division, League of California Cities

Speakers: Anne Cardwell, Assistant City Manager, Vallejo | Pippin Dew, Council Member, Vallejo | Bob Sampayan, Mayor, Vallejo

After a full day of educational sessions, end the day with a friendly group conversation with your peers from throughout the state. Grab a snack or your favorite beverage, put on your favorite Zoom background and join in! We will talk about what we’ve learned so far, and share some experiences from your own cities.

During an emergency, it’s important for elected officials to understand their role. Do you speak to the public? Do you speak to the media? Do you direct operations? How do you engage with staff? How can you stay informed as the crisis unfolds? Learn from state and local agency experts about the proper role delineation between elected officials and staff before, during, and after an emergency situation. Learn about successful frameworks that enable a strong leadership role while allowing for improved coordination and effectiveness.

Welcome & Introductions: Lori Ogorchock, Council Member, Antioch, 1st Vice President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Moderator: Erica Manuel, CEO & Executive Director, Institute for Local Government

Speakers: Scott Alvord, Council Member, Roseville | Claudia Bill-de la Peña, Mayor Pro Tem, Thousand Oaks | Travis Taylor, Senior Vice President, Lucas Public Affairs

Learn about updates to housing and homeless policies, as well as state resources that are available to cities. Hear about efforts already underway as we move forward in a post-COVID-19 world. What does this mean for planning departments?

Moderator & Speaker: Jason Rhine, Assistant Legislative Director, League of California Cities

Speakers: Sohab Mehmood, Housing Policy Division, House & Community Development

Test your knowledge of League of California Cities history, and facts about our beautiful golden state! This interactive session will have you working together with fellow attendees in small teams to see who will come out on top. No googling allowed!
NOTE: City officials receiving a prize may be subject to the Fair Political Practices Commission’s gift reporting requirements, and may want to consult with their city attorney regarding their individual situation or circumstances before accepting the prize.

Moderator: Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale, State League Director, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

The Argument for Local Control Based on California's Unique History (1:35 – 2:00pm)

Join us as we explore the rich landscape of California’s history from the early days through the present. Learn about the native Californian tribal lands, and the political history from those beginnings through the Spanish, Mexican and American influences which led us to our present moment of healthy diversity. The case will be made that this rich diversity is threatened by those who would attempt to make us one homogeneous people.

Speaker: Bob Whalen, Council Member, Clovis

How Strategic Planning Can Help Your City through the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond (2:00 – 2:25pm)

Your organization is faced with steep budget cuts and a workforce that is adjusting “on the fly” to a new way of providing city services. The harsh reality faced by every city is that the we cannot revert back to “business-as-usual,” nor can we approach re-opening like flipping a light switch. The pandemic promises continued unpredictability, ever-expanding community needs and long-lasting financial impacts on our budgets. So, how will your organization charter a new frontier through all of this? This session will show you five strategic planning steps your organization can take now to help guide the way.

Speaker: Lauren Sugayan, Communications Manager, Union City

Eight Ways Elected Officials Can Support Employee Attraction & Retention (2:25 – 2:50pm)

The talent challenge is here. City governments throughout California recognize the obstacles of attracting and retaining qualified employees. However, some of the most important talent attraction and retention strategies aren’t led by city managers or HR. They’re led by policymakers: mayors and council members. It starts with civility in the council chambers. This speed session, led by the Co-Chair of the Cal-ICMA Talent Initiative, will review eight things elected officials can do to support employee attraction and retention. We will cover themes from the September 2019 article in Western City magazine titled "It Starts with Civility: The Role of Elected Officials in Attracting and Retaining Employees."

Speaker: Nat Rojanasathira, Assistant City Manager, Monterey

Successful communities require highly effective governance and management. A key requirement for an effective city organization is a positive city council/city manager working relationship, with communication as the foundation in executing the respective governance and management roles. This session will help you better appreciate the role that city councils as a group, individual council members and the city manager play in achieving a successful relationship based on effective communication practices and good governance.

Moderator: Pat Martel, West Coast Regional Director, ICMA

Speakers: Kelly McAdoo, City Manager, Hayward | Rod Gould, Retired City Manager | Barbara Halliday, Mayor, Hayward

Join fellow attendees and League Partners for a roundtable discussion on COVID-19 recovery. Hear what other cities are doing, and share your experiences as we all navigate through these trying times. Please note: Discussion will be attendee driven and moderated by League staff. This is meant to be a safe space for peers to get together and learn from each other, therefore this session will not be recorded.

This presentation will focus on how to quickly and strategically retool local economies in response to the specific impacts of the COVID shutdown as related to retail, hotels, tourism, industrial and residential markets. The presentation spotlights the primary shifts in land use and  occupancy that are rapidly playing out, identifying sectors that will come back sooner than later, and how to select and implement effective programs that can accomplish  recovery in the shorter term  and achieve resiliency over the longer term. The webinar will cover how COVID is accelerating a land use revolution that had been initiated prior to the pandemic, one that is essentially restructuring the fundamentals of commercial viability of retail  industrial, hospitality, office and residential. It includes a discussion on economic development tools that can be used on projects that make sense in a world of reordered economic priorities and viability.

Welcome & Introductions: Amanda Young Rigby, Deputy Mayor, Vista, Immediate Past President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Moderator: Larry Kosmont, President & CEO, Kosmont Companies

Speakers: Damien Arrula, City Administrator, City of Placentia | Jim Dillavou, Principal, Paragon Commercial Group | Dr. Fernando Guerra, Managing Director, Ramirez & Co.

Dozens of California cities are making or have already made the switch from at-large elections to district elections in the past year to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The switch can cause confusion among residents and city staff. In light of these changes, it is important for officials to pursue strategies to smooth the transition. This session will highlight five strategies to promote good city governance during the switch to district elections.

Moderator: Ryder Todd Smith, President, Tripepi Smith

Speakers: Anne Ambrose, Director of Administrative Services, Palmdale | Doug Johnson, President, National Demographics Corporation | Randi Johl, Legislative Director / City Clerk, Temecula

The League is committed to promoting involvement for all city officials, in order to reflect the diversity of California's cities. Learn about the League’s five Diversity Caucuses, whose purpose is to present yet one more opportunity for city officials who share common interests or characteristics to connect with one another. Membership in these organizations is open to any member of the League, as is participation in any of the caucus meetings or sponsored events.

Join one of our Zoom discussion, where you can meet the caucus leaders, and learn about resources and opportunities to get involved:

African-American Caucus Discussion

The African American Caucus' mission is to represent the interests of African American city officials and the greater African American community within the League of California Cities, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and related national organizations.

Facilitator: Marla A. Matime, Executive Director, African-American Caucus, League of California Cities

Joint Meeting: Asian Pacific Islander and Women’s Caucus Discussions

API Caucus The mission of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus is to support and advance Asian Pacific Islander (API) local elected officials and promote the well-being of the diverse API community throughout the state.

Women’s Caucus The Women’s Caucus is a non-partisan and multicultural organization of local public officials who are dedicated to advancing and empowering women as leaders and advocating for issues that improve the well-being of women and our constituents throughout the state.

Facilitator: Annie Lam, Executive Director, Women’s Caucus and Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, League of California Cities

Latino Caucus Discussion

The Latino Caucus serves as a leader to improve the quality of life, advocate on behalf of the Latino community, and provide, promote, and develop leadership. The Latino Caucus is an effective voice in the development of public policy affecting our cities, constituents, and all of California.

Facilitator: John Arriaga, Executive Director, Latino Caucus, League of California Cities

LGBTQ Caucus Discussion

The mission of the LGBTQ Caucus is to provide LGBTQ municipal officials and their colleagues with a forum to share ideas and develop leadership experience. The LGBTQ Caucus provides resources for city officials to discuss League priorities and issues and offer avenues for communicating with the state's LGBTQ constituency. The LGBTQ Caucus is dedicated to developing advancement opportunities for individuals in the LGBTQ community, to taking leadership roles in community activities and encouraging individuals to seek public office.

Facilitators: Catherine Carlton, President, LGBTQ Caucus, League of California Cities | Kathy Val, Consultant, LGBTQ Caucus, League of California Cities

Meet the League’s Legislative Representatives, and learn about the top bills that are pending in the legislature. The League will discuss the Support Local Recovery Coalition, and how you can get involved.

Moderator: Melanie Perron, Deputy Executive Director, Advocacy & Public Affairs, League of California Cities

Speakers: Jason Rhine, Assistant Legislative Director, League of California Cities | Derek Dolfie, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Charles Harvey, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Bijan Mehryar, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Nicolas Romo, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Caroline Cirrincione, Policy Analyst, League of California Cities

As you lead your cities into an uncertain future, what does it mean to live the Athenian Oath? This session closes the conference with an exploration into organizational resilience and strategies for reframing public leadership.

Welcome & Introductions: John Minto, Mayor, Santee, 2nd Vice President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Keynote Speakers: Eric Bailey, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance | Nicole Lance, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance