Schedule

Monday

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (optional)
Special District Administrator (SDA) Exam – by the Special District Leadership Foundation – must be scheduled prior to conference)

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (optional)
Pre-Conference Workshop #1: Special District Leadership Academy Module 1: Governance Foundations
Leadership of most Special Districts know that the more strategic they are in their planning, the better off they are in dealing with future challenges and issues. This course is taught by THE trainer of strategic plans for Special Districts in California, Brent Ives. Attendees will understand the who, what, why, and how of a proper and practical strategic plan. If there is one project that will help a District with a number of big-picture and directional issues, it's a strategic plan.
Earn SDRMA CIPs
$225 Member $300 Non-member

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (optional)
Pre-Conference Workshop #2: Effective Strategic Planning for Your Special District
$225 Member $300 Non-member

12:00 – 5:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m. check-in) (optional)
CSDA Annual Golf Tournament Black Horse Golf Course
$125 includes golf with cart, range, lunch and prizes!

1:30 – 4:30 p.m. (optional)
The Elkhorn Slough Safari and Moss Landing Harbor District Tour Includes transportation to/from hotel and boat tour on the Elkhorn Slough Safari
Only registered CSDA conference attendees or registered guests are eligible to attend.
$48.00 for conference attendees

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
CSDA Conference Kickoff Reception
(All attendees welcome.)

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Tuesday

9:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Opening Keynote Presentation and Continental Breakfast
"The Power of Great Relationships" by Tim Sanders
Tim Sanders, a former Yahoo! Executive, is a corporate consultant and bestselling author of Love is the Killer App, The Likeability Factor, and Saving the World at Work.
Tim Sanders speaks for strong business relationships, both internal and external. His relevant point of view makes him one of the most in demand keynote speakers on the conference and convention circuit. His company, Deeper Media, conducts research on business trends, new media and human behavior. He has valuable experience in cutting-edge businesses, sales and marketing. Tim was the Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo! and later their Leadership Coach. Tim also created and led the Yahoo! ValueLab, an in-house "think tank."

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Breakout Sessions)

What Every Public Agency Should Know About the Prevailing Wage
Contractor Compliance and Monitoring, Inc.
New changes in prevailing wage laws and regulations require constant updating. Agencies who collect and monitor certified payrolls or operate a labor compliance program can get the most up to date information, forms, and changes.

Update on Proposition 218 and the Impacts to Local Governments
Best Best & Krieger
This presentation will provide an update of the most recent legislation implementing and court decisions interpreting Proposition 218 and the impacts of such legislation and court decisions on taxes, assesssments, fees and charges imposed by local agencies.

Navigating the CEQA Process with Your Attorney and Consulting Team – From Selection of the Environmental Document and Public Review to Project Approval
Best Best & Krieger, Rancho California Water District and LSA Associates
This session will provide an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process from the perspective of the special district and its attorney and consultant team. The speakers will highlight the common dilemmas and concerns associated with selecting the appropriate environmental document, the public review process, project approval, and coordination of regulatory permits through example projects and experiences. The presentation will emphasize ways in which the project team can improve communication and efficiency during the environmental review process while still recognizing the practicality of real life budgetary and timing pressures.

Power, Position, Influence: Leading with Courage and Power
Novato Fire Protection District
Power – Position – Influence covers the following necessary elements to be able to lead with power: Mission- Vision-Values; Patterns of Dependence; Trust - Desire – Fear; Sources of Power; Influence Strategies; The science behind all leadership Political, Influence & Management Models. Furthermore this presentation covers the three legs of politics; power, position, and influence. Each leg requires an in-depth understanding and is often considered separate but in reality is very much interconnected.

SB90 State Mandated Cost Revenue for Special Districts
Nichols Consulting and Local Government Consultants
Informational meeting on State of California reimbursement to Special Districts through SB90/State Mandated Cost Process. Describe activities to be reimbursed and likely dollar amounts for : 1) Brown Act Agenda Preparation 2) Election Costs - Absentee Ballots 3) LAFCO, etc.

AB 1234 Required Ethics Training (Part 1)
Meyers Nave (attendees must attend parts 1 & 2 to receive completion certificate) Earn SDRMA CIPs
Under AB 1234, California law mandates ethics training for elected and appointed officials. For newly elected and appointed officials, the requirement is to receive this training within one year of assuming office. Thereafter, recertification is required every two years from the date of your last training. This two-part training session will fulfill your duty to comply with the State law mandate and a certificate of completion will be issued to each attendee following the completion of both sessions.

12:00 – 1:45 p.m.
Exhibitor Showcase Grand Opening & Lunch

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Super Session: "Inspiring High-Passion and High-Performance at All Levels of Your Organization"
by Libby Gill
An entertainment industry veteran, Libby is now an internationally respected executive coach, brand strategist and bestselling author. Her proven "Clarify, Simplify & Execute" process inspires individuals and organizations to maximize their "Leadership DNA," build high-passion, high-performance teams and increase employment engagement.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Breakout Sessions)

Good Governance Principles for Boards: Best Practices and Problem Areas for Board Dynamics
BHI Management Consulting
All board members want to do the right things to serve their public by moving the organizational mission forward. This seminar carefully examines the role of the Board in an honest and different way, from the viewpoint of self-examination with the perspective of experienced public servants to optimize how we can serve the public. This seminar helps Board members better understand their role, provides a different perspective to Board performance, looks at the relationship with staff and the executive, examines the pitfalls of Boards making decisions with the wrong motivations, helps Board members achieve their goals.

Creative Options for Delivering Public Works Projects: Design/Build and Public-Private Partnerships
Hanson Bridgett, LLP
The terms "design/build" and “public-private partnerships” are appearing with increasing frequency in discussions of ways to rebuild our nation’s public infrastructure. The design/build method of procurement provides an innovative approach to obtaining synergy in the design and construction processes. PPP’s are sometimes posited as a magic panacea for the financial and contracting challenges public agencies face when trying to build new infrastructure. It is important that public officials, and those who advise them, educate themselves about these methods, which can provide effective alternatives for constructing and financing public infrastructure.

Financial Accountability: Good Decisions are Based on Good Information
James Marta & Company, Certified Public Accountants
Understanding the board’s role in monitoring fiscal reporting and controls. How can the board fulfill its role of fiscal accountability? What information should management be providing to the board? What questions should the board ask? How do you know what questions to ask? What should you be asking your consultants (financial auditor, investment advisor, broker, etc.)

Exceptional Public Outreach: Best Practices & Examples You Can Use in Your District
Eckery Associates and Novato Fire Protection District
This topic covers the steps necessary to have a comprehensive internal and external communication plan that focuses on integrating approach to disseminating education, information and receiving feedback from the communities that we serve. The following elements for such a plan were necessary and therefore will be discussed: Organizational Branding, Web Page design, Social Media, PSA's, Emergency notifications, Community Newsletters, Surveys, Print adds, Internal newsletters, etc.

Strategic Workforce Management: More than Counting Heads
CPS Human Resource Services
Go beyond succession planning and create a long term plan to develop and manage an optimal workforce for your organization today and into the future. This presentation will give you the tools and techniques to proactively manage your workforce on an on-going basis so you are prepared for the inevitable fluctuations in your workforce and the labor market. Using this approach to workforce management, you can lead your organization through a systematic process to ensure the right people are in the right seats at the right time. In this interactive session, we will present a Strategic Workforce Management Model that will take you from Strategy to Data Collection and Analysis, Gap Analysis, Gap Closing Strategies and Evaluation.  We will explore how to be more strategic with your workforce plan and management, examine each of the steps in our model, and present free tools that you can use at each stage.  You will walk away from the presentation with over 30 practical tools and templates that you can use and adapt for your organization.

AB 1234 Required Ethics Training (Part 2)
Meyers Nave (attendees must attend parts 1 & 2 to receive completion certificate) Earn SDRMA CIPs
The two-part training covers general ethics principles and state laws related to: personal financial gain by public servants; conflicts of interest, bribery and nepotism; gift, travel and mass-mailing restrictions; honoraria, financial interest disclosure and competitive bidding; prohibitions on the use of public resources for personal or political purposes; the Political Reform Act; The Brown Act open meeting law; The California Public Records Act.

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
President's Reception in the Exhibit Hall
(All attendees welcome.)

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Wednesday

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
SDRMA Annual Meeting

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
SDRMA Sponsored Full Plated Breakfast (All attendees welcome.)

9:00 – 10:45 a.m.
SDRMA General Session/Safety Awards/Keynote
Don McMillan – "The 3 Keys to Leadership" Sponsored by SDRMA
In this time of change, business leaders must demonstrate an unprecedented level of passion, determination, foresight, dedication and fearlessness. In "The 3 Keys to Leadership," Don will share how to ramp up your leadership style and make effective changes.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Breakout Sessions)

Understanding the Tort Claims Process
SDRMA, Low, Ball & Lynch Earn SDRMA CIPs
This presentation will discuss what is a “Claim for Damages”? Is a letter from an attorney a Claim? An individual presents a repair bill to your agency for payment, what is the proper response? Does a Board have to formally reject every claim? How long does someone have to file a claim against a public entity? These are some of the issues that will be addressed in this presentation.

Understanding Board Member & District Liability (Part 1) SDRMA Earn SDRMA CIPs
This presentation will discuss the role of the Board and the individual Board members. When is a Board member acting as a “Public Official”? When are they not? Can Board members be held individually liable for their actions? Mr. Timoney will review specific sections of the California Government Code that define and outline the Boards legal duty and functions.

Workers' Compensation Updates & Volunteer Coverage
SDRMA, York Insurance Services Group Earn SDRMA CIPs
This presentation will discuss the current status of the California Workers’ Compensation system and volunteer coverage. Are volunteers considered “employees”’? Should your agency provide workers’ compensation coverage for “volunteers”? Can anyone be a volunteer? Do you need to track the hours “worked” by the volunteers? What is the benefit of providing workers’ compensation coverage for volunteers?

Public Works Projects: Minimizing Risks & Reducing Costs – Proven Methodologies
Bergman & Dacey
This one hour program will focus on how every construction project presents a public entity with certain risks: political, pragmatic, and financial. R.I.S.C. (Research, Initiative, Selection, Contracts) is a comprehensive method that blends pragmaticproblem solving with applicable legal principles to achieve fair and economically reasonable results.

Bridging the Gap Between Your District and the Capitol
CSDA Legislative Department
Learn how to partner with CSDA’s legislative team in order to strengthen the voice of special districts on critical issues that impact your agency. Gain valuable insight into the legislative process and equip yourself with the tools that CSDA offers your district to stay informed and engaged in the State Capitol. This is a great opportunity to meet and ask questions to CSDA’s in-house lobbyists.

Funding Mission-Critical Capital Projects: A Panel Discussion
CSDA Finance Corporation
Expert consultants from the CSDA Finance Corporation are joined by senior staff from three special districts in a panel discussion. Hear how these districts found solutions to funding their capital projects in challenging times.

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own

12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Optional Lunch & Keynote: The Significance of Special District Governments in the Local Economy – A Census Perspective – Steve Owens, US Census Bureau (advance registration required)

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Showcase Finale - Dessert /Grand Prizes

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. (Breakout Sessions)

Communication Protocols for Board & Staff
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Do your staff members and board members speak the same language? This interactive workshop will discuss guidelines and practical tips that will assist the Board of Directors, General Manager and staff members with effective communications. We will also discuss how certain legalities can impact your agency. Remember, communication is key, so learn how to use it to your advantage.

Understanding Board Member & District Liability (Part 2) – SDRMA Earn SDRMA CIPs
This presentation will discuss the role of the Board and the individual Board members. When is a Board member acting as a “Public Official”? When are they not? Can Board members be held individually liable for their actions? Mr. Timoney will review specific sections of the California Government Code that define and outline the Boards legal duty and functions. (part 2)

Proposition 26: What it Requires and How to Protect Your Agency
Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard and Eco: Logic Engineering
This program is designed to provide attendees with a detailed description of the provisions of Proposition 26. Enacted this November, Proposition 26 changed the definition of what constitutes a tax. Now many exactions that we previously thought were fees may be taxes subject to voter approval.

Risk Identification & Scenario Mitigation Planning
BHI Management Consulting Earn. SDRMA CIPs
A District that wants to be best prepared must know what risks and vulnerabilities face them. This seminar discusses a methodology for agencies to identify potential risks in their future considering the broad set of potentialities, properly analyze those, rank them and deal with those ranking highest in a comprehensive and deliberate way. This seminar is helpful for all Districts, but is particularily useful for those who strategic plan well yet wonder if they have considered all potential areas of vulnerability.

Management Discussion & Analysis - Effectively Communicating Results
James Marta & Company, Certified Public Accountants
This session not only helps you understand what is required to be included in your management discussion and analysis, but how to communicate results that demonstrates where your organization has been, where you stand now and expectations for the future. Using graphs and charts to better understand the financial trends and direction of the organization.

3:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Legislative Committee Meeting – limited seating available for non-committee members.

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Chapters Reception. CSDA Chapter of the Year Award will be presented. (All attendees welcome.)

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
CSDA Awards Banquet and Entertainment
Entertainment by Robert Strong
Robert has been crisscrossing the world since 1985, entertaining audiences large and small, formal and casual, and everything in between! Recently voted "San Francisco's Funniest Prop Comedian" and the "Bay Area's Best Performer," Robert has appeared on CBS This Morning, performed for the U.S. Congress, and taken his act to more than 30 different countries.

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Thursday

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (Breakout Session)
CSDA Chapter's Roundtable (All attendees welcome.)

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. (Breakout Session)

Hiring and Keeping Great Employees
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Personnel is a District's greatest resource, but finding and keeping great employees isn't as easy as it seems. It's a tough job finding the perfect employee but sometimes it's an even tougher job keeping them. This session will overview the hiring process including screening, interviewing and reference checks. We will also discuss retention tips and strategies for keeping these employees.

The Electronic Workplace: Traps for the Unwary
Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard
The sharp increase in electronic communication and the use of computers and new technology to conduct business has led to a unique set of concerns and questions for government agencies. What potential liabilities and pitfalls for public agencies are created by the rapidly increasing use of electronic communication and social media? Do you have to pay overtime to an employee who checks her blackberry in the evening? Can you fire an employee for making unflattering statements about his boss on his Facebook page? What issues under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution do public agencies face as a result of increased use of electronic media in the workplace? These questions (and many more) will be answered in this informative seminar on the challenges faced by public agencies in following California and federal law as specifically applied to the unique issues created by the electronic workplace.

Fish, the Delta, and Your Water Supply
Best Best & Krieger and Hanson Environmental
In December 2010, a federal court ruled in favor of water users seeking to set aside a biological opinion deigned to protect delta smelt. By May or June 2011, the same court is expected to rule on a federal biological opinio designed to protect salmon. The panel will address the impact of these two decisions and “interim remedies” that will follow. Dr. Hanson will discuss the status of efforts by the state and federal governments, environmental groups and water contractors to negotiate a long-term solution to the Delta issues via the “Bay-Delta Conservation Plan.”

Tapping into the Network of State Infrastructure Financing Resources – IBank, Clean Water RLF and the Drinking Water RLF
“There are so many potential funding resources at the State level, that is can be overwhelming to local agency representatives. This panel will provide insight into state funding programs every agency should have on speed-dial.”

Stop Playing Retaliation Roulette: How to Protect Your District From Employee Retaliation Claims
Best Best & Krieger. Earn SDRMA CIPs
Retaliation is one of the fastest growing area of employment claims by employees. The number of retaliation claims now exceeds discrimination claims filed with state and federal agencies. In part, this is because it is much easier to state and prove a claim of retaliation in employment than discrimination or harassment. Another factor is that retaliation is more common in these economic times where more employees are being laid off or having their hours and/or benefits reduced. Further, there are more legal bases to bring retaliation claims. This is particularly true for public agencies who face claims of violation of first amendment free speech rights and whistleblower claims (which will be two of the main types of claims discussed). The session will use both discussion of the law and new cases and hypotheticals with audience participation using power point and providing extensive written materials on the law and cases.

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CSDA Keynote Program & Closing Brunch
Ralph Heim, Public Policy Advocates and Pete Peterson, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civil Leadership
Join us for a closing brunch as Pete Peterson, executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civil Leadership shares "Public Engagement: The Vital Leadership Skill." CSDA Legislative Advocate Ralph Heim will also give attendees the most up-to-date information on the state of the state budget and special district revenues.