• Federal Health Care Reform Workshops
• LMC 2013 Annual Conference and Marketplace
  • Exhibitor Advertising Info
• 2013 Clerks' Orientation Conference
• Co-Sponsored Events
• Other Events

2013 Annual Conference Concurrent Sessions

session1 session2 session3 session4 Thursday, June 20

CONCURRENT SESSIONS #1 (10:30-11:30 a.m.)

Community Development and Planning Track

Minnesota’s Changing Demographics: Challenges and Opportunities
(Café Conversations)
The face of Minnesota is changing. How is your city responding? Exchange ideas about how to tackle the critical issues of population shifts, aging, immigration, and engaging the next generation. Learn about resources, like the League’s demographics toolkit, that can help your city support a dialogue among community members.

Strategic Planning: Positioning Your City for the Future
(Case Study Session)
Some days it can seem like your city is getting pulled in twenty different directions with almost nothing getting accomplished. A well thought out strategic plan may be just what you need to get elected officials, staff, and even the community all working together on a common vision that excites everyone!

Health Care Reform: A Prescription for Successful Implementation
(Traditional Session)
How will federal health care reform impact your city’s group health benefits? What are the implications for small cities? How does it impact cities with unions and part-time or seasonal employees? Find out the answers to these questions and what your city needs to know to meet reporting obligations and avoid penalties. Get guidance about how to proactively plan and budget for these requirements and communicate changes with your employees.

Supporting Local Business Growth as an Economic Development Strategy
(Case Study Session)
A strong, vibrant community depends greatly on the well-being of existing businesses which usually generate a large share of any new jobs. Hear about a proven business retention and expansion program used by over 60 Minnesota communities, and learn how to grow your local economy by supporting your existing businesses and helping them find and reach new markets.

Street Safety First, Last, and In-Between
(Traditional Session)
With more than 85,000 miles of roads in Minnesota, what can your city do to make your streets safer for all modes of transportation? SEH Traffic Engineers will discuss the latest innovations in traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety; and review tried-and-true traffic solutions that provide safe modes of transportation for your city's traveling public.

Return to top of page
___________________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT SESSIONS #2 (2:30-3:30 p.m.)

Practical Ways for Creating More Sustainable Communities
(City Practices)
Sustainability has been on the local government radar for many years. But what does it mean? How does it relate to your community? And more importantly, what can really be done without spending a lot of resources? Hear about the long-term benefits of creating more sustainable communities, as well as practices and projects in Minnesota cities that are getting great results. Learn practical and cost-effective ways to achieve a more sustainable community and identify next steps for your city’s sustainability effort.

Recruiting the Next Generation of Employees
(City Practices)
Local governments in Minnesota have the oldest workforce of any sector in the economy. As these older workers begin to retire, who will take their place? How can your city be an employer of choice for the next generation of workers? Learn practical strategies for creating a positive and productive culture that’s attractive to the next generation of employees. And get equipped with the tools and resources you’ll need to help your city plan for workforce changes.

Integrating LEAN Thinking in Government
(Traditional Session)
Despite what you may think, LEAN isn’t about slashing budgets and laying off employees. It’s about maximizing value for citizens while minimizing waste. Elected officials and staff can share the excitement of mastering a program that will let the city get more out of everything it does from managing council meetings to filling potholes.

Civility: Where Did it Go, How Do You Recapture It, and Why is Having it So Important to Your Success? – part 1
(Deep Dive Session)
Conflict going on in your city? Oh gosh, you must be dealing with human beings! But when constructive conflict deteriorates into downright incivility, it’s time to do something, even if it’s just survive. This intensive two part session will help you learn what’s driving incivility and, more importantly, the attitudes and behaviors you can adopt to sustain both yourself and your city.

Capital Improvements Planning and the Art of Consensus Building
(Traditional Session)
In this day of deteriorating infrastructure and limited capital resources it is often hard to find a proper balance between needs and funding. Join experts from Bolton & Menk to find out how to properly program the infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement necessary for a healthy community and build consensus among project stakeholders—especially citizens—to support these improvements. Learn about asset management, GIS technologies, and other tools and resources to help cities implement well-conceived capital improvement plans while maintaining the community support required for ultimate success.

Return to top of page
___________________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT SESSIONS #3 (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

How to Finance Your Energy Project at Little to No Cost
(City Practices)
Save the planet? That’s admirable! Save your city some money? That’s smart!! Get it done for next to nothing? Brilliant!!! Hear from cities that have implemented projects to reduce energy consumption and costs. Learn practical ways to make public buildings more energy efficient and find out how to finance these projects on a limited budget.

Effective Emergency Response
(Traditional Session)
Recent national crises and Minnesota’s own natural disasters highlight the need for strong emergency planning at all levels of government. Find out how to establish a chain of command, identify functional roles and responsibilities to deal with an emergency, and steps you can take to prepare your community for an emergency.

Civility: Where Did it Go, How Do You Recapture It, and Why is Having it So Important to Your Success? – part 2
(Deep Dive Session)

In a Twitter Over Social Media?
(City Practices)
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media applications are not just for tech-savvy youngsters any longer. Learn about these and other new media tools, why they’re spreading like wildfire, and how local governments are using social media applications as key communication and engagement tools. Finally, find out how to get started and what to watch out for as your city enters the social media revolution!

The Infrastructure Financing Puzzle
(Traditional Session)
Now that you’ve got a plan for upgrading your city’s infrastructure, how do you pay for it? Cities often need help identifying, securing, and managing funds to pay for critical infrastructure projects. Staff from Widseth Smith Nolting will offer insights for navigating funding programs like Small Cities, USDA Rural Development, Public Facilities Authority, and others. Find out how your city can take advantage of these programs to put together the funding pieces to get your priority projects off the ground.

Return to top of page
___________________________________________________________________________

Friday, June 21

CONCURRENT SESSIONS #4 (9:45-11 a.m.)

The Next Generation of Stormwater Management
(Case Study Session)
Treat the raindrop where it falls. This new approach to stormwater management uses low impact development (LID) practices to reduce the volume of stormwater runoff and improve water quality. Learn about the statewide performance standards recently developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and others to help developers and communities implement LID practices for stormwater management and meet water quality goals and requirements.

City Stories: Collaborating and Partnering to Improve Service Delivery
(Ignite Presentations and Roundtables)
How are cities working together and with others to deliver city services? Hear from cities about their projects, partnerships and practices, including what worked—and what didn’t! Get practical ideas and explore how to replicate them in your own city through conversations with your city colleagues.
If you are interested in sharing a success story as part of this session, visit www.lmc.org/citysuccess for more information about how to submit a proposal. Proposals are due by Friday, March 29, 2013. Questions? Please contact Lena Gould at lgould@lmc.org or (651) 281-1245.

”New to You” Revenues for Funding City Services
(City Practices)
With the recession, state budget cuts, and other factors putting significant pressure on the property tax system over the last several years, cities are looking for other ways to raise revenue. Find out what’s legally allowed and how different kinds of funds can be used. Hear about alternative revenue sources that Minnesota cities are actually implementing, including the practical and political considerations that make some a whole lot easier than others!

Roundtables: I Didn’t Know the League Did That!
(Ignite Presentations and Roundtables)
Do you have questions about the League and what we can do for you and your city? Join League staff at roundtable discussions to find out more about the many products and services available to you as a member of the League, and get your questions answered!

How to Negotiate with a Business or Developer
(Traditional Session)
Developers know that many cities are eager to see development in their communities, and they often lean on cities to help move their projects forward. The key for cities is to know how to participate in projects with the least amount of financial risk. At this session, financial advisors from Ehlers will provide practical advice on how to negotiate with developers and businesses for a win-win outcome.

Return to top of page
___________________________________________________________________________

Back to the Annual Conference overview