Agenda—2013 Clerks' Orientation Conference

A “Conference Within a Conference”
held during the LMC Annual Conference and Marketplace
June 19-21—Saint Paul RiverCentre

Registration fee: $245
(includes admission to all Clerks' Orientation Conference sessions and networking and meal events. Lodging is not included in this fee)

REGISTER NOW!
 (Note: you'll need to set up a MyLMC account to register yourself or others from your city)

CLERKS' ORIENTATION CONFERENCE AGENDA

Wednesday, June 19

8 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

8:45 a.m.
Welcome!
Kevin Frazell, Director of Member Services, League of Minnesota Cities; Tom Thelen, Ambassador, League of Minnesota Cities

9 a.m.
Juggling Many Hats: Successfully Managing the Multiple Roles of a City Clerk
Panelists: Tina Rennemo, City Clerk-Treasurer, Baudette; Andrea Swenson, City Clerk-Treasurer, Hancock; Joel Young, City Clerk, Chatfield
Learn from a panel of experienced clerks about the expectations and duties of a city clerk, including running elections, managing records, and working with the public and elected officials. Share your challenges and get tips on how to be successful in this critical city role.

10:30 a.m.
HR Issues for City Clerks
Joyce Hottinger, Asst. HR Director, League of Minnesota Cities; Donyelle Mikacevich, HR Manager, League of Minnesota Cities
In most cities the job of city clerk involves at least some overlap with human resources issues and there’s so much to know. Never fear, the League’s HR team is here to help! In this session, we will walk you through the HR issues that are most likely to come up in your world—things like leaves of absence, personnel policies, how to compute overtime and some basics of discipline and performance management.

11:45 a.m.
Lunch

12:45 p.m.
Open Meeting Law
Susan Naughton, Staff Attorney, League of Minnesota Cities
What meetings must be open? When can you close a meeting? What requirements apply? During this session we’ll cover the nuts-and-bolts of the Open Meeting Law, including who must comply and the requirements for noticing a meeting. Learn about the seven exceptions to the Open Meeting Law and get answers to common questions about electronic communications, serial meetings, social gatherings and more.

1:30 p.m.
To Share or Not to Share: Data Practice Issues for City Clerks
Stacie Christensen, Administrator, Information & Policy Analysis Division, MN Department of Administration
Data practices law is complex, and applying the law can be tricky! Learn how to respond appropriately to requests for data, explore some of the data management issues around the use of technology, and find out who you can consult with for either informal advice or an advisory opinion on data practices matters.

3 p.m.
LMC Annual Conference Welcome and Opening Ceremony at Union Depot
All aboard! Join us at the beautifully restored Union Depot as we kick off the celebration of 100 years of achievement for the League and our members, and preview what’s ahead for the League and city officials as we invent the future together.

3:30 p.m.
LMC Annual Conference 2013 Legislative Recap and Policy Preview
Get the latest from the State Capitol as the League’s IGR staff offer a fun and informative look at the 2013 Legislative Session. Learn about key outcomes, which city priorities stayed on track and which ones derailed, and what’s ahead for cities in 2014 and beyond!

5 p.m.
LMC Centennial Celebration at Union Depot
Reunite with city colleagues from across the state at a reception in the Waiting Room of Saint Paul’s historic Union Depot, where you’ll enjoy music, visual displays, and plenty of Minnesota’s favorite foods. During the program, you will participate in LMC Live!, a mock live radio show profiling the League and its member cities through music, stories, and humor. This program will feature a variety of live performances, including musical acts, storytelling and comedy skits, as well as audience contests, and a special guest appearance by Garrison Keillor. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable event!

Thursday, June 20

8 a.m.
Breakfast & City Learning Point Demo
Kari Topka, Training Program Assistant, League of Minnesota Cities
 Start the day with a light breakfast as you test-drive the League’s online training courses.

9 a.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Keynote Speaker Wes Moore
Transformational Leadership: Evolve, Adapt, Inspire
To Wes Moore, nationally celebrated author of the book The Other Wes Moore, leadership is not about assigning tasks or delegating— it is about inspiring those around you to achieve a greater good, while empowering them to take charge of the tasks at hand. Oftentimes, leaders get too caught up in the details while failing to see the bigger picture: what makes a good leader is the ability to adapt and evolve, while cultivating others to become successful and accountable without micromanaging them. In this presentation, Moore shares his personal story—how he overcame adversity and went on to become a highly successful leader in the public sector, private sector, and military—relating it to leadership audiences from all walks of life.

10:30 a.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Concurrent Sessions #1 (select one)

Minnesota’s Changing Demographics: Challenges and Opportunities
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, such as the League’s demographics toolkit, that can help your city support a dialogue among community members.

Strategic Planning: Positioning Your City for the Future
Some days it can seem like your city is getting pulled in twenty different directions with almost nothing 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
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 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
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
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.

11:45 a.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Awards Luncheon
Enjoy lunch while celebrating the 2013 City of Excellence and GreenStep award recipients.

1 p.m.
What Clerks Can and Cannot Do: Legal Compliance for Cities
Mark Kerr, Assistant Legal Counsel, Office of the State Auditor; David Kenney, J.D., Office of the State Auditor
The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) oversees the more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota. Find out about cash transactions, debt, claims and disbursements, public bidding, conflicts of interest and other legal compliance issues that can trip-up cities. Learn about the OSA’s audit guide and checklists, and how to use these resources to make sure your city is in legal compliance with state laws.

2:15 p.m.
How to Prevent and Detect Fraud: Implementing Internal Controls
Nancy Bode, Assistant Legal Counsel, Office of the State Auditor
You’ve seen news headlines about local government employees misusing or stealing public funds. But that will never happen in your city, right? Understand the various types of fraud and how to spot them, and learn what steps you can take to prevent fraud from happening in your city.

3:30 p.m.
Insurance and Loss Control Basics
Dan Greensweig, Assistant Administrator, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust; Laura Honeck, LMCIT Program Coordinator, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
During this session, you’ll gain a basic understanding of the kinds of risks most cities face and what types of insurance coverage are available through the League’s insurance trust. LMCIT staff will share considerations for deciding what protection your city needs, suggestions for reducing claims and losses, and trends that will impact your city's rates in the next few years.

4:30 p.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Marketplace Event
Our marketplace vendors want to help your city address future challenges and opportunities for growth over the next 100 years! Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, networking, and a chance for your city to win cash prizes at the 2013 Marketplace. No other networking event in the state allows you to connect with as many dedicated city vendors. Discover innovative products and services, engage with old friends, and learn how vendors can help make your city a great place to live, work, and play! See which vendors will be joining us this year by taking a peek at the Virtual Exhibit Hall, online at www.lmc.org/veh

7:30 p.m.
LMC Annual Conference
City Night: Music in Mears and Reception
Don’t miss this year’s City Night festivities after the marketplace event! Network with old and new faces as you enjoy St. Paul’s summer music series in Mears Park and a dessert reception and cash bar at Faces Mears Park.

Friday, June 21

8 a.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Breakfast and Ignite Session: I Didn’t Know the League Did That!
Start your day with a hot breakfast while you learn about some of the 84 products and services available to you as a member of the League. During this Ignite-style session, League staff will deliver a series of short presentations about various League resources. After the presentations, join roundtable discussions to get more information and ask questions of League staff.

9:45 a.m.
Financial Fundamentals for City Clerks
Dan Jordet, Finance Director, City of Brooklyn Center
This session explores the basics of municipal financial management, including budgeting and planning, ongoing fiscal activities, and financial statements and reporting. You’ll also learn about required communications with state agencies and strategies for keeping the City Council and citizens informed.

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
LMC Annual Conference
Luncheon & Closing Session
Can’t We All Just Get Along? Effective Council-Staff Relations

What’s the buzz? Where are the facts? It sometimes seems like elected officials and staff exist in two separate worlds! But we’re better together than apart, and a shared laugh can help keep it all in perspective. Don’t miss this year’s closing session with guest moderator Mike VanMilligan, City Manager of Dubuque, IA, who has been helping city officials around the country understand better council-staff relations. During our final session, city leaders will learn about the principles of great council and staff teamwork--complete with amusing theatrics and good-natured barbs presented by improvisation actors from the Theater of Public Policy!