2023 Staff Workshop

2023 Staff Workshop

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - 12:28 to Friday, April 28, 2023 - 12:28
Ironstone Vineyards
1894 6 Mile Rd
Murphys, CA 95247
Sessions: 
WEDNESDAY ----- 4/26 1:30 PM - Workshop Opens
----- 4/26 2:00 PM - GENERAL SESSION
Service Reviews for Dummies: Best Practices for Agency Engagement, District Transparency, and Financial Ability to Provide Services
  • This session will include best practices and technical instruction on three areas of the review: LAFCo engagement, agency transparency, and agency financial ability to provide services. Our panelists will share their experiences working in different areas of the state and facilitate a discussion of best practices from various perspectives.
Moderator: Michael Tuerpe, San Bernardino LAFCo. Speakers: Monroe Roush, RSG, Inc.; Alisha O’Brien, Los Angeles LAFCo; and Collette Santsche, Humboldt LAFCo.    
----- 4/26 3:30 PM - ROUND TABLES FOR CLERKS, ANALYSTS, EOs, & COUNSEL
----- 4/26 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM - CALAFCO Reception
THURSDAY ----- 4/27 9:00 AM - BREAKOUT 1
LAFCo 101 – What is a LAFCo?
  • This informative and interactive session will provide attendees with better knowledge of LAFCo processes, legal framework, and procedures.  Panelists will share insights and experiences relevant to LAFCo decisions. You always learn (or relearn) something by attending a LAFCo 101 session, so please join us for this fun and hands-on session on the LAFCo basics and more..
Moderator: Paula Graf, Imperial LAFCo. Speakers: P. Scott Browne, Legal Counsel; and Deborah Gilcrest, Nevada LAFCo.       
---- 4/27 9:00 AM - BREAKOUT 2
The Independent LAFCo
  • If your LAFCo is independent or thinking of becoming more independent, this breakout session will be perfect for you. In this session, we will discuss the large-picture issues independent LAFCos face and help find solutions. There will be time to tackle quick questions that attendees may have. 
Moderator: Jason Fried, Marin LAFCo (Moderator)   
---- 4/27 9:00 AM - BREAKOUT 3:
Water System Consolidations to Effective and Efficient Public Service
  • The State of California’s Division of Drinking Water, under the State Water Resources Control Board, is focused on consolidating small & struggling water systems statewide. This mission stems from the enacted “human right to water” (Assembly Bill 685) and that there are more than 7,300 permitted water systems statewide, many of which are struggling to meet regulations and financially stay afloat. This panel will portray the opportunities presented by water agencies willing to cooperate in this mission of effective and efficient public service and how the state views these opportunities for their financial investment.   
  Moderator:Andrew Fecko, Placer County Water Agency, General Manager. Speakers: Sean Barclay, Tahoe City Public Utility District, General Manager; Bridget Chase, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (Finance); and Joe Mouawad, Eastern Municipal Water District, General Manager  
---- 4/27 10:30 AM - BREAK
----- 4/27 10:45 AM - BREAKOUT 1:
Clerks 101
  • Tips and ideas from some “senior” clerks. Making your job run smoothly with organization, utilizing computer programs, and mastering your role in the office.    
Speakers: Elizabeth Valdez, Riverside LAFCo; and Cheryl Carter-Benjamin, Orange LAFCo    
----- 4/27 10:45 AM - BREAKOUT 2:
Together We Can Do Much: Building Your LAFCo Team
  • In this session, we will discuss building a LAFCo team. Hear from experienced and new Executive Officers on attracting future hires with the talent and skills needed for the organization.
Moderator: Stephen Lucas, Butte LAFCo. Speakers: Brian Spaunhurst, Fresno LAFCo; Gary Thompson, Riverside LAFCo.    
----- 4/27 12:30 PM - LUNCH
----- 4/27 1:45 PM - BREAKOUT 1
Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities (DUCs), What are they, and how do we map them?
  • LAFCos must identify disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUC) when conducting municipal service reviews and sphere of influence updates. DUC designations make communities in need more visible to government officials. Fostering conversations could lead to solutions for the service needs of DUCs. Using GIS tools, panelists with consultant and LAFCo perspectives will showcase 4 methodologies for identifying DUCs and discuss the most efficient aspects of each.
Moderator: Wesley Smith, RSG, Inc. Speakers: Crystal Craig, Riverside LAFCo; Taylor Morris, Los Angeles LAFCo.
----- 4/27 1:45 PM - BREAKOUT 2
Strategizing Social Media Use - Session 1
  • Starting with the basics, this session will help individuals identify the best platforms, what tools to use, and how to launch a social media plan. This session will review topics such as getting the most out of your social media when you have a limited team, legal and accessibility requirements, and how to use social media as part of your larger communications strategy.
Moderator: Carol Ieromnimon, San Diego LAFCo Speaker: Elizabeth Darcy, Mariposa County Public Information Officer  
----- 4/27 1:45 PM - BREAKOUT 3
To Grant or Not to Grant: Using the SALC Program to Fund Critical Plans S
  • The Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation (SALC) Program protects at-risk agricultural lands from sprawling development in order to promote growth within existing jurisdictions, ensure that open space remains available, and support a healthy agricultural economy. Hear about the program from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, as well as from some LAFCos who have taken advantage of the program to fund critical plans.
Moderator: Priscilla Mumpower, San Diego LAFCo Speakers: Cassidy McSurdy, Grant Manager, California Department of Conservation; and Samuel Martinez, San Bernardino LAFCo
----- 4/27 3:15 PM - BREAK
----- 4/27 3:30 PM - BREAKOUT 1
Strategizing Social Media Use - Session 2
  • Diving deeper, this session will help organizations identify their social media voice, review how to keep social media social and increase community engagement. With a highlight on creating engaging content and raising public trust in your organization, this session builds on the information shared in Session 1.
Moderator: Carol Ieromnimon, San Diego LAFCo Speaker: Elizabeth Darcy, Mariposa County Public Information Officer
----- 4/27 3:30 PM - BREAKOUT 2
How to Run a LAFCo Meeting
  • Catch up on the latest changes to the Brown Act allowing for hybrid meetings. We will discuss the AB 2449 requirements, what you would need to accommodate hybrid meetings, and how to make meeting materials more accessible to the public.
Moderator: José Henriquez, Sacramento LAFCo. Speakers: Paula de Sousa, Best Best & Krieger; Rebecca Turner, Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters
----- 4/27 3:30 PM - BREAKOUT 3
Fire Consolidation Studies: What Could Go Wrong or Right?
  • Learn from experienced professionals about avoiding pitfalls and achieving successful outcomes. Two recent fire district reorganizations/consolidations will be discussed by a panel of professionals. Each of the panelists has been involved in the creation and/or implementation of these projects. Learn the keys to developing a sound plan for initiating and implementing the project. Learn what worked and what didn't work and why. Learn the best way to set your LAFCO up for success.
Moderator: Dawn Mittleman-Longoria, Napa LAFCo. Speakers: Chief Jason Nee, Central Fire; Chief Mark Duerr, South Placer Fire; and Pat McCormick, former Santa Cruz LAFCo Executive Officer
----- 4/27 5:30 PM TO 7:00 PM - CALAFCO Dinner
FRIDAY ----- 4/28 9:00 AM - BREAKOUT 1
Desperately Seeking CEQA: LAFCo's Role as the Lead Agency
  • The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was implemented to inform government decision-makers and the public about the potential environmental effects of proposed activities and to prevent significant, avoidable environmental damage. But how does it affect LAFCos - when they are the Lead or Responsible Agency? Join us for a thoughtful consideration of this question and a discussion about recent case laws.
Moderator: Chrstine Crawford, Yolo LAFCo. Speakers: Marsha Burch, Legal Counsel; and P. Scott Browne, Legal Counsel
----- 4/28 9:00 AM - BREAKOUT 2
Matching Message, Media & Audience
  • Need to polish those public speaking skills? Looking to move up the career ladder? Interactive and informational, this session will elevate your presentation skills, providing tips, tricks and a healthy boost of confidence that you’ll take with you from the workshop to your workspace. Every communication is an opportunity to compromise your brand or protect it and this training offers all the resources you need to shine as a brand champion.  
Moderator: Priscilla Mumpower, San Diego LAFCo. Speakers: Janet Zimmerman, CV Strategies Director of Account Management; Mike Hatton, Actor and Filmmaker