Conference Agenda

Agenda is preliminary and subject to change 
Updated 9/17/20

Wednesday, October 14

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - Councilors Workshop

Local leaders are closest to their residents, and have consistently been rated as the most trusted in government. In the last few months, many communities have been grappling with demands from their Black and Latinx residents for racial justice. Listening and responding to these calls is important for showing that you care. Leon Andrews, director of the National League of Cities’ Race, Equity and Leadership program, will discuss the impact of systemic and structural racism on our communities, and how local leaders can dismantle and build equitable communities that are welcoming and inclusive to all.

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - OMA Workshop & Membership Meeting

Following up on the OMA Summer Conference, we’ll revisit the difficult conversations around equity, justice and opportunity in our communities, especially with residents of color.  Is your community having these discussions?  Are you receiving push-back about them?

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - OCCMA Workshop & Membership Meeting

Amidst a global health pandemic and immense social change, our professional and emotional bandwidth is stretched thin, yet our teams and communities need leadership now more than ever. This session will explore how managers are facing challenges such as: the organizational and operational impacts of shifting priorities and values; the uncivil discourse playing out on social media; supporting city staff when public support for government feels like it’s waning; and taking care of ourselves so we can show up for others.

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. - Exhibitor Break

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Welcome and Keynote Speaker Walidah Imarisha, "Have You Ever Wondered Why the Black Population in Oregon is So Small?"



1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Exhibitor Break

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

• 2021 Legislative Landscape

Join the LOC’s lobbyists to learn about the top legislative priorities for cities at the 2021 session. Attendees will be briefed on the prospects for each priority. Additionally, LOC staff will walk attendees through the legislative landscape and ways to best communicate with legislators during the current circumstances. LGMC 9 -1 hour
* Sponsored by Transportation and Growth Management Program 

• Bridging the Urban/Rural Divide

A discussion with two city leaders on reducing the divide between urban and rural communities and learning to work together for common goals.
* Sponsored by Union Pacific

• Social Media for Elected Officials

Social media can be a highly effective tool for elected officials to use when engaging their community. However, there are special considerations all public officials need to think about before posting. The panelists will share their experiences using social media as elected officials, along with lessons learned and tips on how to have an effective social media presence. LGMC 7- 1 hour

• First Amendment (and More!) Issues for Cities Related to Protests

Following the death of George Floyd, both t big cities and small towns have experienced an unprecedented number of protests. This presentation will cover the legal obligations local government officials and employees have towards protesters, with an emphasis on a protester’s First Amendment free speech and assembly rights. LGMC 3 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by NLC Service Line Warranty Program/HomeServe

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. - Exhibitor Break

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. - Awards Presentation 


4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. - Virtual Networking/Happy Hour

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - LOC Nominating Committee Meeting

Thursday, October 15

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - Breakout Sessions

• Moving Forward After a Fire

City leaders will hear first-hand from Malibu, Calif. City Manager Reva Feldman about her city’s recovery experience following the 2018 Woolsey Fire.  Topics will include: the initial city response, and the many issues city leaders must address in the months following the fire - employee burnout, coordination with federal agencies and rebuilding. 
* Sponsored by Ameresco

• The Digitally Connected World: Everything from Broadband to Digital Equity

This session will explore overarching questions surrounding the digital divide in Oregon, and how cities can keep their communities connected. Presenters will highlight what they have done locally and what current legislation and rulemaking will impact city access to technology. LGMC 7 - 1 hour
* Sponsored by AT&T

• How to Engage Diverse Leaders in Communities

Learn from others how they have been able to engage their diverse communities.  LGMC 7 - 1 hour 
* Sponsored by Republic Services 

• City Strategies for Shelter and Housing Development

Cities across Oregon continue to face record rates of unsheltered homeless and a lack of affordable housing. This session will feature on-the-ground examples from cities piloting new programs and strategies to address homelessness and develop of needed housing during the pandemic.  These include Medford’s process and partnerships for a homeless camping pilot program, and Coos Bay’s effort to develop one of the first housing production strategies under HB 2003 (2019).  LGMC 5 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Hayden Homes

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Exhibitor Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - Breakout Sessions

• Community Infrastructure Funding: How to Proceed During Economic Uncertainty

The pandemic has resulted in both immediate and rippling effects to the global, federal, state and local economies. Meanwhile, infrastructure needs continue to grow. Who will shoulder the burden of infrastructure funding as a key component of economic recovery?   Is there help available from the state or federal government? Should communities continue to prioritize infrastructure funding and investments? The panel will address these challenging questions, discuss funding opportunities, and explain how cities can be shovel ready if resources come available. LGMC 4 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Piper Sandler

• Legal Obligations to the Homeless after Martin v. City of Boise

This session will describe the results of the recent decisions in Blake v. Grants Pass and Martin v. City of Boise and what those results mean for cities. Discussion will focus on the regulations likely to be held unconstitutional and those that may be permissible. In addition, the panelists will review the long-term legal prospects for the decisions. LGMC 5 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Markowitz Herbold PC

• Lessons Learned from a Pandemic

The Coronavirus has not just impacted public health, but also city operations, city finances, local economies, and community morale.  Statewide, each of our communities has a unique story to tell about the impacts of this unprecedented pandemic.   A panel of city leaders from across the state will share how the pandemic has changed the way they govern their city. LGMC 3 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by U.S. Cellular

• How Small Cities are Approaching Equity and Inclusion

Large cities aren’t the only ones addressing equity and inclusion.  Hear about the approaches taken by our small cities across the state.  LGMC 7 – 1 hour

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Exhibitor Break

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. - Affinity Networking Group – people of color/LGBTQ/women

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

• Insights from Economic Development Leaders: Strategic Approaches for Effective Economic Response at the Community Level

Economic development professionals serving Oregon cities have taken myriad strategic approaches to assist their community’s businesses during the past six months. From new targeted programs to funding pipelines, to enhancements and leveraging of existing business development tools, these efforts play a part in economic response now and will have a role in recovery in the months and years to come. Join us as three economic development leaders discuss key features of their economic response work. LGMC 1 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Pacific Power

• What Cities Need to Know About Police Collective Bargaining Changes

At long last, the Legislature enacted reasonable changes to Oregon’s collective bargaining and arbitration laws to allow cities greater ability to manage their police agencies. Attendees will hear from experts how to implement these changes and what city leaders can do to provide responsible and accountable police services.
* Sponsored by NPPGov

• Valuing & Utilizing Your Volunteers

Volunteers offer a vast array of skills, talent, time and energy. They help make a city a home.  Hear how volunteers collaborate with city staff and elected representatives on issues that matter to our communities.  LGMC 7 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Northwest Natural

• Better Talk About Race

Leaders must know how to engage better talk about race.  As racial distress flares across America, it is a leader's responsibility to guide healthy, hopeful conversations which produce healing and change. Understanding the history of racial strife, the best contemporary language for racial engagement, and forming organizational and civic paths to racial justice are imperative for America to move forward in ways that hear and heal. LGMC 10 – 1 hour
* Sponsored by Boldt Carlisle & Smith

1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Exhibitor Break

2:00 p.m – 2:45 p.m. - Annual Business Meeting

 

 

2:45 p.m – 3:30 p.m. - Closing Keynote Speaker Clarence Anthony, NLC Executive Director