2017 CONFERENCE WONK TABLES & DESCRIPTIONS

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

IMLA is delighted to offer you an opportunity to network with your colleagues and have direct access to premier vendors and attorneys who concentrate on various areas of municipal law at breakfast! The breakfast will be organized tables by “Topic” and you can enjoy your breakfast together with your colleagues. The WONK Breakfast is planned for Tuesday, October 17th, 7:30 am to 8:45am- in the Exhibit Hall B. The fee for this breakfast is $20 ($25 10/7 - 10/13).

CLICK HERE to pick your tables.

CLICK HERE to register (if you registered on your conference registration form, please DO NOT fill this out)

**Advance registration for the breakfast is REQUIRED**

**A ticket is REQUIRED for entry**

**NO on-site registration will be available**

**Space is limited. First Come, First Served**

1. Cable Franchise Renewals in the Digital World
2. Citizen Suits Under Federal Environmental Statutes
3. The City Attorney’s Report - Seven Habits of Highly Effective City Attorneys
4. Dangerous Dogs and Reckless Owners
5. Fire your Codifier!
6. Interacting with Fiscally Distressed Municipalities
7. Joining the Resilience Movement: Planning for Recovery, Compliance, and the Future
8. Land Use topics: Reed Update, Preemption, and Judicial Education
9. Managing FOIA Requests
10. Sanctuary Jurisdictions and the Supreme Court
11. "Small”(?) Cell Towers in the Rights of Way
12. Special Appellate Issues for Public Entities
13. Stump the Fellows
14. Supreme Court
15. Three Racial Gerrymandering and VRA Decisions
16. What’s Important to Local Leaders When Making ILA Entry and Continuation Decisions

CLICK HERE to pick your tables.

TABLE 1: Cable Franchise Renewals in the Digital World

Cable franchising and renewals present IMLA members with challenges and opportunities concerning franchise fees, PEG funding, and more. Join Best Best & Krieger for breakfast and insights on these and other renewal issues, including franchising in states that have passed state franchising legislation. Compare notes and “lessons learned” with your colleagues on the status of cable franchise renewals in the region and around the country. We’ll spend a large portion of the session addressing your specific questions and concerns, so come prepared!

• Speaker: Gerard Lavery Lederer, Best Best and Krieger

TABLE 2: Citizen Suits Under Federal Environmental Statutes

As the federal government signals it will loosen regulatory standards, permitting requirements and enforcement under federal environmental statutes it presents a mixed bag of news for municipalities. Environmental groups are poised to use the “citizen suit” provisions of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts as an “end-run” around discretionary enforcement by the USEPA and state agencies in “delegated states.” This program will give participants a chance to discuss key defenses that have been effective in protecting municipalities in Section 505 actions and the type of negotiating tactics that lead to workable consent orders.

• Speaker: Steven “Tip” Torres, West Group Law PLLC

TABLE 3: The City Attorney’s Report - Seven Habits of Highly Effective City Attorneys

Confirm what you already know you have or find out what you don’t know. Things you need to know about Employment Law – as the in-house lawyer – but didn’t know whom to ask! This is a sharing table where you can listen to the host – or the guests -- discuss what works – or hasn’t for them. Focus will be on the lawyerly “soft skills” needed as we approach the new decade. Discussion topics could include but are certainly not limited to the following:

• Be a problem solver - don’t bring your client problems – they just make their head hurt!
• Tips to develop self-direction and self-motivation. 
• What language are you speaking? Still “speaking legal?” Learn translation skills! 
• Discover that “cutting to the chase” doesn’t mean running with scissors! 
• How to get to “get stuck in” your organization….

But wait, there’s more! Commit to lifetime learning by reserving a seat at this table.

• Speaker: Roberta “Robin” Cross, The Woodlands, TX

TABLE 4: Dangerous Dogs and Reckless Owners

We all want safe and humane communities for both people and pets. Come learn how to achieve that goal through dangerous dog legislation that focuses on the individual behaviors of pets and their owners

• Speakers: Ledy VanKavage & Lee Greenwood, Best Friends Animal Society

TABLE 5: Fire your Codifier!

See how hundreds of attorneys and clerks automatically create ordinances and manage their own code without the lag and expense of traditional codifiers. MCO’s disruptive web software is changing the municipal code landscape!

• Speaker: Kimball Clark, President, Municipal Code Online

TABLE 6: Interacting with Fiscally Distressed Municipalities

How do municipalities get into financial trouble? How do they react to being in trouble? Can they peel the onion back and honestly deal with their problems? Are some of them hopeless cases? What can or should a state government do to help struggling municipalities? David Unkovic served as a state receiver for the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital, and in private practice he has represented the state as part of consulting teams trying to develop and implement workout plans for various distressed municipalities, large and small. What works? What doesn’t work? Bonus topic: What is the most dysfunctional level of government in the American political system: the federal government? State governments? Local governments?

• Speaker: Dave Unkovic, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC

TABLE 7: Joining the Resilience Movement: Planning for Recovery, Compliance, and the Future

The latest movement in rebuilding infrastructure is “resiliency.” For years State and Local governments have been in a “reactive” position when it comes to responding to the devastating impacts of natural disasters. Recently, that mindset has shifted toward preemptive efforts, emphasizing mitigation and sustainability when approaching recovery to prevent future loss of life and property. A large component of establishing a successful preemptive plan is understanding the required procurement policies, monitoring and compliance structure necessary for these funds. In extreme circumstances communities may inadvertently disregard the multitude of constraints that accompany federal grant funding. Conversely, some communities are overwhelmed by the required regulatory restrictions, and afraid to use any of the recovery grant funds. In either scenario, the community is at risk of losing the very funding that is pivotal to their future success and growth.

During this roundtable, we will discuss the importance of monitoring and compliance for the types of disaster recovery funding available and managing these complex programs while avoiding pitfalls that could result in a loss of funding.

• Speaker: Mary Beth Coburn, Best Best and Krieger

TABLE 8: Land Use topics: Reed Update, Preemption, and Judicial Education

• Speakers: Julian Grant and Susan Trevarthen

TABLE 9: Managing FOIA Requests

• Speaker: Lawton Langford

TABLE 10: Sanctuary Jurisdictions and the Supreme Court

Throughout 2017, the courts, the federal government, the states and a significant number of municipalities, many of them IMLA members, have been engaged in heated legal battle over whether and how non-citizens may gain entry into the United States and/or stay and to what extent the President has plenary power in this area.

The most recent developments will be discussed.

• Speaker: Laszlo Pinter, Danbury, CT

TABLE 11: "Small”(?) Cell Towers in the Rights of Way

This issue has been percolating since at least 2014. With the comments all filed in the FCC wireless and wireline proceedings – where are we now and when will the FCC rule on wireless access to our Rights of Way?

• Speaker: Mike Watza, Kitch Law Firm

TABLE 12: Special Appellate Issues for Public Entities

We will discuss recurring appellate issues for public entities like immunities, mandatory duties, and institutional practices that frequently end up in the appellate courts and the attitude of the courts to those issues.

• Speaker: Timothy Coates, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP

TABLE 13: Stump the Fellows

Do you have a legal or managerial question that has managed to stump everyone in your office? Here is your chance to bring your most challenging “head scratchers” to a panel of IMLA Super Wonks for a roundtable discussion. This panel will be comprised of IMLA Fellows who are well-versed in municipal law and the challenges faced by municipal lawyers and are eager to listen to you and offer advice. Bonus points for anybody who can “stump” the Fellows with a difficult question!

• Speakers: Dan Crean, Crean Municipal Consulting Services, Robert Fugate, Arlington, TX & Brad Neighbor, Garland, TX

TABLE 14: Supreme Court

To say the Supreme Court loves cities is no exaggeration! At this WONK table we will discuss any aspect of Supreme Court litigation that interests participants from the current docket, to the new Justice, to issues of future likely interest to the Court affecting local governments.

• Speaker: Lisa Soronen, State Services Organization

TABLE 15: Three Racial Gerrymandering and VRA Decisions

Race and Politics: This session will cover pending and recently decided racial gerrymandering cases (Cooper v. Harris, Dickson v. Rucho and North Carolina v. Covington) in which the courts are struggling to arrive at a workable, consistent standard for evaluating the permissible extent to which states and local governments can rely upon racial considerations in evaluating the legality of redistricting plans following the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus decision from the last term. We will also discuss the pending Wisconsin case in which IMLA has filed an amicus brief, wherein the Court may ultimately decide whether partisan gerrymandering cases are justiciable and by what measurable standard. We will be several weeks into the October 2017 term, and the most current filings in several of the cases before SCOTUS will be available.

• Speaker: Ben Griffith, Griffith Law Firm

TABLE 16: What’s Important to Local Leaders When Making ILA Entry and Continuation Decisions

Smaller/rural communities can often benefit from entering into an ILA. Learn what factors local leaders feel are important to their ILA entry decisions.

• Speaker: Doug Haney, Corporation Counsel, Carmel, Indiana

CLICK HERE to pick your tables!

CLICK HERE to register (if you registered on your conference registration form, please DO NOT fill this out)

2017 STATE/PROVINCE BREAKFAST

Monday, October 16, 2017

IMLA is delighted to offer you an opportunity to network with colleagues from your state/province!  The breakfast will be organized tables by state/province and you can enjoy your breakfast together with your colleagues. The State/Province Breakfast is planned for Monday, October 16th, 7:00 am – in the Exhibit Hall B. The fee for this breakfast is $20 ($25 10/7 - 10/13).

CLICK HERE to register (if you registered on your conference registration form, please DO NOT fill this out)

**Advance registration for the breakfast is REQUIRED**

**A ticket is REQUIRED for entry**

**NO on-site registration will be available**

**Space is limited. First Come, First Served**

Welcome Reception

Table Rock CentreSunday, October 15, 2017

7:00PM - 10:00PMBusses will begin at 6:30PM

A badge is required for entry

Kick off the 82nd Annual Conference in Niagara falls at the Welcome Reception. Enjoy food, drinks and networking!

Also experience the Journey Behind the Falls and Niagara’s Fury attraction!

Journey Behind the Falls:

To stand at the heart of the falls, you’ll first need to descend 150 feet and explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock.

Experience the falls from the observation deck at the foot of the 13-story-tall falls, but don’t forget the viewing portals cut straight through the rock, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down in front of you.

Niagara's Fury Attraction:

Discover the ancient story of Niagara Falls in 4D and re-live the exciting experience in this 360 degree multi-sensory theater.

Water will bubble and spray as you travel down river, while snow falls all around simulating the last Ice Age. The moving platform beneath your feet will help you understand the power of nature as you’re surrounded by stunning visuals of the mighty Niagara River.

Whirlpool Golf CourseSaturday, October 14, 2017

Golf has been arranged for Saturday, October 14th at the Whirlpool Golf Course, right along the Niagara River.This is an award winning golf course designed by Stanley Thompson and we have arranged for a special rate of $55 CDN to play(includes a round of golf and a cart).CLICK HERE for more information on the course. Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in reserving a spot.

IMLA's 2017 Annual World SeriesTuesday, October 17, 2017

The annual softball game will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at Oakes Park. A bus will pick up the participants at the hotel transport them to Oakes Park Field. At the end of the game, each participant will have the option to return by bus to the Hotel or be dropped off by bus at a local bar, Doc Magilligan's. All participants will receive a free softball jersey and cap. The organizing committee will supply softballs, bats, snacks, and drinks. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at Oakes Park. Each participant is encouraged to bring a glove and a jacket or sweatshirt, and must sign standard waiver forms required by IMLA. This is a free event, but bus seats will be given at a first come, first served basis.

CLICK HERE to register.

Niagara Bound Tours

www.NiagaraBoundTours.com

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

905-685-5375 

Niagara Bound Tours was established in 2004 by Lezlie Harper. Lezlie started her work career in tourism as a busgirl. Over the years, that interest in tourism never waned. CLICK HERE for more information.

Three tours will be offered on tour days.

• Tour 1: Niagara's Black History Tour ($163.10 (CAD) per guest)
• Tour 2: Niagara Falls Scenic Tour ($206.50 (CAD) per guest)
• Tour 3: Niagara on the Lake Winery Tour ($196.50 (CAD) per guest)

If you are interested in any of these tours, please fill out the registration form, scan and send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Click here to view the registration form.

If there are other destinations that you are interested in, please contact Niagara Bound Tours directly by email or telephone- (905)-685-5375.

Morning Runs

Join Cindy Yi on a morning run before the IMLA sessions begin! More information and sign-up will be available soon!  

Cindy is an Associate in the Municipal, Land Use Planning and Development Law Group at Loopstra Nixon LLP, the largest full-service law firm in west Toronto. She represents a broad cross-section of public and private sector clients on a variety of municipal law matters throughout the province. She is an avid fitness enthusiast, and has run several Tough Mudder races, competed in powerlifting competitions, and enjoys long-distance running. She is also currently training for two marathons this year.

 CLICK HERE if you are interested in joining Cindy Yi for a run! Please return the form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..