Modern Franchising - Authority, Revenue, & Digital Equality This CLE will show how cable franchises are still important contracts for local governments, discuss the impact of streaming video on these contracts, and review recent litigation and legislation. We will discuss how modern broadband franchising could be used to best ensure equal access to broadband, including a review of current litigation, legislation, the BEAD program, the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA), and FCC advocacy. We will also review the FCC's Digital...

IT’S A ZOO HERE! A practical guide on permitting Service Animals into the Workplace It is important to accommodate wherever possible any employee with a disability who needs the accommodation of a service animal.  As an employer, you need to understand what a service animal is, what is a reasonable expectation and request from you, and how to blend all of that.  Not always easy, but we have some suggestions.  Join us for the answers! Speaker: Joanie Winters

Critical Construction Contract Clauses and the Disputes that Often Arise from Them Construction contracts can be hundreds of pages. This presentation will identify and explain the handful of key clauses that are frequently central to disputes and litigation between contractors and public owners. The speakers will provide typical language, describe the intended purpose, give real world examples, and offer key take-aways for the following important contract provisions: differing site conditions, quantity variations, scheduling, time extensions, and compensation for delay. Speaker:...

Water, Water everywhere in a Municipality; US v. Sackett, the Maui case and the EPA/ACOE WOTUS Rule Join experienced environmental law practitioner Rich Glaze in this webinar as he explores the impacts of recent Supreme Court interpretations of what constitutes a “water of the United States,” how the EPA/ACOE WOTUS rule reflects these rulings and how (or if) these rulings affect municipalities. Speaker: Rich Glaze

How to Advise Councilmembers Regarding DEI Initiatives (Even When They Are Against Them) Join Jeannine Williams, Chief Assistant City Attorney for St. Petersburg, Florida, for an insightful discussion on advising council members on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In this presentation, Jeannine will delve into the principles of accountable government and share strategies for tailoring your advice to council members while maintaining objectivity. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into the various DEI initiatives successfully implemented by the City...

Regulating Short-term Rentals at the Local Level The proliferation of the short-term rental industry has left local governments throughout the country contemplating how to balance protecting the character and integrity of their municipality while providing the necessary services resulting from increased traffic and tourism, among other things.  This course will provide an overview of the tools available at the local level to regulate short-term rentals, as well as a case law overview analyzing how different jurisdictions treat short-term rentals.  The...

AI: The Future of Humanity or the End of Civilization AI is more than a movie starring Haley Joel Osment from 2001, it's a force that has the potential to drastically change the practice of municipal law. This session would examine the various ways A.I. can impact attorneys representing local government. Or, as AI put it: The presentation will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal profession and the justice system, by providing examples of current and emerging...

Section 1983 Update: What You Need to Know in 2024 This presentation will provide a case law update on Section 1983 cases in the last year and what to expect in 2024. The presentation will also serve as an overview of Circuit cases covering hot-button issues in today’s legal landscape. From COVID-19 mandates to wrongful conviction, the Section 1983 Update will cover what municipal lawyers and lawyers who represent municipalities should know and expect when facing Section 1983 cases in...

Exceptions to the Fourth Amendment’s Warrant Requirement: Searches in Businesses and Schools The Fourth Amendment generally requires law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant supported by probable cause before entering or searching a person’s private property. The Supreme Court has carved exceptions to this rule to allow warrantless searches in certain contexts, including regulated businesses and schools. This presentation will discuss the evolving contours of the warrantless search doctrine and offer tips for government lawyers to keep their law enforcement...

Removing Individuals from Public Property CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. Municipalities often must deal with members of the public who disrupt meetings, harass employees, or even threaten to harm elected officials. In such instances, officials may seek to temporarily remove that person from public property or ban them from re-entering the property. This presentation will cover the legal considerations for municipalities when removing or banning individuals from public property,...