SUNY Potdam
Current Weather Overcast 55.0°
Managing Local Government
Welcome from Local Government Committee Chairwoman, Ruth Garner
On behalf of the Local Government Planning Committee, I invite you to participate in the 18th annual Local Government Conference on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 hosted at SUNY Potsdam. Please join us for this opportunity to interact with colleagues and other local government officials from across the state as we work together to find solutions to problems and issues that challenge our communities.
This year's conference will be held in Kellas Hall. Opening remarks will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Kellas 106. Vendors will be showcased in the Kellas Hallway. Lunch and Keynote will take place in the Barrington Student Union – just a short distance from Kellas Hall. Buses will shuttle you to the Student Union and back to Kellas Hall for the final session of the day.
We are extremely pleased to announce that Ray Meier will be our Keynote Speaker this year. A former NYS Senator, Ray clearly understands the value of public service. Whether serving as a county executive, a state senator or a delegate to a national organization of state legislators, Ray has spent decades of his adult life in public service. Never one to shy away from a difficult legislative challenge or hesitate to tackle a controversial topic, Ray has led by example. Aspiring politicians or anyone interested in public or community service can look to Ray Meier to see what it takes to be dedicated, fair-minded and effective.
We look forward to seeing you at the 18th annual Local Government Conference as well as many of our returning businesses, vendors and state agencies.
Please take a moment to complete the secure online registration form or download a PDF of the registration form from the links on the right side of this page.
Schedule of Events
| 8:00 - 8:20 a.m. | REGISTRATION, COFFEE & VISIT WITH VENDORS |
| 8:20 - 8:40 a.m. | WELCOMING REMARKS & IMPORTANT 2010 CENSUS UPDATE FROM NYS DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Kellas Hall 106 |
| 8:45 - 10:15 a.m. | SESSION 1 Assessors – Legal Issues and Legislation for 2009 |
| 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. | BREAK & VISIT WITH VENDORS |
| 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | SESSION 2 Assessors – Uniform Assessment Code |
| 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. | LUNCH - Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room |
| 1:15 - 1:45 p.m. | KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Ray Meier |
| 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. | SESSION 3
|
Workshops
All Sessions in Kellas Hall
Assessors
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Legal Issues and Legislation for 2009
This session will cover the 2009 legislation passed in Albany related to the Real Property Tax. We will also look at the latest opinions of counsel and any significant court cases. This is an opportunity for you to bring any questions you may have on the administration of the property tax in your community.
Presented and moderated by Jane Powers, Director, St. Lawrence County Real Property Tax Office.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Uniform Assessment Code
We will have a discussion of the Uniform Assessment Code as developed by the Real Property Tax Advisory Committee. This code will lay out performance procedures that assessors should adhere to. At this time it will be optional for assessment jurisdictions to adopt such a code which will also set corrective actions if the performance standards are not met.
Presented by Mary Ilacqua, Regional Manager, New York State Office of Real Property Services (NYSORPS), and L. Scott LaPenna, Real Property Analyst I, NYSORPS, Syracuse and moderated by Jane Powers, Director, St. Lawrence County Real Property Tax Office.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
The Real Property Tax in New York State: Who is Responsible for What?
This session will cover the responsibilities of the State, County, and Towns, Villages, and Cities in administering the Real Property Tax. Come with your questions concerning how things get done, who is supposed to do them, and if they are not done, who is responsible?
Presented by Mary Ilacqua, Regional Manager, NYSORPS, Syracuse and L. Scott LaPenna, Real Property Analyst I, ORPS, Syracuse and moderated by Jane Powers, Director, St. Lawrence County Real Property Tax Office.
Board Members
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Elected and Appointed Officials and What You Need to Know
New York State General Municipal Law governs the actions of elected officials who face choices and challenges. This session will provide an overview of your legal responsibilities enabling you to make responsible and effective decisions.
Presented by Katie O'Neill, New York Conference of Mayors and moderated by Bob McNeil, St. Lawrence County Treasurer.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
How to Lobby Albany
We all know that lobbying is an important way to communicate with our elected leaders. Lobbying is used to make your views and those of your constituents known to your representatives in the pursuit of legislation and funding. So you've always wondered “What does it really take to effectively lobby for my community?” In this session, learn from someone who has experience as a local government leader, as a state senator, and as a practitioner in private business, just what it takes to effectively lobby your representatives.
Presented by Ray Meier, Bond, Schoeneck and King, PLLC, Attorneys at Law and moderated by William R. Swafford, Colton Town Supervisor.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Discussion with Bob Freeman
An expert on Open Government Law and Freedom of Information Law, Mr. Freeman will conduct a session on the ins and outs of open government. Please bring your questions to this session.
Presented by Robert Freeman, Executive Director, NYS Committee on Open Government and moderated by Mike Diskan, Essex County Treasurer.
Budget & Finance
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Employee Handbooks
An employee handbook informs the employee about working conditions, employee benefits, and employment policies. Where do you, as a Board member, start? This session will focus on the need for, and development of, employee handbooks as well as specific items that should be included.
Presented by Dan McKillip, North Country Relations Associates and moderated by Mary Jane Watson, a founding partner of Pinto, Mucenski & Watson, CPAs and Secretary/Treasurer of Colton Fire District.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
The State of Local Government
Federal stimulus, pension and health care costs, the economy and falling revenue, calls for consolidation and shared services, the need for transparency and accountability, and accounting for other post-employment benefits among others. Local governments are faced with a myriad of challenges going into 2010. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is even changing the definitions for fund balances! This session will address the current issues facing local governments, how those challenges are impacting local finances, and the actions that the Office of the State Comptroller is taking to help local governments deal with them. Federal stimulus funds and pension costs will be specifically addressed.
Presented by Steve Hancox, Deputy Comptroller, Local Government and School Accountability and moderated by Peggy Mousaw, CMFO Lake Placid Village Treasurer/CFO.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Employees: Hiring - Firing - Promoting - Negotiating
Personal services and fringe benefits make up a huge percentage of municipal budgets. This session will consider the specifics of hiring, firing, and promoting employees as well as handling union negotiations.
Presented by Dan McKillip, North Country Relations Associates and moderated by Phil Cosmo, City of Ogdensburg Comptroller.
Code Enforcement
All sessions are CEU eligible
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Principles of Venting in Building Construction/Appliance Combustion & Ventilation Air: Part I
This session is part one of a two-part session. In this session, participants will learn principles used in designing and installing venting systems in building construction. In addition, the session will cover requirements for providing adequate combustion and ventilation air for fuel fired appliances. Participants will learn how fuel burning appliances vent and how venting systems are installed and operate. Topics covered will include venting principles, vent design factors, vent types and how they work, the importance of combustion and ventilation air,
causes and products of complete and incomplete combustion and their effects, and procedures for checking venting.
Presented by Joe Gallagher, St. Lawrence Gas and moderated by John Hill, Village of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Principles of Venting in Building Construction/Appliance Combustion & Ventilation Air: Part II
This session is a continuation of session one. Taken together, both sessions are eligible for 3.0 continuing education credit hours. Attendance and participation in session one is a prerequisite for session two.
Presented by Joe Gallagher, St. Lawrence Gas and moderated by John Hill, Village of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Workers' Compensation & Disability Benefits Insurance Coverage
This session will cover worker's compensation, disability benefits and even the real definition of an employee. An explanation will be given of the benefits of these mandated programs to both employers and employees. Further discussion will focus on what happens if an employer doesn't have the programs, strategies to enforce these programs, and how to check on current coverage and liability.
Presented by Steve Carbone, Head of the Bureau's Educational Outreach Office at the NYS Workers' Compensation Board and moderated by John Hill, Village of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer.
Community Development
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
That's a Great Idea! Now How Do We Pay For It?
Grant funding is the primary way that special projects are financed. Writing a successful grant is not rocket science but there is an art to it. Presenters will walk you through the basics of being ready to write a grant, where to look, how to respond and what should be said in the average grant application.
Presented by Heidi Ames, Grants Manager and John Tenbusch, Planner II, from St. Lawrence County Planning Office. Sessions 1-3 of the Community Development track will be moderated by Dawn Mullaney, St. Lawrence County Planning Board Member.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Meet the Funders: NYS Office of Community Renewal
The Office of Community Renewal administers the State's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the New York State Main Street Program. The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns and villages in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. New York Main Street provides financial resources and technical assistance to
communities to strengthen the economic vitality of the State's traditional main streets and neighborhoods.
Presenters: Rob Brooks, Sr. Community Developer, and Crystal Loffler and Jessica Henderson from the NYS Office of Community Renewal.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Community Development through Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Planning
The Canton Bicycle Club is working with the Village and Town Economic Developer to incorporate the goal of becoming a bicycle/pedestrian-friendly community into Canton's economic development efforts. This presentation will describe the many economic advantages a community can gain by building a bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that responds to growing public interest in exercise and healthy lifestyles. The benefits include promoting tourism, attracting young professionals, and becoming a desirable retirement location.
Presented by Bicycle Club members Toby Irven, Will Joyce, and Brian Gardam.
Municipal Clerks
All sessions are CEU eligible
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Municipal Clerks and Your Legal Responsibilities: Part II
Municipal Clerks have a great deal of legal responsibilities in their day-to-day activities. Lori Mithen-DeMasi will continue where we left off last year, discussing everything from legal notices, local laws, oaths, signboards, vacancies, resignations, appointment of deputies, and other legal topics.
Presented by Lori Mithen-DeMasi, Counsel, Association of Towns and moderated by Georgette Davis, Massena Town Clerk.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Births, Marriages, and Deaths
Times have changed and security is more important than ever. Jim O'Connor will update us on the Department of Health procedures for filing and correcting birth, marriage and death certificates. Jim Meany will discuss security procedures and fraudulent documents. Bring your questions to this informative session.
Presented by Jim O'Connor and Jim Meany, Field Representatives of the New York State Department of Health and moderated by Janet Wheater, Oswegatchie Town Clerk.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Responsibilities of a Records Management Officer (RMO)
What do towns, villages, school and library districts have in common? All of these agencies have a Records Management Officer who is responsible for taking care of the mounds of records generated in our offices. Denis Meadows will review the RMO's responsibilities of being a custodian of these important records. He will discuss the proper care, security, and disposition of records. He will also review a variety of storage options to help RMOs easily access their records.
Presented by Denis Meadows, New York State Archives, Region 4 Advisory Officer and moderated by Cindy Goliber, Potsdam Town Clerk.
Planning and Zoning
All sessions are CE eligible
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
Municipal Regulation of Windmills
This session will address the adoption of local laws to regulate both large and small wind energy systems. We will also discuss the environmental, aesthetic, and other issues of interest to local governments. Finally, we will review applicable state and federal regulations relating to wind energy systems.
Presented by Erin Thomas, Land Use Training Specialist, NYS Department of State. Sessions 1-3 of the Planning and Zoning track will be moderated by Jason Pfotenhauer, Deputy Director of the St. Lawrence County Planning Office.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Intermunicipal Planning
Sharing the cost of a planning project with a neighboring community that shares common problems or goals can ensure a high quality planning project that is useful for all involved communities at a lower cost to taxpayers. Intermunicipal planning projects bring together different stakeholders with unique perspectives, leading to more comprehensive solutions and often a unifying vision. This program will provide an overview of the basic tools and processes needed for a successful intermunicipal planning project.
Presented by Sean M. Maguire, AICP, Land Use Training Specialist, NYS Department of State.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Outdoor Wood Boilers
Outdoor wood boilers have recently become a popular alternative to traditional methods of home heating. The increasing number of these units across the state has prompted environmental and health concerns. Balancing this type of use with the quality of neighborhood life presents new challenges for local governments. In this session, we will explore a variety of tools and tips to assist local communities in meeting these challenges. Code Enforcement Officers will receive one hour of in-service credit from the Office of Fire Prevention & Control.
Presented by John-David (J-D) Wood, Land Use Training Specialist, NYS Department of State, Division of Local Government.
Public Works
The Northern New York Water Works Conference presents its Fall 2009 meeting.
All sessions are CEU eligible
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. — SESSION 1
What is Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?
This presentation consists of two parts: “What is PESH?” and “Introduction to OSHA.” The New York State Department of Labor Public Employee Safety and Department of Health Bureau provide resources to public employees across New York State. This presentation includes the organization, history, inspection process, consultation services, record keeping, and operating procedures.
Presented by Dominick Timpano, Personnel Director of the NYS Department of Labor. Sessions 1-3 of the Public Works track will be moderated by Bob Henninger, Chief Operator for the Village of Potsdam Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and Hydro Power Facilities.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — SESSION 2
Introduction to U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA plays an important role in prevention and elimination of work related illnesses and injuries. This presentation includes information about employer and employee responsibilities, jurisdiction, and a brief look at the inspection process, reporting and record keeping.
Presented by John Usher, Associate Industrial Hygienist in the NYS Department of Labor Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — SESSION 3
Asset Management Plans: Educate, Educate, Educate!
Asset management plans are critical to maintain and upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure, however they require community and elected official education and awareness. This session discusses the process Old Forge, New York, used to develop such a plan and the strategy, tools, and approaches used to educate the board and the public. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) new software Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) will also be presented. CUPSS is an asset management tool for small drinking water and wastewater utilities.
Presented by Phil Smith, Section Chief for the Facility Operations Assistance Section at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.