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2021 Spring Seminar – Coming Back Stronger

On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the San Gabriel Valley City Manager Association held is annual Spring Seminar virtually. It included panels on the American Rescue Plan, remote working in the public sector, a conversation with young city councilmembers, a presentation by Dr. Ferrer and a discussion with Assistant Coach of the Golden State Warriors, Ron Adams.

Panel 1 – American Rescue Plan Ideas and Strategies

  • Summary: A pile of freshly printed cash is arriving to your budget cycle. These funds come with goals and strings attached, but create exciting opportunities for your communities. This panel will share ideas on putting ARP funds to use and share insights from a DC insider.
  • Moderator: Rene Bobadilla and Rachel Barbosa
  • Panelists:  Joe Sheehy, Legislative Director for Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA); Jessica Binnquist, Alhambra City Manager

Panel 2 – The Workplace Environment: What Does Normal Now Mean?

  • Summary: As we begin the reopening of City Halls and return our workforce back to a traditional working environment, there are aspects that will need to be considered telecommuting and employee mental health.
  • Moderator: Bob Russi & Sergio Gonzalez
  • Panelists 2A: Kitha Torregano, Human Resources Manager for Tri-City Mental Health Authority, Elizabeth Renteria, Chief Clinical Officer at Tri-City Mental Health Services
  • Panelist 2B: Kelly Trainer Policky – Telecommuting post-COVID for the Public Sector: Legal and Practical Considerations
    • Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic sent people home, employers and employees both started wondering what the future would hold when it came to telecommuting.  Was this a short-term solution while we were under stay-at-home orders, or would telecommuting be here to stay?  In evaluating whether to retain some form of telecommuting post-pandemic, public employers have many of the same issues that private businesses are considering, but there are some unique aspects of public employment that need to be considered.  In this session, we will briefly discuss some models of telecommuting, and some of the legal and practical considerations in continuing telecommuting, such as compensation, safety, supervision and evaluation, and concerns of officials and the public in telecommuting.
  • Tri City Mental Health Presentation on Remote Work
  • Kelly Trainer Policky Presentation on Telework

Panel 3 – The Young and the Elected

  • Summary: A younger generation of elected leaders is showing up on the dais. For a group of city managers who at times may be twice as old as their councilmembers, there can be culture and perception gaps. This panel will explore the views and insights of this younger generation of elected leaders.
  • Moderator: Ryder Todd Smith, president and co-founder of Tripepi Smith
  • Panelists: Council Members Tara Campbell, Yorba Linda; Ulises Cabrera, Moreno Valley; Bernadette Suarez, Lawndale

We Opened, Now What? with Dr. Barbara Ferrer

  • Summary: The State has reopened, so what exceptions are left, what were the lessons learned, and what are the long-term community effects?
  • Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Los Angeles County Public Health
  • Dr. Ferrer Presentation

Keynote Speech – When Leadership Fails with Ron Adams

  • Ron Adams, Assistant Coach of Golden State Warriors