Schedule

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Legislator of the Year Presentation (Live)

Author of the Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act, Congressman Garamendi will receive CSDA’s Legislator of the Year Award and share from his experiences and perspective on Capitol Hill.

Legislator of the Year

The Honorable John Garamendi, Congressman, CA-3

Keynote Session

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Special Districts, Emergencies and Disasters – An Introduction to FEMA Region IX Administration

Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX Administrator Robert Fenton will join SDLD to share how districts can best prepare for disaster, programs to leverage in preparing for emergencies and how special districts can access emergency services programming in preparation for times of crisis. Fenton will also take questions from attendees.

Speaker

Bob Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Director

Keynote Session

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Special Districts and the Environment: Insights and Perspectives from the U.S. EPA

Environmental Protection Agency Region IX’s Acting Administrator Deborah Jordan will address drinking water and wastewater issues, air quality-related efforts, and community revitalization work, and touch on how EPA Region 9 programs are advancing the Biden Administration’s climate and environmental priorities. Members questions will be taken and answered during this live event.

Speaker

Deborah Jordan, Acting Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 9

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10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Federal Legislative Briefing (Live)

Receive a briefing from CSDA’s Federal Advocacy Coordinator and our National Special Districts Coalition lobbyists from Washington’s leading advocacy firms.

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Breakout Session

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Higher Office: Understanding the process that makes a lawmaker and the political issues underlying today’s elections at all levels

Elected leaders of water districts, sanitation districts, fire protection districts, recreation and park districts, and other special districts face key political decisions in fulfilling their duties and working with State and Federal lawmakers.

This moderated conversation with two leading political consultants will offer attendees a better understanding of what is driving voters in California and the public officials that serve them. Lessons gleaned from the discussion will help special district officials better serve their communities by gaining a sense of the process involved in running for State or Federal office as well as the key political issues driving public opinion.

Speaker

Josh Heller, Consultant, J Squared Group

Speaker

Joshua Walters, Esq., President and CEO, Walters Strategies

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Breakout Session

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Changing Districts in Changing Times: How redistricting, the CVRA, and emerging demographic trends will continue to influence the governance of special districts

An expert redistricting consultant with decades of political experience will discuss one of the most timely and provocative topics facing governments in the year ahead. The presentation will cover redistricting for the State Legislature, U.S. Congress, and special districts, as well as the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and the recent U.S. Census. Included will be insights on emerging demographic trends and what they mean.

Speaker

Paul Mitchell, President, Redistricting Partners

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.

Welcome and Legislator of the Year Presentation (Live)

The Honorable Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, AD-4

California State Assembly Local Government Chair, Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry will receive CSDA’s Legislator of the Year Award and share from her experiences and perspectives related to local government.

Legislator of the Year

The Honorable Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, AD-4

Keynote Session

9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Brown Act and Public Records Act with the News Publishers – A Fresh Perspective

Special districts are familiar with the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act. However, in this session the General Counsel for the California News Publisher’s Association will help district officials look at the these most impactful laws from a fresh perspective that will provide guidance on pitfalls and best practices to better serve the public and avoid costly litigation. 

Speaker

Brittney Barsotti, General Counsel, California News Publishers Association

9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

State Advocacy Update (LIVE)

Gain insights from CSDA’s lobbyists on the biggest challenges and newest laws to come out of Sacramento.

Breakout Session

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Climate Adaptation: How special districts and the State of California may partner in confronting wildfires, water sustainability, sea-level rise, and other infrastructure challenges

Water districts, sanitation districts, fire protection districts, resource conservation districts, open space districts, and others are at the forefront of efforts to adapt to our changing climate. As leaders in this field, the speakers will discuss the needs and opportunities for State and local climate adaptation partnership. The presentation will emphasize the $1 billion investment in wildfire mitigation identified as part of the Governor’s 2021-22 State Budget proposal that was released in tandem with the action plan created by the Governor’s Forest Management Task force.

Speaker

Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest Resource Management

Speaker

Kealiʻi Bright, Division Director, California Department of Conservation

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Beers with Peers, virtual networking event sponsored by SDRMA