Thursday, October 15

All Day

TML Municipal Marketplace

Discover a mecca of municipal products and resources from the comfort of your workspace through the TML Municipal Marketplace!

8:00 a.m.

Update from TML Health

Tune in for a big announcement and presentation from the TML Health Benefits Pool. As part of our commitment to making healthcare better for our members, we are pleased to unveil a series of exciting new initiatives for the coming year, including a BIG announcement about future benefits.

9:00-10:15 a.m.
TML Concurrent Sessions

Texas Different: Improving Policing in Texas While Building Up and Encouraging Those Who Serve Our Communities with Honor Session courtesy of the Texas Police Chiefs Association Policing is a noble and honorable profession made up of outstanding individuals who risk their lives to protect their communities. The profession should not be defined by a very small number of bad actors. While we condemn their actions, we must continue to build up and encourage all of those who serve with honor every day. We can be Texas Different with fairness, impartiality, transparency, and by giving those we interact with a voice. These pillars of Procedural Justice are at the heart of a community policing philosophy that will meet the policing expectations of our communities while honoring our oath. A panel of Texas law enforcement professionals will discuss ways to improve policing in Texas while highlighting the honorable servant guardians who protect Texas communities every day. Speakers: Gene Ellis, Chief, Belton Police Department and Immediate Past President, Texas Police Chiefs Association; Assistant City Manager, City of Belton; Stan Standridge, Chief, Abilene Police Department and President, Texas Police Chiefs Association; Jimmy Perdue, Chief, North Richland Hills Police Department and Vice-President, Texas Police Chiefs Association; and B.J. Wagner, Executive Director, Caruth Police Institute at the University of North Texas Dallas; Senior Fellow of Justice System Policy, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Rebuilding Local Economies: Tools and Strategies for Economic Growth Post-COVID-19 Session courtesy of the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials Explore the various tools that cities can use to spur job growth, increase tax revenues, and create new infrastructure. This presentation will examine strategies for developing better working relationships with the private sector to facilitate growth and discuss how to use economic development incentives, special districts, and participation agreements to leverage the best results for the community. We will also cover the impact of COVID-19 on new development and investment.  Speakers: Marissa Ximenez, AHMO President and Councilmember, City of Floresville and Rob Killen, Attorney at Law, Killen, Griffin & Farrimond

A Public Works Response to COVID-19 Session courtesy of Texas Chapter of American Public Works Association During the pandemic, the Texas Chapter of America Public Works Association conducted a survey to capture what various agencies did around the State in response to the outbreak.  Hear about lessons learned and recommendations for the next disaster. Speakers: Shawn Poe, Director of Engineering, City of Richardson; Robert Canterbury, System Engineer, Harlingen Waterworks System; Dorothy Bergesen, Water Resources Design, Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Brian Mason, Assistant Director, Emergency Management Coordinator, City of Houston; Kristina Ramirez, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Harker Heights; and Richard Mendoza, Director of Public Works, City of Austin

9:15-11:15 a.m.

TML Board of Directors Meeting
Register closed

9:45-10:15 a.m.
Greenhouse Session

Planning and Partnerships Spur Local Economic Development, and Improve Connectivity for Texans

This session will explore regional broadband development through partnerships with local stakeholders and neighboring municipalities. Attendees will gain insight into how to bring much-needed broadband to rural areas, stimulate economic development, and strategically build political will for regional broadband projects.
Presented by Magellan Advisors

10:30-11:45 a.m.
TML Concurrent Sessions

Texas City Management Association’s 2020 City Council of the Year:  City of Deer Park Session courtesy of the Texas City Management Association Officials from Deer Park will discuss a range of accomplishments and initiatives undertaken over the past year.  They will cover best practices learned during a 2019 chemical plant fire and how these were applied to the City’s response to COVID-19. Speakers: Jerry L. Mouton Jr., Mayor; James J. Stokes, City Manager, City of Deer Park; and Kenneth Williams, Immidiate Past President, TCMA and City Manager, City of Buda

The Key to Your Success Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc. Municipal clerks serve and assist elected officials so that cities can responsibly adhere to statute and best practices. Clerks’ resilience and quick responses this year helped local leaders quickly convert to remote participation and new guidelines for elections, public information, and myriad policies. Your clerk is the key to your continued success in upholding the law and conserving resources. Speakers:  Oscar Trevino, Mayor, City of North Richland Hills; Shanae Jennings, City Secretary, City of Irving; Chris Coffman, City Manager, City of Granbury; Alan Bojorquez, Bojorquez Law Firm, PC; and Shelley George, City Secretary, City of Allen

Emerge Stronger: Cultivating Vibrant Communities and Local Economies with the Resources You Have Since COVID hit, cities are attempting to manage ever-changing circumstances and needs for citizens and businesses with unprecedented resource constraints. At the same time, the pandemic has us all rethinking how we work, move around, and interact. Cities have a unique opportunity to use this time to explore ideas and update plans and policies that transform or enhance public spaces and infrastructure in ways that enhance neighborhoods and cultivate a self-sustaining local economy. This session will highlight how cities can use a combination of fiscally informed planning, incremental development, and community collaboration to make meaningful progress right now with resources you have, while also positioning your community to emerge stronger when the pandemic is behind us. Speakers: Monte Anderson, Developer and Councilmember, City of Duncanville; Kevin Shepherd, P.E., Founder and CEO; and AJ Fawver, Community Consulting Program Leader, Verdunity

11:15-11:45 a.m.
Greenhouse Session

Small Town Texas Goes BIG!

Representatives from the City of Mount Belvieu share their experience designing and planning a lightening-speed broadband network; including the opportunities, hurdles, and successes encountered along the way. Gain skills in understanding the steps to achieving the fastest internet in Texas!
Presented by Magellan Advisors

12:00-12:30 p.m.
Greenhouse Session

Implementing Advanced Technologies in Water Infrastructure

Water and wastewater infrastructure continue to be key components to successful growth across cities in Texas. This session will dive into various water and wastewater advanced technology projects implemented in the state utilizing innovative funding models. Projects include Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), wastewater biogas recycling, and digital customer portals.
Presented by Ameresco, Inc.

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Keynote Speaker

2:00-3:15 p.m.
TML Concurrent Sessions

The 3 Rs of Resiliency Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Explore the internal and external perspectives on resiliency in this session led by mediation expert Dr. Robyn Short. Short will teach how community leaders can create space for personal resilience that allows for professional resiliency and the ability to effectively serve the community. Speakers: Dr. Robyn Short, D.L.S. and Cheree Bontrager, Assistant Director of Human Resources, City of Richardson

The Virtualization of Planning and Development Session courtesy of the American Planning Association Texas Chapter COVID-19 forced many communities to quickly adapt planning and development processes to a virtual environment.  In many cases, streamlined processes, improved efficiencies and productivity, and opportunities for increased public participation were discovered.  Now many communities are weighing options for continuing, or further evolving, these practices.  This session will discuss what cities need to consider, how to navigate these issues, and how to use this transition to improve planning and development services. Speakers:  Lee Battle, AICP, LEED AP, Director of Community Enhancement, City of Allen; Craig Farmer, FAICP, President, Municipal Planning Services LLC; Kim Mickelson, JD, AICP, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Houston; and Karen Walz, FAICP, Principal, Strategic Community Solutions LLC

Lessons Learned About Working and Serving Cities During the Worldwide Health Crisis Session courtesy of the TML Small Cities Advisory Council In this session, local leaders will share their experiences and lessons learned while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain insight into how other small cities have provided essential services to citizens, managed working remotely, worked remotely, and continued to provide a sense of community for everyone. Speakers: Emmanuel Wealthy, Mayor, City of Wilmer; City of Mont Belvieu; Scott Wayman, City Manager, City of Live Oak; and Ashley Wayman, City Secretary and Assistant Administrator, City of Rollingwood

Municipal Finance During a Pandemic: What Do Non-Financial Managers and Elected Officials Really Need to Know? Session courtesy of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas Do you have trouble understanding your finance officer?  Well, you are not alone.  Learn the basics about finance during a pandemic.  Topics covered will include fund structure, budgeting, key financial policies, and what your role is regarding financial accountability. Speakers: Martie Simpson, CPA, Executive Director, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas; and Karen Rhodes-Whitley, Budget Director, City of Plano

2:45-3:15 p.m.
Greenhouse Session

Managing Retail Performance in Uncertain Times

Managing retail performance in uncertain times is key to sustaining a viable sales tax base. This session explores the relationship between emerging economic trends and retail performance. Attendees will leave with practical steps that local governments can take to improve their post-pandemic retail performance, including specific evaluation methods, strategies, and best practices.
Presented by HdL Companies

3:30-4:45 p.m.
Closing General Session