Local Government Spring Conference
See You in Klamath Falls!
April 25-26 in Klamath Falls
This two-day event will be a great opportunity for public officials from around the state to network and learn about issues impacting all cities.
Know Before You Go
We look forward to seeing you in Klamath Falls beginning Tuesday, April 25 for the 2024 Local Government Spring Conference. For conference details, registration instructions, and more, check out our Know Before You Go Guide.
Registration is now closed. If you have not yet registered for the conference but would like to attend, you may register on-site.
Download the Spring Conference App
The mobile event app is your go-to resource for the latest conference information. The mobile app includes the full schedule, session descriptions, speakers and digital handouts (as received), as well as sponsors and trade show vendors. Download from the Apple Store here or Google Play Store here, or by searching "League of Oregon Cities" in the app stores. The app can also be viewed in a browser at this URL: cvent.me/E4dalv.
Download a printable pdf of the conference program
Note: The Spring Conference is paperless this year, and there will be no printed programs available.
Thank You, Sponsors!
Preliminary Agenda
Agenda subject to change
Thursday, April 25
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Mayors (OMA) Workshop with breakfast
- Part 1: City Charter Updates – Emerging Trends and Recommended Processes
Does your charter help or hinder today’s challenges? A charter lays out the organization, powers, functions, and procedures of city government. Mayors, and their council colleagues, should ask themselves if their foundational and guiding document serves as a help or hindrance to meeting current challenges. This session will: highlight how cities are modernizing their charters to better address current community needs; showcase common areas of concern and gaps the LOC has noticed in existing charters; and provide examples of how cities have successfully reviewed and updated their charters. - Part 2: The Mayor’s Role in Communicating City Needs
Mayors wear many hats in their local government leadership role. One of the biggest is communicating with residents, whether it’s explaining new charter language, why a local option levy is needed to fund public safety, or keeping residents informed during an emergency. Panelists will explain the communication approach they take when educating the public about city needs, as well as best practices for keeping people informed and calm during emergencies.
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Councilors Workshop with breakfast
- Mental Health Awareness
This training will explore how mental health impacts public service and identify ways to encourage the use of resources, benefits, and coping skills. Topics discussed will include: mental health signs and symptoms; self-care for ourselves and others; and resources to support.
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Managers (OCCMA) Workshop with breakfast
- Planning for & Recovering from an Emergency
How do you plan for your community’s future in an ever-changing natural environment? Over the last four years, Oregon communities have faced natural disasters and public health emergencies. Every disaster has a ripple effect, including watershed issues, economic stress, tourism impacts, and to property loss. Participants will hear from front-line workers who have worked in emergency operation centers dealing with a large urban fire. How did they successfully communicate across jurisdictions? What can cities expect from FEMA? What does post-recovery look like? Panelists will also explain what they wish they knew before the emergency hit and how to best set up your community for resiliency.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Networking Break
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Welcome & Keynote - Policing with Compassion During the Addiction Crisis - Sponsored by 
Speakers: Nick Hunter, Sheriff, Marion County Sheriff's Office
Joshua Wolf, LEAD Program Coordinator, Marion County Sheriff's Office
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is the only agency in the state operating a Law Enforcement Assisted Deflection (LEAD) program. While maintaining officer discretion, the LEAD program gives police officers and prosecutors a tool to vector a person suffering from addiction towards treatment and recovery and away from incarceration. As Ballot Measure 110 reforms take shape, LEAD programs will become ubiquitous throughout the state and cities will be playing a significant role in making them successful.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Networking Break
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Session
- Forging the Path: Supporting Women in Elected Leadership - Sponsored by
Attendees, panelists and facilitators will consider strategies for addressing the isolation, tokenizing, and disconnection experienced by women in elected leadership. They will also be supported in reflecting on their own leadership stories and discussing methods for addressing the gender-based challenges they experience in their roles. - Wildfire Resilience and Community Risk Reduction - Sponsored by
Learn about Oregon’s approach to reducing wildfire in communities. We’ll discuss how to reduce risk, the importance of understanding risk, and how this connects to insurance.
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Networking Snack Break - Sponsored by 
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Public Safety Financing: Levies, Fees and Contracts, Oh My! - Sponsored by 
The demand for public safety protection and the cost of those services continues to rise. Hear from cities that are creatively funding police protections with the support of their voters through levies, fees and partnerships.
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Onsite Happy Hour Networking Reception - Sponsored by 
Join us as we wrap up the first day of conference with a networking reception! Enjoy drinks and appetizers with your peers.
6:15 p.m. Dinner on your own
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Women's Caucus Membership Meeting
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Onsite After Hours Mixer Hosted by Caucuses
Join the caucuses for a post-dinner reception! Enjoy networking with your peers and Bingo with some great prizes!
Friday, April 26
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast: U.S. Supreme Court Update - City of Grants Pass v. Johnson -
Sponsored by 
Enjoy networking with your peers and hear an update on a forthcoming ruling that will impact cities not only in Oregon, but across the country. Attorney Anit Jindal of Markowitz Herbold PC will discuss the current status of Grants Pass vs. Johnson and the potential outcomes of the court’s ruling.
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. General Session – Agency Directors Roundtable - Sponsored by 
Directors from five key state agencies and Regional Solutions staff will discuss the importance of relationships between state agency partners and local governments. This roundtable format will allow for direct engagement with each agency director.
Invited speakers include agency staff from:
- Regional Solutions
- Oregon State Police
- Oregon Water Resources Department
- Department of Land Conservation and Development
- Oregon Department of Transportation
- Oregon Housing and Community Services
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Breakout Session
- Rural Resources: Grants & Funding Opportunities - Sponsored by
Rural and small cities often lack the capacity to chase down funding opportunities from a myriad of agencies and organizations. Hear from a panel of experts who are working on breaking down the barriers for funding opportunities and promoting rural collaboration. - Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) Resources Update - Sponsored by
As part of Governor Kotek's Executive Order on Affordable Housing and Homelessness, and following overwhelming support in affordable housing and homeless response investments from the 2023 legislative session, OHCS is redesigning and streamlining how they fund affordable housing and shelter around the state. Session participants will learn how OHCS resources will be allocated, and how cities can support affordable housing development and homeless response efforts in their community.
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Networking Break
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch & General Session – From the Ground Up: Leveraging the Power of Regional Coordination to Meet Oregon’s Housing Goals - Sponsored by 
The lack of safe and affordable housing across Oregon has become an economic development barrier, and in many instances, a public health crisis. Cities are no stranger to using regional coordination as a tool for local problem-solving. This session will unpack regional coordination models to address local housing needs and inform a stronger state response to Oregon’s housing crisis. Delve into real-world examples from around the state, and walk away with actionable ideas for your community and a deeper understanding of how regional coordination, informed by public and private efforts, can be a catalyst for sustainable, statewide housing solutions.
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Networking Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Breakout Session
- A Conversation with State Legislative Water Caucus Co-Chairs - Sponsored by
State Representatives Ken Helm and Mark Owens will look back on the pressing water issues from the 2024 short legislative session and preview what’s in store for 2025. The Oregon Legislature's Water Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators and staff committed to fostering a resilient water future for all. The caucus recognizes that tackling complex water challenges ​requires focused leadership, innovation, and long-term commitment to learning and working together.
Core functions include facilitating learning, convening conversations, promoting informed decision-making, and elevating the priority of water-related policies and investments.
- Leading Communities through the Lens of a Person of Color - Sponsored by
Oregon demographics are changing, and it is important that community leaders understand, recognize, and include residents from different backgrounds in decision making. Participants will learn from fellow community leaders about how their lived experiences have shaped their leadership approach and will come away with a better understanding of how to create an inclusive environment.
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Networking Snack Break - Sponsored by 
3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. General Session – Measure 110 - The Role of Cities in Implementing Oregon’s Updated Addiction Response - Sponsored by 
The Legislature has made significant changes that will help local communities better serve those who are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, and in the process preserve livability. New policies will give cities the agency to address these issues in ways that weren’t possible while Measure 110 was in effect. Learn how cities can best address addiction and what partnerships are needed to mitigate this crisis.
4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner on Your Own
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Networking Reception and Casino Night - Sponsored by 
Join us for a fun-filled evening to end the conference with a casino night! There will be appetizers and a no-host bar.