Conference Connections
The League’s Conference sessions cover a wide range of topics pertaining to the day-to-day operations of municipal government. For CEU and speaker information, please visit the Conference website or download the Conference app.
Session Spotlight: Transparency
Transparency plays an important role in operating an effective local government. In the sessions below, transparency will be explored through good ethical practices, mindfulness when using technology, and a deep dive into the implementation of Daniels’s Law.
Tuesday, November 15
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Local Officials’ Ethics Act (Room 403). This session features the Director of Local Government Services, Jaquelyn Suarez, and will explore Local Government Ethics Law and numerous cases.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Budget & Audit Updates (Room 302). This session will explore budget, accounting, & financial policy changes & issues that will affect municipal officials in 2023. The panel will review levy caps, and new legislation, regulations, and policies that affect municipal operations.
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Implementation of Daniel’s Law: Redaction Process (Room 412). The Office of Information Privacy was created to carry out the mandate of Daniel’s Law, to work with municipalities shielding protected information. A must-attend for records custodians, the Office of Information Privacy & its vendor will demonstrate how those covered by the law have registered in the Daniel’s Law Portal & explain what must be in place to receive and respond to redaction requests.
Wednesday, November 16
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Elected Officials Primer: Ethics, OPRA, OPMA and Civility (Room 405/406). Municipal officials will receive up-to-date information on various ethics issues, the Open Public Meetings Act, Access to Public Records, and civility in public discourse.
Muddy Waters, Emerging Issues in Municipal Use of Social Media (Room 314). The continually developing topics of local government employees, governing bodies, departments, boards, and commissions will get input to better understand the emerging issues in municipal use of social media.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Recent OPRA Decisions (Room 402). New Jersey Courts have been particularly busy with the Open Public Records Act and its analog, the Common Law Right of Access, cases. This session will highlight the most significant issues litigated, with pertinent summaries of the decisions, both reported and unreported, as well as a review of recent GRC decisions.
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Transparency In Government: What Does It Look Like? (Room 302). Transparency, participation, and accountability are the hallmarks of open government. How can they be enhanced? One is the legislature-mandated project to collect data on demographics of elected and appointed leaders in NJ underway by the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Panelists will discuss this and other initiatives to use transparency as a cornerstone of ethical government leadership (Holland Ethics).
Thursday, November 17
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Open Public Meetings Act: Slippery Slopes and Trick Issues (Room 311). A discussion of the Open Public Meetings Act, including regulation of public comment: timing, requests for presentation, and civility issues. Also, executive session issues such as permissible attendees, the release of executive session minutes, and when and if a member of the governing body or clerk may be excluded.
Session Spotlight: Personnel
Personnel issues are vital to ensure local governments run efficiently and effectively. These sessions will address current and emerging issues including work/life balance, diversity, equity and inclusion, public safety volunteers, updates from the Civil Service Commission, and interest arbitration and negotiations.
Tuesday, November 15
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Future of Municipal Work: Balancing Work, Family, & Expectations (Room 401). Since the pandemic, the workplace has changed and so have the expectations of workers and employers. Recent studies report 75% of employees want flexible remote work options to be available. This session will be a lively discussion about New Jersey’s public sector employment workplace and employee balance covering practical administrative issues, management and union issues, and academic perspectives on this issue.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Municipal Government Ecosystem, Part I (Room 309). This program will take an in-depth look at DEI policies from distinct strategic vantage points in the municipal government ecosystem. Hear from local and state officials as well as outside vendors regarding DEI experiences, efforts, policies, and the dos and don’ts according to the law. Strategies and solutions to foster positive pathways forward will also be discussed and unlocked.
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Legoland for Managers: Building Communities in Towns (Room 321). How do municipalities need to think about the communities of tomorrow? The panel will be comprised of managers or other appointed department heads who can highlight how they see the evolving need to address their communities & prepare the workforce for the diversity of our municipal citizens.
OSC Sick & Vacation Leave Report: Lessons to Learn (Room 303). This summer, the Acting State Comptroller issued a report on municipal sick & vacation leave policies highlighting inconsistencies in State policies & making various recommendations. An expert panel will briefly review the report & provide a blueprint to assist municipalities with their sick & vacation leave policies. Session will discuss legal, administrative, & practical applications of the law.
Wednesday, November 16
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Municipal Ecosystem, Part II (Room 313). This program will take an in depth look at DEI policies from distinct strategic vantage points in the municipal government ecosystem. Hear from local and state officials as well as outside vendors regarding DEI experiences, efforts, policies and the dos and don’ts according to the law. Strategies and solutions to foster positive pathways forward will also be discussed and unlocked.
The Future of Volunteer EMS & Fire (Room 309). As municipalities continue to struggle to fill their volunteer ranks, especially in fire and emergency medical services, what does the future of volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads look like? This panel will discuss how municipalities are addressing the problem and what the future may hold.
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Civil Service Update on Recent Initiatives (Room 412). The Civil Service Commission will provide an update on new initiatives such as Workforce Diversity, Law Enforcement mentoring program, the State as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities (SAME) program, model Telework program, and much more.
Thursday, November 17
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Interest Arbitration & Negotiations Update 2022 (Room 302). This expert panel includes NJLM Labor Counsel Joseph Hannon, Labor Attorney James Mets, and NJLM Labor Consultant Matt Watkins who will discuss the most recent developments regarding interest arbitration as well as an examination of timely issues concerning negotiations with uniformed personnel.
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ethics of Social Media in Public Government (Room 201/202). This fast-paced session will explore the benefits of social media in government but also highlight the legal and practical implications of its use including free speech implications of public social media, its impacts on governing bodies, as well as the interplay of social media with employer policies, confidentiality, and best practices in the workplace.
New Trends & Developments in Shared Services & Regionalization (Room 417). Division of Local Government Services & Sweeney Center for Public Policy discusses the trends and developments in shared services and regionalization. The panel discussion will include an overview of the successful South Orange and Maplewood fire district merger, as well as other recent municipal shared services successes.
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