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Articles

 19th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 26, 2023

  • Workplace Privacy Issues | Bridgette A. Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Financing Projects with Municipal Bonds | Derrick Mitchell :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Sign Regulations – Update | L. Scott Bounds :: Bio :: Video
  • Open Meetings in the Post-Pandemic Era | Mary Ann Powell :: Bio :: Video
  • Economic Development – ETJ Development | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Video
  • Public Information Act – The Basics | Kevin McCormack :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Keynote Address | Christian D. Menefee, Harris County Attorney :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) – Virtual Gate | Ray Schultz :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Human Resources – Sexual Harassment Update | Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Video
  • Abating Nuisance Properties – There’s Always One | Daniel Sylvia :: Bio :: Video
  • Don’t Do The Crime If You Can’t Do The Time – Ethics | Tory Vonder Haar :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – Building Your Culture | Adrian Hernandez :: Bio :: Video
  • Mental Health Awareness | Dawn Lawless :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • TCOLE – Who We Are and What We Do | Martina Lemond Dixon :: Bio :: Video
  • Inadvertently Waiving Attorney/Client Privilege | Denis Potvin :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • The Future of Small Government Communications | Lora-Marie Bernard :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Eminent Domain – Procedural Pitfalls | Loren B. Smith :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
  • Short-Term Rentals (AirBnB, VRBO) – What Regulations Work | Tommy S. Ramsey :: Bio :: Video

 18th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 20, 2022

  • Embracing Different Generations | Eileen Begle, Katie Rutherford, Bridgette Begle :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Video (MP4, approx 2GB)
  • What to Expect From Your City Attorney | Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Dealing with Opposing Counsel Ethically & Wisely | Bobby Lee & Jorge Garay :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Bankruptcy/Unsecured Creditors | Katherine Dubose :: Bio :: Presentation
  • The Future of ETJs | Tad Cleaves :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Rules of Order in Council Meetings | Bridgette Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
  • How To Meet Statutory Mandates of PIA Without Drowning in Paperwork | Eric Farrar :: Bio :: Presentation
  • EDC/TIRZ/Revitalization | Theo Melancon & Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
  • COVID-Related Employment Claims: What’s the Positivity Rate? | Katie Rutherford :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Proper Use of Executive Sessions | Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Current Status of Takings Law in Texas | Allison Killian :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Keep Yourself Elected with Social Media | Lora-Marie Bernard :: Bio :: Presentation
  • HB 1927: Texas Constitutional Carry | Denis Potvin & Paul Wyatt :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Wellbeing in a New Age – Post Pandemic | Erica Grigg :: Bio :: Presentation
  • The Power of the Pool | Leah Simon :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Mass Management: Challenges of Managing a Large Workforce | Jason Cunningham :: Bio :: Presentation
  • When Does Inappropriate Language/ Behavior Cross the Line and What Do To About It? | Caroline Tom :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Tips for Responding to EEOC Charges & Lawsuits | Stephanie Kerian :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Background Checks and Due Diligence Regarding Applicants | Emily Brown :: Bio :: Presentation
  • FML/ADA: Managing the Absent Employee | Eileen Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Demotions: Use Them or Lose Them | Brian Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Strategies for Positive Interactions Between Community Members and Police | J. Noe Diaz :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Surviving Media Interviews | Jack Barnett :: Bio :: Presentation
  • Taking Verbal Threats by the Public Seriously | Glen Reed :: Bio :: Presentation
  • The Shaky Ground of Immunity | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation
  •  

     17th Annual Local Government Seminar – July 13-14, 2021

    • Day 1 Introduction by Sylvia Motes :: Video
    • HR Strategies During Covid19 by Katie Rutherford :: Bio :: Resources :: Presentation :: Video
    • Return to Normal by Brian Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • The Unmasking of Texas by Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • Day 2 Introduction by Sylvia Motes :: Video
    • Attending Virtual Hearings by Holly Torres :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • How To Keep From Going Covid19 Crazy by Andrea Chan :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • ESDs and Sales Tax During Covid19 by Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • A Procurement Perspective by Guest Speaker Dietrich von Bidenfeld :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
    • Webinar Question And Answer :: PDF

     

     16th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 30, 2020 (Presentations available after day of Seminar.)

    • Employee Engagement | Eileen Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Cyber Security | Derra Purnell :: Bio :: Presentation 
    • How The Port of Houston Works With You | Shane Williams :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Leaving a Legacy of Leadership | Mike Thaler :: Bio :: Presentation
    • EDC 101 – What Is It? | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation 
    • Energy | Jim Cargas :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Homelessness in Texas | Kelly Dempsey :: Bio :: Presentation
    • EDC 101 – Managing It! | David Olson :: Bio :: Presentation
    • The Antiquities Code of Texas and Why It Matters | Ashley Jones :: Bio :: Presentation
    • F-5 Appeals | Jay Zhang & Brian Begle :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation 
    • Properly Incentivizing Land Development | Tim Green :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Recycling | Adrian Hernandez :: Bio :: Presentation
    • The Heart & Duties of a Public Servant (ethics) | Jerri Yenne :: Bio
    • Managing Your Claim with TML-IRP | Mike Rains :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Flood Mitigation Planning and Funding | Rebecca Andrews :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Statutory Regulations Pertaining to Accommodations for Nursing Mothers | Jim Robinson :: Bio 
    • How To Make a Plaintiff Lawyer Rich: Mistakes by HR Professionals That Lead To Bad Results | Bobby Lee :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Public Information Act Update for 2020 | Eric Farrar :: Bio :: Presentation
    • ADA Misconceptions & FLSA Overtime Standards | Jay Zhang :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Top 10 Active Lawsuits in the Municipal World | Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation
    • No White Lies — Rules of Conduct (ethics) | Paul Wyatt & Denis Potvin :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Regulatory Takings | Allison Killian :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Recruiting & Retaining Quality Personnel | Emily Brown, Brian Begle, Jay Zhang, and Bobby Lee :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Linking Your City with the State Legislature | J.J. Rocha :: Bio :: Presentation
    • Adopting Tax Rates – Senate Bill 2 | Sands Stiefer :: Bio :: Presentation

     

    15th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 31, 2019

    • Interviewing Tips | Eileen Begle :: Presentation | Paper
    • Drinking the Kool-Aid: The Importance of Employee Buy-In to Organizational Culture | Dr. James Thurmond :: Presentation
    • Health Care Benefits | David Kester :: Presentation
    • State and Federal Resource | Joshua Owens :: Presentation
    • Anti-SLAPP Statute | Allison Killian :: Presentation
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution | Emily Brown :: Presentation
    • Implicit Bias | Karen Singer :: Presentation
    • Public Information Requests on Government Employees | Crystal Dozier & Doris Spear :: Presentation
    • Laws You Didn’t Know Existed: Personnel Policy Musts | Loren Smith :: Presentation
    • Social Media Issues | Derra Purnell :: Presentation
    • CADs for Cities: Getting the Most Out of Your Appraisal District | Sands Stiefer :: Presentation
    • Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow | Wendy Ellis :: Presentation
    • What to Expect in the Next Legislative Session | Debbie Cartwright :: Presentation
    • Killin’ Em with Kindness: A Guide to Civility  | Paul Wyatt & Denis Potvin :: Presentation
    • Leadership Through Effective Communication | Ray Schulz :: Presentation
    • Recent Developments in Chapter 271 Litigation | Eric Farrar :: Presentation
    • Individual Liability Issues for Land Use Officials | John Hightower :: Presentation
    • Heckler’s Veto & Social Media | Robert Higgason :: Presentation
    • Chapter 614 Investigations | Gary Brye :: Presentation
    • Operating a Combination Department | Lawrence Di Camillo :: Presentation
    • Warrant Searches | Katie Leininger :: Presentation | Paper
    • Staying on Schedule & Under Budget | Leonard Levine :: Presentation
    • Utility Rates | Scott Bounds :: Presentation
    • Records Retention and its Effects on Litigation  | Andrea Chan :: Presentation

     

    13th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 19, 2017

    • Creating a Candid Culture in the Workplace | Eileen Begle ::  Presentation | Paper
    • Disaster Management | Art Pertile ::  Presentation | Paper
    • Building Officials At Their Best | Randy Childers ::  Presentation
    • Managing Change | Sereniah Breland ::  Presentation
    • Aftermath Of Terminations | Loren Smith ::  Presentation
    • Workplace Investigations | Zachary Allie ::  Presentation
    • 7 Myths of Environmental Liability | Derra Mattina ::  Presentation | Paper
    • When Legal Claims Arise | Andrea Chan ::  Presentation
    • Hiring Wreckers: The Integrity Case | Eric Farrar ::  Presentation | Paper
    • Police Fitness Testing | Lisa Coe and Billy Tidwell ::  Presentation
    • Interagency Planning for Emergencies | Jim Turner ::  Presentation
    • Legislative Updates | Sands L. Stiefer ::  Presentation | Paper
    • What You Don’t Know About Code Adoptions Can Hurt You | Derra Mattina ::  Presentation | Paper
    • Pitfalls In Enforcing Building Codes | Allison Poole and Scott Williams ::  Presentation

     

    11th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 29, 2015

    • Hostile Work Environment | Brian Begle
    • Immunity in the Age of Ebola | Andrea Chan
    • Internal Investigation Techniques | Kelly Dempsey and Brad Morefield
    • ADA for Employers and Etiquette Chart | Eileen Begle
    • Sovereign Immunity and Contracts | Eric Farrar
    • Obtaining Water Rights | Bobby Gervais
    • Recognizing the Client | David Olson
    • Independent Contractors vs Employees | Dennis Potvin
    • Unequal Taxation and What it Means for Your Budgets | G. Todd Stewart
    • The Give and Take of Development Agreements | Mary Ann Powell and Kim Mickelson
    • Tampering with a Governmental Document | Akilah Mance
    • Ethical Issues for Public Employees | Art Pertile
    • DEA Do’s and Don’ts for EMS | Kenneth Redding
    • Managing Through Personal Crisis | Julie Robinson
    • Effects of Legalization of Marijuana in the Workplace | Karen Singer and Loren Smith
    • The Public Information Act | Barry Gaines

     

    10th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 2014

    • Administrative Hearings: Basic Concepts | Brian Begle
    • Curbing FMLA Abuse a/k/a What? The Employer has Rights, too? | Eileen C. Begle
    • Ethical Requirements for Officers and Employees of Local Public Entities in Texas | Scott Bounds
    • Disaster Management: Taking Action | Andrea Chan
    • Service Animals in Public, Work, and Home: What is a Local Government to do? | Kelly Dempsey
    • Attorney-Client Privilege | Eric C. Farrar
    • Firearms and Municipal Regulation | Bobby Gervais
    • Background Checks: How and Why We Need to Investigate Applicants | Donna Gray
    • Practically Speaking – Public Information Act | Donna L. Johnson
    • Political Advertising | Donna L. Johnson and Art Pertile
    • Dancing Quorums: Reviewing Social Media | David W. Olson
    • Guide to Internal Investigations | Denis Potvin and Paula Alexander
    • Public Sector Volunteer vs Employee and the Fair Labor Standards Act | Karen G. Singer

     

    Previous Articles

    • Breaking Up is Hard to Do: What to do When its Time to Fire, 2013, Brian Begle
    • Annexation Procedures and Pitfalls, 2005, Bill Olson
    • The Commerce Clause and AdValorem Taxation of Gas, Oil, and Petroleum Products, Mario Dell’Osso
    • HUD Fair Housing Act Claims, 2008, Scott Bounds
    • Liability Risks Associated With Borrowed Employees, 2009 , John Hightower and Patricia L. Hayden
    • Multidistrict Litigation and Its Potential Impact on Tax Code Cases, 2007, Mario Dell’Osso
    • Open Government 2007, Mario Dell’Osso
    • Recent State Cases of Interest to Cities, 2007 , Scott Bounds
    • Removal and Remand: The Defendant’s Right to Choice of Forum, 2004 , John Hightower
    • Removal and Remand of Suits Involving Governmental Entities, 2011, John Hightower
    • Selected Issues in Land Use Litigation, 2007, John Hightower
    • Texas Open Meetings Act, 2008 , Loren Smith
    • Use of Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue , Bill Olson, Jr.

    

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Phone: 713-533-3800
Fax: 713-533-3888

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2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77019
Harris County

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