31st Annual Local Government Conference
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
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SESSION 1 9:00 - 10:15 AM
A Primer on Local Government Structure & Operations: Getting Your Bearings - Wade Beltramo, NYCOM Understanding how New York’s local governments are structured is imperative for local officials to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. Unfortunately, no one teaches New York local government in school. This session will provide a basic overview of the structure of local government and will include a discussion of each officials’ powers and responsibilities. Relevant New York State laws will be discussed as well as the importance of local officials being familiar with their own city, village, or town code. Key Steps to Develop a Project Before Grant Writing - Christina Paradowski and Jenn Vaughn, LaBella Considering improving your community? Municipal planning and capital improvement projects can leverage state and federal grant funds to minimize financial strain. Plan and implement integrated project planning, engineering, and funding solutions. Develop a clear process to inform key steps and align with municipal priorities. Activate opportunities to maximize funding and create the community you envision. Clerk Class - TBD Informing Emergency Planning and Disaster Management - Susan Spierre Clark, University at Buffalo With the increasing frequency and intensity of climate hazards and events, it is important that local governments strengthen their preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This session will discuss ongoing work by the University at Buffalo in collaboration with Erie County and local community organizations to inform strategic planning to build community resilience in Western New York. Drawing on regional case studies—such as severe lake‑effect snowstorms, flooding, power outages, and heat waves—we will outline practical strategies tailored to the specific risks facing communities in the area. Outcomes from this presentation include information regarding the following: - Tools for improving public awareness before and during emergencies - Effective ways to engage the community in planning efforts - Lessons learned regarding key challenges for vulnerable populations during emergencies Why Planning/Zoning Boards Are Important - NYS DOS Planning and Zoning Boards play a critical role in overseeing and guiding municipal land use development. Some local governments across the state have also been challenged to find citizens to serve on these boards. This session discusses the importance of these boards and some innovative approaches to maintaining board membership when there isn’t a waiting list of applicants for those posts. Typical Steps a Code Officer Takes to Take A Case to Court - TBD Justice Class Court Clerk Class SESSION 2: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Drinking Water Source Protection Program - Tyler Bobko, NYSDEC and Adrea Centola, NYSDOH Importance of source water protection; DWSP2 overview - what to expect from the municipality's point of view, program eligibility; DWSP2 plan development - Common steps and examples; DWSP2 plan implementation - Plan development --> plan implementation transition, common and region-specific examples of source water implementation actions taken in DWSP2; The story of DWSP2 in numbers - dicuss how many municipalities are in the program, how to get involved if interested. Post Grant Check List - You Got the Grant, Now What - Christina Paradowski and Jenn Vaughn, LaBella Congratulations, you’ve received funding to improve your community! Now how do you start? Learn what is expected of your community and staff to successfully administer and implement your project, including procurement, compliance, delivery, and oversight. Local Laws 101 - Henry Zomerfeld, Hodgson & Russ Invalidly adopted local laws can lead to costly legal challenges. This session provides a comprehensive overview of the procedural requirements for adopting, amending, and repealing local laws in New York State. We will cover the entire lifecycle of a local law, including proper drafting, public hearing requirements, “aging” periods, and mandatory filing with the Department of State. We will review statutory authority, including the Municipal Home Rule Law, and case law to illustrate these topics. Nuts and Bolts of Landbanks Panel - Gina Paradis, Chautauqua County; Kate O'Striker, Cattaraugus County; Jason Isaman, Allegany County; Wade Beltramo, NYCOM In the 15 years since New York enacted its historic land bank legislation, 31 land banks have been formed across the state. For many of the communities they serve, the land banks have transformed the delinquent tax foreclosure enforcement process from one that perpetuates harmful real estate speculation into a redevelopment system that addresses property neglect and blight. Unfortunately, recent court decisions have hampered the ability of land banks to operate. This session will provide an overview of what land banks are and how they can operate. The session will include a panel discussion of land bank practitioners who will provide insight into land bank successes and challenges. Short-Term Rental Law: Impacts of Local Efforts and Municipal Requirements - Sean Hopkins, Hopkins Sorgi & McCarthy PLLC Interpretation and Application of the Requirements of Zoning - NYS DOS Attendees will learn about the essential elements of zoning: definitions, districts and permitted uses and area and development standards within them, 7 nonconformities, and more. With some real-world examples, participants will learn to use the tools needed to guide sound, fair, enforceable, and defensible land use decisions. Justice Class Court Clerk Class SESSION 3 1:00 - 2:15 PM
Environmental Land Use Planning: WNY Land Conservancy - Marcus Rosten, WNY Land Conservancy The Western New York Land Conservancy (Land Conservancy) created the Western New York (WNY) Wildway, a landscape-scale conservation plan to create a corridor of protected lands from the Southern Tier up to the Great Lakes. The Land Conservancy identified the most intact forested areas and corridors between them that wildlife require to move through the region. The Land Conservancy will present on the WNY Wildway Partner Network, a coalition of over 70 entities, partners, and municipalities working together to implement the WNY Wildway, and how your municipality can get involved. Cybersecurity for Municipalities - Randy Glenn, Evans Agency This presentation will walk municipalities through today’s evolving cyber claim landscape—highlighting the rise of ransomware, email compromise, and data‑breach events—and break down how cyber policies respond, what key coverages they typically include, and where hidden gaps often appear. We’ll also examine real‑world trends shaping municipal exposure and outline the critical questions every organization should be asking to ensure their cyber program aligns with modern threats. Fiscal Responsibilities of the Town Clerk - William Naylor, Office of the State Comptroller This session will discuss the core of Town Clerk’s fiscal responsibilities including collecting and depositing of money, the disbursement of money, maintaining adequate accounting records and reporting responsibilities. We will also discuss how to ensure a sound internal control environment to enhance accountability in the Clerk’s office. Board Member Ethics - Alison Romanowski, BNBEA Battery Storage Project for Planning Boards - Nina Ballou and Corinne Brath, Wendel Companies As New York State continues to advance their energy goals, Battery Storage Projects are becoming increasingly prevalent across the State. Further, rapidly developing technology and industry trends are leaving local communities with many questions and concerns. In this presentation, we will discuss the different types of Battery Energy Storage Projects your community may be faced with, how they affect zoning and planning efforts, and New York State’s guidelines for these kinds of projects and related laws. We will discuss these topics through the lens of real life examples, and explain the planning process that each project faced. The Process of Obtaining Legal Permission for A Warrant - Henry Zomerfeld, Hodgson & Russ Master the legal requirements for enforcing local building and zoning codes in New York when searches and seizures are necessary. This CLE session covers the Fourth Amendment implications of property inspections, the “consent or warrant” rule, probable cause, exceptions to the warrant requirement, and practical procedures for applying for, drafting, and executing administrative search warrants to ensure admissible evidence. We will review statutory authority, including Criminal Procedure Law Article 690, and case law to illustrate these topics. Justice Class Court Clerk Class SESSION 4 2:45 - 4:00 PM Appalachian Regional Commission Grants & Funding - Fileve Palmer, Southern Tier West ARC’s unique federal-state partnership provides opportunities for local governments, non-profits, and individuals within the region to flourish while solving community needs. Join Dr. Fileve Palmer to learn about ARC’s multiple grant processes, professional development, and youth programming opportunities. What Happens When AI is Used Without Proper Oversight: Real-Life Examples - Nina Ballou and Corinne Brath, Wendel Companies To integrate AI into our daily procedures, or not, is a question many local municipal board members and planning professionals are facing with increasing frequency. While AI has the potential to improve efficiency, professionalism, and clarity in planning work, it also carries risks if used without proper oversight, including legal exposure, inaccurate information, and a loss of local context. This presentation examines the practical pros and cons of AI in planning, highlights key red flags, and offers guidance on using these tools responsibly. It concludes by connecting these same considerations to the growing presence of AI related development, including data centers, and how such projects may affect your community. Required Reporting - William Naylor, Office of State Comptroller This session will review the reporting requirements for local governments, including an overview of required annual reports that are submitted to the Office of the State Comptroller and a review of basic internal reports that should be provided. Historic Preservation 101: How to Harness the Power of Place - Caitlin Meives, Preservation League of NYS Older buildings form the core of our downtowns. They serve as the physical, economic, social, and cultural hubs of our communities, holding local businesses and municipal services, often providing housing, and serving as community gathering spaces. This “Preservation 101” session will explain how historic preservation programs and principles can help older buildings and downtowns thrive. Learn what preservation is really all about; why it matters; how it supports economic growth and healthy communities; what programs, financial incentives, and other resources are available to local governments and property owners to help repair and reuse older buildings; and why investing in your downtown’s past is essential for its future. Walk away with practical next steps your community can take to begin exploring preservation’s many benefits. Data Centers and Nuclear Energy - Matthew Eldred, Harter Secrest Emery, LLP New York is entering a new phase of its energy transition. The emphasis on renewables like wind and solar is being replaced with an even quicker-paced push for advanced nuclear development, driven in large part by data center demand. While AI and data centers may seem like urban issues, rural areas may very well find themselves hosting such projects, along with nuclear generation projects to support them. Understanding the risks and process around these two types of development will be important for all Upstate NY communities. Exploring the Power of GIS for Local Governments - Gerard Aiken, ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play an essential role in supporting data-driven decision-making for communities of all sizes. This session will introduce participants to how GIS can be used to enhance municipal operations, improve asset management, and support planning, infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how spatial data can inform local government projects—from mapping infrastructure to advancing climate and energy goals. Whether you’re new to GIS or looking to expand how your community uses it, this interactive training will provide practical examples and tools that can be tailored to your municipality’s needs Justice Class Court Clerk Class |
