2022 PSATS Fall Solicitors Seminar - 11/10/22 - Montgomery County

This seminar will cover a wide variety of emerging and important trends and issues vital to the practice of every municipal solicitor. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts and network with your peers from around the state.

This class is eligible for 5 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.

9:30 AM A Wawa in My Backyard? Lessons from a Recent Land Use Appeal

Catherine M. “Kate” Harper, Esquire, Timoney Knox LLP

This session will focus on the Commonwealth Court’s recent decision in Conshohocken Borough v. Conshohocken Borough ZHB, which involved the proposed development of a Wawa in a residential/office zoning district. The case addressed numerous issues, including: (1) spot zoning; (2) advertising deficiencies; (3) a bias challenge; and (4) expert issues, that municipal solicitors are likely to face with their own clients.

10:30 AM Best Practices for Buying and Selling Municipal Real Estate

Thomas H. Dinkelacker, Esquire, Norris McLaughlin P.A.

This presentation will address buying and selling municipal real estate from the municipal perspective. The focus will be on the obligations of municipalities under the Second Class Township Code with relevant comparisons to the First Class Township and Borough Codes.  Other generally applicable statutes and caselaw will be discussed.  Statutes include the Eminent Domain Code, Donated and Dedicated Property Act, and Pennsylvania’s “No-Bid” law (Act 78 of 1979).

11:30 AM Break

11:40 AM  The Top Misconceptions in Public Sector Labor Law

Ryan Cassidy, Esquire and Scott Blissman, Esquire

Many misconceptions and pitfalls exist in the public sector labor law arena.  Although these misconceptions might initially “sound right,” they can potentially result in economic, operational and strategic loss to the public employer. During this session, experienced labor lawyers will explore some of the common labor misconceptions that solicitors encounter in advising elected bodies and discuss how following the misconceptions can negatively impact the municipality.   The presenters will also identify the best practices for these issues. This engaging session will be a great resource for solicitors who advise public bodies and who want to learn to spot and avoid common pitfalls.

12:40 PM Lunch

1:20 PM Recent Case Law Update

Joan E. London, Esquire, Kozloff Stoudt

This session will cover all of new decisions from the Pennsylvania appellate courts and federal courts that are of interest to solicitors.

2:20 PM Break

2:30 PM Best Practices in Police Department Management

Christopher P. Gerber, Esquire, Andrew M. Rongaus, Esquire, & Sheryl L. Brown, Esquire, Siana Law

Armed with decades of experience representing police and government officials in federal civil rights lawsuits and labor and employment disputes, the presenters offer a comprehensive perspective of the internal affairs process that is unique to Pennsylvania municipal police departments.

This session will include discussion on:

· The roles of elected officials, managers, solicitors, private investigators and unions;

· Federal and state law protections afforded to municipal police officers who are suspected of committing misconduct and/or neglect of duty;

· Pitfalls to avoid during internal affairs investigations that can lead to costly litigation;

· How to draft and execute separation agreements with police officers while complying with the new reporting requirements under Act 57.

3:30 PM Adjournment

Date:

               November 10, 2022

Time:

              9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:

               Doubletree by Hilton Plymouth Meeting
               640 Fountain Road
               Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Registration Fee:

                Member* -  $ 175.00

                Non-Member –  $ 225.00                                

             *PSATS Member = Registrant has paid current annual membership dues to PSATS or one of its professional associations (e.g., Township Emergency Management Association, Township Engineers Association, Township Planners Association, Township Solicitors Association, or the Pa. Assoc. of Zoning Officials).

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS / NO SHOW POLICY:

Cancellations must be in writing, and can be sent to us by email to cancellations@psats.org; by fax to (717) 763-9732; or by mail to PSATS Education Program, 4855 Woodland Drive, Enola, PA, 17025. Refunds will be determined by the sent date of the notice.
Refunds for cancelling a webinar at any time will be subject to a $10 processing fee. 
For classes, (in-person and virtual), refunds for a cancellation sent to us between 10 and 2 business days before the class you are registered for will be subject to a $20 processing fee. Those who cancel within two business days of the class you are registered for, or do not attend, forfeit the full registration fee which, if unpaid, will be invoiced.

ACCESSIBILITY & OTHER NEEDS:

If you require alternate format, sign language, or have other needs, please contact PSATS directly (717) 763-0930, x-159.