PSATS Southcentral I 2023 Regional Forum - 9/13/23 - Lancaster

PSATS’ Regional Forums are back! This series of full-day educational sessions is scheduled for multiple locations statewide. Learn more about issues that matter to your community, discuss common interests with other local leaders, earn PMGA and other professional credits, and attend specialized workshops designed for township officials. This educational event will be the perfect opportunity to hear from experts on the local issues that matter to you and your municipality.

Eligible for 5 PMGA Administration points

Agenda:

      8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

     Registration, Continental Breakfast, and Networking

     9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

     Welcome and Introductions

     David M. Sanko, Executive Director, PSATS, and
     Scott E. Coburn, Esquire,  Education Director & Counsel, PSATS

     9:10 - 10:05 a.m. (choose one)

* Emergency Preparedness: Public-Private Sector Interface (1 PMGA Public Safety Point)

This high-speed, low-drag presentation addresses significant events that could happen in your community. This session is designed to get participants to think about potential hazards they may face in their municipalities and what their response capabilities might be. The session uses four significantly disastrous, local case studies as examples. Part of the discussion will review what resources are available to mitigate situations like these from both the public and private sector.

 Paul O’Donnell, Corporate Safety Manager, RETTEW

* Planning for Recreation, Parks, and Public Spaces (1 PMGA Planning/Zoning Point)

This session will address the opportunities and challenges associated with providing your community with quality recreational facilities and programs. Representatives from DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation & Conservation and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society will share the numerous resources that are available for communities. They will discuss various available funding and program options and provide you with links, contacts, and advice on how to tap into these resources. Real-world examples from local communities will be highlighted to inform participants how you utilize these opportunities. There will also be time for participants to ask questions and receive information specific to their situation.

     Dan Hendey, CPRP, CPSI, Education Manager, Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, and Lori Yeich, Regional Manager, Central Regional Office, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

10:15 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. (choose one)

* Township Banking – Legal Requirements You Should Know Before Opening Accounts (1 PMGA Admin Point)

With historically high interest rates offered by financial institutions, a review of existing bank accounts, and possible new accounts, makes sense for many townships. Multiple sources and uses of funds trigger various legal restrictions, and even security, for each account. We will match sources of funds with the appropriate account as a township manager meets with the local bank officer to discuss a new banking relationship.

    Ryan Mentzer, Esquire, and Jennifer M. Caron, Esquire, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott

* Bringing Awareness to the Human Element of Cybersecurity (1 PMGA Admin Point)

Over 200 governmental entities were affected by ransomware in 2022. Most were breached due to human action, not a technological failure. This workshop will address the human element in the cybersecurity equation and demonstrate the importance of creating an awareness program for your township. Attendees will get tips for training employees to be more security conscious and learn best practices for creating a culture that will better position the township to defend itself.

     Matt Dotts, Information Security Awareness Officer, MidPenn Bank

11:20 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (choose one)

* The Ethics Act: A Short Guide on How to Stay Out of the News (1 PMGA Admin Point)

This session will provide attendees with real-world examples of Ethics Act violations and help attendees spot, address, and avoid such violations.

     Mary Fox, Executive Director, State Ethics Commission

* Hot Button Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service (1 PMGA Public Safety Point)

We will discuss several key issues currently impacting municipalities and volunteer fire companies. These include volunteer fire training, standards of cover, fire relief, junior firefighters, and recruitment and retention. There will be opportunities for attendees to share their successes and challenges.

     Tracie Young-Brungard, BS, EMTP, RRC, Administrator, Recruitment & Retention, Office of the State Fire Commissioner

12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

 1:00 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. (choose one)

* Townships and Social Media– Legal Implications under Right-to-Know Law, Sunshine Act and First Amendment (1 PMGA Admin Point)

In this session we will address legal implications arising from townships’ social media use. The speaker will address recent judicial decisions involving government officials’ personal social media posts. Questions include whether posts are accessible under the Right-to-Know Law. The speaker will also address policies for townships to avoid civil liability under the First Amendment.       

Joshua Bonn, Esquire, Nauman Smith Shissler & Hall

* The Implementable Comprehensive Plan, From Top to Bottom (1 PMGA Planning/Zoning Point)

This workshop will give participants a thorough overview of the implementable comprehensive plan. Topics will include: • What is an implementable comprehensive plan, and how does it differ from a traditional comprehensive plan? • Why should my municipality, or municipalities, choose an implementable comprehensive plan? • What are some examples/success stories for implementable comprehensive plans? • What resources are available for funding implementable comprehensive plans?

Rachel Reznick, Local Government Planning Specialist, Department of Community and Economic Development

2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (choose one)

* Great Policies, Procedures & Forms

This session will help you get your township prepared and organized to better handle all sorts of vital township operations.

 Tommy Ryan, Manager, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County

*Bridging the Gap Between Townships and Consultants: Tips for Engaging Consultants and Leveraging Partnerships for Funding (1 PMGA Public Works Point) 

>span class="NormalTextRun SCXW229500902 BCX0">several topics, including best practices for working with consultants, drafting high-quality RFPs/RFQs, maximizing grant funding opportunities, and other resources for PSATS members. 

Paul McNamee, Client Services Manager, KCI Technologies, Inc. 

     3:10 – 3:40 p.m.

     * Municipal Jeopardy (.5 PMGA Admin Point)

Test your knowledge of important aspects of township government so that you are better prepared to lead and manage your townships.

     Scott E. Coburn, Esquire, Education Director & Counsel, PSATS

     3:40 – 4:00 p.m.

     * Open Forum and Q&A

     David M. Sanko, Executive Director, PSATS

Date:

               September 13, 2023

Time:

                9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location:

                Lancaster County
                Eden Resorts and Suites
                222 Eden Road
                Lancaster, PA 17601
 

Registration Fee:   - Each Regional Forum registration is partially funded through a scholarship provided by the Pennsylvania Leadership Institute.   

                Member* -  $ 99.00

                Non-Member –  $149.00                                            

        *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.