City Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Corrosion Control for Water System Piping & Storage Tanks BenefitsCorrosion is a process that attacks buried metallic water distribution and transmission piping often resulting in unexplained water loss, service disruptions, and increased maintenance and operating costs. A recent study indicated the annual cost of corrosion of water systems in the United States alone exceeds $22 billion and is expected to grow. The goal of this teleconference is to  more...

Maintain and Gain Downtown Businesses in a Tough Economy: Key Retention and Recruitment Concepts BenefitsIt is possible to pursue new growth and attend to those who have already invested in your community. In fact, we believe that it should be a goal of every economic development or downtown to have a balanced 'maintaining and gaining' approach to economic growth. This teleconference will illuminate a number strategies and tactics to consider as you pursue this goal. Learning Objectives -  more...

EPA's Rules on Compensatory Mitigation for Impact on Wetlands, Streams and Other Waters BenefitsIn 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adopted new rules that dramatically changed its approach to mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates fill in wetlands and other waters of the United States. The new rules adopt a mitigation hierarchy that moves away from the prior preference for on-site, in-kind mitigation in favor of mitigation banks and watershed-based  more...

Infill Development Fundamentals BenefitsOver the past decade, a variety of forces have operated to create a trend toward more infill development and less development of greenfields or agricultural land. But infill development poses a unique set of challenges compared to more traditional development on vacant land. This teleconference will summarize the principal differences between infill development and greenfield development,  more...

Zoning Variances: Nonconforming Uses and Structures BenefitsThis teleconference will be useful in determining how to devise and apply nonconforming development and land use regulations, how to review evidence documenting nonconforming development and uses, and how to determine whether a nonconforming development or use has been terminated, abandoned or modified. Learning Objectives - You will be able to report and document a nonconforming use. -  more...

Access Management Design and Development BenefitsAccess management is a critical element of every private and public roadway or site development project. As a transportation engineer and/or planner, understanding the basics of access design and access development is crucial in delivering a successful project to your client. Driveway access to a site can have positive or negative consequences on the amount of potential business a retail  more...

De-Escalation Tactics When Responding to Individuals with Mental Illnesses BenefitsBecause officers have to protect their own safety as well as the safety of others, they often have limited time in which to establish a communication mode that minimizes risk of violence. Agitated individuals can often be directed away from violence by specific communication skills. Verbal de-escalation techniques are geared to 'set up' those being contained so that physical control  more...

Affordable Housing: Finance and Development, How to Maximize the Available Resources BenefitsToday's housing market has been severely impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis and a downturn in the general economy. As a result, finding capital and equity to build affordable housing has become more and more difficult as investors sit this one out while the market stabilizes. This teleconference will highlight the issues, problems, causes, recent trends, what can be done and what is  more...

Low Quality Asphalt: How to Avoid Problems Down the Road BenefitsLow quality asphalt is a facility owner's or manager's nightmare. How to turn it into a high quality asset can be a difficult question. That's what this teleconference is about. Reconstruction of asphalt pavements, whether a roadway, commercial parking lot or large distribution center, can be time consuming and very expensive. Costs associated with loss of use can easily exceed costs of  more...

Emerging Trends in Infrastructure Finance - The Stimulus and Beyond BenefitsOur nation's competitiveness has long relied on an efficient, effective and affordable infrastructure network. Over time, both private and public sector investors have played roles in developing our infrastructure. Unfortunately, as the era of government-led and government-financed infrastructure comes to an end because of diminishing resources, alternatives must be explored. Governments  more...

Best Practices in Digital Evidence Management: The Impact of Digital Evidence on Law Enforcement and Government Investigations BenefitsThis teleconference presentation is designed to provide you with information on emerging trends in electronic media discovery practices. You will have a better understanding of the litigation aspects of electronic media retention and destruction. This will include the scope of electronic media discovery, trigger mechanisms for electronic media retention, obligations of users and counsel,  more...

Form-Based Coding: An Alternative to Conventional Zoning BenefitsThis teleconference will provide a basic understanding of form-based codes: how they are different, how they can be applied and how they can help implement more sustainable communities. Lessons learned and steps toward beginning the process will provide you with a clear path toward a successful form-based code. Legal and practical considerations associated with adopting form-based zoning  more...

Developing a Community Nonemergency Response System BenefitsCitizens are demanding fast, easy access to government services in an efficient manner that optimizes their investment. Municipal executives are consistently seeking government solutions to improve service without increasing budgets. Elected officials know the quality of services can mean the difference between re-election and defeat. This teleconference will provide municipal leaders the  more...

Performance Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Constructed Bridges BenefitsThe deterioration of constructed bridges is one of the most critical problems facing the infrastructure of the United States. According to a recent survey (ASCE 2005), an overall grade of D has been given to our infrastructure systems. Typical sources of bridge deterioration include increased live load, environmental attack and physical damage such as collision of heavy trucks. This  more...

Current Issues in CEQA BenefitsWhile others chose to fight over the reality of climate change, those of us who work on new development or projects in California only have time to fight to keep up with the enormous changes in California law and jurisprudence concerning climate change. This teleconference will provide an update on the proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for mitigation  more...

From TV to Twitter: Working With the Media During a Crisis BenefitsIn today's media-intensive world, how leaders communicate during a crisis can be just as important - sometimes even more important - than how they manage the problem itself. Whether it's a natural disaster, accident, sensational crime or political controversy, the public and the media demand answers and information now, whether through traditional or new social media channels. Managing and  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation BenefitsDue to the increasing age of our nation's transportation infrastructure, in conjunction with the increasing demand for travel, the need for ongoing road preservation, safety and mobility projects has continually increased. However, the long term availability of funds for such improvements continues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning  more...

Fair Housing Act: 2009 Hot Topics ...ney and former ADA/Rehabilitation Act coordinator for the city of Miami Beach, Florida, who works with property owners, builders, design professionals, developers and managers on FHA, ADA and Rehabilitation Act compliance and defense; and a nationally known disability/civil rights plaintiffs' attorney who has successfully sued major universities, cruise ship lines, housing developments and  more...

Not in My Backyard (NIMBY): Overcoming Development Resistance ...ut the specific steps necessary to turn out the troops at city hall and get citizens to stand up and say, 'I want this project in my backyard!' Learning Objectives - You will be able to describe causes of NIMBY opposition. - You will be able to explain how to build support for your project. - You will be able to identify tactics to manage angry audiences. - You will be able to identify likely  more...

Obtaining a Portion of the Stimulus Grant Funding BenefitsThis past year the federal government has provided a significant economic stimulus program that has been primarily implemented through grant funding. The Recovery Act (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on February 16, 2009) is the economic stimulus package of $787 billion. Because of the national scope of the economic situation, stimulus money has  more...

Current Issues in Right-of-Way: Joint Ventures, Corridors and the Use of Eminent Domain BenefitsRight-of-way corridors and the use of joint ventures between private and public entities for the development of infrastructure are two of the hottest issues facing the right-of-way industry today. In this teleconference, you will learn about both of these issues and how they affect the right-of-way professional. You will also learn about the use of eminent domain to acquire right-of-way  more...

Promoting Wellness and Recovery of People With Mental Illness Through Strengths-Based, Person-Centered Practice BenefitsThis topic is important for all levels of the human service and community corrections fields. Policy-makers and funders must develop policies and procedures that support and promote evidence-based practice with this challenging group of service participants. Service organizations must become more outcome-focused in their helping efforts. Direct practitioners, therapists, case managers and  more...

Automated Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure: A Guide for Municipal Water and Energy Utilities BenefitsCan you make a sound business case for AMR/AMI? What does it take to have a successful advanced metering system project? Advanced metering systems are evolving to meet municipal needs for efficient customer service, infrastructure management and conservation. But, acquiring and successfully integrating automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure presents unique challenges to  more...

Implications of Scott v. Harris on Police Vehicle Pursuits and Beyond BenefitsThe Supreme Court has historically recognized that analyzing and ultimately judging the conduct of police officers requires an acknowledgment and appreciation that, particularly in the context of the use of force, the court and trier of fact must take into account the circumstances under which police officers must make such decisions. The Court has also historically emphasized that  more...

Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning ...iMAX is like Wi-Fi computer service, but covers an entire city or county. WiMAX will lead to more leases of land for communications towers because an entire new set of antennas and some new towers will be required for communities receiving the service, but some antennas will be put on existing cell towers. For many of these existing towers and the landowners who leased the land for them, WiMAX  more...

ALTA Policy, Endorsements and Transaction Strategies with Title Insurance BenefitsThis teleconference will examine the role of title insurance in real estate transactions and review policy forms, with an emphasis on the 2006 ALTA Policy. Using the commitment for title insurance, the course will discuss how counsel, investors and lenders can avoid title pitfalls and coverage gaps, expedite a pre-closing response to coverage requests, and ultimately enhance coverage.  more...

GASB Statement No. 51: Rules for Intangible Assets Come to Governmental Entities BenefitsIntangible assets have been present in government operations for many years, but until now there have not been specific rules on how governments were to account and to report for these assets. GASB Statement No. 51 changes this situation. We now have specific rules on how to account and report for these types of assets. These rules go beyond what is typically found in the private sector as  more...

Motor Vehicle Searches: Impact of the Arizona v. Gant Decision BenefitsThe United States Supreme Court in Arizona v. Gant, 556 U.S. ___ (2009) changed the way police must handle the search of an automobile incident to an arrest. For nearly as long as the automobile has existed, the Supreme Court has found an exception to the general Fourth Amendment warrant requirement for the search of cars if the search is based upon probable cause. See Carroll v. United  more...

Value Engineering Change Proposals in Government Contracting BenefitsMany federal contractors are greatly focused on achieving cost reductions in their production processes, such as through lean manufacturing and Six Sigma programs, to become more competitive and increase profits. However, few contractors take advantage of a contractual tool, the Value Engineering ('VE') contract clause, which was established specifically to provide increased profits from  more...

Crisis Intervention Team Training for Law Enforcement for the 21st Century nEstimates run as high as 1 in 5 (20%) of 911 emergency calls to law enforcement involve some component of mental illness component and many reach crisis level. Typical law enforcement training is focused on projecting authoritative persona, command and control, and follow my directions or else. These tactics often lead to use of force and injury for all involved parties. Some lead to litigation  more...

Demand-Side Water Conservation Initiatives nMany water utilities are having to prepare conservation, drought preparedness and diverse water supply plans to meet existing and future water demands. Internal and external factors are causing water shortages, rate impacts, conflicts among neighboring water users, and both real and perceived unreliable water supplies. These circumstances are impacting businesses, homeowners, and the health and  more...

Making It Through the Land Entitlement Process nWith a multilayered regulatory framework and a myriad of reviewing agencies and stakeholders, the land entitlement process is often bewildering. The rules, processes and players vary widely by jurisdiction but there are common keys to success. Get an insider's perspective on differentiating the various regulatory processes, understanding and addressing stakeholder concerns, getting staff on your  more...

More Affordable and Sustainable Communities: The Role of Good Design for Workforce Housing nYou will see at least three dozen case studies of completed affordable workforce housing developments which were well-received by their neighbors and residents. These will be explained using images of plans and photos of the completed developments. This teleconference will help you understand how to successfully organize a community to engage rationally and creatively in the design of new housing  more...

Utilizing Congestion Pricing to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Generate Infrastructure Revenue nMany states and metropolitan areas are faced with increasing traffic congestion along with inadequate sources of transportation revenue to address transportation investment needs. After completing this teleconference, you will improve your understanding of the ability of congestion pricing to address both congestion reduction and revenue generation objectives. You will be able to describe some of  more...

Real Estate Market Studies: Critical Decision Tool or Superfluous Information? nMost significant real estate projects are required to pass the market study hurdle during due diligence. What factors impact the applicability, reliability and timeliness of these market studies? This teleconference will help real estate professionals identify the best providers of market studies, formulate a scope of work to suit the needs of the assignment, assist the consultant without  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control nRain gardens have been used to beautify landscapes while improving runoff quality since their inception in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the early 1990's. Research has shown that their cousin, bioretention, does a very good job of reducing pollutant loads, reducing runoff volumes and increasing infiltration, spurring regulators to look favorably on these practices. What these systems look  more...

Keys to Understanding Land Records nThis teleconference will provide you with the practical information you need to better understand the process of researching and evaluating land records in connection with the transfer of ownership and real estate financing. This teleconference will identify real property interests and sources of land information, explain how property interests are created and transferred, and discuss title  more...

Roundabouts: Planning, Design Principles and Current Practices ...acceptance, smoother roundabout operations, increased capacity and safety, less maintenance and less pollution. n nWhether you are new to roundabouts or an experienced design engineer, you will learn to understand the principles of safety behind the modern roundabout as well as specific design practices with simple and complex issues. You will learn about many roundabout design concepts and  more...

Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Guidance Under the New Administration - Rapanos or Oberstar? nThe federal regulatory landscape affecting development in and around waters of the United States was significantly altered by the Rapanos decision. Indeed, that landscape continues to shift as the Army Corps and the courts respond in new ways to a perceived loss of jurisdiction. This teleconference will help you understand the ever-changing jurisdictional landscape and navigate a course to  more...

Green Contracting: the Federal Government's Procurement Policies nMany federal contractors will have questions regarding the effective implementation of the OFPP policy and will further be concerned as to whether its costs will impact their competitiveness or ability to perform economically. Additionally, the monitoring and reporting that the government will require will have an impact on time and costs and one wonders if contractual sanctions will be imposed  more...

Sustainable Development and Land Use: The Future is Here and it is Green nBuilding green was for years entirely voluntary. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® program and other high performance building rating systems are not legislated by any governmental entity and they are not designed to be mandatory. But thanks to an explosion of state legislation and local ordinances across the country, green building methods and requirements have now been given the force of  more...