Public Telephone Seminars

Drafting The Flawless Easement BenefitsThe increase in litigation over the location, priority and scope of easements is due in part to the lack of thought, time and effort during the drafting and preparation of easement documents. In some cases future problems and uses cannot be anticipated. However, most conflicts and other problems can be prevented by anticipating the necessary scope of the easement and giving attention to  more...

Current Issues in Wetland Delineation BenefitsMany project proponents lack the familiarity with Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations and wetland resources needed to develop comprehensive permit applications and build sufficient time for regulatory compliance into project schedules. Similarly many project opponents who grasp the regulatory process are adept at identifying inconsistencies in the implementation of the delineation  more...

What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits BenefitsAny proposed project involving wetlands or other waters of the United States is likely to require some type of permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the federal agency responsible for regulating impacts to wetlands, the Corps' regulations and the permit process can represent a significant part of a project's development. The identification of wetlands or other waters on a  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

Taxation and Accounting Conflicts of Interest ...or employment, a claim against malpractice insurance, bad publicity, or an unflattering and enduring case study in a business school textbook. The absence of any conflict of interest is a prerequisite to achieving the professional integrity, objectivity, and independence required by various rules regulating the professional conduct of an accountant. Rules from many sources govern the  more...

Prevailing Wage Law: An Understanding of Davis-Bacon ... increased enforcement by the federal government. Federal public works contractors often do not understand the requirements for complying with the Davis-Bacon Act when bidding on and performing federal public works contracts and the consequences of noncompliance. This live audio conference will provide you with the information you need to understand the specific requirements of the Davis-Bacon  more...

Water Audits and Nonrevenue Water Reduction Methodologies BenefitsThere are many recent issues affecting the importance of uniform, accurate and effective water utility auditing. The largest urban growth areas of the United States are in the southwestern portion of the country, including Phoenix, Las Vegas and southern California. Water resources available to the areas are fully allocated and becoming more expensive to obtain and deliver. In addition,  more...

XBRL in Transition:From Requiring XBRL to Leveraging XBRL to Improve Data Collection, Analysis, and Business Reporting ...siness reporting and analysis. Learn what XBRL means, why public companies have adopted it and why those companies (and the US Government) will foster the adoption of XBRL technology as a reporting framework to all entities in our economy. This live audio conference is designed for accountants, tax managers, accounts payable professionals, bookkeepers, CFOs, controllers, enrolled agents,  more...

NEPA: Understanding the Basics BenefitsSince 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their consultants and affected citizens do not fully understand the  more...

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP): Developing a SWPPP and the New EPA Storm Water Rules BenefitsCities, states and the EPA are placing new emphasis on storm water discharges from industrial facilities, construction sites and municipalities. They are conducting storm water pollution prevention plan inspections at industrial facilities and construction sites. Some of these inspections have resulted in storm water violations with fines. Nationwide, storm water is a leading source of  more...

Show Me the Money: Determining Return on Investment for People, Projects and Programs ... the mantra of the day. Senior leaders in private sector, public sector, and social sector organizations want to see value for investments made in people, projects and programs. This value, more than ever before, is defined in terms of return on investment. Until you can produce solid, verifiable numbers that prove the worth of investments, you may never gain the respect and leverage necessary  more...

Potholes: Causes, Maintenance and Pitfalls BenefitsRoads are built to provide a safe and comfortable ride for road users. To fill this function, a pavement surface must be smooth, thus free of breaches such as potholes. Potholes are circular holes in asphalt pavement extending through an entire pavement layer. In certain conditions, they develop in a matter of hours. If potholes are not fixed immediately after they appear, a safety risk  more...

Rain Water Harvesting BenefitsThis live audio conference will assist owners, developers, utility officials, engineers, architects, sustainability experts, data center managers, environmental scientists, facility mangers, property managers, water utility officials and consultants in understanding the important factors in considering, planning, assessing and implementing rainwater harvesting projects. You will  more...

Wetlands Challenges and Use of Mitigation Bank Credits BenefitsWetlands have presented a liability and construction timing risk to companies, real estate developers, oil and gas companies and other parties constructing buildings, roads, pipelines, oil and gas exploration and production activities, among many others. Failure to understand and manage these issues had resulted in fines, litigation, and extensive delays in construction. Planning ahead,  more...

Students With Disabilities: How to Legally Discipline ...uently the subject of student disciplinary proceedings in public school districts. It is imperative that public school district officials understand the obligations imposed by the statutes and how to fulfill these obligations. This live audio conference will help the person responsible for overseeing and/or training individuals relative to the discipline of disabled students understand the  more...

Problems and Risks Associated With Green Construction ...public hears many benefits of pursuing environmental building, aka green or sustainable design and construction, as this emerging market segment continues to expand. Diverse owner/developer groups are embracing these modern technologies, design elements and operational models. However, when packaged together, green design strategies and systems can present unique new challenges in risk and  more...

Making Shared Services Work BenefitsLocal governments across the country are looking for more efficient ways to deliver services in these lean times. In addition to internal budget and efficiency initiatives, many governments are looking to partner with other governments or the private sector in an effort to reduce costs while maintaining service quality. These approaches include contracting, privatization, functional  more...

Effective UCC Search Strategies to Minimize Risk ...r lien or security interest. Liens generally must be made public in some way - usually by a filing in a public office - in order to enjoy priority, so prospective lenders and creditors will want to search for those liens. Notwithstanding the recent revisions to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the law that governs most consensual security interests, lien searching remains an art.  more...

Turbidity Control and Testing on Construction Sites ...ch will replace the 2008 Construction General Permit. The public notice period expired July 11, 2011. The 2008 Construction General Permit will expire February 15, 2012. Turbidity (cloudiness or haziness of a fluid) is an important parameter used to evaluate the impact of construction sites on the waters of the United States. The Construction General Permit will require the sample collection  more...

Pupil Records: Best Practices Concerning Access, Release, Content and Storage of Educational Documents ...te agencies, federal agencies, parents and members of the public. This live audio conference will provide school officials, parents, school staff and school lawyers with an overview of the laws relating to access, release, content and storage of student records. The live audio conference will define the rules as well as the exceptions and provide pragmatic advice for how to ensure compliance  more...

Current Issues in Billboard Leases ... effort or in some instances by the local government as a public service informational effort. With all these conflicting points of view, the documents that govern billboards by their nature can be a complex, unique form of real estate transaction. Knowledge of the varying forms of documents, issues that arise, and disparate positions with regard to billboards, are invaluable to counsel who  more...

Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis for Nonprofits BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide you with an overview of nonprofit financial statements and both external and internal nonprofit financial reporting concepts. We will focus on the primary users of nonprofit financial statements and the key differences between nonprofit and for-profit financial statements and reporting. This program will explore the fundamental accounting concepts  more...

Drafting a Green Ordinance: Case Study ...public support for sustainable initiatives are driving local governments to respond affirmatively with the adoption of green codes - local ordinances that mandate and incentivize more efficient forms of development. Unfortunately, there are few good models to follow and little operating experience to judge what works and what will not. There is an obvious need for real world, practical, and  more...

Bikeway Design Principles, Planning, and Best Practices BenefitsBicycling is gaining popularity in the United States as a recreational activity and a utilitarian mode of transportation. By expanding their bikeway networks, cities throughout the US have increased bicycle ridership and broadened the transportation options available in their community. However, significant barriers to bicycling keep many could-be riders off of their bikes. Additionally,  more...

Bankruptcy Section 363: Purchasing Distressed Assets ...ed and overleveraged companies. Lower valuations for both public and private companies, the limited access to growth capital for potential sellers and the build up over the last couple of years of 'dry powder' at investment funds present a perfect combination of increasing buy-side demand and seller-side supply creating conditions for a frothy future market for distressed sales and  more...

How to Design Parking Lots That Work BenefitsThis live audio conference will be of great benefit to architects, engineers, developers and contractors. You will learn how to acquire a potential property, how to design and maintain surface parking lots. We will not only devote time to surface features, such as pavements, drainage and striping, but will also discuss the importance of paying attention to soil preparation and pavement  more...

GASB 45 Strategies BenefitsThis live audio conference is critical for any governmental employer with other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities. The program will provide vital information and planning techniques that will enable employers to avoid the potentially disastrous consequences of failing to identify, control and fund its OPEB liabilities. Most states, municipalities and governmental agencies are  more...

Social Networking and Electronic Communications: Issues for Public Schools ...nt and employee use of social media in the context of the public school arena and discuss the limitations of school authority to regulate individual speech. Discussion will conclude with practical suggestions for establishing clear expectations for both students and employees and developing best practices for managing teacher and student use of social media and social networking sites. This  more...

Municipal Finance Fundamentals ...ins and prudent investors should know the fundamentals of public finance. This live audio conference will help you understand the municipal securities market. It describes their nature, their benefits and their limitations. This audio conference also provides you with an overview of the items for which you should be looking in order to allow the ability to understand various aspects of a  more...

Shop Drawings and Other Construction Submittals: Legal and Architectural Perspectives ...and an architect who specializes in the design of complex public and institutional buildings. This live audio conference is a must for anyone involved in construction projects. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to define RFI's. - You will be able to discuss how to handle disputed change order requests. - You will be able to recognize the difference between change orders vs. construction  more...

Planning for Renewable Incentives in 2011 and Beyond BenefitsThe grant in lieu of tax credits under section 1603 of the ARRA has been both a lifesaver and a game changer. However, section 1603 is likely to disappear after 2011 unless construction has begun on a project before then. This live audio conference will focus first on what is required to 'begin construction' under section 1603, and will feature Victoria McDowell of the Treasury Department.  more...

Closing Budget Gaps With Asset Sales ... will provide insight on the European-UK model of private-public sector partnerships where assets are sold to a special purpose entity and the financial risk of design, construction, operation and management of government assets and services is shifted to investors. This live audio conference is designed for state and municipal officials, city managers and administrators, board members,  more...

Strategies to Overcome the Presumption of Guilt ... proof is on the prosecution, not the defendant. Constant publicity in the media, and in political campaigns, about the necessity to 'crack-down on crime' makes this more of a challenge than ever. Prosecutors often make the challenge greater by getting out-front early with press conferences and 'perp-walks', exposing the defendant to negative publicity, especially in high-profile cases. This  more...

Understanding UCC Article 9 Foreclosures ... UCC Article 9 may be the right option. If appropriate, a public auction, private sale or friendly foreclosure under Article 9 may provide a quick and relatively inexpensive resolution. The UCC foreclosure process contains some pitfalls you need to avoid and obstacles that should be addressed. However, with careful planning, these issues can be addressed and the risks minimized. This audio  more...

Pervious Pavement Alternatives BenefitsPorous pavements are becoming one of the most important tools for meeting nonpoint source pollution goals, building low-impact developments and rehabilitating cities in a sustainable manner. However designers, developers and municipal officials are reluctant to use porous pavements until numerous questions about their practicality and feasibility are answered. This audio conference conveys  more...

Construction Lien and Bond Claims in Texas ...ategies for tackling lien and bond issues for private and public projects. Owners will learn how to protect property from unperfected liens - and what steps to take if they do arise. Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers will learn how to efficiently collect payment for work performed or materials provided. Attorneys will learn how to deal with perfection issues in the litigation and  more...

The Essentials of Wastewater Grit Removal BenefitsWastewater treatment plant personnel and consulting engineers have a common desire, select a grit removal system to remove as much grit as possible from their operations. A properly designed and operated grit removal system prevents grit build up in unit processes, scouring and plugging in lines, and fouling of diffusers and membranes, all while preserving the intended service life of the  more...

Funding Trusts in Estate Planning ...for creating such a trust, i.e., avoiding probate and the public disclosure of assets. This audio conference will provide an overview of the mechanics of contributing property to revocable trusts, and the timing and tax consequences of funding testamentary and irrevocable trusts. It will be a helpful introduction to those who will be assisting clients with funding trusts, and a solid refresher  more...

Structuring Renewable Energy Projects in Challenging Conditions ...re how to analyze the effects of tax incentives and other public policy support for renewable energy, including how to develop leveraged flip and lease structures. Learning Objectives - You will be able to identify risk assessment and mitigation in renewable energy projects. - You will be able to explain renewable project financial analysis and modeling. - You will be able to recognize  more...

LEED Credits That Don't Break the Bank! BenefitsLEED project teams often fail to harvest the incentives and rebates that are commonly available to high-performing buildings. Furthermore, teams rarely plan ahead and build the incentive opportunities into their design and construction strategies to ensure that all available dollars are captured. This results in projects going over budget, designers having to choose sub-par systems as a  more...

Grant Management for Grant Recipients BenefitsJoin Edward T. Waters, Esq., an attorney with nationally recognized expertise in federal grants law, to review the essential elements of federal grants and subgrants from a legal perspective. Learn about the fundamentals of grant administration followed by a discussion of urban myths - that is, commonly misunderstood provisions of federal grants - and sharks in the waters, high-risk areas  more...

New Disclosures Required on the Credit Quality of Finance Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses under FASB ASU 2010-2 ...d to financial institutions. It applies to all companies, public and private, and with few exceptions to all financing receivables. A financing receivable is a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset by a company. Examples of financing receivables include loans, trade accounts receivable, notes receivable, credit card  more...

Options Under Section 504 ...Public and private educational facilities receiving any federal monetary assistance (and, arguably, other forms of aid) are obligated to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This comprehensive statute imposes a number of obligations on such recipients of federal aid regarding disabled students and employees. An educational facility's failure to comply with Section 504 and  more...

Anatomy of a Natural Resources Damage Claim BenefitsNatural resources damage claims are an integral part of the environmental clean up and restoration process. Federal, state and tribal natural resource trustees have stepped-up their activities with respect to the natural resources damage assessments process and in their efforts to recover for alleged damages. Trustees are forging forward with assessment activities, involving themselves in  more...

Brownfield Redevelopment and LEED in 2010: What Happens When You Mix Green and Brown? ...ergy applications and evaluate how the site could attract public and private financial investment as the economy improves. In this challenging economic climate, buyers, credit tenants and long-term investors are increasingly likely to reward developers who apply these asset values, operational efficiencies and real estate development conditions as a condition of occupancy or investment. We  more...

EPA Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks: Recent Changes and Cleaning Up Contamination BenefitsMany developers, businesses and individuals encounter the opportunity to purchase land that has been previously contaminated by underground storage tanks. Many of these prospective purchasers are not aware of or do not understand the responsibilities and liabilities that can be associated with such a purchase. Even worse, most businesses and individuals underestimate the amount of time and  more...

Roadway Rights of Way: Understanding the Legal and Practical Issues BenefitsThis teleconference will provide comprehensive and useful information about rights of way, easements and issues related to their creation, use and liability. If you are a land surveyor responsible for determining property boundaries, an engineer involved in highway and roadway design, a governmental official affected by route location and selection, or an attorney involved in real estate  more...

Best Practices in Performance-Based Service Procurement ... correcting problems in service procurement. In both the public and private sectors, it benefits the buying organization in many ways when done right. Performance-based procurement reduces buyer involvement and provides stronger solutions for unsatisfactory efforts. It creates competition, innovation and efficiency, as well as improved customer and bottom line satisfaction. The buying  more...

Competitive Public Bidding and Public Contract Code in Florida ...r understand the requirements to effectively compete in a public procurement. By reviewing the Florida statutes, ordinances, regulations and case law applicable to government contracts, you will ensure you are positioned to become an awardee for government contracts, how to defend such contracts under the law and how to successfully challenge the award of such contracts to your competitors.  more...

Public/Private Partnerships: Major Infrastructure and Other Development Projects ...public/private partnership, or P3, has recently emerged as one of the latest buzz words in the development area. States and local governments are struggling with resource limitations and ever increasing demands of infrastructure. The involvement of the private sector offers an enticing solution for meeting massive infrastructure needs. At the same time, P3s provide an opportunity for developers  more...

California Water Law Update: Rights, Transfers and Supply Assessments BenefitsAs California surface waters become more and more burdened, the utilization and management of groundwater within the state has increased dramatically. Groundwater management is a key, if not the key, to the provision of potable water in the 21st Century. This teleconference will discuss California groundwater basics, its allocation and its future in providing water to many within  more...

Implementing An Indoor Air Quality/Construction Hygiene Plan BenefitsIn the past, organizations developed management plans to help reduce damage to building materials during construction. Following the appearance of mold and water intrusion as a significant threat to construction projects, construction hygiene plans began to emerge in the early 2000s. Today, sustainability plays a key role in most new construction and large-scale renovations projects. To  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases BenefitsThe wireless industry has built more than 250,000 cell sites in the United States in the past 20 years. But many more cell sites are needed as iPhones, iPads and the like strain existing network capacity with data, email, computer and video applications, as well as to fill gaps in coverage. New cell sites and significant modifications to existing cell sites will also be needed due to the  more...

Groundwater Control and Dewatering Methods BenefitsThe handling of groundwater is among the most complex of all construction problems. Controlling groundwater at construction excavations can be a critical matter when groundwater halts construction jobs or threatens bankruptcy of the project. Groundwater management falls into two major categories, either handling the groundwater before it enters the excavation or handling it after it enters  more...

Contractor's Dilemma of Dealing With Bad Plans and Specs ...ambiguous or conflicting plans and specifications on both public and private construction projects. Knowing what options are available and what you can or should do to mitigate damages, address the problem and pursue or protect the parties' rights will assist you when you inevitably encounter bad plans. Learning Objectives - You will be able to define the different roles between the owner,  more...

Public Disclosure and Transparency: The New Form 990 BenefitsExempt organizations are subject to a variety of restrictions under the Internal Revenue Code regarding their lobbying and advocacy efforts. The new and redesigned Form 990 is intended to capture the level of these activities by exempt organizations. With the increased focus and disclosure of the activities of exempt organizations, organizations need to understand the limitations on these  more...

Reverse Auctions: Current Issues and Opportunities ... sector and in saving precious budgetary resources in the public sector. How can you achieve 5 to 20 percent or more savings on much of what your organization spends on products and services? The answer is quite simple - look at where you can effectively apply reverse auctioning in your procurement operations. This teleconference will provide an executive briefing on how to bring the power of  more...

Reporting and Disclosure Requirements Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ...sk potential financial and legal penalties in addition to public scrutiny. These include monitoring and reporting requirements and, by virtue of receiving funds, potential exposure to governmental audit requirements. This teleconference will address these monitoring and reporting requirements, and the potential noncompliance penalties associated with ARRA funds. We will discuss lessons  more...

Perpetual Pavement Design and Sustainability ...ad construction is becoming increasingly important as the public demands more sustainable practices and economic considerations make sustainable solutions more attractive. Asphalt pavements are widely recognized as being sustainable because they can be recycled easily and effectively, but an even more sustainable practice is to ensure the long life of a pavement in place. Perpetual pavements  more...

Sustainable Design and LEED Specification Requirements BenefitsThe project specifications are part of a legal contract that describe the quality of materials, the quality of workmanship and the administrative processes required for the contractor to deliver a building that meets the owners requirements. One of these requirements may be LEED certification. This teleconference will give you an understanding of the importance of the Division 1  more...

Illinois Accessibility Codes BenefitsIn order to address the needs of constituents with disabilities throughout the state, Illinois developed their own accessibility code. This is required to be enforced by all municipalities. While there are a number of applicable accessibility codes that may need to be addressed, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the International  more...

New Jersey s Rehabilitation Subcode ...pgrades and meeting the tougher ventilation standards for public and commercial buildings. - You will be able to explain why some things are grandfathered and others are not. - You will be able to describe code upgrades for historic buildings. - You will be able to discuss New Jersey's Rehabilitation Subcode. This teleconference is designed for engineers, city administrators, county and  more...

Understanding, Preventing and Addressing Well Performance Issues BenefitsThe demand for reliable clean water continues to grow across the country and one of the most common sources is ground water. The most important component in a ground water based supply system is the wells used to extract water from underground aquifers. Maintaining the long-term performance of wells requires an understanding of the factors that effect well performance. Problems with well  more...

Developing Storm Water Utilities and Impact Fee Programs ... funding for management systems that are supported by the public. This teleconference will provide guidance for securing elected official, senior management and public support for a utility, defining an effective storm water management program, identifying and analyzing adequate revenue sources to reliably support the program, and implementing a storm water utility and impact fee program.  more...

Common Principles for Successful Design-Build Projects ...lity of a successful project in either the private or the public sector and how to select an appropriate contract format. Learning Objectives - You will be able to explain potential risks in design-build. - You will be able to review and apply design-build in the public sector. - You will be able to define and compile contract provisions. - You will be able to describe and integrate project  more...

EPA's Rules on Compensatory Mitigation for Impact on Wetlands, Streams and Other Waters ...ements for the information in a permit application and in public notices. This teleconference will describe the new rules, explain the most important changes from the old rules and give you practical tips on complying with the new approach to compensatory mitigation - a must for developers, consultants and attorneys in the field. Learning Objectives - You will be able to explain the purpose of  more...

The FLSA Comp Time Controversy ...er how the FLSA views the use of comp time in relation to public agencies and private corporations. Under most circumstances, comp time is allowed by the FLSA for public agencies; however, a private corporation may have a labor agreement that outlines the specific award and use of comp time in place of financial compensation. Comp Time should not be confused with flex time and this  more...

Not in My Backyard (NIMBY): Overcoming Development Resistance ...ian who annoys enough people will be voted out of office, public officials started listening to them - and the process of deciding who gets to build what, where, was politicized. Today, land use decisions are political decisions. If a contentious development plan is to overcome opposition and win the approval of political decision makers, the proponents must first understand the local politics.  more...

Political Law Update: The Latest Developments in Election Law, Lobbyist Regulation and Political Activity Compliance ...creasingly using the honest services statute to prosecute public officials; and this term the Supreme Court heard three cases challenging the statute are a few examples. This teleconference will assess the lay of the land in this hot and evolving legal field, explain the regulatory schemes that apply, highlight new legal developments and suggest approaches to compliance. This 90-minute tour of  more...

Low-Impact Development Maintenance and Upkeep Techniques BenefitsThroughout the country new storm water regulations are requiring the control of runoff peak flow rates, runoff volume and water quality. To meet these requirements, engineers and planners are implementing low impact development concepts into their site development plans. This results in the use of many complex storm water BMPs such as bioinfiltration systems, infiltration basins,  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems BenefitsDue to drought, climate change, groundwater over-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it,  more...

Current Issues in CEQA ...to the guidelines, issues and concerns of the private and public sectors, and how this will affect future projects within California. We will also discuss recent CEQA decisions which provide a nascent view into how courts are dealing with greenhouse gas issues under CEQA. Finally, we will present 2009 CEQA decisions impacting development of projects within the state. Learning Objectives - You  more...

Overdraft Opt-Ins: Protecting Your Bank Under Regulation E ...public criticism and high-profile litigation relating to overdraft fees, the Federal Reserve Board revised Regulation E to give consumers the right to limit overdraft costs associated with certain transactions by giving consent or opting-in to a financial institutions overdraft program. Financial institutions must comply with the new regulation by July 1, 2010. This important teleconference  more...

Leasing Public Infrastructure ...public infrastructure assets has been popular in Europe and Latin America but is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. During the first part of this decade, the financing of public infrastructure through public/private partnership concession and lease agreements became increasingly popular. Although these transactions have slowed during the recent financial crisis, once federal  more...

How to Successfully Identify, Propose, Win and Manage Government Contracts BenefitsSmall and medium-sized businesses often experience difficulty conducting business with the federal government. They also do not know of the many tools and resources at their disposal. This teleconference provides those responsible for or trying to penetrate the federal government market space with valuable insight into the intricacies of the federal government acquisition lifecycle. It  more...

De-Escalation Tactics When Responding to Individuals with Mental Illnesses ...chniques are enhanced, if they become necessary. When the public is witness to successful verbal de-escalation, they better understand and respect the challenges facing an officer, which contributes to future officer safety. Successful verbal de-escalation also sets a precedent with emotionally disturbed people who are likely to have many encounters with law enforcement officers. At the next  more...

AIA Document A401 BenefitsConstruction subcontract agreements are often given less strategic consideration than prime contract documents. Whereas the prime contract may be analyzed and negotiated for an extended period, the subcontract may be pulled from an older project and put in place with a simple name change and scope of work change. Failure to consider the subcontract strategically may prove disastrous.  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems BenefitsDue to drought, climate change, groundwater over-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it,  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

Pervious Concrete - The Pavement That Drinks! BenefitsPervious concrete is an innovative building material with many environmental, economic and structural advantages. The proper use of pervious concrete is a recognized best management practice by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for providing first-flush pollution control and storm water management. Property owners and developers can also reduce fees and enhance the bottom line by  more...

CERCLA Liability Update BenefitsConventional wisdom (and EPA policy) has provided that any person shipping hazardous materials to a disposal facility will end up being jointly and severally liable, with all other entities shipping materials to the facility, for any costs of cleaning up contamination at the facility. Likewise, conventional wisdom and EPA policy have informed up that manufacturers or producers who deal  more...

Preparing for the Unexpected Departure of Key Employees: An Introduction to Replacement Planning ...public or private, have functioning replacement plans in case of the disastrous loss of key people to death, disability, sudden resignation or the potential threatened loss in hostage-taking situations. Replacement planning is not the same thing as succession planning or talent management, though many organizational leaders confuse them. This teleconference helps you understand the key  more...

Influenza: Seasonal to Pandemic ...a continues to be a regular challenge for health care and public health personnel. However, the events of April 2009 changed our perception of influenza when a novel Influenza A strain emerged and produced the first pandemic in almost 50 years. This teleconference will explore the changing influenza strains and the illnesses that result. You will come away enabled to better protect yourself and  more...

Emerging Trends in Infrastructure Finance - The Stimulus and Beyond ...dable 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 in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom have long recognized the need to look for  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control BenefitsRain 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  more...

Asphalt vs. Concrete: Selection and Design Considerations BenefitsToday, asphalt and concrete receive equal consideration by engineers. Improvements in pavement technology have largely eliminated the ruts that once plagued asphalt and cracks that spoiled concrete. Choosing a material is a matter of economics that considers life span, maintenance requirements, and road closure time. Learn the pros and cons of choosing each material; design considerations  more...

Impact of Confidentiality Rules in Bankruptcy Proceedings ...st the assumption that a bankrupt's financial affairs are public. Since 2005, creditor committees have similarly confronted their statutory obligation to share information with creditors with their practical duties in working through a Chapter 11. This teleconference will provide both a relevant overview of the statutory and rule setting, as well as practical examples of orders and agreements  more...

Opt-Out Incentives and Other Cost Cutting Measures for Health Plans ...bate regarding health care reform has highlighted for the public what employers have known for years - health care is expensive. Employers have for years looked for creative ways to alleviate double digit annual increases in the cost of health coverage provided to its employees. Employers have toggled deductibles and co-payments, and they have implemented wellness programs and consumer driven  more...

Current Issues in Digital Billboards and Sign Regulations BenefitsLocal governments, elected officials, municipal lawyers, zoning and building officials, and professional planners face increasing litigation threats due to the proliferation of digital signs. One national expert has predicted a wave of litigation at localities across the country that is trying to maintain attractive communities and prevent visual blight. What is the role of the Federal  more...

Access Management Design and Development ...ess 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 site can  more...

Traffic Management for Construction Work Zones: Unique Challenges and Solutions ...nt in construction work zones and how this relates to the public. This teleconference is critical so you can ensure your field staff understands the requirements to successfully meet and prepare traffic management requirements. Learning Objectives - You will be able to review risk reduction. - You will be able to discuss traffic signal modifications. - You will be able to explain the traffic  more...

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...

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...

Clean Air Act Update BenefitsU.S. businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty as to future requirements under the Clean Air Act and an array of new programs addressing stationary and mobile emission sources. The Obama Administration and Congress are poised to usher in a new era of greenhouse gas and energy regulation. At the same time, the Obama EPA is confronting a bewildering array of court-ordered regulatory  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 ERISA Fiduciary Issues for Financial Institutions BenefitsFinancial institutions have long been faced with difficult and complicated issues under ERISA's fiduciary rules. The current economic downturn has given rise to a new round of legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding ERISA's fiduciary rules and has more generally affected the manner in which ERISA may affect financial institutions. In addition, the regulatory environment continues  more...

Nonprofit Gift Acceptance Policies BenefitsFundraising is hard enough without running into the legal, accounting and practical pitfalls inherent in some types of gifts! A comprehensive gift acceptance policy can help an organization avoid these pitfalls, enhance its donor relationships and run a more successful development program. This teleconference will address the issues that should be covered in a basic gift acceptance policy  more...

From TV to Twitter: Working With the Media During a Crisis ...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 surviving a crisis depends on your ability to respond quickly, to communicate with authority and to demonstrate leadership. Are you ready to survive a crisis - and the media attention that goes with it? This  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...

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...

Principles Of Erosion And Sediment Control BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you an overview of the soil erosion processes and control. Specific attention will be paid to basic processes and on how to use an understanding of those basics to analyze control structures, practices and procedures, especially for new applications and failed installations. Emphasis will be placed on water erosion, but will also cover other topics from the  more...

Determining the Best Service Delivery Options for Public Works and Utility Projects: In-House or Contract? ...nd-bolts approach with examples to help you determine how public works services should be structured and delivered to gain the greatest financial and operational benefits for your community. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss alternative service delivery approaches. - You will be able to list examples of creative uses of contracts to gain efficiency and effectiveness. - You will  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...

Ground Failures and Other Groundwater-Related Property Damage BenefitsOne ground failure can destroy your professional reputation or decimate your life savings. A ground failure doesn't have to make the national news to be a catastrophic loss to a property owner. Ground failure mechanisms come in many forms - landslides, sinkholes, soil expansion, bedrock heave, soil collapse, erosion - all of which typically include water as a major contributing factor.  more...

Slope Stabilization: Best Practices and Challenges BenefitsThis teleconference will address the types of slope stabilization failures and techniques used to avoid failures by the application of best practices. There are well-established engineering principles for the design and maintenance of stable slopes. This teleconference summarizes practices to overcome challenges to enhance slope stability. Many engineers are faced with challenges to  more...

Recent Trends in CPA Technology ...role in how we do business today. Whether you practice in public, private, education, government or in any other role, this program will give you some insight as to where technology is at and where it will be tomorrow. This teleconference will provide you with the knowledge that you need to make the right decision when it comes to new technology deployment. Accountants, tax managers, CFOs,  more...

Climate Change and Federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules BenefitsOn October 30, 2009, EPA published the Greenhouse Gasa Reporting Rule, which required approximately 10,000 facilities in a broad range of industrial and manufacturing sectors to begin monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The rule is intended to inform EPA policy decisions, including possible new source performance standards for GHGs under the Clean Air Act. This  more...

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Excellent ADA Facilities within the Public Right-of-Way ...iance with the Americans with Disabilities Act within the public right-of-way to be a difficult goal to achieve. This teleconference will provide proven techniques that will increase the chances of fully completing the ADA facilities the first time without costly mistakes or retrofits. This practical approach coordinates the survey, design, inspection and construction of ADA facilities and  more...

Stormwater Management for TMDLs BenefitsTotal Maximum Daily Loads are increasingly identifying stormwater as a significant or even major source of loading to impaired waters. Stormwater loading is difficult to identify and quantify even when regulated stormwater dischargers exist in the system. Often, TMDLs that include stormwater loading allocations give target reductions in loading, but give little guidance as to how to obtain  more...

Splits, SNTs and Public Benefits: Understanding the Complexities of Special Needs Planning in Divorces ...ties of special needs planning, despite the importance of public benefit programs to their clients and their families. This teleconference not only helps you understand the detailed public benefit programs available to your clients, but it also explains advocacy opportunities and solutions to difficult planning situations involving families with special needs. Attorneys, estate planners,  more...

Understanding Design and Construction Defects ...orney and an architect who focus on the design of complex public and institutional buildings. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss typical causes of construction defects. - You will be able to describe insurance coverage. - You will be able to review common predictors of design and construction defects. - You will be able to recognize liability and damages of construction  more...

Board Governance ...th increased scrutiny from legislators, the press and the public, it is imperative that tax-exempt organizations meet the best practices and requirements in terms of their organization and operation. Those involved with governing, guiding and counseling tax-exempt organizations need to be fully informed of the complex rules and operating requirements pertaining to them. This teleconference will  more...

Best Practices in Budget Development and Analysis ...partment heads, externally with council members and other public stakeholders. This teleconference will provide budget preparers with a comprehensive framework for preparing the budget to meet the realities of revenue constraints, set priorities, build consensus, and avoid unproductive budget negotiations. You will learn how to invest your time upfront to gather the data and other information,  more...

Decentralized Wastewater Solutions ...g driven by the cost of land. Because the availability of public sewers is a major contributor to this development cost, alternative solutions for wastewater management are critical to the design of environmentally attractive open space developments. Decentralized, on-site wastewater management provides an alternative that breaks the economic binds placed on developers and allows sensible land  more...

Suicidology: Your Responsibilities for Protecting Your Clients and the Public BenefitsThe assessment of suicidality is among the most important functions exercised by mental health professionals. The imperative of keeping the client safe constitutes not only the most important initial clinical objective, but is at the core of good risk management. Research continues to help clinicians predict suicidal behavior in the individual with increasing accuracy. However, there is no  more...

Concrete Structural Repair Methods BenefitsInterested in learning more or in refreshing your knowledge about the nuts and bolts of concrete? Besides being the most popular and versatile building construction material, concrete can also be the most complicated to work with. As such, anyone involved in the construction process should have a working knowledge of concrete material issues. This teleconference is a comprehensive overview  more...

Current Issues in Development Impact Fees ...singly dominant role in the development approval process. Public agencies, from cities to regional air quality regulators to local sanitation districts, increasingly depend upon fee-type revenues not only to address needs for public facilities directly attributable to new development but also to sustain infrastructure commitments and to mitigate indirect impacts of development on parts of the  more...

Basics of Reverse Osmosis for Brackish Groundwater Treatment nMany professionals in membrane desalination design, operation and maintenance are faced with the difficult task of keeping current on the rapidly changing technology. Reverse osmosis membrane products change as the suppliers introduce new models. How and when to best apply these products and what features and benefits they offer must be analyzed before optimum performance can be realized.  more...

Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance BenefitsAvoid costly permit violations and problems meeting storm water discharge benchmark criteria with proper inspection and maintenance of BMPs. Storm water best management practices require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure long-term proper function. Inspections are the most effective way to detect and avoid potential problems before they become a liability. This teleconference  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...

Water Well Rehabilitation - Technical Considerations and Economic Advantages nThe decline of global economic conditions has discouraged high-volume water well owners, including municipalities, water companies, industrial entities and other large well owners, from incurring the cost of installing new wells. However, the decline of the economy has not reduced the requirement of water purveyors and other well owners to provide a safe and dependable supply of high-quality  more...

Management and Protection of Wetland Buffers nBuffers are upland or riparian areas that separate wetlands or other aquatic resources from upland areas, which are often found in developed or agricultural states. They are very critical to the ecological integrity of the wetlands and typically consist of native plant communities that reflect the local landscape and ecology. They perform a variety of habitat functions for wildlife and other  more...

More Affordable and Sustainable Communities: The Role of Good Design for Workforce Housing ...rs and future residents. To avoid lengthy and contentious public review procedures, these methods have proven to help expedite the design and public review process, saving time and money for developers, and resulting in developments that better meet the needs of the residents. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to design for density. n- You will be able to combine sociocultural  more...

Community Benefit Agreements ...public participation in the planning process, promote smart growth and environmental justice goals, and bring neighborhoods, local governments, and private interests together to make development projects more sustainable, transparent and accountable. Negotiating a CBA can be a win-win solution for community groups and developers. The community receives assurances about job benefits, affordable  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...

Floodproofing Fundamentals: Design Methods to Reduce Flood Damages ... the risk of flood damages to residential, commercial and public buildings. We will review basic design methods and techniques used to minimize or eliminate damage to new and existing buildings, contents and utility equipment. This teleconference is a must for agencies and companies that are responsible for designing and planning to protect structures and operations from flood damage. n  more...

Key Provisions of Two New EJCDC Contract Documents ... the construction industry for design and construction of public and private infrastructure projects, including bridge, highway and other transportation projects, water and wastewater treatment facilities, utilities, processing facilities, pipelines, landfills, and other engineer-designed facilities. This teleconference will provide a focused discussion of key provisions of the new editions of  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success ...ry delays, lost productivity, added project costs and bad public relations. This teleconference will provide you with practical strategies for identifying and controlling negative impacts to the surrounding community and environment. The teleconference will cover the most common nuisance complaints and methods to avoid each, including noise, air quality, vibration, water resource and erosion  more...

Roundabouts: Planning, Design Principles and Current Practices ...sist you with proper roundabout implementation for better public 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  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...

Share-Based Compensation - Impact of Recent Events on the Use of Equity Compensation nExecutive compensation continues to be a hot topic across many industries. Recent changes in share-based compensation rules, principally the changes to Financial Accounting Standards 123(R) [FAS 123(R)], and market uncertainty and declines have led to significant changes in how companies and executives view the role and the value of equity as part of an overall compensation package. Join our  more...

Hot Topics for 501(c)(3) Organizations nThere has been a lot of talk about the revised Form 990 and it's finally here! Whether you love it or loathe it, you can't put it off any longer. We will spend a majority of the time talking about some of the hot-button issues that the new form raises both in terms of simple compliance and in communicating with and involving your board. But wait, there's more! After this teleconference, you'll  more...

Employee Retaliation: Supreme Court Update nThe mere mention of retaliation in the workplace today sends waves of concern throughout an employer's organization. Most recent court decisions recognize retaliation claims in nearly all areas of employment law and find adverse actions in a variety of circumstances, beyond demotion and termination, for purposes of upholding such claims. Most significantly, the U.S. Supreme Court recently  more...

On-Site Power Generation: Challenges, Opportunities and New Developments ...y, defense and government facilities; certain security or public safety related projects, including 911 call centers, emergency or disaster response centers; airport air traffic control towers; and other critical transportation centers. The common theme of these facilities is the need for highly reliable and stable power systems to support critical functions. n nMission critical actually  more...

Current Trends in Transit-Oriented Development ...s. TOD provides a new investment opportunity for both the public and private sectors as our cities are faced with the challenges of rapid price fluctuations in oil, traffic congestion and stagnating real estate markets. TODs are attractive, vibrant communities that include a mix of uses including residential, retail and office within a 5- to 10-minute walk of commuter train stations. Emerging  more...

Obtaining and Sustaining a Tax-Exempt Status nIn today's environment, the pressure on tax-exempt organizations to comply with the tax rules is greater than ever. In this teleconference, you'll learn the difference between nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, how an organization qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, how to distinguish between private foundation and public charities, how to understand the benefits of public charity  more...

Implementing Green Initiatives in Government ...Public agencies across the country are implementing green mandates and determining the best routes to meet their objectives in an efficient and effective manner. Green experts and experienced agencies are sharing their best practices and information so as to help other public agencies reap the benefits of their tested proven methodologies. Register for this teleconference and gain access to a  more...

Sustainable Development and Land Use: The Future is Here and it is Green ...g codes. This teleconference will identify the compelling public policies underpinning the wave of green building requirements, discuss green building practices, and explore how they are becoming part of the mandatory land use and zoning requirements in many United States jurisdictions. Pending and likely future developments will be discussed with an eye toward new policies and funding sources  more...

Issues Surrounding Student Discipline nStudent discipline impacts a student's civil and contractual rights, and it remains an area of potential liability for school districts relative to those rights. Of course, a failure to observe proper procedures and processes could also result in a reviewing body, reversing the discipline imposed in a particular case, thereby causing a substantial disruption of the educational process. Developing  more...

Internet Techniques for Locating Lost Relatives ...g a basic research plan. There are many online resources, public and private, that can be used for a search. This teleconference will cover the types of records, the quality of information in those records and statutory considerations affecting the availability and use of records. After the search is completed and a lost relative is located, considerations about the types of outreach and  more...