Articles

 20^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 25, 2024

• A Trip Down Memory Lane: O&O’s First 50 Years | John J. Hightower :: Bio :: Video
• Lactation Legislation!! | Jim D. Robinson :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Leading with Vision, Purpose and Humility | Jason Cunningham :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Thinking Outside of the PIA Box | Bridgette A. Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Crisis Communication in Low Trust/High Concern Situations | Dennis Winkler :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Nepotism | Daniel Sylvia & Carlos A. Dedios :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Adapting to the New F-5 Procedures | Brian J. Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Working with Your Delinquent Tax Attorney to Clean Up Your City | Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Understanding Your Audit(s) | Mike Brotherton :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Legal Ethics Takes a Trip to the Movies | Andrea Chan :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things | Judge Ed Emmett :: Bio :: Video
• Conflicts of Interest | Philip J. Boedeker :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• GLO Recovery and Funding | Melissa Washington :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Ethical Pitfalls with Garrity v. New Jersey | Larry P. McDougal :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Substandard Structures & Nuisance Abatement | Scott Lemond :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Mental Health of Police Officers | Dr. Stephen Tate :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Partnerships, Alliances and Networks in Economic Development | Patti Worfe :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Preparing for the Hot Seat: Testimony Preparation | Denis Potvin & Paul Wyatt :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
 


 19^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 26, 2023

• Workplace Privacy Issues | Bridgette A. Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Financing Projects with Municipal Bonds | Derrick Mitchell :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Sign Regulations – Update | L. Scott Bounds :: Bio :: Video
• Open Meetings in the Post-Pandemic Era | Mary Ann Powell :: Bio :: Video
• Economic Development – ETJ Development | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Video
• Public Information Act – The Basics | Kevin McCormack :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Keynote Address | Christian D. Menefee, Harris County Attorney :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) – Virtual Gate | Ray Schultz :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Human Resources – Sexual Harassment Update | Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Video
• Abating Nuisance Properties – There’s Always One | Daniel Sylvia :: Bio :: Video
• Don’t Do The Crime If You Can’t Do The Time – Ethics | Tory Vonder Haar :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – Building Your Culture | Adrian Hernandez :: Bio :: Video
• Mental Health Awareness | Dawn Lawless :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• TCOLE – Who We Are and What We Do | Martina Lemond Dixon :: Bio :: Video
• Inadvertently Waiving Attorney/Client Privilege | Denis Potvin :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• The Future of Small Government Communications | Lora-Marie Bernard :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Eminent Domain – Procedural Pitfalls | Loren B. Smith :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Short-Term Rentals (AirBnB, VRBO) – What Regulations Work | Tommy S. Ramsey :: Bio :: Video

 

 18^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 20, 2022

• Embracing Different Generations | Eileen Begle, Katie Rutherford, Bridgette Begle :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Video (MP4, approx 2GB)
• What to Expect From Your City Attorney | Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Presentation
• Dealing with Opposing Counsel Ethically & Wisely | Bobby Lee & Jorge Garay :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
• Bankruptcy/Unsecured Creditors | Katherine Dubose :: Bio :: Presentation
• The Future of ETJs | Tad Cleaves :: Bio :: Presentation
• Rules of Order in Council Meetings | Bridgette Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
• How To Meet Statutory Mandates of PIA Without Drowning in Paperwork | Eric Farrar :: Bio :: Presentation
• EDC/TIRZ/Revitalization | Theo Melancon & Brandon Davis :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
• COVID-Related Employment Claims: What’s the Positivity Rate? | Katie Rutherford :: Bio :: Presentation
• Proper Use of Executive Sessions | Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation
• Current Status of Takings Law in Texas | Allison Killian :: Bio :: Presentation
• Keep Yourself Elected with Social Media | Lora-Marie Bernard :: Bio :: Presentation
• HB 1927: Texas Constitutional Carry | Denis Potvin & Paul Wyatt :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
• Wellbeing in a New Age – Post Pandemic | Erica Grigg :: Bio :: Presentation
• The Power of the Pool | Leah Simon :: Bio :: Presentation
• Mass Management: Challenges of Managing a Large Workforce | Jason Cunningham :: Bio :: Presentation
• When Does Inappropriate Language/ Behavior Cross the Line and What Do To About It? | Caroline Tom :: Bio :: Presentation
• Tips for Responding to EEOC Charges & Lawsuits | Stephanie Kerian :: Bio :: Presentation
• Background Checks and Due Diligence Regarding Applicants | Emily Brown :: Bio :: Presentation
• FML/ADA: Managing the Absent Employee | Eileen Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
• Demotions: Use Them or Lose Them | Brian Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
• Strategies for Positive Interactions Between Community Members and Police | J. Noe Diaz :: Bio :: Presentation
• Surviving Media Interviews | Jack Barnett :: Bio :: Presentation
• Taking Verbal Threats by the Public Seriously | Glen Reed :: Bio :: Presentation
• The Shaky Ground of Immunity | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation

 

 17^th Annual Local Government Seminar – July 13-14, 2021

• Day 1 Introduction by Sylvia Motes :: Video
• HR Strategies During Covid19 by Katie Rutherford :: Bio :: Resources :: Presentation :: Video
• Return to Normal by Brian Begle :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• The Unmasking of Texas by Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Day 2 Introduction by Sylvia Motes :: Video
• Attending Virtual Hearings by Holly Torres :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• How To Keep From Going Covid19 Crazy by Andrea Chan :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• ESDs and Sales Tax During Covid19 by Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• A Procurement Perspective by Guest Speaker Dietrich von Bidenfeld :: Bio :: Presentation :: Video
• Webinar Question And Answer :: PDF

 

 16^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 30, 2020 (Presentations available after day of Seminar.)

• Employee Engagement | Eileen Begle :: Bio :: Presentation
• Cyber Security | Derra Purnell :: Bio :: Presentation 
• How The Port of Houston Works With You | Shane Williams :: Bio :: Presentation
• Leaving a Legacy of Leadership | Mike Thaler :: Bio :: Presentation
• EDC 101 – What Is It? | Justin Pruitt :: Bio :: Presentation 
• Energy | Jim Cargas :: Bio :: Presentation
• Homelessness in Texas | Kelly Dempsey :: Bio :: Presentation
• EDC 101 – Managing It! | David Olson :: Bio :: Presentation
• The Antiquities Code of Texas and Why It Matters | Ashley Jones :: Bio :: Presentation
• F-5 Appeals | Jay Zhang & Brian Begle :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation 
• Properly Incentivizing Land Development | Tim Green :: Bio :: Presentation
• Recycling | Adrian Hernandez :: Bio :: Presentation
• The Heart & Duties of a Public Servant (ethics) | Jerri Yenne :: Bio
• Managing Your Claim with TML-IRP | Mike Rains :: Bio :: Presentation
• Flood Mitigation Planning and Funding | Rebecca Andrews :: Bio :: Presentation
• Statutory Regulations Pertaining to Accommodations for Nursing Mothers | Jim Robinson :: Bio 
• How To Make a Plaintiff Lawyer Rich: Mistakes by HR Professionals That Lead To Bad Results | Bobby Lee :: Bio :: Presentation
• Public Information Act Update for 2020 | Eric Farrar :: Bio :: Presentation
• ADA Misconceptions & FLSA Overtime Standards | Jay Zhang :: Bio :: Presentation
• Top 10 Active Lawsuits in the Municipal World | Loren Smith :: Bio :: Presentation
• No White Lies — Rules of Conduct (ethics) | Paul Wyatt & Denis Potvin :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
• Regulatory Takings | Allison Killian :: Bio :: Presentation
• Recruiting & Retaining Quality Personnel | Emily Brown, Brian Begle, Jay Zhang, and Bobby Lee :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Bio :: Presentation
• Linking Your City with the State Legislature | J.J. Rocha :: Bio :: Presentation
• Adopting Tax Rates – Senate Bill 2 | Sands Stiefer :: Bio :: Presentation

 

15^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 31, 2019

• Interviewing Tips | Eileen Begle :: Presentation | Paper
• Drinking the Kool-Aid: The Importance of Employee Buy-In to Organizational Culture | Dr. James Thurmond :: Presentation
• Health Care Benefits | David Kester :: Presentation
• State and Federal Resource | Joshua Owens :: Presentation
• Anti-SLAPP Statute | Allison Killian :: Presentation
• Alternative Dispute Resolution | Emily Brown :: Presentation
• Implicit Bias | Karen Singer :: Presentation
• Public Information Requests on Government Employees | Crystal Dozier & Doris Spear :: Presentation
• Laws You Didn’t Know Existed: Personnel Policy Musts | Loren Smith :: Presentation
• Social Media Issues | Derra Purnell :: Presentation
• CADs for Cities: Getting the Most Out of Your Appraisal District | Sands Stiefer :: Presentation
• Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow | Wendy Ellis :: Presentation
• What to Expect in the Next Legislative Session | Debbie Cartwright :: Presentation
• Killin’ Em with Kindness: A Guide to Civility  | Paul Wyatt & Denis Potvin :: Presentation
• Leadership Through Effective Communication | Ray Schulz :: Presentation
• Recent Developments in Chapter 271 Litigation | Eric Farrar :: Presentation
• Individual Liability Issues for Land Use Officials | John Hightower :: Presentation
• Heckler’s Veto & Social Media | Robert Higgason :: Presentation
• Chapter 614 Investigations | Gary Brye :: Presentation
• Operating a Combination Department | Lawrence Di Camillo :: Presentation
• Warrant Searches | Katie Leininger :: Presentation | Paper
• Staying on Schedule & Under Budget | Leonard Levine :: Presentation
• Utility Rates | Scott Bounds :: Presentation
• Records Retention and its Effects on Litigation  | Andrea Chan :: Presentation

 

13^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 19, 2017

• Creating a Candid Culture in the Workplace | Eileen Begle ::  Presentation | Paper
• Disaster Management | Art Pertile ::  Presentation | Paper
• Building Officials At Their Best | Randy Childers ::  Presentation
• Managing Change | Sereniah Breland ::  Presentation
• Aftermath Of Terminations | Loren Smith ::  Presentation
• Workplace Investigations | Zachary Allie ::  Presentation
• 7 Myths of Environmental Liability | Derra Mattina ::  Presentation | Paper
• When Legal Claims Arise | Andrea Chan ::  Presentation
• Hiring Wreckers: The Integrity Case | Eric Farrar ::  Presentation | Paper
• Police Fitness Testing | Lisa Coe and Billy Tidwell ::  Presentation
• Interagency Planning for Emergencies | Jim Turner ::  Presentation
• Legislative Updates | Sands L. Stiefer ::  Presentation | Paper
• What You Don’t Know About Code Adoptions Can Hurt You | Derra Mattina ::  Presentation | Paper
• Pitfalls In Enforcing Building Codes | Allison Poole and Scott Williams ::  Presentation

 

11^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 29, 2015

• Hostile Work Environment | Brian Begle
• Immunity in the Age of Ebola | Andrea Chan
• Internal Investigation Techniques | Kelly Dempsey and Brad Morefield
• ADA for Employers and Etiquette Chart | Eileen Begle
• Sovereign Immunity and Contracts | Eric Farrar
• Obtaining Water Rights | Bobby Gervais
• Recognizing the Client | David Olson
• Independent Contractors vs Employees | Dennis Potvin
• Unequal Taxation and What it Means for Your Budgets | G. Todd Stewart
• The Give and Take of Development Agreements | Mary Ann Powell and Kim Mickelson
• Tampering with a Governmental Document | Akilah Mance
• Ethical Issues for Public Employees | Art Pertile
• DEA Do’s and Don’ts for EMS | Kenneth Redding
• Managing Through Personal Crisis | Julie Robinson
• Effects of Legalization of Marijuana in the Workplace | Karen Singer and Loren Smith
• The Public Information Act | Barry Gaines

 

10^th Annual Local Government Seminar – January 2014

• Administrative Hearings: Basic Concepts | Brian Begle
• Curbing FMLA Abuse a/k/a What? The Employer has Rights, too? | Eileen C. Begle
• Ethical Requirements for Officers and Employees of Local Public Entities in Texas | Scott Bounds
• Disaster Management: Taking Action | Andrea Chan
• Service Animals in Public, Work, and Home: What is a Local Government to do? | Kelly Dempsey
• Attorney-Client Privilege | Eric C. Farrar
• Firearms and Municipal Regulation | Bobby Gervais
• Background Checks: How and Why We Need to Investigate Applicants | Donna Gray
• Practically Speaking – Public Information Act | Donna L. Johnson
• Political Advertising | Donna L. Johnson and Art Pertile
• Dancing Quorums: Reviewing Social Media | David W. Olson
• Guide to Internal Investigations | Denis Potvin and Paula Alexander
• Public Sector Volunteer vs Employee and the Fair Labor Standards Act | Karen G. Singer

 

Previous Articles

• Breaking Up is Hard to Do: What to do When its Time to Fire, 2013, Brian Begle
• Annexation Procedures and Pitfalls, 2005, Bill Olson
• The Commerce Clause and AdValorem Taxation of Gas, Oil, and Petroleum Products, Mario Dell’Osso
• HUD Fair Housing Act Claims, 2008, Scott Bounds
• Liability Risks Associated With Borrowed Employees, 2009 , John Hightower and Patricia L. Hayden
• Multidistrict Litigation and Its Potential Impact on Tax Code Cases, 2007, Mario Dell’Osso
• Open Government 2007, Mario Dell’Osso
• Recent State Cases of Interest to Cities, 2007 , Scott Bounds
• Removal and Remand: The Defendant’s Right to Choice of Forum, 2004 , John Hightower
• Removal and Remand of Suits Involving Governmental Entities, 2011, John Hightower
• Selected Issues in Land Use Litigation, 2007, John Hightower
• Texas Open Meetings Act, 2008 , Loren Smith
• Use of Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue , Bill Olson, Jr.