2026 Minnesota City Attorneys Annual Conference Agenda

This session offers a focused exploration of the legal and procedural intricacies of closing a meeting, meeting disruptions, and public comment, including recent legal challenges and compliance pitfalls. Gain practical insights from real-world examples and successes that will highlight how transparency and discretion can be effectively balanced. Learn about evolving digital tools to streamline public access, reduce costs, and enhance compliance in the digital era.
Presenters: Jason Kuboushek, Iverson Reuvers and Melissa Manderschied, City of Bloomington

The Office of Cannabis Management will provide an update on both cannabis and lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) licensing and speak on the interaction between local governments and applicants.
Presenters: Ruben Dominguez-Matheis, outreach coordinator, and Ryan Russell, legislative coordinator, Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management

2025 saw a seismic shift in federal policy for local governments. President Trump issued hundreds of executive orders — which were met with an almost equal number of legal challenges. The International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) has been tracking these developments, and this session will get you up to speed on a range of federal changes impacting local governments including federal funding; grant compliance; immigration’ diversity, equity, and inclusion; and other constitutional questions.
Presenter: Amanda Karras, executive director/general counsel, International Municipal Lawyers Association

This session will discuss areas where city attorneys can assist in setting up their city clients for success in defending against a civil lawsuit, including discussing adoption of policies, preservation of evidence, data practice claims, and contract reviews.
Presenter: Ryan Zipf, managing counsel, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust

The world of social media changes at lightning speed – and the rules and risks of usage and hosting on the various platforms seem to change just as fast. This session will provide an overview of the latest content and viewing trends, including how the rise of AI is impacting the social media landscape. While enjoying breakfast, you will also learn about the current state of the law — including how public officials can get into trouble operating personal social media sites — as well as the latest legal rulings, trends, and practices covering city–sponsored forums. 
Presenters: Farah Famouri, Greene Espel PLLP, Julie Liew, communications and events director, League of Minnesota Cities, and Jana O’Leary Sullivan, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered

Breakout session 1: Criminal Topic
TBD

Breakout session 2: Civil Topic

Is Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Right for Your Construction Project? Practical Tips and Lessons Learned from the CMAR Project Delivery Method
n 2023, the Minnesota Legislature authorized municipalities to use the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method of construction project delivery. This session will touch on the legal basis for CMAR and why and when CMAR is appropriate. It will provide practical tips and lessons learned from real-life CMAR projects currently in the construction phase. The session will also discuss the CMAR selection process, use of an owner’s representative, the importance of an attorney being involved throughout, execution of a guaranteed maximum price amendment, use of American Institute of Architects (AIA) contracting documents, and using a purchasing agent agreement to utilize a municipality’s tax-exempt status. 
Presenters: Kevin Toskey, City of Bloomington, and Michelle Weinberg, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered

Breakout session 3: Civil Topic

Cannabis Update IV: A New Hope? 
Hear about challenges cities face with cannabis retailer and lower-potency hemp edible retailer registration, registration enforcement, challenges to zoning regulations, working with businesses operating pursuant to a tribal compact, and any topic du jour from the potpourri of cannabis and hemp issues facing Minnesota cities.
Presenter: Joseph L. Sathe, Kennedy & Graven, Chartered

Breakout session 1: Criminal Topic

The Power of Second Chances: Strengthening Public Safety Through Reentry

Effective community safety requires more than supervision — it requires meaningful support, accountability, and connection. This session will highlight the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ partnership with the F5 Project, a statewide reentry and peer-support organization working alongside community supervision to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. 

Learn how this partnership operates, early results and success stories, and how supportive reentry practices enhance compliance, reduce re-offense risk, and strengthen public safety. This session will also highlight lessons learned and opportunities for city attorneys, local partners, and municipal teams to engage in and benefit from this collaborative reentry approach. 
Presenters: Scott College, chief development officer, F5 Project, Wade Erickson, corrections program director, Minnesota Department of Corrections, Adam Martin, CEO/founder, F5 Project, and Brian Rubenstein, district supervisor, Minnesota Department of Corrections

Breakout session 2: Civil Topic

Easements and Park Land – It’s All About the Grant!*
Get an overview of the different methods of acquiring easement rights and park property, as well as how the method of acquisition affects a city’s rights to use and dispose of the affected land. The speakers will provide practical tips and lessons learned.  *Real Property Credit
Presenters: Matthew Foli, senior examiner & counsel, Guaranty Commercial Title, Inc., Corrine Heine, Campbell Knutson, P.A., Charles J. Ramstad, Ramstad, Skoyles & Bakken, P.A., and Dylan Ramstad, Skoyles, Ramstad, Skoyles & Bakken, P.A.

Breakout session 3: Civil Topic

So, You’ve Been Hacked: Cyber Incident Response Strategies
Cyberattacks on cities and counties are increasingly common, disrupting essential services and compromising sensitive data. This session discusses legal requirements and provides a practical, plain-language overview of what happens during a cyber incident and how to respond effectively. Learn how to recognize an attack in progress, steps to contain and limit damage, the role of forensic and cybersecurity experts, and what actions can support recovery and resilience. 
Presenter: Faisal Kaleem, interim executive director of Applied Innovation Institute and professor, Metro State University

Breakout session 1: Civil/criminal topic
TBD

Breakout session 2: Civil Topic

Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Effective Process and Advocacy
This session will provide an overview of Minnesota’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) statute, along with case examples, process tips, and best practices for representing a municipal petitioner in an ERPO hearing.
Presenter: Joe Van Thomme, Eckberg Lammers

Breakout session 3: Civil Topic

The Future of Franchising – Broadband Franchising and Streaming Video
Learn about Minnesota’s first broadband franchise, including the statutory, city charter, and caselaw in support of broadband franchising. Hear why franchising is preferable to limiting municipal authority to permitting, and dig into how streaming services are causing cities to be underpaid in franchise fees — and what they can do to fix it.
Presenter: Michael R. Bradley, Bradley Werner, LLC

The growth of AI use presents unique opportunities and challenges for government offices. This session will review Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) considerations for using AI in the government setting, including practical tips for setting policies and assessing tools.
Presenters: Eric Kolbeck, assistant attorney general and manager of litigation and support services & records division, and Anya Pavlov-Shapiro, assistant attorney general and data practices compliance official, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

This session will explore the structure of precedent–setting cannabis compacts negotiated between the state of Minnesota and tribal nations, with an emphasis on the interaction with local units of government from attorneys who negotiated the agreements. Learn who can do what, where, and how it all gets regulated.  *Elimination of Bias Credit
Presenters: Andrea Kingbird, general counsel, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and Eric Taubel, director, Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management