Educational Sessions

Power Up Your City Investments
Corey Boyer, vice president, investment services, PTMA Financial Solutions; Brandon Swenson, senior portfolio manager, PTMA Financial Solutions

Local officials play a critical role in setting policy and ensuring accountability for public funds. This session explores Minnesota’s public funds investment framework, including a review of the current market environment, common investment strategies, and governance responsibilities. You will gain a clearer understanding of how investment decisions are made, how risks are managed, and how governing bodies can effectively fulfill their oversight role.

Natural Disaster Readiness: Lessons From Bemidji and Mankato
Rich Spiczka, city manager, Bemidji; Susan Arntz, city manager, Mankato

Is your city ready for a natural disaster? Even cities with emergency planning in place can be caught off guard by the type and timing of a crisis. In June 2024, Mankato experienced extraordinarily heavy rain that caused flooding throughout the region. In June 2025, Bemidji experienced a storm with extreme winds that knocked down trees, took out power and gas lines, and stranded vulnerable people. Hear more about these two unprecedented storms and how the impacted cities reacted.

Electric Slide Into Savings*
GreenStep Cities/Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Learn how your city can cut energy costs without upping the budget. This session breaks down how energy assessments can uncover hidden savings, how energy efficiency projects deliver fast paybacks, and how renewable energy can lock in long-term value. We’ll also spotlight GreenStep Cities best practices and other free resources that cities are using right now to turn smart energy moves (and grooves) into real financial wins. Come for the bright ideas, leave with the steps you can put into motion.⚡️💃

Charged Up Recruiting: Top Tips for Your Hiring Process

One of the most important responsibilities a city undertakes is recruiting the right talent. From attracting strong candidates to ensuring your process moves quickly – and in compliance with employment practices – is essential to organizational success. This session will explore how to build a compelling employer brand, key considerations for an effective recruitment process, how to reassess your timelines and job requirements, and the important roles that everyone plays in successful hiring. We will also share an update on how LMC is supporting cities in the recruitment space through the MNCityJobs.com campaign.

From Input to Outcomes: Community Engagement in Local Government
Kevin Wright, community engagement coordinator, Chaska; Martin Godinez, crime prevention officer, Chaska Police Department; Michelle Leise, public information and engagement officer, Red Wing; Chris Heineman, city administrator, Red Wing

Effective community engagement can be a tool for cities to build trust and strong relationships with residents. It is also essential for meaningful public participation. By using inclusive engagement strategies, cities can shape policies and projects that better reflect their community’s needs. This session will showcase how cities have gained public input, engaged with diverse communities, and built trust over time.

Setting the Record Straight: How Cities Can Respond to Misinformation

This session will be repeated on Friday

Misinformation isn’t new, but its speed, reach, and impact on local government has never been greater. If unchecked, it can compromise the safety and well-being of entire communities. As trust in public institutions erodes, cities face growing challenges in correcting false or misleading information about city policies, operations, and more. This session explores practical tools and strategies city staff and elected officials can use to understand and identify misinformation, set the record straight, communicate with credibility, and respond calmly and effectively. Gain a clearer awareness of how accurate, reliable information strengthens trust and supports healthy civic engagement.

Employee Retention and Attraction: Common Sense Solutions to Manage Costs
Marlo Peterson, consumer directed benefits consultant, Minnesota Healthcare Consortium

Health care costs for Minnesota cities, employers, and residents are rising significantly. Explore ways your city can use medical spending accounts to attract and retain employees while also leveraging the associated tax saving against ongoing medical cost trends.

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Budgeting in Uncertain Times: Unlocking Grant Opportunities
WSB

In an era of tightening budgets and unpredictable funding streams, cities face growing challenges in sustaining vital programs and services. While traditional funding may be limited, there is money out there, cities just need to know where to look and how to leverage it. This session explores how to identify, access, and strategically utilize grants and alternative financing to build resilience and drive impact, even in uncertain times.

Budgeting, Property Taxes & Reserves: The Fundamentals of Fiscal Stability
Dan Tienter, senior municipal advisor, Ehlers

The annual budgeting process should be anything but an annual exercise. It should be a robust and ongoing discussion that allows decision makers to weigh in on both the expense and revenue sides of the ledger. Join us in exploring the fundamentals of budgeting, property taxes as a primary source of revenue for every city, the importance of reserves and restrictions placed upon them, and how that knowledge informs a best practices budgeting architecture that fosters fiscal stability.

A Smarter Playbook for Dealing with Data Center Development
Andrew Biggerstaff, attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered; Sam Ketchum, attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered; Joseph Sathe, attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered

This session will be repeated in the 3:30 p.m. block.

Data centers present new and difficult questions for local governments across Minnesota. Attorneys from Kennedy & Graven will provide insight into addressing these questions. Learn more about this type of land use, recent regulatory developments, public policy considerations, legal tools and pitfalls, and practical takeaways.

Small Cities Panel*

Session description and presenter information coming soon.

AI in the Sky: Practical Applications of AI and UAVs
Brian Simmons, municipal senior project manager, Bolton & Menk; Marc Culver, public works director, Brooklyn Park

Explore how AI and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are transforming public infrastructure management. Learn about accessible UAV types and how they streamline operations — from routine inspections to complex data collection, as well as some best practices and considerations for using this technology in your city. Real-world applications will be highlighted, including AI’s role in stormwater management, infrastructure inspections, and pipeline assessments. By combining AI and UAVs, city leaders can shift their focus toward strategic planning and problem-solving.

Show, Don’t Tell: Visual Storytelling Tools for City Leaders

A picture really does paint a thousand words — especially in local government, where clear communication builds understanding and trust. From photos and videos to graphics and charts, visual storytelling helps cities explain complex topics quickly and connect with residents more effectively. This session offers simple, practical, and low-barrier tips for using visuals as a communications tool, whether or not you have formal communication training. It’s also ideal for elected officials looking to strengthen their own communications toolbox and better engage their communities.

The Power Grid: Connecting Council and Administration to Drive Culture
Courtney Johnson, mayor, Carver; Justin Miller, city administrator, Lakeville

How are you ensuring that city hall leaders and city council are leading together? Clear roles, open communication, trust and transparency are the foundation of an organizational culture that promotes and grows strong leadership. This panel discussion explores how city hall leaders and city council members can strategically align to reduce role confusion and micromanagement, while strengthening psychological safety, professional development, and a culture of recognition for teamwork, making you an Employer of Choice.

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Successfully Managing Disruptive Meetings
Soren Mattick, shareholder attorney, Campbell Knutson

Contentious meetings are becoming increasingly common and causing heated debates over controversial local issues and mismanaged public comment periods. These meetings feel unproductive and discouraging to everyone involved. This session will review some of the common causes of friction and disruption, as well as management techniques you can use to turn down the heat at your next meeting.

From Procurement to Protection: Accelerating Public Safety Technology for Cities
Darin Narlock, associate director of cooperative contracts, Sourcewell

From computer-aided dispatch and records platforms to turnout gear, fleet and asset tech, and integrated data systems, you’ll learn how cooperative purchasing can remove friction, compress timelines, and give you immediate access to competitively solicited, compliant contracts. Gain real-world insights on evaluating solutions, aligning internal stakeholders, navigating budget considerations, and implementing technology successfully. Come away with a clearer understanding of how cooperative purchasing can accelerate modernization efforts while reducing administrative burden and risk.

Navigating & Securing Modern Infrastructure Funding: Key Trends and Outlook*
Alex Smith, community and economic development manager, SEH

As public infrastructure needs grow and traditional funding models face increasing constraints, small cities must understand emerging trends and opportunities — from resilient‑driven strategies to leveraging Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations for continued local economic investment. This session provides a clear, forward‑looking view of where infrastructure funding is currently at, where it’s headed, and practical strategies for positioning projects to compete successfully. Explore the rapidly evolving landscape of infrastructure funding and the strategic considerations shaping state, foundation, and federal investment decisions.

Bold Forward Unbound: A Collaborative Approach to Managing Major Construction in Rochester
Panel: City of Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Destination Medical Center

Cities deal with construction disruption all the time, including impacts on traffic, businesses, neighborhoods, and public confidence. In Rochester, those challenges are amplified by the scale of Bold Forward Unbound and the geographically constrained downtown where multiple projects are underway simultaneously. Explore how the City of Rochester, Mayo Clinic, and Destination Medical Center came together to establish shared guiding principles that shape coordination, decision-making, and communication during a period of intense construction. Learn how partners are managing impacts to residents and businesses, keeping policy decision-makers informed, and maintaining transparent, consistent communication with the public.  Gain practical insights into cross-sector collaboration, construction coordination, and community engagement strategies that can be applied in cities of all sizes.

A Smarter Playbook for Dealing with Data Center Development
Andrew Biggerstaff, Attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered; Sam Ketchum, Attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered; Joseph Sathe, Attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered

This session is also taking place at 1:15 p.m.

Data centers present new and difficult questions for local governments across Minnesota. Attorneys from Kennedy & Graven will provide insight into addressing these questions. Learn more about this type of land use, recent regulatory developments, public policy considerations, legal tools and pitfalls, and practical takeaways.

The Power of Partnership: Lessons from Saint Paul’s Cyber Incident
Jaime Wascalus, director & chief information officer, Saint Paul; Rick Shute, director of emergency management, Saint Paul

This session will be repeated on Friday

When ransomware struck the City of Saint Paul, IT and Emergency Management delivered their greatest value not as parallel functions, but as trusted partners operating together. This session takes a case study exploration of the complex cyber incident experienced by the City of Saint Paul in July 2025. Hear how the city worked across departments to enable a coordinated response, continuity of services, and effective engagement with leadership throughout this incident. The discussion highlights how people and process, supported by technology, drive progress during complex cyber incidents. 

Cities and Utilities Working Together to Build Resilient Infrastructure in Our Communities
Xcel Energy

A notable increase in utility damage across numerous cities has stemmed from various excavation activities, including utility work for gas, electric, or fiber installations; roadway projects; landscaping; and private development. The key to addressing these challenges lies in continuous collaboration, effective communication, and the exchange of best practices among all stakeholders. Let’s come together to share insights, innovate solutions, and build a more resilient infrastructure for our communities. Join an engaging and collaborative discussion centered on minimizing utility damage in public rights of way and fostering better coordination between cities and utility partners.

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Your Flashlight in the Dark: The Top 6 Legal Areas to Involve Your City Attorney
Kori Land, attorney, LeVander, Gillen and Miller PA; Eric Larson, attorney, Eckberg Lammers

Navigating city government is not easy – there are laws and rules that can feel like a direct barrier to accomplishing what you want, which is to make your community better. In this session, hear from two city attorneys on the important legal areas that might be causing unease or confusion in your city. Dive into the areas of roles and responsibilities, contentious meetings, the First Amendment and social media, fraud, leave laws, understanding how to reply to data requests, and more – with the goal of helping you avoid any legal missteps from the beginning so you can focus on bettering your community.

The Buzz Above: How Cities Are Putting Drones to Work
Presenters: Laurie Hokkanen, city administrator, City of Chanhassen; Jason Tait, Minnetonka; Mike Funk, city administrator, Minnetonka
Moderator: McKaia Dykema, staff attorney, League of Minnesota Cities

From public safety to public works, drones are transforming how cities get things done. This session highlights practical and effective ways cities are using drone technology in law enforcement operations, infrastructure inspections, capital projects, and environmental initiatives. Learn how cities are implementing these tools responsibly to improve efficiency and and deliver better outcomes for their communities and residents. This session will also explore lessons learned and key considerations for implementing drone technology to enhance operations and services while maintaining public trust.

The Power of Partnership: Lessons from Saint Paul’s Cyber Incident
Jaime Wascalas, director and chief information officer, Saint Paul; Rick Shute, director of emergency management, Saint Paul

This session will also take place on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

When ransomware struck the City of Saint Paul, IT and Emergency Management delivered their greatest value not as parallel functions, but as trusted partners operating together. This session takes a case study exploration of the complex cyber incident experienced by the City of Saint Paul in July 2025. Hear how the city worked across departments to enable a coordinated response, continuity of services, and effective engagement with leadership throughout this incident. The discussion highlights how people and process, supported by technology, drive progress during complex cyber incidents.

Topic: Cannabis

Eric Taubel, executive director, Office of Cannabis Management; Sophie Leininger, chief of staff, Office of Cannabis Management

Session description coming soon.

Setting the Record Straight: How Cities Can Respond to Misinformation

This session will also take place on Thursday morning at 10:15 a.m.

Misinformation isn’t new, but its speed, reach, and impact on local government has never been greater. If unchecked, it can compromise the safety and well-being of entire communities. As trust in public institutions erodes, cities face growing challenges in correcting false or misleading information about city policies, operations, and more. This session explores practical tools and strategies city staff and elected officials can use to understand and identify misinformation, set the record straight, communicate with credibility, and respond calmly and effectively. Gain a clearer awareness of how accurate, reliable information strengthens trust and supports healthy civic engagement.

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