AML Workshop Descriptions

Keynote Luncheon Speaker 12:15 – 1:00

Imagining the World of 2020
Cancer vaccines, bionic eyes, brain food, cyberspace marriages and virtual vacations are all part of six major technological, demographic and economic trends.  Companies and organizations that embrace the new creative economy will find boundless opportunities in the new borderless world.
Keynot Presenter: Dr. Lowell Catlett  (bio)

Workshops I 1:30 – 2:45 Concurrent Sessions
Creating Vibrant Communities for Tomorrow
What is urban and rural will continue to be blurred.  Urban communities will have components of rural-green, ecological and food producing and rural will be virtually connected.  They have a wireless smart grid for everything-policing, mass and individual transit and healthcare.  They are self-contained energy producers and refuse recyclers and are totally lifestyle focused.  Traditional bricks and mortar lifestyle centers-churches, schools and event centers--will be bipolar-large numbers of small units and a few very large but both very sophisticated.  Taxes and pensions will be mobile to reflect a labor force that is neither blue nor white collar.  The 21st Century will be the first in 60 centuries of human history where humans will begin to reach their full potential and communities, whether or not they are urban or rural,  will be at the heart of this revolution.
Presenter: Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lowell Catlett

Scalable Federal Engineering Solutions
During this age of no Congressional ear marks: What can community leaders do to advance public projects?  The US Army Corps of Engineers recommends strong community planning to identify goals and prioritize critical projects.  Well defined projects are the key to seeking opportunities for funding.  Planning assures all levels of government can collaborate and break some of the barriers to achieving sustainable rural communities.  Conceptual designs and parametric estimates are critical to innovative financing and effective local and regional project execution.
Presenters: Col. Christopher D. Lestochi assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, Christopher (Chris) A. Tew, Chief , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District’s Contracting Division, Stephen C. Boardman, P.E., Chief, Civil Project Management Branch, Programs & Project Management Division, Clare L. Jaeger, Chief, Environmental & Special Programs Branch, Bruce Sexauer, Chief, Planning Section, Melanie A. Peterson, Project Manager

Fish or Cut Bait
Join 4 experts from the fishing industry to talk about fishing communities, industry perspectives, market trends, and the health of the resources.  This is “fishing” folks, so not everyone will agree, but it is way past time to get everything on the table.
Presenters: Arni Thomson, Executive Director, United Fisherman of Alaska, Shawna Thoma, Deputy State Director for Senator Mark Begich & Tyson Fick, Communications Director, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

How to Stay Out of Hot Water: 10 Tips for Public Officials to Avoid Lawsuits and Legal Woes
This session will examine the diverse issues that Public Officials face today in the workplace with employees of different ages, ethnic origins, cultures, as well as the legal implications of the public process and steps employers can take to reduce liability and prevent lawsuits.
Presenter: Matt Singer, Attorney, Jermain Dunnagan & Owens

Workshops II  3:15 – 5:00 Concurrent Sessions

AML Legislative Committee- During the AML Legislative Subcommittee meetings, policy statement changes and resolutions are proposed and changes to the policy statement made during the AML summer meeting are presented. Actions taken during the subcommittee meetings will then be presented as changes to the AML Policy Statement on Friday, November 16, 2012 to the entire membership of the AML at the Annual Business Meeting. Each Member community has one vote. All members are encouraged to attend one of the AML Legislative Subcommittee meetings listed below.

Revenue & Finance – Michael Lamb, Chair - Room: Yukon
Land Use, Resources and Economic Development – Chair – Sharron Hunter
Education, Local Government and Public Services – Co-Chairs Colleen Ingman & Agnes Moran
Public Works & Infrastructure – Co-Chairs Nancy Peterson & Luke Hopkins

Workshops III 9:00 – 10:15 Concurrent Sessions

The Basics of How to Lobby the Legislature
Back by popular demand, this is a workshop covering the basics of lobbying the legislature on behalf of your city or borough, what you need to know, how to make best use of your time in Juneau, Tips and Do's and Don’ts.  It also covers committee structure and budget process.
Presenter: Ray Gillespie, Municipal Lobbyist, Gillespie & Associates

Broadband Report
The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is working to foster greater broadband development as a means to improve economic development in Alaska. To accomplish that goal, DCCED Commissioner Susan Bell appointed a 22-member Statewide Broadband Task Force. The Task Force has been meeting regularly since March 2011 and has just released a draft of an Alaska broadband strategy with a goal to bring 100 megabits per second to every Alaskan by 2020. This broadband plan will be presented during this workshop. We look forward to hearing from all AML members about suggestions and recommendations for improving broadband development throughout the state.
Presenters: Roberta Graham, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Commerce Community & Economic Development and Bill Popp, President & CEO, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation and Chair of the Broadband Task Force

Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline
 An overview and status of the work on the Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline (ASAP) project. ASAP is an in-state pipeline project designed to deliver reliable, affordable, long-term natural gas from the North Slope of Alaska to tidewater and provide natural gas to as many communities along the alignment as practical. The current pipeline configuration is designed to deliver natural gas to the existing gas distribution networks in Fairbanks and the MatSu Valley. The ASAP project is one of two projects facing Alaskans and the projects are considered compatible. Representatives will discuss funding for the project, the timeline and how this project will affect Alaskans.
Presenter: Leslye Langla, Director of Public Affairs for ASAP, Mayor Jason Mayrand of Nenana, ASAP Community Council Co-chair and Tim Navarre of Kenai, ASAP Community Council Co-chair

Workshops IV 10:30 – 11:45 Concurrent Sessions

Basis & Legislative Research Techniques
Ray will take you through the Alaska State Legislature BASIS site. Basis was designed to help the public access legislative information. Inside BASIS you can find information on bills, schedules and legislative members. Ray will show you the way!
Presenter: Ray Gillespie, Municipal Lobbyist, Gillespie & Associates

Arctic Issues
What’s going on in the Arctic? The Arctic and how it impacts the State of Alaska, the United States and the entire world is getting more and more attention.  But, for those of us directly involved (Alaska’s municipalities) what specifically should we be made aware?  What impacts will we realize?  What do we need to do to help make this a successful endeavor?  Listen and ask questions of a panel of people that are helping to strengthen Alaska’s voice in Arctic exploration.
Presenters: Rear Admiral Ostebo, U.S. Coast Guard, Jim Scholz, Shoreside Operations Manager, Samson Tug & Barge, Cam Toohey, Government Affairs Manager, Shell Oil & Randy Ruaro, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Sean Parnell

Affordable Care Act Impacts on Local Governments
Since it was signed into law, implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has moved forward despite legal challenges. Some aspects of the law were altered; and it is anticipated that further revisions will be presented. This session will provide an update on current activity and overview of provisions affecting local governments. Presentation emphasis will be on coverage expansion, employee/employer health coverage and justice involved individuals’ access to coverage.
Presenter: Maeghan Gilmore, MPH, Program Director, National Association of Counties

The Small Community Emergency Response Plan
This session will present the Small Community Emergency Response Plan (SCERP) to the AML for the first time. This new, exciting approach to emergency management for small communities customizes a flip book with essential, community-specific information for responding to a disaster.  Join us for the first look at the plan to give us feedback and learn how to get a customized plan with information from your community about its resources. 
Presenters: Merry Carlson, Section Chief, DHSS/DPH Section of Emergency Programs,  Andy Jones, Emergency Program Manager & Tonya James, Emergency Management Specialist II, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Cultivating Financial Partnerships to Strengthen Communities
Finding the right partners to facilitate economic and community development are critical to efficient and effective growth in Alaska. The State through its agencies and departments can those critical partners. Recent changes to AIDEA’s statutes have expanded its program portfolio and increased the opportunities to partner with communities especially for financing energy infrastructure as well as economic development projects in high poverty and unemployment areas. The Division of Economic Development manages a portfolio of specialized loan funds that provide direct business lending for underserved industries and rural communities. Find out about five new funds that can help businesses grow and thrive in your communities.
Presenters: Mike Catsi, Business Development Officer, AIDEA & Wanetta Ayers, Director, DCCED Division of Economic Development

Workshops V 1:45 – 3:30 Concurrent Sessions