Wednesday, November 18, 2009

10:00-5:00pm Conference Registration Open HIDALGO BALLROOM FOYER

12:00 pm Golf Tournament
  (Not a golfer? Sign up for a guided tour of the historic San Antonio Missions by calling 512/476-6174)

6:30-7:00pm Welcome Reception HIDALGO BALLROOM FOYER

7:00-7:30pm Dinner HIDALGO BALLROOM

7:30-9:00pm General Session: An Overview of These Challenging Times: Dr. Douglas Brinkley a distinguished historian and author who is noted for his remarkable insights into how communities work. Dr. Brinkley will discuss the current challenges and events of the day in the larger context of history. As a nation, as a state, as urban communities in Texas - where are we now? where are we going? and what are the important components of success and prosperity as we move into the future? (1.5 credit hours) Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Health Delgado Acosta L.L.P. and Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation. HIDALGO BALLROOM

 Thursday, November 19, 2009

7:30-8:30am Networking Breakfast HIDALGO BALLROOM FOYER

8:30-9:45am General Session: An Overview of National and State Trends and Developments for Jail Populations and Supervision Policy - Dr. Tony Fabelo, Director of Research with the Council of State Government's Justice Center, will discuss how increased caseloads and overcrowding are being addressed by local governments in other states.  Dr. Fabelo will discuss the need to provide for constant management of jail policy; the need for justice reinvestment to ensure the impact of improvements do not fade over time; and the need to modernize supervision policies and practices. (1.25 credit hours) Sponsored by Carl R. Griffith & Associates, Inc. and First Southwest Corporation HIDALGO BALLROOM

9:45-10:00am Break – Refreshments available in the Foyer

10:00-11:45am General Sessions (1.75 credit hours) Sponsored by: Indigent Healthcare Solutions and Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, L.L.P. HIDALGO BALLROOM

• General Session I: The Impact of Federal Health Care Reform on Counties - Panel discussion: Mr. John Guest, President of Teaching Hospitals of Texas; Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chairman of the House County Affairs Committee. The panel will discuss the efforts in congress to reform health care coverage in the United States and share their thoughts on what those changes may mean for indigent health care and the general provision of health care in the state.
  

• General Session II: Representative Todd Smith, Chairman of the House Elections Committee, will discuss election issues and share his insights on the 81st Legislative Session.

11:45-12:00pm Break

12:00pm Urban Counties Membership Luncheon (Conference registration is not required). (1.5 credit hours) Sponsored by: Boon Chapman and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP HIDALGO BALLROOM

• Nominations and election of officers for fiscal years 2010-2011;

• Consideration of the proposed budget for 2010; and

• Consideration of authorization of the board to contract for staff support, office and related services for FY 2010.

• Guest Speaker: Senator Wendy Davis will discuss county issues from the 81st Legislative Session.

2:00-2:30pm Extended Break – Refreshments available in the Foyer

2:30-3:45pm General Sessions (1.25 credit hours) Sponsored by: McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. and Purchasing Power LLC HIDALGO BALLROOM

• General Session I: Weathering the Storm: The State of the Federal and State Economy and its Impact on Property Tax Revenues A panel discussion of the state of the economy, the outlook for the recovery, and its impact on the state and county revenues. - Dr. Keith Phillips, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Division and Mr. John Heleman, Chief Revenue Estimator, Comptroller's Office.
  

• General Session II: Federal Stimulus Funding for Counties - Mr. Jim Chapman, Co-Chair of the Government Relations, Advocacy & Strategy practice of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP and head of the firm's Texas Public Policy practice, the will discuss federal stimulus funding and other funding streams that are available to counties.

3:45-4:00pm Break

4:00-5:00pm Breakout Education Sessions (1 credit hour)

• Breakout A: Urban Growth and Subdivision Regulation:  A panel discussion on the best practices for managing urban growth and development in the unincorporated areas. The discussion will focus what tools are available to counties; what options counties are currently using; and what changes or improvements are needed. Mr. Paul Cauduro, Director of Codes and Standards, Texas Association of Builders and Mr. Pix Howell, Urban Design Officer for the City of Leander, Texas. MADERO ROOM
  

• Breakout B: TechShare - Achieving Better Results and Cutting Costs by Working Together: Mr. Charles Gray, Program Manager for TechShare, will discuss the new developments in the Juvenile Case Management System, soon to be made operational in Bexar, Dallas and Tarrant Counties.  Mr. Gray will also discuss the future of the Common Integrated Justice System Project, which has already saved the participating counties more than $30 million by implementing the Odyssey Court Case Management System through TechShare. This session is an opportunity to find out how your county can benefit from the collaborative technology projects underway at the Conference of Urban Counties. CARRANZA ROOM

6:15-8:30pm Sponsors Reception OLIVARES ROOM

 Friday, November 20, 2009

8:00-8:30am Breakfast Buffet HIDALGO BALLROOM FOYER

8:30-9:45am Breakout Education Sessions (1.25 credit hours)

• Breakout C: The Coming Clean Air Challenge: A panel discussion of the coming changes to the EPA air quality standards and what the expansion of nonattainment areas will mean for urban counties. The discussion will focus on what the new standard could be and what options will be available to get counties into attainment: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief of the Air Planning Section at the Environmental Protection Agency, Region Six; Ms. Kim Herndon, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Mr. Michael Vasquez - Texas Clean Air Working Group Coordinator. MADERO ROOM
  

• Breakout D: Managing Conflict for Maximum Gain: - A workshop session that will provide attendees with advice and skills that they can apply immediately to resolve conflict and enhance relationships in county government. Participants will learn to balance the needs and demands of multiple groups and people; manage their emotions and motivations when the going gets rough; practice preserving relationships; defuse others who try to strong-arm to get their way; and use contingency planning techniques to resolve issues. - Dr. Kate Stewart, Executive Director, UT Project on Conflict Resolution. CARRANZA ROOM

9:45-10:00am Break – Refreshments available in the Foyer

10:00-11:30am Roundtable Discussion Session on County Issues: Judge Mike Bradford will guide the attendees through a roundtable discussion of issues facing counties now and in the future. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to discuss issues of importance in their county or region. HIDALGO BALLROOM (1.5 credit hours)

11:30am Adjourn