Local and State Government Law Section

1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Michael Kenneally, Esq. | Section Chair; Executive Director, NYS Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance; Albany, NY

Lisa M. Cobb, Esq. | Vice Chair, Wallace & Wallace, LLP; Poughkeepsie, NY

1:10 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

First Amendment Audits: What Are They and How Can Government Officials Respond?

“Citizen journalists” have been conducting “First Amendment audits” for years. However, the proliferation of video cameras on mobile devices coupled with growing online political activism has resulted in an explosion of First Amendment audit activity in the past 24 months. YouTube videos of these audits are ubiquitous, showing an individual walking through municipal buildings recording local officials and employees doing their jobs and residents there to conduct municipal business. The videos invariably include scenes of altercations with distressed municipal employees who frequently respond to these auditors an agitated, confrontational manner. This webinar will provide an overview of what a First Amendment audit is as well as a discussion of the law regarding recording on government property.

Speaker

Wade Beltramo, Esq. | General Counsel, New York Conference of Mayors; Albany, NY

2:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.

Business Meeting

2:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.

Regulating Short-term Rentals in Your Jurisdiction

Short-term rentals went from virtually unknown just over a decade ago to a global multi-billion dollars in revenue in 2021 in the United States alone. The proliferation of this industry has left local governments contemplating how to balance protecting the character and integrity of their towns, cities, and villages while providing the services required from increased traffic and tourism. This course will cover the laws (current and proposed) that govern regulating short-term rentals and provide tips on drafting local legislation that will survive court scrutiny (results not guaranteed).

Speaker

Katie N. Hodgdon, Esq. | Counsel, Association of Towns of the State of New York; Albany, NY

3:05 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.

A Primer on Civil Service Law – Employee Appointments, Discipline, and Workplace Reductions

Speaker

Melissa N. Knapp, Esq. | Partner, Thomas Drohan Waxman Petigrow & Mayle LLP; Hopewell Junction, NY

Pamela D. Bass, Esq. | Partner, Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow & Mayle LLP; Hopewell Junction, NY

3:55 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.

The Open Meetings Law: Demystifying the New Videoconference Procedures

The Open Meetings Law was first amended to allow public bodies to conduct meetings via videoconference back in 2000. As a result of the COVID pandemic, a more flexible although temporary method of conducting meetings was authorized via Executive Order. New York’s experience with this temporary method of conducting meetings led the State to enact new procedures for conducting meetings via videoconference. This session will provide a full explanation of New York’s Open Meetings Law, including the procedures for conducting meetings using videoconference technology. The presentation will also highlight recent changes to the Open Meetings Law regarding the public’s right to access records that are scheduled to be discussed at meetings, the definition of “public body,” and the posting of meeting minutes.

Speaker

Kristin O’Neil | Assistant Director, New York State Committee on Open Government; Delmar, NY

5:10 p.m.

Conclusion of Monday Programming

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Michael Kenneally, Esq. | Section Chair; Executive Director, NYS Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance; Albany, NY

Lisa M. Cobb, Esq. | Vice Chair, Wallace & Wallace, LLP; Poughkeepsie, NY

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Housing Hot Topics: Accessory Dwelling Units, Good Cause Eviction, and the Emergency Tenant Protection Act

Affordable housing has become an issue that has dominated policy discussion in New York in recent years. This session will highlight a couple of recent efforts undertaken at the local level to address tenant rights. Specifically, good cause eviction and the Emergency Tenant Protection Act. Finally, the session will conclude with an overview of State programs promoting the development of both affordable and market rate housing.

Speaker

Marisa Franchini, Esq. | Corporation Counsel, City of Albany; Albany, NY

Barbara Jeane Graves-Poller, Esq. | Corporation Counsel, City of Kingston; Kingston, NY

Sarah Brancatella, Esq. | Legislative Director and Counsel, Association of Towns; Albany, NY

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Encore: Local Regulation of Cannabis Now That the Regulations Are Out

Speaker

Drew Gamils, Esq. | Associate, Keane & Beane PC; Mount Vernon, NY

Kristen Motel, Esq. | Partner, Cuddy & Feder LLP; White Plains, NY

Michele D’Ambrosio, Esq. | Director, Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association; Yonkers, NY

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

Representing Government Clients: What Lawyers Need to Do When Being Engaged by Municipal Clients

Providing legal advice to a municipality can be a complicated endeavor for an attorney. This panel will discuss the various ways local governments may retain a municipal attorney, the issue of who the attorney’s client is, and when local officials and employees have a right to an attorney or to contact the municipal attorney.

Speaker

Sharon N. Berlin, Esq. | Partner, Lamb & Barnosky, LLP; Melville, NY

Anna K. Vikse, Esq. | Village Attorney, Village of Westbury; Westbury, NY

Nicholas M. Ward Willis, Esq. | Principal Member, Keane & Beane PC; White Plains, NY

11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

12:00 p.m.

Conclusion of Programing