2025 Convention Workshops

Session I -  9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

Staying Inside the Lines: Must-Have Info to Steer Clear of Ethics Violations

►Bristol A

Did you know that as a municipal employee, you are subject to the RI Code of Ethics? But how do know if you’re doing the right thing? This session offers a general overview of the creation, makeup, and powers of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission; a selection of statutory and regulatory provisions of the Code of Ethics; and the process by which complaints alleging Code of Ethics violations are filed. The presentation will also cover advisory opinions and how to obtain them, and the general purpose of financial disclosure statements and the requirements for filing. A Q&A will conclude this informative session.

Speaker:

Lynne Radiches, Staff Attorney/Education Coordinator, RI Ethics Commission

Harnessing AI for Municipal Innovation: Policies, Practices & Real-World Applications

►Bristol B

Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence have the potential to change how municipalities operate, adding both power and risk to their daily tasks. This workshop provides a practical guide for municipal leaders and employees to understand, both how to use this technology and how to mitigate the risks and challenges it present. This presentation will address both analytical and large language model (LLMs) applications of AI. This session will explore best practices for creating AI policies, demonstrate real-world applications like phishing detection and reporting, and offer actionable solutions for integrating AI into daily operations. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of AI’s potential to enhance productivity, safeguard systems, and improve community engagement.

Speakers:

Douglas Alexander, Director, Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College

Dave Duchesneau, IT Director, Town of Smithfield

The Situation Table: Collaborative Outreach for At-Risk Residents

►Narragansett

We hear the term ‘wraparound’ services but what does that look like in action? The Situation Table is a standardized and collaborative approach to delivering wraparound services to community members at risk of an imminent crisis. This proven system brings social service providers together at one table to address the diverse special needs of an individual, a family, or a situation. It connects those most in need to the critical services required to avoid or resolve their advanced elevated risk of harm. Come learn how this model might be beneficial to your city, town, or region.

Speakers:

Humphrey Donnelly, Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Management, City of Newport

Michael Botieri, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Operation to Save Lives & QRT National

Scott Allan, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Operation to Save Lives & QRT National

Energy Strategies to Save your Community Money and Make your Job Easier (Click title for slides)

►Ocean

Energy costs are a large part of any municipality’s budget. Hear from the City of Providence, PowerOptions, and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) how you can save money on your energy through using less of it and bringing in solar and other tools and technologies to lower energy costs. You’ll also hear about how RILCT’s REAP program can make procuring these services easy and how you can fund projects through state and federal incentives and financing through RIIB.

Speakers:

Priscilla de la Cruz, Director of Sustainability, City of Providence

Greg Miller, Business Development Officer, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank

Kristen Stelljes, Senior Vice President, Power Options

Municipal Main Street Supports: Site Readiness, Streetscape & Resilience Programs

►Rhode Island

This panel discussion highlights funding opportunities, planning and infrastructure programs, and other resources available to Rhode Island’s municipalities to enhance Main Street resilience, vibrancy, and sustainability. Attendees will learn actionable strategies and best practices to maximize program benefits and drive meaningful local impact.

Speakers:

Silvana Mercado, Resiliency Manager, RI Commerce

Roberta Groch, Assistant Chief, AICP, RI Division of Statewide Planning

Jillian Finkle, Deputy Director, Grow Smart RI

Anthony Hebert, Business Development Officer, RI Infrastructure Bank

Diane Williamson, Director of Community Development, AICP, CFM, Town of Bristol

Financing for Essential Capital Equipment

►Patriots

Financing options are more important than ever as municipalities face major capital replacement needs while working with tighter budgets. Lease Purchase Financing is an alternative to bonding for equipment cities and towns want to own, at competitive tax-exempt rates. Financing can typically be done within 30 days, only requires the governing body approval and payments are flexible to fit your budget. Come learn how you can stretch your budget and get the equipment and projects vital to your municipality.

Speaker:

Renee Piche, President, Municipal Leasing Consultants

Kristen Benoit, Finance Director, Town of West Warwick

Liz Monty, Finance Director, Town of Hopkinton

Tim McDavitt, Purchasing Agent, Town of North Kingstown

Session II -  10:45 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.

From Trough to Crest: Riding the Waves of Employee Engagement

►Bristol A

Just as waves rise and fall, employee engagement fluctuates based on various factors including leadership support, workplace culture, and more. Organizations can choose to create a positive environment that will leave employees feeling strong and energetic like a wave reaching its peak. This session will discuss successful tools and strategies for enhancing workplace culture by balancing the energy and managing workplace ebbs and flows. Get ready to ride the waves of employee engagement while surfing the struggle for employee retention.

Speakers:

Chelsea Dumas-Gibbs, Director of Parks & Recreation, Town of North Kingstown

Haley Wicker, Personnel Director, Town of North Kingstown

The Future of Payment Technology: Innovations and Trends

►Bristol B

Each day, more and more government entities aren’t only hearing about new ways to make government payments, but they’re using that very same technology themselves today in the retail world. This presentation will educate those employees who take payments in government on new ways to pay, how they work, and discuss the security of these methods. Attendees will gain a better understanding of where the industry of government payments is headed, and options residents are using and requesting today.

Speaker:

Jason Allred, Senior Manager – IT Governance, Risk & Compliance, Certified Payments by Deluxe

Addressing the Challenges of Short-Term Rentals: The Latest from the Legislative Commission, Recent Legal Cases, and Implications for RI Communities

►Narragansett

The Short-Term Rental industry has a growing impact on Rhode Island’s cities and towns in numerous ways. This session will provide the latest updates from the Special Legislative Commission to Study Short Term Rentals and the most recent legal cases. Learn what options your city or town has for addressing zoning, compliance, taxes, safety, and more. Applied strategies from the City of Newport will offer insights on how one community has chosen to address these issues.

Speakers:

Rep. Lauren Carson, District 75 – Newport, RI House of Representatives

Stephen Sypole, Esq., Gidley, Sarli, & Marusak, LLP

Xay Khamsyvoravong, Esq., Council Member, City of Newport

Responding to Risk: Zoning for Climate Resilience

►Ocean

This workshop session will empower municipal officials to think about the local regulatory tool of zoning as one that can be leveraged to build community resilience and meet development goals, as we continue to confront the impacts of climate change. Drawing on examples from both near and afar, panelists will explore the context, goals, and results of zoning for climate resilience, with particular attention to flood risk. Local exploration will focus on the 195 District in Providence, whose flood zoning is responsive to both local risk and development goals. This session will also feature highlights from the Urban Land Institute report, Enhancing Resilience Through Neighborhood-Scale Strategies.

Speakers:

J. Catherine Rollins, Director, Urban Land Institute Boston/New England

Caroline Skuncik, Executive Director, 195 District

Matthew Littel, Principal In Charge, LEED AP

Preparing RI Cities & Towns for Resident Options to Age in Community (Click title for slides)

►Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a growing number of older adults. Since 2000, the population of adults aged 50 and older has grown by nearly 123,000 people and now comprises 39 percent of the state’s population—a 10 percentage point increase from 2000. While “aging in place” remains a strong preference for many, there are benefits for both residents and municipalities to expand this concept to “aging in community.” In this session, HousingWorks RI will review new data from its ten-year action plan to meet the housing needs of older adults and engage in a panel discussion with AARP on its vision for “livable communities” as well as a perspective on what municipalities can do to get ready from the planning consulting team at Weston & Sampson, who are offering technical assistance across the state.

Speakers: 

Annette M. Bourne, Research & Policy Director, HousingWorks RI at RWU

Catherine Taylor, State Director, AARP Rhode Island

Ashley Sweet, Team Leader, Weston & Sampson

Per Fjelstad, Research Consultant, HousingWorks RI at RWU

Embracing AI in the Budget & Finance Office to Help You Leave On Time

►Patriots

AI … we salute you! This session will show you how Artificial Intelligence is being leveraged to improve processes and operations in the budget and finance office. We will explore how it can help you analyze data more efficiently, streamline budget book building, and improve repetitive processes.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• What is AI? Generative AI vs Machine Learning

• How You Can Use AI in the Budget and Finance Offices

• How to Avoid AI pitfalls

• Prompt Best Practices for Getting the Best Results

• AI Use Case Examples for Internal and External Scenarios

Speaker

Stuart Langer, Senior VP, Product Strategy – Financials, OpenGov

Session III -  1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Enhancing the Continuum of Behavioral Health Care: Multi-Agency Collaboration to Deliver a Comprehensive, Recovery-Oriented System of Care

►Bristol A

On average, 23% of adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness. Annually, millions struggle with access to services and supports for the treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance addiction, psychotic disorders and others. The need for integrated behavioral health services and supports continues to increase as the population requiring these services continues to grow both in size and complexity of presentation. Multiple state and county agencies provide services and

supports to individuals with behavioral health needs, but often in a siloed manner that should more efficiently coordinate care, support transitions, and improve outcomes. In addition to coordinated care, comprehensive behavioral health systems of care offer an array of services and supports to meet individual’s needs across prevention, intervention, crisis and recovery services and supports. This presentation will share evidence-based practices, perspectives, and examples of behavioral health

continuums of care that address these elements.

Speaker

Dr. Terri Timberlake-Briscoe, Manager – Government & Public Sector, Ernst & Young, LLP

Cybersecurity for Election Officials

►Bristol B

Data breaches, ransomware, and denial-of-service attacks are becoming regular headlines in America, but election officials are uniquely positioned on the front lines to help safeguard our democracy while ensuring that each vote counts. This workshop will build a foundation of important cybersecurity terminology and cover different types of cyber threats to help set up election officials for cybersecurity excellence. In addition, election officials will have the opportunity to preview a new set of cybersecurity standards developed by the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence.

Speakers

Christian Franco, Senior Program Associate, Center for Tech and Civic Life

Silence Marsh, Senior Program Associate, Center for Tech and Civic Life

Automation & AI: Use Cases and ‘What’s in it for You?’ (Click title for slides)

►Narragansett

This session will explore how automation and AI can optimize accounting and finance-related processes in government sectors. Case studies on business intelligence reporting, generative AI, and large language models will be offered. Examples will show how these technologies improve data processing, accuracy, and decision-making for governments, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual workload.

Speaker

Mitch Thompson, Digital Director, CLA

From Waste to Opportunity: Save Money & Save the Landfill (Click title for slides)

►Ocean

With our Central Landfill rapidly closing, Rhode Island’s municipalities have the opportunity to save money, create local jobs, extend the life of the landfill, and meet our climate commitments by addressing organic waste. !is presentation will discuss the existing opportunities to grow composting and food waste reduction services in Rhode Island communities. It will also highlight the results of the USDA-funded composting programs in the City of Providence, a recent $18.7M EPA grant awarded to the RI Food Policy Council and highlight successful examples implementing municipal food waste and composting programs in RI and MA alongside private and nonprofit partners.

Speakers

Conor Miller, CEO and Co-Founder, Black Earth Compost

Samantha Salvatore, Waste Reduction Consultant, CET

Kevin Proft, Deputy Director of Sustainability City of Providence

Isaac Bearg - Program Director, Food Climate & Environment, RI Food Policy Council

New Resources for Municipal Housing Needs (Click title for slides)

►Rhode Island

RIHousing and the RI Department of Housing are rolling out some important new resources to help cities and towns remove barriers to housing development and achieve their housing goals. Approximately $3 million in resources will be available through several new and existing programs to provide municipalities with consultant assistance for a wide range of activities including streamlining and updating zoning ordinances and permitting processes, developing affordable housing plans, exploring residential and mixed-use transit-oriented developments, and removing barriers that may be preventing affordable or mixed-income housing developments from moving forward. Come learn more about the programs and assistance that will be available and the timeline and process for accessing these important resources.

Speakers

Amy Rainone, Director, Government Relations & Policy, RIHousing

Joshua Berry, Chief, Municipal Planning & Programming, RI Department of Housing

Shopping Smart: Mastering Rhode Island’s Municipal Purchasing Statutes (Click title for slides)

►Patriots

Municipal purchasing statutes in Rhode Island can be challenging. This session untangles some of the more complicated elements in purchasing, offering details on best practices and ways your community can get more done with less while maintaining compliance.

Speakers

Benjamin Scungio, Esq., Brennan, Scungio, & Kresge, LLC

Sean Clough, Esq., Brennan, Scungio, & Kresge, LLC

Session IV -  2:30 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.

Navigating First Amendment Audits: Best Practices for Municipal Employees and Officials (Click title for slides)

►Bristol A & B

In today’s environment, public o$cials and employees frequently encounter individuals testing their First Amendment rights by filming in public spaces, often referred to as “First Amendment auditors.” While these interactions can sometimes be contentious, they also present an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and professionalism. This seminar will equip municipal employees, city and town officials, and other public sector staff with the tools and strategies needed to respond appropriately to First Amendment auditors.

Topics will include:

• Understanding the legal framework of First Amendment rights, including the right to record in public spaces

• Best practices for maintaining professionalism and de-escalating potential conflicts

• Policies and procedures municipalities can adopt to prepare for and respond to audits

• Common mistakes to avoid that could lead to liability claims or negative publicity

Participants will leave with actionable insights, practical communication strategies, and a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities in these situations.

Speakers

Marc DeSisto, Esq., DeSisto Law, LLC

Sarah Boucher, Esq., DeSisto Law, LLC

Andrew Murray, General Counsel , Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust