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Fall 2025 LGW

The Local Government Workshops is one of G/FLRPC's signature initiatives, providing a forum for training and information sharing since 1996 for our 188 municipalities. Since that time, thousands of local government officials, board members, staff, and interested citizens have attended the workshops, held twice a year.

This year's event will host a wide variety of training opportunities. Please see session titles below. This workshop will provide training credit to planning and zoning board members for the duration of their attendance at the workshop. We are also working on getting AICP credit for certified planners attending as well. Those sessions will be noted on the schedule when it is released.

Workshop Registration

All registrations include continental breakfast, coffee, and lunch.

Please Register by October 22ndth at 4pm. Sorry, no refunds after October 15th, 2025

Who Should Attend
Municipal Board Members and Elected Officials ∙ Planning Board Members ∙ Zoning Board of Appeals Members ∙ County & Municipal Employees ∙ Enforcement Officers ∙Planners ∙ Public Works and Highway Departments ∙ Engineers and Architects ∙ Land Use Professionals ∙ Attorneys ∙ Consultants ∙ Municipal Commission and Review Board Members ∙ Municipal Committees and Advisory Board Members ∙ Concerned Citizens

For most municipalities the Local Government Workshop fulfills state law required training for local planning officials. A certificate of participation may be requested for the number of hours of attendance. 

AICP credit is under way.

We are excited to present the following sessions for our Fall Local Government Workshop. At the event, you may attend any and all sessions that are useful to you, there are no tracks to sign up for nor are you relegated to stay in one room the entire workshop.  

Session Descriptions:

Land Use and SEQR Case Law Update – Matthew J. Fitzgerald, Phillips Lytle
The session will provide attendees with an overview of changes in the law relating to land use and zoning in New York State. The latest cases from New York courts have been reviewed and the speaker will discuss new trends in municipal land use and zoning issues. The session will also include discussion about the latest decisions relating to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Planning Board Overview – DOS Local Gov’t Training Team
This basic course addresses the powers and duties of town, village, and city planning boards and commissions. The administrative and regulatory roles of the planning board, including its review of site plans, special use permits, and subdivision plats are discussed, along with the planning board’s role in the municipal comprehensive plan. The importance of board procedures, referral to the county planning agency, and making findings are also covered.

Climate Smart Communities – Rachel Scudder, G/FLRPC
Session summary forthcoming

Session summary forthcoming

NYS DCP Overview: Resources for Scam and Identity Theft Protection – Kim Maercklien, DCP
As new scams are introduced, this presents an ever-evolving set of challenges for many. Scammers use every tool available to steal money and information from consumers. To stop scams, we can work together through awareness and education.  In this workshop, the NYS Division of Consumer Protection shares strategies, tips and resources to help identify a scam and protect personal information. Help stop scams by learning about the common signs of scams, recognize red flags and direct individuals to helpful resources in your community.

Public Meetings & Hearings – DOS Local Gov’t Training Team
This session addresses the goals and requirements associated with holding meetings, in contrast to the purposes and legal requirements surrounding a public hearing. It explores the role of the chairperson in conducting effective meetings and hearings, and includes a discussion of how to manage the public and the media in the context of a hearing or meeting. Also addressed are aspects of the Open Meetings Law, including executive sessions, quorums, minutes, and public notices.

Creating Vibrant Public Spaces: Placemaking Strategies for Streetscapes, Downtowns, and Parks – Nicole Cleary and Grace DeSantis, Barton & Loguidice
This session will showcase a range of placemaking strategies to help local governments transform streetscapes, downtowns, and parks into vibrant community spaces. Nicole Cleary, ASLA, PLA, Managing Landscape Architect, and Grace DeSantis, AICP, Project Community Planner—both with Barton & Loguidice—will share approaches spanning from small-scale efforts like beautification committees and temporary activations to larger, long-term transformations. The session will also highlight funding resources, technical assistance programs, and community partnerships that can support projects of any scale. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and inspiration to implement meaningful placemaking efforts in their own communities.

Conesus Lake Watershed Management Planning – 20 Years of Partnership and Success – Heather Ferraro and Mary Underhill, Livingston County Planning Department
This session will provide highlights of 20 years of successful inter-community collaboration in the management of the Conesus Lake watershed. Learn more about the successes and challenges of managing a resource that spans multiple municipal boundaries.  The Council has been working on updating their Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan, a guidance document used by watershed partners to protect and restore water quality in Conesus Lake, and are nearing completion.

Pro-Housing Presentation – Lenny Skrill, Office of Homes and Community Renewal
Session description forthcoming

Breaking down the Floodplain Ordinance Adoption Period – Brienna Wirley, DEC and Mary Austerman, NY Sea Grant
Is your community receiving new flood maps? Do you need to update your local flood damage prevention ordinance? This session will go over the ordinance adoption period and how it falls into the overall remapping timeline. It will include a facilitated discussion to explore the challenges communities face and how we can improve the process

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2025 MUNICIPAL BOOTCAMP TRAININGS