Issue 147 - May 2024
NEWS: WORTHY

Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors
Please join the California JPIA for the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors and an elected nine-member Executive Committee. The Board of Directors consists of one elected official appointed by each member agency. Member cities, joint powers authorities, and special districts actively guide the Authority, ensuring that value-based decisions that benefit the entire membership are made.
The Annual Meeting will include the election of the Authority’s Vice President and four Executive Committee members, recognition of the 2024 Risk Management Award winners, and a presentation about the Authority’s strategic plan and operational overview.
The meeting will be held at the Authority’s La Palma campus. A buffet dinner will be served al fresco at 5:30 p.m., with the Board of Directors meeting immediately following. Voting delegates and up to one additional member representative are eligible to receive lodging and travel reimbursement for attending the meeting. A $100 stipend will be provided to each member agency’s voting delegate or alternate attending the meeting.
Registration for the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors will open in early June. For questions or assistance, please contact Agency Clerk Veronica Ruiz.
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Get Answers to Contractual Risk Transfer Questions with a New E-Learning Tool
The ability to transfer risk when entering into contracts is a robust risk management tool for public agencies. When practiced correctly, contractual risk transfer places financial responsibility for losses with the party best positioned to manage the exposure (e.g., vendor, contractor, permittee). This helps to protect the agency against loss and safeguards valuable resources.
Effective contractual risk transfer requires knowledge of how to assess risk, review indemnity language, select appropriate types and limits of insurance, and verify compliance by reviewing certificates of insurance and policy endorsements. The Authority educates and supports members in this regard via regular in-person training, a Contractual Risk Transfer Manual, a Contractual Risk Transfer E-Learning Tool, and the availability of seven senior risk managers to answer questions and support member efforts.
Contractual risk transfer-related inquiries represent a significant portion of member interactions with the Authority’s senior risk managers. Many inquiries are variations on a theme, with the same fundamental questions repeatedly appearing. To provide members with a tool to get answers to their most pressing contractual risk transfer questions whenever they need it, the Authority has developed an online, self-paced e-learning tool.
The tool is a primer on contractual risk transfer for those new to the practice and provides just-in-time information on the following frequently asked questions:
- Do I need a written agreement?
- How do I determine what types and limits of insurance to require for a given contract?
- What are my options if a vendor or other party cannot meet our agency’s insurance requirements?
- How do I know if the certificate of insurance is acceptable?
- How do I know if the additional insured and other endorsements I received are acceptable?
- How do I conduct a contractual risk assessment?
- What should I consider before signing a vendor-provided agreement?
In many cases, answers to these questions and scenarios illustrating the answers are customized to the following functional areas: Administration, Community Development, Community Services, Information Technology, and Public Works. Users first select the question they want answered and then select the appropriate functional area to receive contractual risk transfer information tailored to that specific part of the agency’s operations.
The contractual risk transfer e-learning tool is live and available for members to access via myJPIA. Members are encouraged to share the tool with all agency staff involved in the contractual risk transfer process.
If you have any questions, please contact your assigned regional risk manager.
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California JPIA to Offer HR Professional Training Series
In the dynamic landscape of municipal administration, human resources (HR) professionals play a vital role in agency functionality, encompassing strategic leadership, talent management, and organizational development. This summer, the California JPIA will offer a blended HR Professional Training Series to help members grow as HR practitioners by expanding their knowledge, improving their professional skills, and strengthening their networks.
Each training module is structured to start with an interactive online learning component that walks participants through the foundation and basics of the topic. After completing the online portion of the training, participants will gather at the Authority campus in La Palma for a collaborative group discussion and application of those principles to real-world simulations. The online portions of each training module will remain accessible through myJPIA.
“We are confident that this program will be a game-changer for our members,” said Senior Training Specialist Ryan Thomas. “As our first-ever blended training, the hybrid format allows participants to delve deeper into the online learning material through interactive discussions and practical application, combining the strengths of online learning with the power of face-to-face interaction.”
A team of subject matter experts from within and outside the Authority, including member agencies and Authority partner CPS HR Consulting, played an essential role in shaping the curriculum. They focused on identifying essential and emerging topics for HR professionals, encompassing areas such as HR as a strategic business partner, harassment prevention, complaints and investigations, ethics, disability management, diversity, equity and inclusion, onboarding, recruitment, and selection.
“Having a strong knowledgebase of human resources and understanding how it translates into everyday action is one of the foundational components of a healthy workplace, which leads to better risk practices,” said Employment Practices Manager Kelly Trainer Policky.
During the program’s development, the Authority conducted pilot sessions with HR professionals and incorporated the feedback to ensure the content’s relevance and practicality.
“The series is open to HR professionals of all levels, from entry-level to the most seasoned professionals,” explained Administrative Services Director Nikki Salas. “One of our goals is to foster a collaborative environment where our members can connect, create their own networks, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences.”
HR issues are ever-present and demand proactive solutions. Whether participants are new to the field or seasoned HR professionals, the program offers valuable knowledge and fresh perspectives. The training will allow participants to delve into core essentials while exploring emerging topics.
“We recognized that there is a need to provide support to our professionals and our organizations, as they are crucial partners in managing employment practices risk,” said Trainer Policky. “We want to equip our members with the knowledge and resources to navigate complex HR issues confidently.”
Stay tuned for announcements about the program in the summer of 2024.
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SB 553: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Training
In the April 2024 newsletter, the Authority shared information on Senate Bill 553 (codified in Labor Code section 6401.9), which requires covered California employers to implement a workplace violence prevention plan and train employees on that plan by July 1, 2024. The Authority also held a webinar on May 13, 2024, summarizing critical requirements of the bill and providing training on how to conduct facility security assessments.
As with any workplace safety program, employee training is critical. Since member plans will vary based on the identification of site-specific workplace violence hazards, training on the plan should be completed by each member’s workplace violence prevention plan administrator or another employee familiar with the plan.
To supplement this, the California JPIA offers several general workplace violence prevention trainings offered via myJPIA:
- Workplace Violence: From Threats to Active Shooters (Dr. Steve Albrecht; intended for all employees)
- Workplace Violence Awareness Training (Al Cobos; intended for all employees)
- Active Shooter and Workplace Violence Response: The New Environment for Public Sector Professionals (Delwin Lampkin; intended for all employees)
- Tactical Communication: Tools for Service and Safety in the Field (Dr. Steve Albrecht; intended for public-facing employees)
- Strategic Communication: De-escalation Strategies (Al Cobos; intended for public-facing employees)
- De-escalation Techniques: Communication Strategies for Public Sector Employees (Delwin Lampkin; intended for public-facing employees)
Each of these offerings addresses specific training elements required under Labor Code 6401.9, including the various types of workplace violence, definitions of important terms, and strategies to avoid physical harm. The Authority also offers training on conducting site security assessments. While the recent webinar that included this training was recorded and is available to view through the Authority’s learning management system, members (especially those fulfilling the workplace violence prevention plan administrator role) may benefit from attending a live session.
As the July 1 deadline approaches, the Authority has scheduled virtual instructor-led training (open to all members) as follows:
Members can register for these sessions through the Authority’s learning management system. Private sessions can be requested as desired.
For more information on these offerings, please review the training catalog in myJPIA. Members can contact Administrative Assistant Denise Covell for scheduling assistance.
If you have any questions, please contact your regional risk manager.
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The Importance of Proper Risk Transfer in Liability Claims
When public agencies contract with third-party vendors for services such as road repair, the stakes related to risk transfer are high. If risk transfer is not completed correctly, the public agency can face severe exposure related to liability claims.
In this article, the Authority highlights a liability case in which proper risk transfer was essential to a successful outcome for the member and the Authority.
In the case of Roberts v. City et al., a solo bicyclist accident allegedly occurred because of an unmarked pothole/depression in the bicycle lane near 1500 Descanso Drive. The plaintiff alleges that there was no warning of the defect. However, historical Google images confirm that there was paint around the depression the month before the incident. It is unclear who painted the defect; however, it is anticipated to be a marking by the city, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, or Sequel Contracting identifying an area in need of repair, which suggests that there was actual notice of the defect before the incident.
As a result of his fall, 69-year-old Mr. Roberts sustained serious injuries, including an open fracture of the left collarbone, six fractured ribs, and two fractures in his right hand. He was transported to the emergency room and was in the intensive care unit for 24 hours. Treatment consisted of shoulder surgery, extensive physical therapy, and addressing his post-accident vertigo.
An evaluation of city records revealed that a contract had been awarded to Sequel Contracting in late 2021, and a resurfacing project was completed on June 30, 2022. The incident occurred on October 2, 2022, relative to the completion date. Hence, a tender of defense and indemnity was appropriate for the city. City staff quickly located the necessary documents, including a Certificate of Insurance for Sequel naming the city as an additional insured. Carl Warren tendered the matter during the claims stage, and Sequel’s insurance carrier accepted the tender for defense and indemnity. Thus, the city and the Authority have extinguished the exposure to the significant injuries sustained by the plaintiff. If forced to defend this case, it would likely have had a settlement value in the $750,000 to $1,000,000 range.
Contact your regional risk manager and/or consult the Authority’s Contractual Risk Transfer Manual for more information about risk transfer.
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Register for Virtual Americans with Disability Act Training
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important and impactful law for municipalities. Understanding the roles, responsibilities, and strategies for compliance with accessibility standards and regulations is critically important.
Your agency may request training whenever needed, but to make training even more accessible for interested agencies, we have scheduled two virtual instructor-led sessions in the coming months.
The virtual training on “Roles, Responsibilities, and Strategies for ADA Compliance” provided by Disability Access Consultants (DAC) for our members has been scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, July 10, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 13, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
These two-hour virtual trainings are open to all Authority members. A description of them is included below.
Roles, Responsibilities & Strategies for ADA Compliance – Virtual
Details
This course provides an overview of roles, responsibilities, and strategies for public entities to comply with the ADA and related accessibility standards and regulations.
Topics Covered
- Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Related accessibility standards and regulations
- Similarities of the ADA and Section 504 (504) of the Rehabilitation Act
- Designating an ADA Coordinator
- Five titles of the ADA
- Differences between Title II and Title III
- Providing a Statement of Accommodations
- Understanding the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Understanding Grievance Policies and Procedures
- Required notices and postings
- Policies recommended for compliance
- Public input requirements
- Definition of disability
- Service animals
- Effective communication
- Acceptable terminology
- Consequences of ADA compliance and noncompliance
Who Should Attend
ADA Coordinators or those responsible for ADA compliance with your agency or seeking to learn more about the roles, responsibilities, and strategies for ADA compliance.
If you are interested in attending this training, please contact your agency training registrar. If you have any questions about the training or other trainings offered by the California JPIA, please contact the training team.
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Paving the Way: How La Mirada Prioritizes Public Safety, One Step at a Time
Smooth sidewalks are taken for granted all too often. Tripping hazards can be caused by tree roots, soil expansion, heat expansion, and several other environmental factors, and a city may not notice that a walkway is uneven until someone takes a tumble. Implementing consistent inspection schedules and developing an action plan to correct hazards is the key to maintaining public safety and limiting liability.
The California JPIA provides comprehensive support to its member agencies, providing resources and guidance through each step of the sidewalk maintenance process. The City of La Mirada is committed to excellence in public safety and has demonstrated remarkable success in its sidewalk inspection program, setting a standard for proactive risk management.
Walkway hazards—even those only a few inches tall—can create significant problems for cities.
“Sidewalk trip and fall claims are one of the most frequent liability claims we experience,” said Risk Services Director Alex Mellor. “Cities usually don’t have the resources to inspect their sidewalks as frequently as they would like, and people can get seriously hurt, especially if there is a sidewalk deviation close to a senior center.”
Recognizing the benefits of a systematic approach to sidewalk maintenance, in September 2007, La Mirada partnered with the Authority to formalize their program and develop a comprehensive system of evaluation and repair for La Mirada’s 144 miles of sidewalk. The city regularly reviews its sidewalk maintenance program and adjusts its practices to incorporate alternate inspection and repair options with available resources.
La Mirada’s sidewalk inspection program is a testament to the effectiveness of proactive risk management. Using resources provided by the California JPIA, the city developed a regimented sidewalk inspection and maintenance policy. Once a potential hazard is detected, the city measures it. If the deviation is deemed to create a dangerous condition, it is scheduled for repair or replacement, and deviations marked as trivial defects are monitored.
“If staff identifies a deviation that exceeds 1.5 inches, mitigation measures are implemented immediately, and a temporary or permanent repair is added to a repair, replacement, and/or reinspection schedule,” said Tony Moreno, a senior administrative analyst for the City of La Mirada. “If the pavement displacement is shorter than 1.5 inches, it is typically noted, evaluated, and scheduled for re-inspection or temporary repair. If the hazard is adjacent to a school, senior center, or zone with above-average foot traffic, it may be prioritized for repair.”
Based on established standards of what constitutes a dangerous condition, La Mirada’s public works staff also keeps an eye out for sidewalks with excessive slopes; cracks and holes exceeding a half inch in depth or diameter; damage around traffic signals, utility poles, ground utility boxes, streetlights, and regulatory sign posts; hazardous tree wells; and other relevant hazards, regardless of whether they meet specific requirements for repair. They also check on potential hazards reported by community members.
“Our public works staff responds to reports about sidewalks, regardless of the size reported,” said Moreno. “The separation doesn’t have to meet any ‘hazard’ standard — our field and office staff endeavor to coordinate inspections of nearly all reports of sidewalk separations. Staff do a great job communicating with citizens regarding their requests and strive to provide excellent customer service in addition to the physical work performed.”
Staff flags sidewalk hazards with fluorescent paint. This marker draws pedestrians’ attention to the defect, reducing the potential for a trip and fall before a repair is completed.
When La Mirada staff flag a walkway hazard, it is addressed by temporary repair installed by city staff, addressed by another contractor, or repaired by Precision Concrete Cutting (PCC) experts. The California JPIA facilitates partnerships between its members and PCC through a master services agreement. Members leveraging this relationship benefit from preferred pricing and terms, allowing for cost-effective sidewalk maintenance options.
“One of the reasons we contract with PCC is because we feel as though the work they do, both in inspections and maintenance, is of the highest quality,” said Mellor. “When there’s a deviation between two sidewalk panels, most maintenance companies will grind the raised panel down. Notably, PCC uses tools that cut straight through the concrete, creating a smoother finish.”
La Mirada also employs a fast-setting cold mix material called Trowelpave to patch and repair city sidewalks. This material creates wedges that bridge the vertical separations created by tripping hazards, removing the need for a more expensive and time-consuming repair process.
As La Mirada continues to prioritize public safety, its inspection, response, and repair program serves as a model for municipalities across California. By embracing proactive risk management strategies and leveraging partnerships with the California JPIA and PCC, cities can create safer environments for their residents while minimizing liability and enhancing the aesthetics of public property.
Members interested in developing a sidewalk inspection program can access a sidewalk inspection and maintenance program template in the resource library on cjpia.org. Please contact your regional risk manager for more information.
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City of Lakewood Celebrates 70th Anniversary
The California JPIA recognizes the City of Lakewood, which celebrated its 70th Anniversary in April.
The city was incorporated on April 16, 1954, but the groundwork for establishing it was laid years before. In February 1950, the Lakewood Park Corp. commenced construction on 3,385 acres of farmland situated in unincorporated Los Angeles County, just north of Long Beach. This transformation would become America’s largest planned community at the time. Called the “$250-Million Planned Community,” the development incorporated schools, parks, places of worship, 16 small shopping centers, and the expansive Lakewood Center mall. Additionally, it prioritized safety with parkway panels and service roads separating residential areas from main roads.
Now, 70 years later, the city continues to be known as one of the most successful, family-friendly, and affordable communities in Southern California. Lakewood has evolved into a vibrant residential community of nearly 80,000 residents, with a broad ethnic diversity that closely mirrors Los Angeles County as a whole. Known for its picturesque parks, diverse recreational opportunities, well-kept infrastructure, family-oriented neighborhoods, and dedication to safety, Lakewood stands as a testament to a thriving city.
To honor its 70th anniversary, the city hosted several celebratory events, including a luncheon at the senior center with city council members. The lunch included music, dancing, and a birthday cake. Several family members of the original council attended and were introduced to the audience. The city also hosted a “Family Movie Night” featuring the classic film “Back to the Future,” which is largely set in 1955. Residents, who were encouraged to dress in 1950’s attire, enjoyed carnival games, free popcorn, food trucks, and photo opportunities, including one large collage bearing nostalgic photos of Lakewood’s past.
“Seventy years ago, the residents of the largest planned community in America made the bold decision to incorporate, establishing the city that we love,” said Mayor Todd Rogers. “With Lakewood’s founding in 1954, the movie is a glimpse into what life might’ve been like here too. What was once lima bean fields, is now filled with parks, schools, businesses, homes, and our wonderful residents.”
Happy anniversary, Lakewood – may the next 70 years be filled with even greater achievements and prosperity!
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New Rule for State and Local Governments on Web and Mobile App Accessibility
Originally published on April 25, 2024. Reprinted with permission from the Pacific ADA Center.
In April, the Federal Register published the U.S. Department of Justice’s final rule updating its Americans with Disabilities Act Title II regulations. This rule provides state and local governments with new requirements to make their websites and mobile applications (apps) accessible to people with disabilities.
Many government programs, services, and activities are now provided online. When state and local government agencies’ websites and mobile apps are not accessible, people with disabilities do not have the same opportunities to get information and participate as people without disabilities. For example, if a video on a government website is not captioned, a person with a hearing disability may not be able to fully understand its content. Others may need to navigate through a website using their keyboard instead of a mouse. If a person with a disability can’t use a government website or mobile app, it may be harder for them to request a mail-in ballot or get the tax forms they need.
With the rule’s publication, the dates when state and local governments have to meet the rule’s requirements are now set. For state and local governments with a population of 50,000 or more, the date is April 24, 2026. For state and local governments with a population of 0 to 49,999 persons and special district governments, the date is April 26, 2027.
Until then, state, and local governments still must meet their current Title II requirements and give people with disabilities equal access to their services, programs, and activities through their websites and mobile apps.
To learn more, read the U.S. Department of Justice Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments or the official version of the full rule in the Federal Register.
The Pacific ADA Center is a program of the Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute and is a resource to help the community understand and apply the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal disability rights laws.
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