Issue 152 - October 2024
NEWS: WORTHY
Authority Members Gather for Risk Management Confidential at 29th Annual Risk Management Educational Forum
A total of 481 Authority members, business partners, and staff engaged with speakers and learned from relevant and timely presentations at the California JPIA’s 29th Annual Risk Management Educational Forum themed, Risk Management Confidential, at the Hyatt in Indian Wells from October 9 to 11, 2024.
Dan Chuparkoff, one of the world’s leading experts on innovation, AI, and the future of teams, kicked off the Forum on Wednesday in the opening session, “Shadows in the Code: How AI Shapes Local Government.” Then, attorneys Jonathan Vick and Michael Watts led attendees through an in-depth discussion of how employers can comply with the requirements of SB 553 in the session, “Be on the Lookout: Complying with Cal/OSHA and SB 553.”
Thursday’s programming started with the recognition of the Capstone Award finalists. The award is presented each year to an individual at a member agency who best exemplifies risk management. Alexa Davis, assistant city manager at the City of Rolling Hills Estates, received the 11th Annual Capstone Award.
Professional drummer Mark Schulman provided a high-energy keynote and taught attendees how to apply a “rock star mentality” to office life to boost innovation and joy at work.
Breakout sessions addressed risk management issues affecting public agencies. Members immersed themselves in legal liability, workers’ compensation, cybersecurity, mental health for public safety, managing disruptions at public meetings, governance, and ADA compliance. The Forum agenda provides a complete listing of the breakout sessions and links to presentations.
The Forum concluded on Friday with Kathy Espinoza’s presentation, “The Big Heat: Dealing with Burnout in the Workforce. ” Espinoza offered practical tips on clearing your mind at the end of each day to relax and find balance at home.
Save the date for the 30th Annual California JPIA Risk Management Educational Forum, October 1–3, 2025, at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad.
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California JPIA Recognizes Capstone Award Winner Alexa Davis
The California JPIA congratulates Alexa Davis, assistant city manager for the City of Rolling Hills Estates, who received the 11th annual Capstone Award at the California JPIA’s Annual Risk Management Educational Forum in Indian Wells.
“Alexa has been instrumental here in the City of Rolling Hills Estates in advancing risk management,” said Rolling Hills Estates City Manager Greg Grammar. “When we had an incident in the city, her first thought was to make sure that life and property were protected, and then she contacted the Authority to make sure they were aware of any exposure the city may have.”
In July 2023, land movement caused the City of Rolling Hills Estates to red-tag homes, requiring residents to be evacuated. City staff, led by Davis, instantly sprang into action to protect residents, prioritizing their immediate needs while researching long-term solutions.
“Rolling Hills Estates has strong pre-planning, comprehensive MOUs, and other essential preparations in place, and I believe that’s one of the city’s key strengths,” said California JPIA Senior Risk Manager Melaina Francis. “Alexa has been instrumental in leading this effort, so they are highly prepared in an emergency.”
Davis is a risk management champion widely respected by her peers within the organization and the risk management profession. The strategic mitigation strategies she implemented to reduce risk exposure were critical in the fast deployment of resources when land movement occurred within the city in 2023.
“This is the biggest local disaster that I’ve experienced in my career and most likely the largest to affect the City of Rolling Hills Estates,” said Davis. “Messaging is a key component of risk management. Knowing what, where, when, why, and who our internal and external stakeholders are important to ensure we are framing that message correctly.”
“Alexa is a great person and takes risk management very seriously,” said Francis. “Any city having crisis situations with someone like Alexa on staff will prevail every time.”
The Capstone Award is presented annually to an individual at a member agency who exemplifies the practice of risk management by supporting or improving risk management efforts within their agency, influences others in developing or maintaining positive risk management efforts, and coordinates support systems that serve the members risk management goals and needs.
The 2024 finalists also included:
- Dorna Farhadi, Human Resources Manager, City of Laguna Niguel
- Manuel Enriquez, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Duarte
- Mary Kingman, District Arborist, Rossmoor Community Services District
“I am really honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the support from the Authority for its members, the dedication of the Rolling Hills Estates team, and the leadership of my City Manager and City Council,” said Davis. “Our commitment to prioritizing risk management demonstrates the care and concern we collectively have for our community and each other.”
To learn more about the Capstone Award and view the finalist videos, visit the award webpage.
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New Academy for Supervisors
The all-new Supervisor Academy is taking place January 14–16, 2025, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego.
This Academy guides attendees through the entire employee lifecycle, covering essential topics for supervising employees through every career stage. Participants will delve into early career areas like recruiting, selection, and onboarding, move on to mid-career skills like performance management and navigating career development, and finish with end-of-career strategies, including exit interviews, transitions, and succession planning. The Academy is ideal for member agency managers and supervisors.
There is no cost to attend the Academy, which includes breakfast, lunch, all training materials, and a three-night hotel stay.
Those interested in attending this Academy may request to register here. For additional information about the Authority academies, please contact Training Coordinator Michelle Aguayo.
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National Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Month
October is Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Month. Cities and counties nationwide honor these officers for their critical role in enforcing health and safety regulations. Though essential year-round, October highlights their impact on building, zoning, environmental, and housing standards.
In January 2023, the Authority teamed up with the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation (CEOSF), a national 501c3 nonprofit, to provide important safety training to member code enforcement officers. This training has become critical since the passing of Senate Bill 296, which requires local jurisdictions to develop safety standards that are appropriate for the code enforcement officers they employ.
Code enforcement, building, fire, and health inspectors work within communities to enforce local and state laws. Visiting homes and businesses, they often handle challenging situations with citizens facing eviction, financial hardship, mental health issues, homelessness, or disputes. They face dangerous, emotionally charged situations, where training can prove invaluable.
Since the partnership began, hundreds of California JPIA members have completed the CEOSF Code Official Safety Specialist (COSS) training program. This on-demand virtual course covers Tactical Mindset, Fear Management, Verbal De-escalation, Three Phases of a Contact, and Surviving a Violent Encounter. It is recognized by the International Code Council, American Association of Code Enforcement, National Animal Care and Control Association, CalAnimals, and dozens of state associations.
Members interested in learning more about the COSS training program or benefits available through the Authority’s partnership with CEOSF can contact their regional risk manager.
Code enforcement officers uphold health and safety codes, offer exceptional customer service, and work closely with the public to achieve compliance. They are creative problem-solvers and dedicated public servants.
Thank you, code enforcement officers!
Print ArticleRE: MEMBERS
How Lake Elsinore and the California JPIA Collaborate to Create Safe, Successful Special Events
Behind the scenes of each festival, parade, and community celebration in the City of Lake Elsinore, a wide-ranging team works to make it all happen. The team includes members from every city department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO), Cal Fire, and the California JPIA.
For Assistant City Manager Shannon Buckley, working with the California JPIA has allowed her to build the city’s special events team with confidence and clarity. “Our planning process isn’t solely focused on risk management; it’s rooted in collaboration,” she said. “Our goal is always to put the community first. With the California JPIA’s support, we can ensure events are safe while leaving room for creativity.”
In the early days of the city’s partnership with the Authority, the event management team was much smaller and didn’t include its present-day breadth of perspectives. “When I started at the city, the team consisted of community services and public works—risk management really wasn’t involved,” said Buckley. “Now, we have a representative from every department on the team.”
The city’s dedication to teamwork is felt across its partnerships with local organizations. “The Lake Elsinore special events team excels in collaboration, bringing together skills and ideas to create large and small city events,” said RSO Sergeant Brad Foster. “Their strong communication and shared vision ensure each event runs smoothly and meets the community’s needs. Together, everyone creates events that are well planned and successful.”
Director of Community Services Johnathan O. Skinner emphasized the importance of flexibility to Lake Elsinore’s special events planning process. “We learn and adapt as programs are happening,” he said. “We take proper steps ‘in the back of the house’ so the participants in the ‘front of the house’ can focus on having a great time!”
The Authority and Regional Risk Manager Abraham Han are another integral part of the special events team. They provide an expert perspective on the risk management protocols that shape each event and are equipped to share this expertise beyond the internal special events team. “When individuals push for certain events, we can lean on the Authority to be the ‘bad cop,’” said Buckley. “They’ve got our back when it comes to protecting the city from unnecessary liability.”
Now, Lake Elsinore’s event planning process runs like a well-oiled machine—public works ascertain roadways are safely closed, RSO manages traffic and safety, and planning confirms that events comply with local laws. These tried-and-true processes make sure that annual events like Trunk or Treat, Winterfest, West Coast Thunder, Mariachi Fest, and Quack Fest go off without a hitch.
Each new event proposal is thoughtfully evaluated by the city and the California JPIA, making sure that the event can be safely executed. “When we have new events, I always reach out to my regional risk manager,” said Buckley. “It’s great to have a second set of eyes—it ensures we haven’t missed anything.”
Han emphasizes the importance of collaboration and flexibility in his work. “In risk management, it’s not always about saying no; it’s about being a part of the solution,” he said. “Lake Elsinore’s event planning process is so effective because of their willingness to collaborate, listen, and bring everyone to the table—I strive to emulate that same spirit of partnership across all of the members I work with.”
By fostering collaboration between a wide range of stakeholders, Lake Elsinore ensures that they cover all their bases, laying the foundation for a successful event roster for years to come. “Be a good listener, communicate, and put your community first,” said Buckley. “When you do that, you can always find a way.”
For more information and assistance with your community’s event planning needs, please contact your regional risk manager.
Print ArticleRISK SOLUTIONS
Resource Update
The following are updates to our resource library, including updates to existing and newly developed resources:
New: Mobile Food Facilities Guidelines. This resource was created to set forth best risk management practices for mobile food facilities at Agency-sponsored and approved third-party events through a facility use agreement.
Updated: Office Hazards Inspection Checklist Template. This resource was regularly reviewed for potential updates. Updates included adding purpose and procedure statements and expanding upon items to inspect under each category.
Updated: Fire Prevention Plan. This resource was regularly reviewed for potential updates, including adding tables to assist with the customization of the plan, expanding on the potential hazards section, and adding a section on fire alarm pull station locations.
Updated: Cash Handling Guidelines. This resource was regularly reviewed for potential updates, including adding sections addressing electronic receipts and payments, cybersecurity measures, and reviews and audits.
Resources can be accessed and downloaded via the online library located in the resources section of the Authority’s website. Resources available in Word format are for members to customize to agency-specific policies and procedures.
If you have any questions, please contact your regional risk manager.
Print ArticlePRO: FILES
California JPIA Promotes Habib Ali to Accountant
The California JPIA is proud to announce the promotion of Habib Ali from Accounting Specialist to Accountant.
“Habib has been a dedicated member of our team for nearly a decade,” said California JPIA Chief Executive Officer Alex Smith. “His adaptability, commitment to service, and eagerness to learn have prepared him well for this next chapter. I look forward to seeing how his skills will further strengthen the Authority’s financial operations and overall organizational goals.”
Through his promotion, Ali will act as a key leader during an exciting period of transition and expansion for the Authority’s accounting department. The California JPIA is in the process of adopting new accounting software and onboarding new team members—Ali plays a critical role in maintaining the current system and ensuring a smooth transition for the team.
“We’re growing into a more dynamic accounting team,” said Ali. “Once we are fully cross-trained on the new systems, I can contribute to a wider range of finance and accounting areas, increasing efficiency and providing enhanced support for our members.”
Ali brings his extensive experience and passion for community service to the role. After earning a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance, real estate, and law from Cal Poly Pomona, Ali worked in various fields before landing in the public sector. His path to the California JPIA began while he was working as an accounting technician in the City of Artesia’s finance department.
“Financial decisions are at the heart of everything,” said Ali. “They touch every aspect of an organization, so working in accounting puts you in tune with what is happening across the board.”
Ali’s commitment to serving the community through a public sector role is deeply rooted in his upbringing as a child of immigrant parents. His father, who worked for the federal government, instilled in him the value of giving back to the community—principles that have guided Ali’s approach to his work at the Authority and beyond. Since 2023, he has served as the co-chair of the City of Cerritos’ Community Safety Committee, advising the city on matters related to crime prevention, traffic, and pedestrian safety.
“Habib’s dedication to service is felt across his professional and personal life,” said Finance Director Jason McBride. “Those lucky enough to count him as a teammate or a friend know that he leads with a spirit of care and camaraderie.”
Throughout his tenure on the accounting team, Ali has made significant contributions to the organization. He was integral to maintaining the Authority’s accounts payable systems during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s also bolstered the team’s lighthearted culture, organizing a digital scavenger hunt during the 2018 Risk Management Educational Forum (Forum) in Carlsbad and reprising the activity at the 2022 Santa Barbara Forum following popular demand.
Ali has also demonstrated dedication to staying updated on accounting and financial trends. He’s tuned into ongoing artificial intelligence applications in the field and regularly attends conferences and workshops to ensure that the Authority team extends best practices to its members.
With his new responsibilities and ongoing dedication to the Authority’s mission, he is well-prepared to lead the accounting team into a streamlined future.
Congratulations, Habib, on your well-deserved promotion!
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California JPIA Welcomes New Hire Rezvane Lafmejani to its Finance Department
The California JPIA is pleased to welcome Rezvane Lafmejani as its newest accountant.
“Rezvane is an excellent addition to our finance team,” said California JPIA Chief Executive Officer Alex Smith. “I’m confident that her professional experience and subject matter expertise will help her make an immediate, positive impact in serving our members.”
Lafmejani entered the field after completing a master’s degree in accounting at California State University, Fullerton, in 2019. She pursued her undergraduate degree in civil engineering but pivoted her focus to accounting following graduation, pursuing a master’s program where she gained experience as a teaching assistant. “As soon as I started teaching debits, credits, and concepts of cost accounting to students, I felt confident that I wanted to pursue accounting as my career,” said Lafmejani.
After completing her master’s degree, she served as an accountant at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), a firm that provides outsourced financial services to nonprofit organizations nationwide. Over her three years at YPTC, Lafmejani worked with a diverse range of clients. “This consultant role allowed me to continuously enhance my clients’ core accounting activities like accounts receivable and payable,” she said. “I became well-acquainted with value-added services, such as rolling cash forecasts and actual versus budget analysis.”
One of her YPTC clients sparked her interest in risk management, eventually leading her to her new role at the California JPIA. “I consulted for an insurance foundation and was always curious to learn more about the insurance industry and risk management,” said Lafmejani. “I came across the Authority job listing this summer, and after researching the organization’s mission and impact, I was eager to apply.”
Lafmejani’s full-cycle accounting experience, ranging from transaction entry to statement preparation, paired with her ability to learn new programs quickly, makes her well-prepared for the Authority’s upcoming transition to new accounting software.
“Rezvane brings experience that is well suited to the needs of the Authority as we transition software applications and refine processes,” said Finance Director Jason McBride. “She can step in and lighten the load of day-to-day activities because she has experience doing those activities. She also adds meaningful perspective as we consider decisions that impact on how we will use the new accounting software moving forward.”
Furthermore, she remains committed to expanding her expertise and staying current on accounting and finance trends. She is pursuing her CPA license and has completed Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses in data visualization, artificial intelligence, and communicating financial information to non-financial stakeholders. “These courses have enhanced my ability to present complex financial data in clear, visually compelling ways,” said Lafmejani. “I’m very excited to bring this expertise in data visualization to the Authority, where I can help make financial insights more accessible and actionable for the team.”
Lafmejani’s technical expertise and dedication to self and systems improvement make her an exciting addition to the California JPIA team.
Welcome to the Authority, Rezvane!
Print ArticleLEGAL MATTERS
Public Law Update – SB 1034: California Public Records Act During States of Emergency
By Alexandra Mulhall, Associate; Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Originally published on October 18, 2024. Republished with permission from Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
On July 18, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1034 into law. SB 1034 was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an effort to decrease the burden of the California Public Records Act (“PRA”) on public agencies during emergencies. The PRA requires public agencies to, within 10 days of a request for a copy of records, determine whether the request seeks copies of disclosable public records in possession of the agency and to promptly notify the person of the determination and the reasons therefor. While the PRA already had a provision allowing agencies to extend their initial response time by up to 14 days in “unusual circumstances,” the law’s definition of “unusual circumstances” did not include emergency conditions, such as the pandemic. Thus, prior to SB 1034, agencies had to continue devoting time and resources to public records requests during states of emergency, despite staffing shortages or closure of facilities containing records.
In response to these issues, SB 1034 amends Government Code section 7922.535 by expanding the definition of “unusual circumstances” warranting an extension of time for public agencies to provide an initial determination to include, “The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine records during a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor in the jurisdiction where the agency is located when the state of emergency currently affects, due to the state of emergency, the agency’s ability to timely respond to requests due to staffing shortages or closure of facilities where the requested records are located.”
Under SB 1034, “state of emergency” means a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to Government Code section 8625. This section empowers the Governor to declare a state of emergency during a number of emergency scenarios ranging from fires to riots when those incidents create disaster or extreme peril.
Notably, in recognition that accessing records about a state of emergency during a state of emergency is important and necessary for the public, the bill specifies that this provision does not apply to a request for records created during and related to the proclaimed state of emergency. This means that initial responses for requests for records which relate to the emergency at issue may not be extended by up to 14 days under this new rule. However, there could be scenarios where other “unusual circumstances” under section 7922.535 apply to the request and could be invoked to extend the response date.
Public agencies should integrate SB 1034’s expansion of “unusual circumstances” into their policies and practices for responding to Public Records Act requests, while being aware of the limitations of invoking a 14-day extension for the initial determination, even during declared states of emergency.
Attorneys at Burke regularly advise clients on legal matters related to the Public Records Act.
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