ACWA event brochure

Welcome MessageRethinkingCaliforniaW terGreetings!I would like to cordially invite you to attend ACWA’s2013 Spring Conference & Exhibition, “RethinkingCalifornia Water.” Set in Sacramento, May 7-10, thespring conference will be held at the SacramentoConvention Center and surrounding hotels.With key decisions ahead regarding the Delta,water system improvements and financing,California water is at a pivotal moment. Ourconference, “Rethinking California Water,” is aimedat bringing a fresh perspective to the current water policy debate. At thisconference you will hear from a host of state and federal speakers who willaddress the current and changing policies of this debate, as well as providetheir views and perspectives on what needs to happen today to accomplishour future goals for the improvement of California water systems.Water quality, conservation, storage and energy independence are just afew of the topics to be addressed. Board members and water professionals,including attorneys, financial and human resource managers, and operationsstaff will have over 85 meetings, panel discussions and events to choose fromduring ACWA’s four-day conference.Once again the conference schedule will allow attendees the opportunityto attend more programs and allow busy conference goers to take moreinformation back to their agencies. Professionals can receive continuingeducation credits by attending selected conference programs for attorneys,finance and human resource managers and operations staff. Additionally,water district board members will have the opportunity to attend therequired AB 1234 ethics training and AB 1825 program, Sexual HarassmentPrevention for Board Members.IN THE WORKS:There are also manyother conferenceprograms being plannedat this time.They include:• Meal function keynotespeakers• Region Forums• Statewide IssueForums• Federal Issues Forum• A Town Hall Meeting• A Water Debate• Energy ProgramsThe ACWA Exhibit Hall will be filled with vendors who can assist you and youragency with such things as legal, financial and public relations needs, alongwith any construction, design and engineering needs and more. ACWA’sexpert staffers and leadership will be available in the exhibit hall to answeryour questions.I look forward to seeing all of you in Sacramento!Randy RecordACWA President

Cowin & Bonham: The RightTeam at the Right TimeChuck BonhamMark CowinThursday LuncheonThursday, May 9; 11:45 – 1:15 p.m.Two state leaders with pivotal roles in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan(BDCP) are set to provide keynote remarks May 9 at the ACWA 2013Spring Conference & Exhibition in Sacramento.Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources,and Charlton “Chuck” Bonham, director of the California Departmentof Fish and Wildlife, will outline how the BDCP will move forward andshare perspectives on decisions and policy implications related to thelong-term planning effort.Their remarks will follow a panel discussion earlier that day (seebelow) featuring BDCP stakeholders and their views on specific Deltaconveyance facilities to be considered as part of the plan.BDCP – How Big is BigEnough?Statewide Issue ForumThursday, May 9; 9:30 – 11 a.m.In mid-March the first four chapters of the preliminary draft ofthe Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) were released marking amajor milestone in this long-term effort to provide more reliablewater supply and ecosystem restoration in the Delta. More chaptersand other documents will roll out over the next several months asthe public process heats up. While diverse interests seem to be inagreement that changes to Delta conveyance facilities are needed,the debate simmers on over size and scope of such a project.The state’s $14 billion plan calls for a 9,000 cfs facility, 145,000 acresof wildlife habitat among its key features. Another plan known asthe “portfolio alternative” advanced by some environmental groupsis calling for a smaller, 3,000 cfs facility with a larger focus on otherstrategies including conservation, etc. So, “How Big is Big Enough?”to solve Delta conveyance problems and create certainty for thoseagencies who will pay the bill? This panel will explore all of theangles of this historic effort.

RethinkingCaliforniaW terSpecial Thanksto our SponsorsHUMAN RESOURCE PROGRAMSThese programs may count as electives towards JPIA's HR Certification Programfor HR professionals.Diving in the Deep End: Effective Management of Employees With DisabilitiesWednesday, May 8; 10 – 11:30 a.m.Disability issues present some of the most challenging issues employers face.Absenteeism, tardiness, emotional outbursts, and alcoholism often raise disabilityissues. Learn to navigate the intersection between disability, leave, and disciplinethrough this interactive workshop. This workshop will provide strategies forresponding to an employee who identifies a disability in response to proposeddisciplinary action, the interactive process and reasonable accommodations, and,when appropriate, how and when to separate a disabled employee, including thedisability retirement process.Conducting an Employee InvestigationWednesday, May 8; 3 – 4 p.m.Few employers enjoy the prospect of conducting a workplace investigation. Theycan be uncomfortable, contentious and sometimes decrease employees’ productivity.That said, allegations of workplace discrimination or harassment cannot be ignored.In fact, a good investigation is fundamental to enforcing an employer's antiharassmentand antidiscrimination policies. This presentation will give you tips onhow to conduct an effective workplace investigation.How to Write Effective Job DescriptionsThursday, May 9; 9:30 – 11 a.m.Job descriptions are an essential tool for the workplace. They can be used at everystep of employment from hiring through termination, and everything in between.Job descriptions are also important legal documents that may be the key elementin a lawsuit. This training will assist management, supervisors, and human resourcesstaff in understanding the importance of job descriptions, their uses and identifyingkey elements. Participants will learn how to organize, and write accurate andobjective job descriptions and comply with employment laws. Hands-on exerciseswill enable participants to return to their workplace to review and update current jobdescriptions.Trouble Shooting Employee HandbooksThursday, May 9; 3 – 4 p.m.Employment policies and handbooks are a wonderful tool for setting employeeexpectations. Properly drafted policies on equal employment opportunities andharassment can even help insulate an employer from liability. Poorly drafted policies,on the other hand, can potentially lead to obligations for unintended benefits. Thispresentation provides an overview of several critical employment policies and thecommon pitfalls and omissions.CONFERENCE PROGRAMS continued on next page.Programs are subject to change without notice.EXCLUSIVE PARTNERACWA/JPIA2013 SPRING CONFERENCE SPONSORSAnthem Blue CrossBartle Wells AssociatesBlack & VeatchBrown and CaldwellCalWater PACCarollo Engineers, Inc.CDM SmithCH2MHILLEl Dorado Irrigation DistrictElsinore Valley Municipal Water DistrictHDRKrieger & Stewart, Incorporated,Consulting EngineersKronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & GirardLayne Christensen CompanyLockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.Mojave Water AgencyMWHNossaman LLPPacific Gas & Electric CompanyPARSPsomasQuad KnopfRMC Water and EnvironmentSanta Clara Valley Water DistrictThree Valleys Municipal Water DistrictURS CorporationVallecitos Water DistrictWest Yost AssociatesWestern Municipal Water DistrictWilliam Blair & Company, LLC

Conference ProgramsRethinkingCaliforniaW terWATER INDUSTRY TRENDS PROGRAMSThese programs qualify for attendees to receive CDPH operator certification credits.Water Conservation Rate Structures and BMP 1.4Wednesday, May 8; 10 – 11:30 a.m.Water pricing policy and water conservation influences onwater agency rate-setting continue to be controversial topicsfor California water agencies. Statewide, agencies are faced withincreasing demands to address changes in water use and costsof service, balance revenue needs, send effective customer waterpricing signals, and understand the variety of new rate-settingmodels that are now available. In 2007, the California Urban WaterConservation Council (Council) committed to review its waterpricing Best Management Practice 1.4 (formerly BMP 11). Thispolicy-development process initiated in 2012, and continuingthis year is expected to have significant influence on water ratesettingpractices for both members of the Council, and all urbanwater agencies.Recycled Water: Promising Developments on the Legislativeand Policy FrontsWednesday, May 8; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Fresh initiatives are gathering momentum on both the legislativeand policy fronts to advance the cause of potable uses of recycledwater. This panel will survey the landscape, identify promisingdevelopments, and present some case studies that should inspirerenewed water agency commitment to recycled water statewide.Outside the Box: Drinking Water Solutions forDisadvantaged CommunitiesThursday, May 9; 9:30 – 11 a.m.Californians are fortunate to have some of the highest qualitywater in the world. Public water systems successfully deliverwater every day to their customers that meet or exceed drinkingwater standards—a significant accomplishment for a statewith over 163,000 square miles of land, 7,700 square miles ofwater, and nearly 40 million people. Unfortunately, there areareas in California where safe drinking water is still not readilyaccessible and solutions to these small communities’ water qualitychallenges remain elusive. While some progress is being made,there is a renewed commitment this year by the legislature,regulatory agencies and stakeholders to secure funding and longtermsolutions for Californians currently without a sustainablewater supply. Listen to experts discuss the various types ofsolutions available for these small and disadvantaged areas,funding options, and how your water agency may be affected.Water District Consolidation - Part I: Nuts and BoltsThursday, May 9; 1:45 – 2:45 p.m.Whether it is through contractual assistance, the creation of a jointpowers agency, or a full merger of management, assets and debt,water district consolidation is not new to the water community.This approach has proven to be successful so when a watersystem is facing significant challenges, consolidating with anothersystem is often suggested as a solution. Most recently this optionhas been highlighted as the answer for small and disadvantagedcommunities unable to effectively deliver safe drinking waterto their residents. However, because the consolidation processcan be complex and divisive, when pursuing such an option,decision-makers must choose what makes the most sense fortheir district(s), keeping in mind short-term and long-term effectson the system and its customers. This two-part panel will firstexplore the types of consolidation and what factors should beconsidered when pursuing this alternative to solve water systemchallenges. Attendees will hear from experts who will discuss localgovernance issues, rural water system concerns and availablestatewide funding and support for consolidation.Water District Consolidation - Part II: Case StudiesThursday, May 9; 3 – 4 p.m.Because the consolidation process is complex and many partiesare involved, looking to agencies that have chosen to consolidate(or not) can be a useful tool in a district’s decision-making process.As discussed in the first part of this two-part panel, there are bothadvantages and disadvantages to consolidation that can havesignificant impacts on the affected district(s). This second sessionwill feature several water agencies that have chosen differentpaths for solving their water quality and infrastructure challengesalong with a discussion on the future of consolidation as a tool toaddress the issues facing small and disadvantaged communitiesthroughout the state.ACWA’s 2013 SpringConference & ExhibitionMay 7 – 10, 2013 Sacramento

RethinkingCaliforniaW terRegistrationTerms & ConditionsWHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR “ACWA ADVANTAGE” PRICING?ACWA Advantage pricing is available to the following registrants:• An officer or director of an ACWA member agency.• A person directly employed by an ACWA public agency member, affiliate or associate organization.This does not include independent contractors, service providers, or third-party vendors.• Any ACWA board member whose fee is paid for by member agency.• Any state or federal administrative or legislative personnel in elected, appointed or staff positions.• Staff of ACWA/JPIA, Water Education Foundation and California Water Awareness Campaign.• Any individual or honorary life member of ACWA.If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Associate Friend of ACWA, contact Melanie Medina at melaniem@acwa.comor Lori Doucette at lorid@acwa.com. For public agency membership, please contact Tiffany Giammona at tiffanyg@acwa.com.CANCELLATIONSAll registration cancellations must be made in writing by the event registration deadline. Valid cancellation requests will receivea refund of any registration fees paid minus a $75 processing charge. No refunds will be granted after the registration deadline.Submit request in writing to Margie Knight at margiek@acwa.com.SUBSTITUTIONSEvent registrations are transferable from one participant to another within the same organization. Please submit your request inwriting before the event registration deadline to Margie Knight at margiek@acwa.com. Include the original registrant’s name, thenew person’s name, title and email address with your request. After the registration deadline, substitutions will be handled on-site.Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for allfinancial obligations (including any balance due) associated with the original registration. There is no fee to transfer an eligibleregistration.CHANGES, SPECIAL REQUESTS & ACCOMMODATIONSChanges to your registration or other special requests must be submitted in writing to Margie Knight at margiek@acwa.com.Participants are encouraged to submit changes and special requests as soon as possible.If you have a disability that requires an accommodation, please contact Margie Knight at margiek@acwa.com or call toll freeat (888) 666-2292 to discuss your needs.REFUNDSExcept as otherwise provided in this document, all payments and fees are nonrefundable after the registration deadline.MEAL TICKETSMeal tickets are not eligible for exchange, refund or credit after the event registration deadline.NONATTENDANCERegistrants who fail to attend the event, in part or in whole, are not eligible for a refund or credit and will be billed forany balance due.GUEST REGISTRATIONGuest registration is available to a spouse, companion or guest of an ACWA event registrant. Guest registration is not available toACWA members (public agencies) or “Friends of ACWA” (affiliates, associates or individuals). Guest registration is also not availableto anyone with a professional reason to attend for purposes of learning or business. The guest registration includes admission tothe Exhibit Hall, the opening reception and the ability to purchase meal tickets and attend meal functions. Guest registrants arenot eligible for cash or prize drawings.Questions? Contact us at 916.441.4545, toll free 888.666.2292, or e-mail events@acwa.com.

ACWA 2013 Spring Conference & ExhibitionRegistration formSacramento Convention Center and Surrounding HotelsMay7-102013Register online @ acwa.comRegular registration and cancellation deadline is April 19, 2013 • 4:30 p.m. (PST)Attendee InformationFirst Name Last Name titleOrganization Address City State ZipPhone Attendee E-mail Confirmation E-mail (If registering on someone’sbehalf, include YOUR e-mail to receive a copy of the confirmation)Guest Information (*Guest registration is not available to anyone with a professional reason to attend.)First Name Last Name e-mail (MUST be different than attendee’s e-mail)Registration Fees & Options Regular Onsite AmountAdvantage (For ACWA public agency members, affiliates & associates ONLY) (ends 4/19/13)Full Conference Registration & Meals Package ................................ $695 Not Avail. ___________Full Conference Registration Only ............................................ $510 $540 ___________Partial Conference Registration Only: Tues 5/7 & Wed 5/8 -OR- Thur 5/9 & Fri 5/10. $275 $300 ___________Standard (Applies to non-members of ACWA)Full Conference Registration Only ............................................ $765 $795 ___________Partial Conference Registration Only: Tues 5/7 & Wed 5/8 -OR- Thur 5/9 & Fri 5/10 . $395 $450 ___________GuestGuest Conference Registration Only* ......................................... $40 $50 ___________Meal Functions Quantity Regular Onsite AmountWednesday – May 8Opening Breakfast. ......................................... __________ $45 $50 ___________Wednesday Luncheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________ $50 $55 ___________Thursday – May 9Networking Continental Breakfast .......................... __________ $35 $40 ___________Thursday Luncheon ........................................ __________ $50 $55 ___________Thursday Dinner. ........................................... __________ $65 $70 ___________Friday – May 10Friday Breakfast ............................................ __________ $45 $50 ___________Payment InformationTotal Due to ACWA___________Enclosed is check payable to ACWA – 910 K Street, Ste. 100 • Sacramento, CA 95814Please bill mePlease charge my fee to my credit card: MC VisaIf you select check or bill me payment option, toexpedite the check-in process onsite, ACWA mustreceive payment two weeks prior to the event.Credit Card Number: Expiration Date: Charged Amount: $______________Cardholder’s Name (as seen on card):_________________________________________ Authorized Signature:__________________________________________Print ClearlySubmit Registration: Register online at www.acwa.com or e-mail completed form to MargieK@acwa.com.Questions? Contact us at 916.441.4545, toll free 888.666.2292, or e-mail events@acwa.com.You will receive an e-mail confirmation. Hotel information will be included in this e-mail.Office Use Only: SC13-2 Ent_______ Date______