9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. - Athenian
IMFOA will again be hosting an Athenian Leadership Dialogue in conjunction with the
conference. The dialogue will be facilitated by Anne Uecker, City Clerk/Treasurer, City of St.
Frances, Wisconsin and is eligible for IMFOA and IIMC education credits. Learn More.
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Registration Desk Open
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – HR Seasonal Employees and Child Labor Law
Holly Corkery and Maddie Huntzinger, Attorneys with Dallas Lynch, will review recent “hot topics” in
municipal employment law, including issues related to seasonal and minor employees; issues with
applying and managing the Family Medical Leave Act leave; and other employment issues affecting Iowa
cities.
7:30 – 10:00 p.m. – Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival
The festival will feature 50 hand-crafted, larger than life, illuminated animal-shaped Asian
lanterns. Immerse yourself in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning
festival. Those wanting to attend will need to RSVP on their registration and make payment of
$15 at the gate upon arrival.
7:30 a.m. – Registration Desk Open
8:11 a.m. – First Timer’s Mini-Meet
The Board invites those attending the IMFOA conference for the first time to attend a brief orientation. This is your opportunity to meet other First Timers, receive a welcome bag, and learn about important resources to help you navigate City Government and more!
9:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies and Welcome by President Tricia Maiers
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. – Iowa Alcohol Licensing and You
The Department of Revenue's Alcohol and Tax Compliance team will be presenting the processes, laws, and regulations related to obtaining and maintaining alcohol licenses in Iowa. Speakers will be: Nathan Beyer and Associates from The Iowa Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverages Division.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – From Review to Approval: Navigating the Tobacco Licensing Portal
Jessica Ekman and Jerika Pellington of the Iowa Department of Revenue’s Retail Tobacco Enforcement Program will help attendees navigate the new online review and approval process for Tobacco Permits and the new Device Retailer Permit through the GovConnectIowa Portal, along with the new requirements every city needs to know.
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – Notary Training
Learn the basic responsibilities of an Iowa notary and how you avoid some of the most common mistakes and provide the best service possible to the people of Iowa! Many notaries think the process is simple: stamp and sign, but there is much more to it than that. During this session, we will spend time on issues such as the most commonly asked questions, types of notarizations, and the notary complaint process. Presenting this session will be Olivia (Lexxy) Rhodes, Operations, Office of Iowa Secretary of State.
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. – There are Treasures to be Reported and Treasurers to be Found
A member from the State Treasurer’s Office will share about the Great Iowa Treasurer Hunt. The State of Iowa requires all businesses including cities to report unclaimed property that meets certain requirements. Learn about what the requirements are and how to submit the correct information. Additionally, the city you work for may have unclaimed property that is waiting to be claimed. Find out what steps you can take to claim this unclaimed property.
2:45-3:15 p.m. – Break
3:15 - 4:45 p.m. – Closed Sessions: The Ins and Outs of Complying with Iowa’s Open Meetings Law
Maria Brownell, an Attorney with Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm, will give an overview of the open meetings law, including the rules related to closed session meeting procedures, and best practices.
4:45 – 5:00 p.m. – Clerk and Finance Certifications Presentation
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Vendor Party: Thriving in the Local Government Jungle
Join us for a safari themed vendor party. “Thriving in the Local Government Jungle.” Enjoy food and drinks while visiting with vendors and networking with colleagues. Join in the fun by participating in a trivia game via the Slido app. Wear your animal print outfits and test your knowledge. Prizes to those at the top of the leaderboard by the end of the night.
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. – Grab & Go Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Opportunities and Public Assistance Division
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers as communities face an increasing threat from natural disasters and hazards. The potential disasters and hazards that each community faces can vary, which is why FEMA works with Finance Officers to reduce risk through hazard mitigation. FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. John Gassman and Micah Deason with FEMA Region 7 in Kansas City will present on updates to Section 422 of the Stafford Act and discuss how to empower applicants through Public Assistance. The presentation will include topics such as the Document Reduction Act, streamline application process, and closeout procedures.
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – League Legislative Update
Staff with the Iowa League of Cities will provide an update on the Iowa Legislature session and the status of bills pertaining to cities and other updates.
11:30 a.m. - Business Meeting - Door Prizes