All sessions will be held at the Hangar Conference Center.
Session topics and speakers are subject to change.

Thursday, May 15
7:30-8:10 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:10 a.m. Welcome
TML President Allison Heyward, CMO, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Schertz
8:20-9:15 a.m. The Power of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to be aware, understand, and manage your emotions for the best possible outcome. It is essential for personal and professional success. Emotional intelligence is not simply about feelings or just being in a good mood. It is about behaviors and choices. It is about decisions. In this immersive and engaging session, Dr. Menefee will help you learn how to harness emotions and monitor their impact on the work environment and overall team performance. You will also learn to regulate stress and focus on building positive relationships that benefit you and your small city.
Arturo Menefee, PhD, Interim Executive Director, The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development
9:20-10:20 a.m. Economic Development for Small Towns
In this session, you will hear about the basic legal requirements relating to the economic development tools available to Texas cities and how those tools may be used to strengthen local economies.
Charles Zech, Partner/Shareholder, Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C.

F – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for finance.
10:20-10:30 a.m. Stretch Break
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Is it “Grandfathered” or Just Expired: Sorting out Timing Issues in Land Use
Timing is everything when it comes to land use regulation, but Texas cities sometimes struggle to separate legal reality from landowner arguments. This session will break down the concepts of grandfathering, vested rights, shot clocks, and other timing-related challenges that arise in zoning, subdivision, annexation and other areas of land use. Using practical examples, we’ll explore what cities can enforce, what truly qualifies as ‘grandfathered,’ and how local officials can navigate timing issues effectively.
Tad Cleaves, Legal Counsel, Texas Municipal League
11:30-12:30 p.m. Networking Lunch
12:40-1:40 p.m. Nuisance Abatement and Code Enforcement in Small Cities: A Legal Perspective
In this informative session, Art Rodriguez will provide an overview into nuisance abatement and enforcement in small cities across Texas. The session will cover the legal tools and strategies available to cities when addressing common neighborhood nuisances, including dilapidated buildings, accumulation of debris, overgrown lots, unsightly property conditions, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, and noise violations.
Art Rodriguez, Partner, Messer Fort
1:45-3:00 p.m. Retail Recruitment Strategies
For many small cities, retail is the main driver of economic development, while for others, it’s only a slice of the overall strategy. Whether retail is your community’s main source of economic development or part of your strategy, this session will provide insights and tactics to build a stronger retail base in your community. We will also examine current retail trends in the market and what to expect from retailers and developers in upcoming years.
Aaron Farmer, President, The Retail Coach
3:00-3:10 p.m. Stretch Break
3:10-4:15 p.m. Legislative Update for Small Cities
We’re nearing the end of the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature. Learn what city-related bills are progressing, and where your attention and support are needed to help defeat or advance legislation that could impact your small city.
TML Legislative Staff

 

Friday, May 16
8:30-9:30 a.m. Breakfast Discussion – What’s Working in Your Community?
TML President Allison Heyward, CMO, Mayor Pro Tem, City of SchertzWhether you’re looking for fresh ideas, strategies for overcoming obstacles, or simply a dose of inspiration, this breakfast roundtable discussion will offer valuable takeaways for community leaders. Participants are encouraged to share their success stories and participate in a collaborative discussion aimed at fostering connections and sparking new ideas for building a brighter future for small towns.
9:35-10:30 a.m. The Heart of a Leader
Retired police chief Mike Gentry will talk about the internal motivation of an effective leader, focusing on the qualities of self-sacrifice, service, and trust – all are required to inspire organizations to understand the goals and strive for their completion. This presentation will encourage leaders to understand the necessity for trust in an organization that leads to a unified effort toward success.
Michael R. (Mike) Gentry, Chief of Police (retired)
10:30-10:40 a.m. Stretch Break
10:40-11:50 a.m. Navigating Legal Challenges for Small Cities: A Practical Q&A
In this hands-on session, TML legal staff will invite your questions on the key legal challenges and issues faced by your small town or city. Through an interactive discussion, we will tackle your top questions and provide you with practical insights to help you navigate the laws affecting your community.
Sarah Tompkins, Legal Counsel; Stephanie Huser, Legal Counsel; and Tad Cleaves, Legal Counsel, Texas Municipal League