Summer Conference

Golf Tournament

Don't miss an opportunity to play on an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course at the Running Y Resort. Join mayors and guests from across the state to participate in the golf tournament. Pre-registration is required. 

Crater Lake Mayor and Guest Tour

Attendees should meet in the lobby and plan to board the bus at 9:45 am. It takes about 90 minutes to get to the lake and there will be a 2-hour tour. If members would prefer to meet the group at Crater Lake plan to be there at 11:30 a.m. for the tour.

Registration Open

Check in at registration and collect your name badge, welcome bag, conference program, and other handouts. Registration will be open for the duration of the conference and staff will be available to answer questions.

Newcomer’s Orientation

Are you new in your mayoral position or is this your first OMA conference? Come and learn tips from other newly elected and seasoned mayors about what it takes to be successful and effective in your new role. This session will also provide an informal opportunity to meet new mayors early in the conference.

Reception at 9th Street Venue

Join your fellow mayors and guests for a networking reception at the 9^th Street Venue in downtown Klamath Falls before hitting the town for Third Thursday.

Transportation will be provided. Buses will begin loading at 4:30 pm and leave the Running Y Resort promptly at 4:45 pm. 

Third Thursday

Third Thursday is Klamath Falls’ premier downtown event and one of the region's largest outdoor festivals. Locals and out-of-town visitors alike will converge on Main Street between 4th and 11th Streets - including Klamath Commons Park - to enjoy activities, vendor booths, art, fresh food, and live professional music on three separate stages! Three of downtown Klamath Falls' parks are included in the event enclosure, providing comfortable places to eat, people watch, enjoy live music, or just get off your feet for a few minutes. Many of the downtown businesses remain open after hours so that you can experience Downtown Klamath Falls' charming retail and eatery options, during or after the event. 

Buses will load at the 9^th Street Venue at 8:15 p.m. and will depart promptly at 8:30 p.m. to return to the Running Y Resort.  

Opening Ceremonies

• Presider: Mayor Rod Cross, Toledo & OMA President
• Sponsor: NW Natural
• Color Guard: Klamath Falls Police Department 
• National Anthem: Landon Beaty, Klamath Falls High School
• Welcome: Mayor Carol Westfall, Klamath Falls
• Tribal Blessing: The Klamath Tribes

1. Navigating Urban Growth Boundary Expansions: Exploring Traditional vs. Expedited Processes (Sponsored by Hayden Homes)

Join the session speakers as they explain the difference between the traditional UGB amendment process and the expedited process under Senate Bill 1537. Learn about the pros and cons of each method and tips for getting through the process. The panel will also discuss recent legislation passed during the 2024 session that clarifies that local UGB expansion decisions are not eligible to be referred to the ballot.

Expedited UGB Expansion Booklet - Session Handout

2. The Real & Consequential Impact of Measures 5 & 50 on Oregon Cities

Measures 5 and 50 have real and consequential impacts on Oregon cities. Attendees will be provided a brief overview of how Oregon’s property tax system works, and then be given a first-hand look at how the property tax system negatively impacts an actual Oregon city – from the city’s inability to fully provide needed and expected services, to the city’s ever-increasing reliance on varying fees and special operating levies. The burdens caused by Measures 5 and 50 are often unseen, this session will bring those burdens into the light, and conclude with information on work the LOC is doing to try and provide cities with needed revenue relief.

General Session – State Agency Forum

Representatives from four state agencies will lead roundtable discussions with mayors allowing for direct engagement with each agency.

Lunch & Keynote Address (Sponsored by Comcast)

Partnering with Rural Oregon. Join Margaret Hoffman, State Director of USDA Rural Development to learn how the USDA is investing in rural Oregon through loan and grant programs aimed at expanding access to high-speed internet, transportation infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, and other essential programs that make communities. With more than 70 programs to offer, mayors will learn how cities have benefited from partnering with the USDA and how these programs could help further your own community’s goals.   

Mayor & Guest Tour: 173^rd Air Guard Mission and Partnership with the City of Klamath Falls

An opportunity for attendees to learn about the City-owned Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport and its primary tenant the 173^rd Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard.  Learn about the history of the airport and gain an understanding of its economic impact to the community from the many types of operations that are based at the airport.  Attendees will get a tour of the airfield, ANG facilities and may even get a chance to view landing jets.

Wastewater Facility, Downtown & Geothermal Tour

This afternoon tour is comprised of two components. The first stop will be at the Wastewater Treatment plant where mayors will learn about the plants upgrades that are being driven by NPDES requirements. For the second half of the tour mayors will learn more about two important facets of Downtown Klamath Falls: the geothermal system and public gathering spaces.

Annual Silent Auction

Mayors, spouses, and guests are invited for a welcome reception and to participate in our annual fundraiser auction at the Running Y Resort. Please bring your auction items directly to the Conference Registration desk – LOC staff will ensure each auction item is safely transported to the auction location and properly displayed for bidding purposes. This silent auction will feature gift baskets brought by mayors from all over the state. One hundred percent of the funds raised go to the OMA scholarship fund.

1. The Impact of Arts and Culture on Oregon Cities

Did you know that Oregon’s arts and culture sector contributed $829 million to Oregon’s economy in fiscal year 2022? The speakers will provide insight into how the arts enrich Oregonian lives, drive economic development, and shape the identity of our cities. Mayors will learn the importance of promoting art and culture in their communities.

2. Unity in Governance: Strategies for Mayoral Consensus Building

Building consensus is a critical aspect of effective leadership. Mayors attending this session will explore effective strategies for fostering unity among their council members, community leaders, city staff, and key stakeholders. Whether you're a seasoned mayor or newly elected, join the panel to discover how to build bridges, forge partnerships, and create a shared vision for progress and prosperity in your city.

1. Creating Successful Citizen Academies

Learn from cities of varying sizes on how they operate successful citizen and police academies. Citizen academies serve as a tool for educating and engaging residents in the intricacies of managing a city, they give participants a deeper understanding of city departments and empower them to become active in their local government. Drawing on examples and interactive discussions, this session will equip mayors with the knowledge, resources, and inspiration needed to launch or enhance citizen academies in their own communities.

2. When Cities Need Infrastructure Funding, it’s a Mayor's Job to Find It

Oregon cities face a dire situation when it comes to infrastructure. Existing infrastructure has reached the end of its lifespan, and desperately needed housing is contingent upon infrastructure investments. Over the last two years, multiple cities in Oregon have been successful in securing direct state or federal dollars to upgrade or install infrastructure – and in those instances, mayors played a pivotal role in securing these important fiscal resources. This session will provide mayors with proven tips on how to secure direct infrastructure dollars for their own cities.

Lunch and Student Contest Awards Presentation

Join 2023 – 2024 “If I Were Mayor…” student contest first place winners Prakrithi Balasubramanian of Sherwood (elementary school), Leuca Wanford of Lake Oswego (middle school), and Hadley Huzefka of Albany (high school) to celebrate.

Revitalizing Downtowns: Strategies and Successes from the Oregon Main Street Program

Downtowns are traditionally the heart of a community, but how are businesses and cities coping with the surge in online retail? Join Sheri for an insightful session on revitalizing downtowns, where she’ll delve into the strategies and successes championed by the Oregon Main Street Program. Discover how communities across Oregon have transformed their downtown areas into vibrant hubs of activity and economic growth. From preservation efforts to customer incentive programs learn valuable lessons and best practices that can inspire and guide your own revitalization efforts.

How State & Federal Courts Have Impacted Oregon Cities in the Last Year

Each year, the way cities operate and the services they provide are impacted by judicial decisions rendered by state and federal courts. Much like mayors must be aware of the impact the Oregon Legislature has on their communities, so too should they be aware of the impact the judicial system has on their constituents and city employees. This session will provide a high-level overview of how state and federal court decisions have impacted Oregon cities in the last year. The United States Supreme Court is expected to release its decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass, which relates to how cities regulate public spaces in relation to people experiencing homelessness, by early July – depending on what is contained within that decision, this session may spend a substantial amount of time explaining its impact on Oregon cities.

Awards Dinner & Awards Presentation

The winners of the 2024 Mayors Leadership Award will be announced during the festive dinner celebrations.

President’s Reception, Family Friendly (Sponsored by PGE)

This reception is sponsored by the PGE and President Cross.  Desserts and drinks will be served.  The winner of the 50-50 raffle will be announced during this reception.