Training and General Meeting - August 13th

The August General membership meeting will bring some valuable training on disaster situations that we all hope never comes to our community.  Having that in mind, we as public agency administrators and managers must do all we can to network and learn how to be prepared for any disaster.  

We are happy to welcome Kevin Wilson, Public Works Maintenance Superintendent with the city of Thousand Oaks who is also the current President for the MSA's, Ventura Chapter.  Kevin has first-hand experience in both man-made and weather-related disasters.  Kevin will be sharing how his department responded to various severe emergencies that will include the Borderline Shooting, the Hill and Woolsey Fires along with the mud/debris flow aftermath.  You can count on hearing valuable insiders first-hand experience on dealing with and responding to these disasters.  This will be a networking opportunity, so be prepared for a time of questions and answers.  Bring your City Manager, department director and administrators to hear discussion on these topics.

Past President, Gerry Lopez will host this meeting at his facility in San Gabriel.  Gerry will also facilitate the “AskMSA” session on the topic “Proactive Maintenance Program.”  

July Membership Meeting & Training

The July general membership meeting will be hosted by and held at the West Coast Arborists, Headquarters facility in Anaheim, CA.  Andy Trotter with WCA has arranged for two training sessions to occur, one held in advance of our general meeting and a second topic during the general meeting.  The pre-meeting training session begins at 10:00 a.m. on the topic "Street Tree Revival" where John Mahoney (WCA) will speak on "Learn about reusing urban wood from city trees back in the communities from where they came."  During the general meeting, WCA's Pat Mahoney and Victor Gonzales will speak on "Updates In Tree Trimming Contracts" and is described as "Current issues with liabilities of urban trees, peak demand for tree trimmers, and, a glut in the market of greenwaste."
WCA is graciously sponsoring a meal catered by Dutch Oven Diner and features smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, green salad, roasted cream corn, brown rice pilaf, apple & berry cobbler with ice cream.  The meal is free to agency members and vendors pay $15 per person. 

June Membership Meeting

This meeting is being hosted by Board Director, Ray Valenzuela at the Long Beach, City Yard.  The training session is entitled "Budget Training" and will be presented by Gerry Lopez, Field Operations Manager with the City of San Gabriel.  The topic for the AskMSA session is "Park Maintenance/Landscape Contracts" and will be led by Dennis Chiotti, Landscape Maintenance Superintendent with the City of Irvine.  

Anthony Ribas with Pacific Products and Services is sponsoring the meal for our agency member - vendors pay $15.00.  The meal is being catered by "Tacos Zapata" – Main Entrees: Asada, Chicken and Fish.  Sides: Spanish Rice, Refried Pinto Beans (no lard).  Condiments: Salsa Roja, Salsa Verde, Onions, Cilantro, Limes, Carrots, Pico De Gallo, Chips/Guacamole, Cheese Quesadillas.  Beverages: Watermelon and Strawberry Kiwi.

April General Membership Meeting

Our Chapter will observe its annual "Administrative Professional's Day" on April 9, 2019.  We will enjoy a great view of the harbor along with a delicious meal at "The Reef On The Water" restaurant in nearby Long Beach.  April has long been the MSA's meeting month where Supervisor's, Manager's and Executive Director's could show their Administrative Professional staff their appreciation for their valuable support and for just making them look good.  The cost for the April meal is $40 per person but the location and meal are especially great and will certainly be a memorable event for your closest staff members.  Please select the "FLYER" link below for location, meal and general information.