Neighborhood Conference

The 2025 City of Auburn Neighborhood Conference will take place Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center, located at 2000 Grove Hill Road, just off Ogletree Road.

Registration has closed.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the conference will begin with morning refreshments and networking. Conference sessions will begin at 9 a.m. Attendees will select their desired sessions during the registration process. The conference will close with lunch and a speaker.

This is a free event.

Conference Sessions

9 a.m.

• Planning for Thriving Communities — Healthy neighborhoods aren’t just places to live — they’re places to work, shop and connect. Explore how we approach balancing residential neighborhoods with commercial nodes throughout the city to enhance town, provide local jobs, increase accessibility to amenities and contribute to long-term economic resilience. Leave with a better understanding of planning in Auburn and what goes into bringing businesses to Auburn that meet residents’ demands.
  
  Led by Planning Director Justice Wahid Cotton & Commercial Development Director Kevin Howard

• Parks for People: Enhancing Life Through Public Spaces — Find out what resources are available to you through our brand-new Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center, including pickleball courts, a pool and fitness amenities, as well as future phases coming soon to the park. Learn what else is on the horizon for recreation in Auburn and leave with more knowledge of what Auburn Parks and Recreation has to offer you and your neighborhood.
  
  Led by Gabby Filgo, Parks and Recreation community & special programs administrator

10:30 a.m.

• Partnering for Beautiful Neighborhoods  Effective garbage, trash and recycling collection rely on more than just trucks and bins — they require active collaboration between City services and the neighborhoods they serve. With the help of enforcement officer Julie Carter, who works in Auburn neighborhoods every day, explore how we can improve neighborhood waste practices together and learn how the collection process works.
  
  Led by Julie Carter, Environmental Services enforcement officer

• Understanding Local Water Quality — Where does our water come from and how does it go from outdoors to the faucet? Take a dive into Auburn’s water sources and treatment process. Learn about new monitoring technologies the City is implementing to better connect you to your water usage and walk away with practical information and tips to help manage your water use and our community’s water resources.
  
  Led by Tim Johnson, Water Resource Management utility principal engineer

12 p.m.

Lunch & Networking — Attendees will enjoy a free lunch and the opportunity to network with fellow community members.

12:30 p.m.

Keynote — Join community association attorney Madeline Bader for a dynamic keynote exploring how neighborhoods — whether governed by HOAs or not — can thrive through shared knowledge, proactive plans and mutual respect. Bader will demystify the legal landscape, highlight common challenges and offer actionable strategies for effective communication and goal setting. Discover how your community can work alongside HOAs, community leaders, and neighboring areas to build a more unified, prepared, and resilient future — together.