City Council Newsletter - 11/02/06

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by review of police reports routed to Risk Services by the Police Department. Risk Services then pursues a claim for the City’s cost of replacement or repair against the person who caused the damage, against their auto insurance or through the court system if it involves a violation or crime. The funds collected are returned directly to the affected City work units throughout the year to offset expenses for the incurred damage. Common types of claims include damage to City vehicles, fire hydrants, street lights, traffic signals, signs and street trees. Damage to City vehicles and fire hydrants were the most costly types of loss in FY06. For more information, contact Jan Bergquist, property/casualty claims coordinator at 682-5662. Workers’ Compensation Savings: Medical Bill Audit Program: Oregon employers like the City of Eugene that self-insure their Workers’ Compensation programs are required to audit at least 10 percent of the medical billings received each year. In an effort to reduce the cost of claims, the City’s Workers’ Compensation Program audits 100% of the medical billings received. The billed amounts over the maximum allowed by the Workers’ Compensation Division are written off by the medical provider. These medical bill audits saved the City a total of $96,252 in FY06. Risk Services’ medical bill audit program has saved a total of $314,577 for the City over the past five years. Employer at Injury Program (EAIP): As an incentive for employers to return injured workers to modified duty, the Workers’ Compensation Division’s Employer-at-Injury Program reimburses employers one-half of the wages paid to an injured worker for up to 66 work days. The program also reimburses employers for qualified worksite modifications and equipment purchases. The City’s Workers’ Compensation Program submits the reimbursement requests and the funds are returned to the department employing the injured worker. Risk Services recovered a total of $84,967 in FY06 and has recovered a total of $295,353 from the EAIP program in the past five years. For more information contact Jamie Iboa, Workers’ Compensation Program manager, at 682-5791. Additional information on Risk Services’ recovery programs is also available in the FY06 Risk Report, on the Risk Services website: www.eugene-or.gov Results of Sustainability Demonstration Project Presented Results of the recent sustainability demonstration project were presented by Good Company in “Sustainability 101 for Business,” a two-hour workshop co-sponsored by the City and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Seventeen area businesses attended the class for a brief introduction to sustainability issues, the assessment process, and the assessment tool. Several project participants shared their experiences at the class to bridge the gap from concept to application. The demonstration project concluded with a final report for each of the five participating businesses that included concrete, feasible, and affordable action steps to improve operations and marketing. Mary Ellen Riley of Holly Residential said Good Company’s final summary was “the most efficient report I have ever received.” Common areas for significant improvement among the participants included energy efficiency, use of non-toxic cleaning products, and the selection of packaging with increased recycled content and future recycling capabilities. Many businesses were also encouraged to improve customer loyalty through marketing their sustainable business practices. The demonstration project enabled five active Business Development Fund loan program companies ? (Green Gear Cycling Inc., the makers of Bike Friday; Harlequin Beads and Jewelry; Holly Residential, a residential group home; Mazzi’s Italian Restaurant; and Plaza Latina, a supermarket specializing in Latin and Middle Eastern food) to access individual consulting time with Good Company. The project was supported with City funds provided for sustainable economic development and co-sponsored by the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and Good Company. [Good Company is a local research and consulting firm that helps clients measure, manage, and market their social and environmental performance.] For more information, call Amanda Nobel, Community Development Division, at 682-5535. Fire Captain Appointed to OR-OSHA Advisory Board A Eugene Fire & EMS Department employee has been selected as the representative for a newly established advisory board for the State of Oregon’s Occupational Health and Safety Division (OR- OSHA). Fire Captain Matt Ennis, who is also the Fire Department’s Safety Committee chair, is one of three people who will represent career Fire Departments in the state, to work along side of EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 November 2, 2006