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The APWA Accreditation program is voluntary, and the City's Public Works Department has chosen to participate in order to stimulate self-improvement, increase professionalism, and raise the standard of performance. The exercise of reviewing and comparing each of the department's policies, procedures, and practices against recommended practices has prompted staff to identify gaps, improve processes, and work better, faster, cheaper - becoming more organized and efficient. Recognition of this accomplishment will be the accreditation award from APWA. Another good reason for embarking on this task was to stem the tide of knowledge leaving the organization due to predicted retirements. Many of the staff eligible for retirement were in management positions. The self-assessment helped the department document its policies, practices and procedures before losing key staff, consolidating this information in a database. To achieve accreditation, Public Works agencies must perform a self-assessment by comparing current activities with the recommended practices and judging whether the agency is "in compliance." An improvement phase is also conducted, allowing enhancement of the agency's management capabilities. At this time, the City of Eugene's Public Works Department has completed both the self-assessment and improvement phases and is in either substantial or full compliance with each of the 400 recommended practices for the agency. Full compliance means full conformity with the practice, without exception. Substantial compliance means that an agency conforms with the intent of each recommended practice in a manner that will ensure that the public's interest and investment of capital is protected. Minor areas of non-compliance within a recommended practice will not necessarily preclude an agency from attaining accreditation. An example of a practice in substantial compliance is the Tree Inventory requirement in Chapter 18 of the APWA Management Practices Manual. The Public Works Department inventories some street trees as they are planted, but hasn't undertaken the task of inventorying all street and parks trees due to lack of funding. However, a plan is in place to accomplish this task with the help of a grant from the Oregon Department of Forestry. An accurate tree inventory can be used for planning, scheduling, planting, valuation and other maintenance management practices, thereby ensuring the public's investment is protected. As this example shows, the Public Works Department has been able to identify gaps and measurably improve its standards through the accreditation process. Timing Reviewers from the American Public Works Association will conduct a site visit from June 26 to June 30 to determine the Public Works Department's eligibility for accreditation. ATTACHMENTS A. List of City of Eugene Public Works Management Practices FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Kurt Corey, Public Works Department Director Telephone: 682-5241 Staff E-Mail: Kurt. A. Corey~ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040510\S040510C.doc