06/14/12 - City Council Newsletter

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This year’s Summer Reading theme is “Dream Big!,” featuring free events for all ages including hands-on arts and writing workshops, live music, author talks, storytelling, comedy, and the annual Teddy Bear Picnic. For more information, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450. Public Works APWA Reaccreditation Includes 10 Model Practices Following an in-depth review by a team of auditors from the American Public Works Association (APWA), the Eugene Public Works Department has been reaccredited by APWA. The review found that the department’s operations and practices comply with – and in some cases go beyond – national standards set by APWA. In 2004, Eugene Public Works was the first agency in Oregon to be accredited by APWA and, following two reaccreditation cycles, remains one of only about 80 agencies in the United States to have achieved this status. Ten of the department’s practices were specifically cited as being exemplary and will be submitted as model practices. It is unusual for an evaluation team to name that many superior practices and speaks strongly to the exceptional service delivery and professionalism in the department. The model practices include: comprehensive organizational charts; a departmental strategic plan that is well-defined and that includes performance measures and levels of service; the question-and- answer features on the new web site, which was considered outstanding for public users; an all-inclusive environmental self-assessment of programs and facilities; a well-established system for service requests and web- based service request forms; an online process to plan for future vehicle replacement, including the budgeting of replacement costs over the life of the vehicle; the work done with a professor and local arborists to prevent the spread of “thousand cankers” disease and the partnership with local carpenters to use the salvaged wood; the iPhone app tied to the department’s maintenance management system (MMS); and the car-wash kits used to promote environmentally sustainable car washing. “One of the real benefits of the accreditation program is its involvement of staff from all levels of the organization,” said Public Works Director Kurt Corey. “I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of Carla Spangler and Gary McNeel for serving as our reaccreditation managers, keeping everyone on track, and facilitating all of the logistics leading up to the on-site review.” For more information, contact Gary McNeel at 541-682-8451 or Carla Spangler at 541-682-4929. Fleet and Radio Services Hosts Regional 100 Best Fleets Seminar City of Eugene Fleet and Radio Services recently hosted and participated in a seminar presented by the 100 Best Fleets in cooperation with the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB). The May 31 session included a tour of Eugene’s and EWEB’s fleet facilities. The 100 Best Fleets Program recognizes and rewards peak performing public fleet operations in North America. Currently in its seventh year, the program recognizes the top public fleets and encourages ever-increasing levels of performance improvement in the fleet industry. Eugene Fleet Manager Tony Jobanek and EWEB Fleet Manager Gary Lentsch presented their best practices to the audience of fleet managers from across Oregon. “Having two public agencies in Lane County that have their fleet operations recognized in the top 100 in North America is an amazing accomplishment,” said Tom Johnson, president of the 100 Best Fleets Program. City of Eugene Fleet Services has been recognized for the past four consecutive years as one of the top 100 fleets among the over Tony Jobanek (left) and Tom Johnson, president of 100 Best Fleets. 38,000 public fleets across North America. In 2011, Fleet Services was th ranked as the 19 best fleet in the program. The 2012 rankings will be announced on June 20. “Being recognized as one of the 100 top public fleets in the nation is a testament to not just each and every Public Works Fleet and Radio Communications team member, but also to the relationships that are built between Fleet Services and other City departments,” Jobanek said. “It doesn’t mean that we’re perfect, but it does indicate that we’re making strides to do the right thing and that we continue to work toward operational improvements to cost effectively and efficiently serve the needs of our customer departments and the community.” For more information, contact Tony Jobanek at 541-682-4808. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 June 14, 2012