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• 1. [Article] Improving Public Engagement and Public Records Management at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

  In February 2016, researchers from the US Forest Service had detected toxics in moss samples adjacent to several businesses in Portland. This began a series of events that highlighted both the significance ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Improving Public Engagement and Public Records Management at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Keisling, Phil, Marriott, Dan, Ingle, Marcus, Saltzberg, Sara, Dzeguze, Andrew Year: 2016 In February 2016, researchers from the US Forest Service had detected toxics in moss samples adjacent to several businesses in Portland. This began a series of events that highlighted both the significance of public records requests and the difficulty Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has in responding to complex requests. The interest in issues related to air toxics put a strain on the capacity of the agency to respond in a timely fashion to the news media as well as citizens groups. In August 2016, DEQ retained the Center for Public Service (CPS) to provide an outside evaluation of its efforts to improve the handling of future public records requests and to recommend improvements to the way they engage the public. CPS evaluated DEQ’s public records response processes and recommended a series of improvements. These included the creation of two new positions, with one in charge of public engagement and public records response, and the other reporting to this manager, but focused on responding to public records requests. Title: Improving Public Engagement and Public Records Management at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Keisling, Phil, Marriott, Dan, Ingle, Marcus, Saltzberg, Sara, Dzeguze, Andrew Year: 2016 In February 2016, researchers from the US Forest Service had detected toxics in moss samples adjacent to several businesses in Portland. This began a series of events that highlighted both the significance of public records requests and the difficulty Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has in responding to complex requests. The interest in issues related to air toxics put a strain on the capacity of the agency to respond in a timely fashion to the news media as well as citizens groups. In August 2016, DEQ retained the Center for Public Service (CPS) to provide an outside evaluation of its efforts to improve the handling of future public records requests and to recommend improvements to the way they engage the public. CPS evaluated DEQ’s public records response processes and recommended a series of improvements. These included the creation of two new positions, with one in charge of public engagement and public records response, and the other reporting to this manager, but focused on responding to public records requests. Close

• 2. [Article] Sustainable County Operations: Yamhill County, Oregon

  Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable County Operations: Yamhill County, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a county/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Yamhill County was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with County Commissioners and administrators on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal and county governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Yamhill County initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the County to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the County on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the county and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Yamhill County to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Title: Sustainable County Operations: Yamhill County, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a county/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Yamhill County was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with County Commissioners and administrators on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal and county governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Yamhill County initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the County to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the County on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the county and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Yamhill County to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Close

• 3. [Article] Sustainable Municipal Operations: Independence, Oregon

  Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable Municipal Operations: Independence, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a City/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Independence was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with City administrators and management staff on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal and City governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Independence initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the City to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the City on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the City and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Independence to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Title: Sustainable Municipal Operations: Independence, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a City/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Independence was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with City administrators and management staff on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal and City governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Independence initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the City to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the City on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the City and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Independence to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Close

• 4. [Article] Sustainable Municipal Operations: Albany, Oregon

  Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable Municipal Operations: Albany, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a City/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Albany was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with City administrators and staff on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Albany initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the City to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the City on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the City and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Albany to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Title: Sustainable Municipal Operations: Albany, Oregon Author: Portland State University. Hatfield School of Government. Center for Public Service, Gallagher, Ed, Rouse, Dave, Kurtz, Dennis, Johnston, Tanya Year: 2012 Portland State University, Hatfield School of Government (PSU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), has formed a partnership to develop Sustainable Municipal Operations Plans that documents sustainability and energy management best practices. The goal of this partnership is to determine how a City/municipality can actively manage energy as a controllable expense by following a predetermined operation protocol. The PSU team developed a framework of best practices for sustainable municipal operations in different categories including facilities, fleet, purchasing, operations and the work environment. After identifying pilot jurisdictions, the team applied these best practices to the current operations of local governments in Oregon with limited capacity to do so independently. A list of criteria was used to select the jurisdictions based on the commitment to sustainability and executive level management support. Albany was selected as a pilot for these reasons following detailed conversations with City administrators and staff on the issues the team would be investigating. The results of this project are intended to both serve as a foundation for each jurisdiction to move forward with implementing improvements, and also as a starting point in learning new and innovative approaches to sustainable operations in municipal governments. The PSU team, compiled of experienced practitioners, worked with Albany initially to provide clarity around the goals and deliverables of the project, solidifying the commitment of the City to provide information and relevant data for the purpose of drafting this report. We visited the City on numerous occasions to understand the current operations, state of facilities, challenges and opportunities for the City and staff. The following report provides an overview of our process working with Albany to collect and gather information, our findings and recommendations for both the immediate and long term, as well as suggested strategies for implementation. Close