October 2013

Welcome to the introductory issue of the "payday newsletter"!

Gold Award
Last Friday at the League of Oregon Cities' annual conference, I had the honor of receiving on your behalf a "Gold Safety Award" from City/County Insurance Services. This was the top award in our population group, which means we had the lowest level of on-the-job injuries of any city in the group.

When Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden handed me the award, he joked I haven't been on the job long enough to take credit for it. He's right, but I can still be proud to be part of an organization with this kind of track record.

For me, the award itself, and the long term savings in our workers comp rates, are only side benefits. I don't want to see any of us get hurt doing our jobs, period. I support the efforts of our Safety Committee in preventing accidents, and in the decisions we make every day to stay safe. Trust your instincts!

News


• The City Council appointed Lauren Hughes to complete the remaining 15 months of Mike Kehoe's term. Lauren's interest in city issues began with the "sensitive lands" regulations, but she is interested in learning more about all city services and issues. She said she is especially interested in "behind the scenes" tours of city facilities and services that she hasn't been familiar with as a resident.
• The Council also appointed Jeff Gudman as council president (chair of council meetings in the mayor's absence).
• The Council delayed a decision on the sale of the West End Building to October 8. One of the provisions of the proposed sale was allowing the city to lease back (at a favorable rental rate) the building for up to 18 months to give us time to relocate staff and functions that are currently in the building.
• A work session is scheduled for the Lower Boones Ferry Road project (phase 1 of the Lake Grove Plan) on October 22. Voters have approved $5 million in bonds for the project, it looks likely that we will receive $4 million from ODOT, and an urban renewal district has been created as a possible source of funding to make up the balance (some $16 million or so).

Thanks

Thanks to all the staff who have kept our city running through recent storms, power outages, and the Cervantes water line break. With all the public discussion of high-profile projects like the Wizer Block development, we need to remember that it is the day-to-day provision of public services that makes Lake Oswego such a great community to live in.