As a component of Lean Oswego, the LOONI (Lake Oswego Original and New Idea) presentations were made on Thursday, January 26. The esteemed panel of judges consisted of Cole Duvall, Police; Yvonne Steinmetz, Planning & Building; Jennifer Waverly, Finance; and Matt Tipton,
Engineering. The Judges conferred the following awards:
Big Bang for the Buck Award to the team consisting of Anthony Hooper, Cyndie Glazer, Babs Hamachek, Megan Phelan, Weston Pay, and Larry Goff. Their idea was the creation of a "VoLO" (Volunteer Lake Oswego) web site that would serve not just the City of Lake Oswego, but all organizations in LO that rely on volunteers. As the photo shows, they even had a 
Best Graphics Award to the team of Dave Arpin, Darryl Wrisley, and Anya Woodhouse, for their idea for cool graphics on police cars (starting with SRO and CSO cars, and then who knows...?).
Best Research Effort Award to the team consisting of Scot Siegel, Brad Stevens, Zach Daniek, and Rachel Sykes for their idea on cost recovery in Planning (not just to recover costs, but to identify target areas for process improvements).
Best Cheat Sheet on Steroids Award to the team consisting of Anne MacDonald, Scot Siegel, Jessica Numanoglu, Erica Rooney, Rob Amsberry, and Megan Big John on a new way to guide people through the permitting process that involve natural resources.
Most Practical Idea Award to the team consisting of Dave Arpin and Zach Daniek for a standardized glove compartment information pouch that would be placed in all city vehicles (with helpful information on what to do in the event of an accident, etc.).
Best Community Involvement Award to the team consisting of Andrea Milano, Bev Ross, Melissa Kelly, Anya Woodhouse, and Jeremy Christensen for their "eye spy" idea to let library patrons (adults and kids!) watch how their books get automatically sorted in the new RFID system. Their presentation included a working periscope, and a group sing-along (hence the community involvement award) of "We All Live in a LO Submarine."
Best Customer Service Award to the team of Leslie Hamilton, Todd Knepper, Janice Bader, and Cortney Madruga for the idea of using simple technology (an Excel spreadsheet) to keep track of conditions of approval in land use applications.
Making Life Easier Award to the team of Dave Arpin, Janice Burton, and Brad Stevens for a version of the employee phone directory that could be stored on our cell phones.Most "Out There" Idea to the team of Dave Arpin, Bryan Sheldon, and Brad Stevens for the idea of equipping LOPD officers with light sabers.
Introducing...
Kari Linder staffs the front desk at Planning & Building Services, mostly on afternoons. Kari grew up in the Seattle and Anacortes area and now lives in Tualatin. She has a degree in business and marketing from Portland State University, and prior to joining us, worked in the private sector. Kari says she enjoys serving people, and that her fellow staff members have been welcoming and helpful. It must be a requirement that new hires have a dog. Kari's is a Husky/Malamute.
Rick Lyons is a Library Assistant. He grew up here in Lake Grove, moved to California for a while, then moved back, graduating from high school in Oregon City. He also has a degree in English from PSU. He's had a wide variety of jobs, including janitor, radio host and voice acting. He's a Timbers fan and soccer coach and--believe it or not--enjoys reading.
Raquel White is an accounting specialist in Finance, taking Sara Hasegawa's place. She has a strong background for it, having worked for 12 years in Washington County's Assessment & Taxation office. She now lives in Sherwood but is hoping to move to LO. Raquel was born in Portland and graduated from high school in Salem. Outside of work, she is a member of a book club and social club and enjoys vacationing in the Caribbean.
Steven Coburn is our newest Community Services Officer in the Police Department. Steven grew up in Tigard, graduating from Tigard High. He studied pre-med at University of Puget Sound, graduating with a degree in Exercise Science. He has been a trainer, and he mentioned that one of the things that led him to apply for the job was a conversation with Chief Johnson in Club Sport. Steven enjoys public service and appreciates that his colleagues haven't treated him like "the new guy." He married his high school sweetheart on July 16 and they have a Black Lab/Border Collie mix. Outside of work, Steven plays trombone and enjoys hiking and camping.Bruce Powers has taken Ryan Stee's place as analyst and project manager
Welcome all to the City of Lake Oswego organization!
