October 2016

Celebrating the Difference We Make

As Megan Phelan reported, the City of Lake Oswego has been recognized by The Oregonian as one of the "top workplaces" in the state. There may be many reasons why our staff responded positively to the survey conducted by the newspaper, but I think I know one of them. Research conducted over many years by the Gallup organization, through more than a million employee surveys, found that one of the most important contributors to job satisfaction is the belief that our organization has a worthwhile mission, and our jobs are important.

As summer draws to a close, think about what a difference we make to the residents of Lake Oswego. Here are just a few examples:

• Thousands of people enjoyed concerts and movies in our parks
• Thousands of residents and visitors have enjoyed the farmers market, ranked as the best market in the Portland area
• Hundreds of families participated in summer reading programs at the library, and checked out thousands of books and other materials
• Children enjoyed day camps and dozens of other activities put on by the recreation staff
• Families and guests flocked to our beautiful parks, and benefited from facilities like the tennis center, golf course, ACC, and Luscher Farm

And they could participate in all these activities safe in the knowledge that their basic needs are being met, quietly and competently. More examples:

• Streets were paved, including a major improvement to Boones Ferry Road
• Another dry summer has passed with no major fires
• We continue to be one of the safest communities in the state
• When families do experience trauma, the "no call too small" caring attitude pervades the response from LOCOM, police and fire.
• We seamlessly transitioned to a new water supply system, benefiting not only our own residents but Tigard's as well. Prompt testing of lead confirmed that our water is safe
• Those of us working as part of the "supporting cast" can take pride in our work, too. As just one example, utility bill shutoff notices are now down to fewer than ten per month, an amazing result for a system with more than 13,000 residential accounts.

I thank each of you for the important role you play in making the City of Lake Oswego a great place to live and work.

--Scott Lazenby

September 2016

2016 Summer Picnic Photos

Thanks to all of you who helped plan and put on this event, and all those who participated. These photos were provided by Dave Arpin and Pat McDougal.

July 2016

News in Pictures

Water Treatment Plant Admin Building - Old (left) and new (right)

New Operations Room

Old building being demolished

Firefighters working on a 2-alarm fire at 4 Touchstone - they saved the building

The newly-painted Trolley Station. The new parking lot was full last weekend with Arts Festival visitors and trolley riders

At the Emergency Operations Center (Main Fire Station) during the June 8 Cascadia Rising drill

Have a good 4th of July!

June 2016

Get to Know LO


Jason Estavillo explaining how the
sewer pipe TV camera works

The "Get to Know LO" citizen academy program has been very well-received. A resident sent this
note after the May 13 Public Works tour: "Thank you, Anthony Hooper, and your entire team of dedicated and enthusiastic members who gave us such an interesting and informative tour on Friday. I will from here on look at every water tap, sewer cover and fire hydrant from a more appreciative perspective. Not only the excellent tour your team gave us, but the work you do, day in and day out, is much appreciated. Well done. Thank you."

The participants have so far learned about Parks & Rec, Library, Planning & Building, Budget & Finance, and Public Works. Next up: Police and Fire on June 9, and Engineering and Water Treatment Plant in the following months. Thanks to all of you who work to make this such a positive experience for our citizens.

Better than the Chewbacca Mask Lady

While it hasn't yet gone viral, "Lake Oswego Library: the Musical" is now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxJNjEnXjpQ   A lot of talent in the City of Lake Oswego! Bill Baars assured me, "we're hard at work over here."

May 2016

Emergency Preparedness Fair
One of the best things a city government can do is help its citizens help themselves. The Emergency Preparedness Fair on April 21 was a great example of that. It made me proud to see so many of staff from a number of city departments sharing their expertise and resources. And from what I could tell, it was very well-received by Lake Oswego residents.

Lean Oswego

Erica Rooney received this message from a staff person with Northwest Natural: "Prior to meeting fifteen months ago, the average permitting timeline [for street cut permits] was 3+ weeks. We are now around 5 days. This is simply amazing. We are incredibly grateful for the attention you paid to this issue, and the time you invested to make it better. Many thanks from everyone on our team." 

Research on "Lean" processes has found that this kind of improvement in turnaround time has a double benefit. Not only does it improve customer service, but by significantly reducing the amount of work in the pipeline, it also improves staff efficiency.

April Fools Edition 2016

Special April 1 Edition

National News

Reality TV
The producers of Survivor, The Bachelor, and The Bachelorette have sued the producers of the 2016 Presidential nomination process for copyright violation.

State News

Follow the Money
Having burned through its natural resources, Oregon's state economy has turned to craft beer, wine, and state-controlled gambling. Encouraged by the early flood of revenue from marijuana sales, the legislature is considering legalizing heroin and methamphetamine. "This is just the start," said Rep. Rudy "Bad Boy" Bambino. "We also think there's a big national market for assisted suicide spas."

PERS Reform
In an effort to reduce pension payouts, the PERS Board has instituted a program to introduce new retirees to the sports of base jumping, free diving, X-games, and NASCAR racing.

Regional News

Running it Like a Business
The League of Opinionated and Critical Obstructionists (LOCO) has pressured the City of Portland into privatizing their water utility. The buyer, telephone monopoly LastCenturyLink, has surprised ratepayers by increasing water bills by ten percent per month. "Our market research indicates people are willing to pay twenty times as much to have water," said LastCenturyLink CEO Princeton Rockefeller in a letter to shareholders. "When we reach that level, the system will be profitable. And I mean, really profitable."

Local News

Advances in ESP
As part of its Lean Oswego program, the Police Department will no longer respond to false alarms.

Time Machine
Lake Oswego Neighbors Against Change has filed an initiative petition that would require all development in Lake Oswego to revert to the way it was in 1950.

Leaves of Grass
The Tree Committee, which has renamed itself as the Woody Plant Committee, is recommending that a Type II permit be required for trimming or removing shrubs and certain ornamental grasses. The permit would be denied if the activity affected the aesthetic purity of the neighborhood, as determined by the Neighborhood Association Chair.

News in Pictures

In its effort to “Make Lake Oswego Great Again” the Lake Corp has begun construction on a fence…

 

The City has revised its logo. The lake has been replaced as shown

The City Council goal to streamline the development code is going well, as shown above

In an effort to increase efficiency while keeping costs low, a staff innovation team has decided to combine recycling, sustainability and broadband/fiber goals in what they’re calling the “Digital Internet and Recycling Technology, Containing High End-user Active Participation” or DIRTCHEAP™. One unnamed team member was overheard saying “We’ve got a bunch of cans in the lunch room and I’ll bet we can get some leftover wire from the Wizer’s site.”

February 2016

New Firefighters
Fire Chief Larry Goff swore in five new Lake Oswego firefighters on January 19. Chief Goff noted the new hires represent a tenth of the 52-person department. The turnover is a result of retirements.



From left to right: Daniel Hires, Zachary Bell, Nicholas Foriante, Nathan Sigler, Nathan Weikel

Police Academy Grads
Three new police recruits graduated from the Oregon Public Safety Academy on January 22, following an intensive 16-week program.


From left to right: Captain Dale Jorgensen; Officers Michael Svoboda, Brock Rosenthal, and Mark Laymon; and Chief Don Johnson

 
Lean Oswego

Public Works and IT are teaming up to produce an iPad app that will significantly reduce the time it takes for mechanics to keep track of time and vehicle information. Stay tuned...

City Council Goals

The City Council held a retreat on Saturday, January 9, to set goals for 2016 and beyond. After some editing, the Council adopted them on January 26. They are:

1. Improve the overall transportation system

• Continue to improve the condition of streets  
• Continue to improve bicycle/pedestrian connectivity  
• Explore possible funding strategies for bicycle/pedestrian connections  
• Work with regional partners on a Willamette Shoreline Trail

2. Maintain and improve basic infrastructure and facilities  

• Break ground on upgrades to the Operations Center and Police/LOCOM facility  
• Consider, subject to community support and financial feasibility, a publicprivate partnership for a fiber broadband utility

3. Adopt key amendments to the Municipal Code  

• Adopt amendments to the tree code to provide more flexibility for homeowners  
• Streamline the development code to make it more business-friendly and resident-friendly, while still maintaining community standards.  
• Ease regulatory barriers that discourage remodeling rather than demolition

4. Explore new or upgraded community facilities and assets.  

• Work with the Lake Oswego School District to explore ways to partner on community facilities, including such areas as a community pool and a recreation center  
• Work with the Arts Council to identify a long term location for the Council office and gallery
• Explore opportunities for mountain bike trails

5. Support redevelopment of downtown and Lake Grove  

• Complete an agreement for redevelopment of the North Anchor properties  
• Complete final design for major improvements to Boones Ferry Road in Lake Grove
• Accelerate the pace of urban renewal projects

6. Encourage community involvement  

• Create a Youth Advisory Council  
• Form a task force to develop a tourism/visitor services strategy

7. Longer Term goals  

• Identify strategies for addressing the PERS increase that will begin in FY17-18  
• Explore the use of Local Improvement Districts with matching grants for neighborhood street and sidewalk improvements  
• Replace the exterior and windows of City Hall  
• Improve the appearance of downtown alleys  
• Explore possible upgrades to the Adult Community Center