TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Public Works Reaccreditation and Presentation
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure.
end
SUMMARY:
summary
Informational report on reaccreditation of the Salem Public Works Department by the American Public Works Association.
end
ISSUE:
Information Only.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information Only.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. Council first endorsed the Public Works Department’s application for accreditation on October 22, 2018. Following a two-year process and a remote accreditation review process during the pandemic, the APWA approved our original accreditation on October 16, 2020.
2. In the fall of 2024, an on-site review was conducted, and the Public Works Department was found to be in substantial compliance resulting in a notice of reaccreditation effective October 16, 2024. The accreditation will be effective for four years, at which time another review will be conducted to ensure practices remain in compliance.
3. The APWA accreditation process incorporates up to 500 individual practices that represent the diversity of public works related services. Salem's Public Works Department submitted 404 of those practices for review, each relating to the disciplines managed by the department. Public Works agencies seeking accreditation provide current policies, procedures, and documentation demonstrating compliance with each practice. Staff from divisions and departments across the City - Contracts and Procurement, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Risk Management, Fleet, Facilities and Information Technology - supported and assisted with the accreditation process.
4. Salem was also recognized for development of a model practice related to employee spaces. The evaluation report noted:
“The APWA evaluation team has identified this practice as a model practice to be considered an as excellent example by other agencies seeking Accreditation. The areas where this practice excels include:
a. The Salem Operations Building and Police Building have gender neutral workspaces in locker/shower facilities and restrooms allowing for changing gender demographics,
b. The Salem Facility drawings included in this practice are very easy to understand with their unique color-coding showing workspace types,
c. The link to Salem's Outlook Calendar allows for easy use for reserving spaces for meetings and training. The Salem Accreditation team's effort to comply with the Occupied Facility - Employee Spaces practice 3.8 has been identified as a Model Practice, well done.”
5. Each completed practice demonstrates Salem’s commitment to implementing strategic improvements, fostering collaboration, and enhancing service delivery across all divisions. We are deeply grateful for everyone who worked on these projects, as their hard work and dedication were instrumental in our successful reaccreditation process.
6. We also appreciate Kristina Nelson, P.E., Director of Region IX, American Public Works Association for attending the Council meeting to recognize Salem Public Works.
BACKGROUND:
The American Public Works Association (APWA) offers an accreditation program that formally acknowledges public works agencies that comply with nationally recognized best practices. Accreditation promotes excellence in the operation and management of essential public services and provides a benchmark for comparison to other agencies.
Accreditation provides the following benefits:
• A commitment to maintaining policies, procedures and processes that promote efficiency and effectiveness, which supports good governance.
• Increased productivity and effectiveness through the evaluation of programs and services.
• Improved employee engagement through the review and improvement of processes for staff onboarding, professional development, and succession planning.
Alicia Blalock
Assistant Director
Attachments:
1. None