A look ahead at Events and Activities in Marion County.

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Courthouse Square set to open this spring.

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2013

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MarionCountyTodayResources and Information for Mar ion County residents

2013 HighlightsA Message from the

Marion County employees are recognized.

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We hope you enjoy our second annual edition of Marion County Today highlighting Marion County’s programs and services and the people who provide them. While we can’t cover everything, we hope the included examples give you a taste of what we’re about. Programs and services delivered or managed by Marion County touch the lives of virtually all residents of the county, fulfilling many roles. More than 1,300 employees in 15 departments provide essential public services ranging from law enforcement, public and mental health, elections, property assessment, road maintenance and many more.

As a board, we work diligently to provide programs that are not only necessary, but also meaningful and valuable to our residents. Our primary goal is to enhance the health, safety and livability of our communities. We appreciate this annual opportunity to report to the community our progress and challenges on issues affecting the residents of Marion County. Public participation and feedback are always welcome. Weekly board sessions are held every Wednesday at 9 a.m. and time is set aside at the beginning of each meeting for public comment. For information on county services or to review upcoming board session agendas, please visit www.co.marion.or.us. To contact commissioners personally, please call (503)588-5212, e-mail commissioners@co.marion.or.us, or write to us at PO Box 14500, Salem, OR 97309.

Commissioners Janet Carlson, Patti Milne and Sam Brentano

New Assessor On January 7, 2013, Marion County welcomed a new Assessor. Tom Rohlfing joined Marion County’s nine other elected officials and was administered the oath of office by Presiding Judge Jamese Rhoades. Also receiving the oath of office, following successful reelections, were Commissioner Sam Brentano, Clerk Bill Burgess, and Justice of the Peace Jan Zyryanoff.

Elma Avenue – Bicycle/Pedestrian PathBeginning Spring 2013, Marion County teamed up with the City of Salem, Sheriff’s Office, neighbors, representatives from Four Corners Elementary School, and East Salem Suburban Neighborhood Association (ESSNA) to address concerns about a pedestrian path at the south end of Elma Avenue SE in Salem. Area residents raised concerns about crime, graffiti, litter, noise, parking and lighting associated with the walkway. Over the next several months a plan was developed to physically improve the walkthrough and alleviate the nuisance activity cited by neighbors. This collaborative effort resulted in an improved walkthrough, new fencing and gravel, a new concrete sidewalk, and bollards and barricades to keep the path pedestrian friendly by preventing use by motorized vehicles. Feedback from neighbors and pathway users has been positive with numerous compliments about the quality of work performed by county crews. The project was completed in October.

School Zone Signing for Pre-K programs and School Speed Zone OrdinanceIn response to a loophole in the law that only defined school zones for kindergarten through 12th grade programs, the commissioners proposed and advocated for a change in state law that would include early childhood education and intervention programs housed in former school buildings. House Bill 3394 was successfully passed during the 2013 legislative session and the expanded definition allows for reduced speeds and school zone signs for programs that exclusively serve Pre-K programs. In mid-August the commissioners followed up by instituting 20-mph speed zones around any school on a county road. Community members and school officials

About Courthouse SquareOffices returning to Courthouse Square• Transit bus mall, customer service center, and administrative offices • County Assessor & Tax Offices, Clerk and Elections, District Attorney, Information Technology, Finance, Business Services, Treasury, Legal Counsel, Community Services, and Board of Commissioners Office

Office Building and Transit Mall• 5 story, 163,000 sq. ft. office building• 4 lane bus mall• North block area for future development• Hatfield Plaza• Retail space

Courthouse Square Rededication CeremonyWednesday, April 2, 20142 – 3 p.m.1st Floor • Reception to follow

Tours April 2 - Following ceremony until 6 p.m. April 3 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ShuttleApril 2 - Shuttle available 1 to 6:30 p.m.Pick-up at Riverfront Park North Parking Lot

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Courthouse Square Update

We serve the public to protect, promote,

and enhance a positive quality of life

in Marion County.

Our Mission

Marion County

Did you know?

•Marion County employees generously donated $5,431.80 to Marion-Polk Food Share and $24,041.50 to United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

•Over the past four years, participants in the Weight Watchers at Work program have lost over 4,000 pounds. In 2013, employee led teams participated in the annual Relay for Life and Hood to Coast/Portland to Coast relays.

•The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality reported that Marion County residents and businesses achieved a waste recovery rate of 60.1% for 2012. This is the second year in a row the county has achieved a recovery rate of more than 60%.

•The Marion County Health Department conducted 3,027 restaurant inspections and administered 3,370 immunizations.

•Marion County maintains 1,119 miles of roadway, 147 bridges and 28,000 signs.

•In 2013, the Marion County Dog Shelter reunited 725 lost dogs with their owners, 281 were adopted by new forever families, and 251 were placed with rescue organizations.

After nearly 16 months of construction, the Courthouse Square office building and transit mall will reopen to the public in a few months. The project has proceeded on schedule with no delays or surprises. We are looking forward to the reopening of the transit mall and customer service center on Monday, April 7, with a phased return of county and transit business offices throughout the spring. As dates are confirmed, the county and transit district will provide regular updates and information about the move.

Structural and serviceability improvements to the building and transit mall were 93 percent complete by the end of January. Contractors are currently installing carpet, wallpaper and other finishes. Work on the transit mall drive surface is also complete along with exterior painting of steel bridges and awnings.

We hope you will join us for a rededication ceremony on Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m. in the first floor Customer Service Center. The building will be open for tours April 2 following the rededication ceremony until 6 p.m. and again on April 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quality AssuranceAs the county, transit district and Courthouse Square Solutions Task Force considered remediation options, delivery of a structurally safe complex with sound engineering and 50 year service life was a primary focus. They insisted on a rigorous quality assurance program as the project commenced in September 2012. Before engineering solutions were implemented, plans were not only peer reviewed, but also examined by city engineers and forensic engineers specifically tasked with representing the county and transit

district’s interests. Throughout the project, a series a four inspections occurred as repairs were completed. These included a special inspector, city inspector, STRUCTURAL’s own inspectors, as well as inspections by the owners’ representative. Repairs only moved forward when each inspector was satisfied with the quality of the work completed.

Safety FirstMaintaining a safe work environment is a large part of STRUCTURAL’s company culture. Contractors, subcontractors and on site vendors participated in daily safety meetings and all visitors were required to attend a safety orientation, as well as wear full protective equipment. Salem area subcontractors were actively involved in safety planning and provided expertise on local safety codes and requirements.

Subcontractor Corey Hancock, superintendent with Dalke Construction, was recognized last April by STRUCTURAL with their Safety Champion of the Month Award. It was the first time in company history that a safety award was presented to a subcontractor.

Model ProjectProject managers for STRUCTURAL have described Courthouse Square as a model project. They have praised the level of cooperation and collaboration with local contractors and vendors with a focus on delivering a successful project. Project Manager Dave Clark highlighted the team’s success and work culture recently at STRUCTURAL’s annual corporate meeting in Baltimore, MD, citing it as one of their best collaborative projects both nationally and internationally.

2013 HighlightsContinued from page 1 contacted the county following a tragic accident that took the life of a young driver near Cascade High School. When the board learned that some school speed zone signs had been changed in response to changes in state law and federal guidelines, the commissioners acted quickly to restore signs to affected schools and began work on a School Speed Zone ordinance. The ordinance is expected to be finalized in early 2014.

Economic DevelopmentBeginning July 1, the Board of Commissioners approved reinstatement of the county’s economic development grant program for local businesses. The board designated $200,000 in grants for projects that retain or create jobs or expand an employer’s services or production. Grants are funded through state video lottery proceeds provided to counties for economic development purposes. To date, businesses in Donald, Stayton, and Silverton have received grant funding recommended by the Economic Development Advisory Board. Additionally, in October the board established a new grant program to assist cities, communities, and rural areas within Marion County. The board approved up to $68,000 in the Community Projects grant program to assist communities increase their livability and safety to attract and retain business. The first project funded under the new grant program was a donation to the Oregon WWII Memorial Foundation. In the last five years Marion County has awarded over $2.3 million in economic development grants.

Marion County FairThemed “We’ve Got a Good Thing Growing” the Marion County Fair was held July 11-14 and attracted 22,932 visitors. The fair featured nationally recognized musical acts and added bull riding as a new attraction. The annual fair is designed to promote the diverse agricultural and cultural heritage of Marion County.

Community Covenant Signing CeremonyAs part of the Marion County Fair festivities, area veterans were honored at the Joining Community Forces: Community Covenant Signing Ceremony. Local elected officials, community leaders and members of the public joined together to formally acknowledge their support of the men and women who have courageously served our country. In addition to raising awareness, the Marion County Veteran’s Task Force continues to build partnerships aimed at supporting veterans and their families. The task force works closely with the Veterans Treatment Court and is working to open a transitional housing center specifically for veterans.

Striking Out Meth in Marion CountyThe 8th annual Striking Out Meth in Marion County was held at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer on July 26. Over 4,000 attendees, including 350 foster kids and parents, were treated to a night of baseball, interactive displays and family activities promoting healthy choices and recognizing the strides our community has made in the fight against methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.

New Executive Directors for Housing Authority and Mid-Valley Behavioral Care NetworkFollowing the retirement of two longtime directors, the Board of Commissioners supported the appointment of new executive directors for the Mid-Valley Behavioral

Care Network (MVBCN) and the Marion County Housing Authority. The commissioners serve on the Board of Directors for both organizations which provide affordable housing programs and mental health and chemical dependency services for county residents. Scott Tiffany was appointed as the MVBCN’s Executive Director in August. He joined the organization with over 16 years of behavioral health experience in Oregon, Idaho and Arizona. In September Shelly Wilkins-Ehenger joined the Marion County Housing Authority as its new Executive Director. Shelly has more than 20 years of affordable housing experience.

Covanta Waste-to-Energy Facility Contract ExtendedIn September, the Board of Commissioners approved a new agreement with Covanta Energy Corporation to operate the Waste-to-Energy facility for up to five years. The new contract provides for the continuation of reliable waste disposal and extends the partnership between Marion County and Covanta that began in the mid-1980s. The Waste-to-Energy facility is part of the county’s innovative and comprehensive waste management system. For the last two years Marion County residents and businesses have achieved a recycling rate of over 60% which is among the highest in the country and more than double the national average.

Marion County Reentry InitiativeThe Marion County Reentry Initiative (MCRI) was awarded $600,000 over two years to support successful community transitions and address co-occurring disorders with 120 Marion County reentry clients. Addressing addictions and mental health disorders can assist reentry clients with a successful transition back to community life. This “co-occurring disorders” project is one of only nine funded across the nation and the only one in Oregon funded through this Bureau of Justice Assistance grant opportunity. The 5th annual Giving People a Second Chance community breakfast was held October 23 at the Broadway Commons. The event raised $11,050 which will be used to assist DeMuniz Resource Center clients with education and employment services.

Medical Reserve Corps Hosts Warming ShelterMarion County’s volunteer Medical Reserve Corps Unit, in cooperation with the City of Salem, hosted a warming shelter in December while our region experienced unusually cold temperatures. The Medical Reserve Corps set up their 20x20 tent in Marion Square Park to serve homeless residents who needed a safe place to temporarily get out of the cold, especially at night. In addition, the Marion County Dog Shelter provided dog crates, blankets and food for guests with pets. Over three days and nights, 13 Medical Reserve Corps and 21 Community Emergency Response Team members volunteered 268 hours and assisted 202 guests. They served 540 cups of coffee and 330 cups of hot chocolate.

Award RecipientsDeputy Anna WhitlockCommunity Corrections Outstanding Service AwardOregon Department of Corrections

Deputy District Attorney Melissa WakemanDUII Prosecutor of the YearOregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Impaired Driving Conference

John VanderzandenEmergency Manager of the YearOregon Emergency Management Association

Cindy SchmittEngineer of the YearOregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors

Marion County AwardsDeputy James Herring Troy Thompson Humanitarian Award

Shannon Holley, District Attorney’s OfficeCustomer Service Award

Chief Administrative Officer’s Teamwork Award - Marion County Business Enterprise Enhancement R-12 Team Members from Finance, Information Technology, Treasurer, Business Services, and Board of Commissioners Office

Government Finance Officers AssociationDistinguished Budget Presentation Award Second consecutive yearCertificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial ReportingTwelfth consecutive year

Oregon State Sheriff’s AssociationJason Myers Sheriff of the Year

Patsy KlusmanCivil Support Staff of the Year

Commander Eric HladEnforcement Commander of the Year

Sue Ann OlsonJail Volunteer of the Year

Commander Jeff WoodParole & Probation Commander of the Year

Deputy Belinda Cottrell Parole & Probation Deputy of the Year

Portland Business JournalTop Ten Healthiest Employers in Oregon Fourth consecutive yearRanked 4th - 500-1499 employee category

Asphalt Paving Association of Oregon – Excellence in Paving Award2nd Place Urban Streets: Keizer ResurfacingProject Engineer/Manager: Dave Chamness Inspector: Mike Yardley

1st Place Rural Roads: North Fork Road OverlayProject Engineer: Dave Chamness Project Manager: Riad Alharithi Inspectors: Ken Crossley and Jill Ogden

Marion County All-Stars 2013From public works to public safety, Marion County employees were

recognized as among the best at what they do in 2013. In addition to receiving countywide recognition as a Top 10 Healthiest

Employer from the Portland Business Journal, more than 50 county employees received individual or team recognition for outstanding service

to their professions. These employees represent the county’s commitment to customer service, professionalism, integrity, and stewardship. Six Sheriff’s

Office employees and volunteers received recognition from the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association including Sheriff Jason Myers who was recognized as

Sheriff of the Year for the second year in a row. We appreciate these, and all, Marion County employees who provide

quality services to our community every day.

Chief Administrative Officer John Lattimer presents the CAO Teamwork Award to members of the Marion County Finance Department.

A look ahead at Events and Activities in Marion County

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For information on these and other community events, please visit www.co.marion.or.us

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CommissionersPosition 1 – Patti Milne Position 2 – Janet Carlson Position 3 – Sam Brentano

Weekly Board SessionsWednesdays at 9 a.m.Opportunity for Public Comment Visit www.co.marion.or.us for agendas and location

Contact UsMarion County Board of Commissioners OfficePO Box 14500Salem, OR 97309

Website: www.co.marion.or.us

E-mail: commissioners@co.marion.or.us

Phone: (503) 588-5212

Fax: (503) 588-5237

@MarionCo_Board

Marion County Board of Commissioners

About the Board of CommissionersThe three members of the Board of Commissioners are the elected representatives of all persons residing in Marion County. The board sets policy for the administration and operation of county government. Marion County operates as a general law county within the framework of the Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes. The board is responsible for all three branches of county government; legislative, executive, and quasi-judicial. Formal board sessions are held weekly for official action to adopt ordinances, resolutions and orders pertaining to county policy, operations and administration. In addition, the board serves as a primary mechanism for encouraging citizen participation and input to local government through advisory boards, commissions, committees and provides frequent opportunities for individuals and organizations to comment on matters of public concern.

Spring Plant & Hanging Basket SaleFresh Start Market3020 Center Street NE, Salem • May 2-4 ____________________________________Girls on the Run 5K/ Hands On Willamette Super Hero DashRiver Front Park, Salem • June 7 - 9 a.m.This event celebrates the completion of the Health Department sponsored spring running program for elementary and middle school girls.____________________________________Marion County Fair Oregon State Fairgrounds • July 10-13____________________________________9th Annual Striking Out MethVolcanoes Stadium – Keizer • July 25____________________________________National Night Out August 5 ____________________________________World Breast Feeding Week ReceptionHealth Department WIC Program • August 5Information: (503) 588-5057 ____________________________________Giving People a Second Chance Community Breakfast Marion County Reentry Initiative October ____________________________________The Great Shakeout – Drop, Cover & HoldOctober 17 – 10:17 a.m. ...

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Dog Shelter Volunteer OrientationVolunteer needs include dog walkers, outreach coordinators, & adoption counselorsMarion County Dog Shelter • Register: (503) 566-6966First Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. ____________________________________Mid-Valley Green AwardsSalem Conference Center • March 1 - 5 p.m. Tickets: www.midvalleygreenawards.org or (503) 391-4145____________________________________Earth Day FairThe Oregon Garden, Silverton • April 19 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ____________________________________Courthouse Square Rededication Ceremony555 Court Street NE, Salem • April 2 - 2 p.m.Shuttle: April 2 - 1 to 6:30 p.m.Pick-up at Riverfront Park North Parking LotTours: April 2 - Following ceremony until 6 p.m.Tours: April 3 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.____________________________________National Prescription Drug Take-Back DayApril 26 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Local law enforcement agencies will be hosting collection sites throughout Marion County. Visit www.drxugsafe.org for more information or to find a permanent drop site near you.