CIS Teamwork Recognized by Sports Illustrated
Two girls carry a wounded opponent around a softball field, carefully pausing at each base to let her one uninjured leg touch down. Video of the game hit You Tube, inspiring fans around the world. The girls themselves gave testimony to team spirit at the 2009 CIS Risk Management Conference, helping to present the first "Mallory Award" to staff members for Acts of Character and Integrity in response to the Woodburn bombing incident. Now, Thomas Lake proves again in the June 29 issue of Sports Illustrated that some stories are not over when the last ball takes flight. Some stories, have wings.
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Are Your City's Towing Practices Constitutional?
A police officer orders a vehicle towed or impounded, in accordance with Oregon law. No Problem, right? Not so fast! Current towing/impound policies and practices may be unconstitutional and expose agencies to civil liability. CIS General Counsel Mark Rauch explains why in the June issue of Local Focus, a monthly publication of the League of Oregon Cities.
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Risk Management Grants - May 2009
A City of Jefferson compliance officer is sporting new duds. The logo apparel is not a fashion statement but, rather a safety measure, provided through a Risk Management Grant from CIS.
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CIS Grant Funds Data Security for City of Clatskanie
The City of Clatskanie computer system was short on storage capacity, cumbersome and vulnerable to loss. A CIS Risk Management Grant helped fund a new firewall, back-up server and other measures, protecting against data loss, theft and corruption.
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CIS Grant to the Rescue
Potential thieves left pry marks on the doors of Westfir City Hall, apparently trying to break in. How do CIS grant funds help foil future caper? Read more to find out.
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Halsey Builds Shelter with CIS Risk Management Grant
The former storage building sold, forcing the City of Halsey to park equipment outside, subject to weather and vandalism. There will soon be new shelter for valuable City assets, however, thanks to a Risk Management Grant from CIS.
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Cameras Document Evidence for City of Oakridge
Police-car cameras are a big-ticket item in a tight-budget economy. Learn how a CIS Risk Management Grant put cameras on the road, boosting evidence gathering for the City of Oakridge.
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Free, Live Online Training Sessions for CIS Property Members
CIS links members to a series of free training sessions by leading experts on the maintenance and operation of boiler, air conditioning, and electrical equipment. The 40-minute webinars offer timely instruction for equipment operators and maintenance staff. Facility directors, maintenance supervisors and others also may benefit from the training. No engineering or technical background is required.
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GRANT FUNDS RELIEVE PAIN IN THE NECK FOR CITY OF MONROE
Phone calls to the City of Monroe were a pain in the neck. It wasn’t citizens’ complaints causing discomfort. It was the antiquated phone system – requiring users to clamp the receiver between their ear and shoulder to take notes -- causing headaches and other symptoms. Workers also had to run down stairs to answer calls when co-workers were away from their desk.
Monroe City Recorder Barb Johnston took the initiative to seek funding for upgrades. She applied to City County Insurance Services (CIS) for a Risk Management Grant.
CIS approved a grant of $728 to purchase new cordless phones, wireless headsets and a wireless keypad.
Johnston and city hall colleague, Verna Terry, are grateful for the grant. Both note improved safety and better service to citizens with the installation of the new phone equipment.
It is unlikely the city would have been able to afford the upgrades without the CIS grant, according to Johnston. “It was not in the budget,” she said.
CIS’ Risk Management Grant program is designed to help its smaller members avoid expensive claims by accomplishing specific loss control activities. Monroe is one of the 395 member-owners of CIS, which was formed in 1981 by the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties. CIS provides Oregon cities, counties, and associated public entities with a wide array of risk management and insurance services to meet their property, liability, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits needs.
CIS members can find further details on CIS Risk Management Grants and a link to application information on our web portal or contact Trent McGath, CIS Risk Management Services, 503-763-3855.
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Lessons Learned from H1N1 Outbreak
The recent flu pandemic put public emergency response plans to the test. CIS coordinated with the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) and the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) to disseminate the latest public health information to members. Fortunately, this sow's ear turns out to be more of a silk purse. What lessons can we learn from the H1N1 scare to improve response to future emergencies? Watch for CIS Risk Management Consultant Valerie Saiki's article on the topic in the June issue of LOC's Local Focus Magazine. We will also post the article on our web site, along with other related updates.
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Budget Cuts: Could Layoffs Mean Lawsuits?
Budget shortfalls may require staff cuts. Avoid costly mistakes with CIS Attorney Kirk Mylander's advice, published April 2009 in the League of Oregon Cities publication, Local Focus.
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Boost Your Legal Immunities
Add to your municipal toolbox with another CIS contribution to the League of Oregon Cities' "Tools for the New City Councilor" series, published in Local Focus, April 2009.
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Pending Changes in Tort Cap Liability
The Tort Caps -- They are A-Changin' But Your Personal Liability Stays the Same
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Fleet Kit
To aid in developing and implementing policies that will protect your entity and the employees who drive, CIS has compiled an assortment of helpful documents available as a Fleet Kit.
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How Can I Sue Thee?
CIS offers an introduction to municipal liability, part of the League of Oregon Cities' "Tools for the New City Councilor" series, published in the February 2009 issue of Local Focus.
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CIS Conference: Thanks for Being There!
Thanks to all who joined us at CIS' 8th Annual Member Meeting and Risk Management Conference. We're glad you were there! Conference session materials are now posted for your reference. Access these, as well as photos, video clips and other details at the CIS Conference Site.
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Tenant User Liability Insurance Program (TULIP)
Tenant User Liability Insurance Program – a program for entities who allow individuals or organizations to use municipal-owned facilities for special events to transfer the risk with a low cost policy that protects the entity and the Tenant User.
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Updated Workers' Compensation Claims Forms
Find our newly-simplified WC 801 Claim Form and updated Return-To-Work forms on the Workers’ Compensation site. To access the documents, click on the “Workers’ Compensation” quick link on the homepage. The resources posted to both the “Forms” and “Return-to-Work” page have been updated.
The updated forms are also accessible on the Risk Management Library through the Members Only Portal at www.cciservices.com/webportal/Services/RML.aspx.
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Flood Coverage Review
With winter storms on the horizon, now is the time for you to 1) review your plans for protecting your property and equipment from water and storm damage and 2) review and make sure your flood insurance is ready as well.
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New Claim Reporting E-Mail Address
We have a new email addresses for reporting Property/Liability claims: claimspl@cciservices.com.
If you generally report claims via e-mail, please begin using the new claim email addresses immediately. You can also use the claim reporting section on the CIS website (click on the Property/Liability quick link – information on Filing a Claim is on the right side of the page). Please do not report claims directly to claim consultants.
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Grants Available for 2008-09
CIS members that have more risk management needs than funds available may have several opportunities for CIS grant funding in 2008-09.
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Sewer System Failures
Aging systems, lack of funds for adequate maintenance and a new awareness of toxicity issues that requires more elaborate and costly clean-up procedures make sewer system backups a growing exposure in many Oregon communities. Insurance is one, but certainly not the only remedy local governments should be using to protect their citizens from the consequences of accidental backups.
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