City's Ombudswoman Releases Annual Report

Mayor Chucky Hales
By NIGEL JAQUISS

The City of Portland employs an ombudswoman named Margie Sollinger as a repository for complaints about city agencies. 

In the past, the ombudsperson has been in the thick of serious doings—the federal investigation that resulted city parking meter czar Ellis McCoy's felony conviction can be traced to that office.

The absence of serious waste, fraud and abuse from the 2012 report released today (PDF) should make citizens glad but will likely not convince close observers of the City That Works.

Here's one situation from the annual report that could make a Portlandia episode:

Complaint

Two neighborhood association members submitted separate complaints about the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s (ONI) handling of grievance appeals.

Resolution

The Ombudsman investigated both complaints and identified several concerns with the grievance and appeal process as written and implemented. Some recommendations have already been implemented, while others will be taken up by a committee charged with reviewing ONI’s grievance process.

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.