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Have a Thick Skin

Earning Buy-in for GSI in Your Community and Organization

Andy Szatko – City of Omaha

Andy Sauer – Burns & McDonnell

Ted Shiro – City of Springfield

Kris Hikari – City of Portland

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Thank you for joining this session!

Buy-in Chapter of the Framework of Practice Principles:

• Envision (engaging audiences and developing a shared vision),
• Partner + Demonstrate (generating momentum through short-term wins),
• Broadcast (spreading the word), and
• Advance Effective Regulation (using regulations to drive buy-in).

Now why do I have to have a thick skin?

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Florence Streetscape

Envision & Partner

• Neighborhood got the ‘cheap’ streetscape
• “Death traps”, “Liability”
• Community saved the project

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University of Nebraska - Omaha

Partner & Broadcasting

• Show it all. Good, bad, & ugly
• Involve those that are great communicators
• Think outside the box
• It doesn’t stop…

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Dundee Elementary

Collaboration & Broadcast

• Schools provide a lot of “bang for the buck”
• Solved school, teacher, & parent issues with GI
• Think about succession buy-in

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Benson East Gateway

Envision (Organization)

• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Patience
• “It was under a road”

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Industry Buy-in

Let’s collaborate!

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Adams Park

Collaboration &

Advance Regulation

• GI evaluated against gray
• Had to be at least “cost neutral”
• Saved millions
• Was the best tool in the toolbox
• Collaboration with Parks Dept

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Adams Park – Omaha, NE

Adams Park – Omaha, NE

West Bottoms – Kansas City, MO

West Bottoms – Kansas City, MO

Westport Stormwater Improvement Project�Kansas City Water Services, MO

Using Visualization Tools to Get Buy-In

JULY 7^TH, 2021

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE 1: UNDERGROUND STORAGE AT PARK

CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE 2: STREETSCAPE & CONVEYANCE IMPROVEMENTS

CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE 2: UNDERGROUND STORAGE AT SUNFRESH

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STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS

Upstream Underground Storage (1.5 Mgal) with CMAC

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Mill Street Corridor Stormwater Conveyance (60 inch RCP)

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Downstream Underground Storage (2 Mgal) with CMAC

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City of Springfield Collaboration

Ted Shriro | City of Springfield, Oregon

Willamette Valley Oregon

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Ferndale: City of Eugene

Sited in Ferndale park

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Created as part of Drywell Elimination project

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Stormwater maintenance exists within Parks and Open Space, Public Works

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Designed by engineering staff

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Collaboration Goals: prioritize maintenance friendly/soil/plant health/staff safety/regional facilities

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Franklin Blvd Phase 1 – City of Springfield

• Built in 2019
• Stormwater in medians
• Stormwater maintenance part of public works
• Designed with 12” soil, 12” drain rock beneath
• No splash pads/sediment control

Franklin Blvd Phase 1 – City of Springfield

Franklin Blvd Phase 1 – City of Springfield

Federal Courthouse – City of Eugene

Federal Courthouse – City of Eugene

Chad Drive– City of Eugene

8th Avenue – City of Eugene

Thank You For Your Time

KRIS HIKARI, Green Stormwater Infrastructure O&M Program

City of Portland Environmental Services

May 5, 2025

Ting Lu, Interim Director

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF �

Environmental Services l Advancing GI with PCEF

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

Justice Driven

Community-powered

Accountable

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Regenerative Agriculture
• Green Infrastructure
• Workforce and Contractor Development
• Transportation Decarbonization
• Other projects that reduce GHG emissions or promote community resiliency to climate change

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

FUNDING CATEGORIES:

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

• $1.6 billion in total investments over a 5-year period, 2024-2029
• >100 Organizations have received Community Grants ($5k-$10mil)
• >150 organizations have received Mini-grants (up to $5k)
• Over $500 million allocated to non-profits and public schools
• Over $700 million to City Bureaus toward operations and programs supporting climate resilience and reductions in GHG emissions
• Over $240 million to Green Infrastructure programs and projects

INVESTMENTS TO DATE:

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

Climate Jobs, Workforce, and Contractor Development

Invests in trainings and apprenticeships to support a diverse and fairly-paid workforce and contracting community in the “blue-green economy.”

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Equitable Tree Canopy

Funds Portland Urban Forestry to plant and establish 15,000-25,000 new trees on both public and private property in Portland’s most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.

Tree Protection, Tree Care, and Arboriculture Workforce Development

Enables roll out of new urban forestry programs Street Tree Maintenance Program, Citywide Tree Preservation and Care Services, Arborist Trainee Program that will benefit all Portlanders.

82^nd Avenue Street Tree Expansion

Increases canopy cover over 82^nd Ave for a length equivalent to 2500 linear feet in concert with pedestrian and cyclist safety upgrades.

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GI INVESTMENTS:

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

Green Stormwater Infrastructure O&M

Maintains over 2600 vegetated planters, swales, and constructed wetlands to manage public stormwater efficiently, protect water quality, and provide ecological services across the city.

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Natural Systems O&M

Manages over 800 acres of natural areas including the planting of millions of trees and other plants that significantly contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity, air temperature regulation, and flood control.

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Surface Water Restoration Design

Provides engineered solutions to restore the ecological functions and public values derived from Portland’s river and wetland systems that have been impacted by urban development.

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Biological Services

Provides habitat and wildlife management expertise and leadership to protect natural resources, to meet and inform regulatory requirements, and to increase the climate resiliency of Portland’s natural systems.

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GI INVESTMENTS:

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

Community Engagement

Supports community-led environmental projects through permitting support, technical assistance, and a suite of grant programs, as well as provides educational programming in local schools.

Private Property Retrofits

Assists property owners implementing stormwater management solutions on private property.

Community Rating System

Improves floodplain management and public safety by collaborating with other bureaus to ensure proper floodplain regulation, natural area protection and restoration, and emergency management preparedness.

PBOT’s Maintenance & Operations Collection System

Cleans debris from storm sewers and storm drains to reduce pollution, flooding, and sewer overflows.

GI INVESTMENTS:

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Advancing Green Infrastructure with PCEF

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For questions about PCEF please visit:

https://www.portland.gov/bps/cleanenergy

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For questions about Portland’s green stormwater assets, management practices, design details, and the like, please contact:

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Kris Hikari, GSI O&M

Kris.Hikari@PortlandOregon.gov

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Thank You for

Buying-In

to this Session!