Sustainability & SAM - Testimonials

An Olympia Family Puts Sustainability Into Action:

Ever wonder how a typical family can incoporate sustainability in their daily life? Scott Wheeler, an Olympia resident has a great story to tell. Learn what this Olympia family has done to be more sustainable and reduce their impact on the environment. Read about their story written and told by Scott Wheeler.

Substance Use and Abuse Decision:

In preparing to seek a major policy change in ridding the City workplace of substance use and abuse, I used SAM to evaluate, from a sustainability perspective, how the recommendations would impact the natural environment, individual employees, the internal and external City community, and the economic aspects of the City's budget. I found it to be very useful in helping me think about the ramifications - both positive and negative - of the policy. I was successful in the approval of all the policy recommendations. Download a printer friendly copy of the SAM, Substance Use and Abuse Decision.

Cathy Raymond
Director of Human Resources
City of Olympia

SAM and Union Negotiations:

I used 2 SAM forms for items at union negotiations for AFSCME. The City's negotiation team responded favorably to my having used the SAM as a tool for negotiations. While the information was received well, I don't believe that it made any difference to the outcome of the things being negotiated. I felt that the SAM helped to clearly illustrate my points, and justify them as sustainable. Download a printer friendly copy of the SAM, Union Negotiations.

Stewart K. Nevling, Master Mechanic
City of Olympia, Public Works Department

Parking Fines, Citations and Rates:

The Sustainable Action Map (SAM) allowed Parking Services to determine that there was elasticity in our current Parking Fines, Citations and Rates. It also showed us that we would be in a better position to achieve our Program goals by raising specific fines and citations but that we should hold current parking rates stagnant. Most importantly, the SAM allowed us to gauge the impact on the community and our customers. This allowed Parking Services to determine that more parking would be created for downtown customers, patrons and visitors by raising specific parking fines, citations and rates. Download a printer friendly copy of the SAM, Parking Fines, Citations and Rates.

Kip Dernovich, Parking Services Program Manager
City of Olympia, Public Works Department

We Want to Hear from You:

If you have used the SAM model we would love to hear from you. Just e-mail us at publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us, and be sure to include:

  • What topic or decison you highlighted
  • How the process worked
  • How SAM affected your decison
  • A filled out version of SAM, sharing what you considered