Public Engagement » Consensus-Building

Governmental functions often are fragmented into distinct units that discourage coordination and collaboration. Mediation and consensus-building skills help them reach agreement on difficult issues. Mediation is a constructive, non-adversarial approach to solving disputes. COC has several decades of expertise and experience working collaboratively to resolve land use, transportation, NEPA and other public policy matters. We specialize in issues that are complex, controversial and emotionally charged, involving diverse stakeholders such as federal, state and local officials, private parties and the public. When mediating difficult situations, we earn the respect of all participants and help them reach agreement by dealing with interests and issues – not personalities. We approach each situation with a fresh perspective and an open mind, with the goal of minimizing confrontation and maximizing collaboration.

COC is highly regarded for:

• Determined optimism that contentious groups can overcome difficulties and pursue interest-based solutions.
• Fostering interagency/intergovernmental coordination, collaboration and understanding.
• Fairness and respect for all stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the nuances of state and local agency management, protocols and challenges.
• Helping people find common ground by recognizing the differences between facts and personal or emotional positions.
• Forestalling or preventing conflicts well before they become explosive or out-of-control.
• Experience with effective approaches to public involvement.
• Cultivating interrelationships among land use, growth management and transportation issues.
• Thorough understanding of how public policy is developed and administered.
• Helping parties develop positive relationships after the dispute is resolved.

In addition, we provide Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for governments, citizens, tribes and nonprofit organizations. Our techniques include:

• Stakeholder identification to ensure that all parties are at the table.
• Confidential interviews.
• In-depth case assessments.
• Meetings using facilitation, mediation or other appropriate processes.
• Agreements that meet the needs of all parties.
• Post-process evaluations.

Sample Projects

• City of Rainier Railroads Conflict Resolution
• City of The Dalles Urban Renewal Mediation
• Deschutes County and City of Redmond Partnership Agreement
• Il Fornaio Restaurant Conflict Resolution
• Nestucca River Road Mediation
• Portland Public School District Boundaries
• Thunder Mountain Sports Race Park Dispute Resolution
• TriMet Westside Light Rail Mediation
• Wasco County Rural Area Planning Mediation
• Wastewater on Agricultural Lands Mediation