Public Policy disputes can involve many parties with differing points of view. A neutral, skilled mediator organizes and facilitates the task of reaching agreement on public policy issues through mediation.

Jerry Lawson, President of the Cincinnati based Center, is a specialist in public policy dispute resolution. These disputes often involve mediation between multiple stakeholders. Our approach is to meet with the convening client(s), design a proposed process for the work, and then facilitate and mediate the parties to a resolution.

Here are some examples of our public policy mediation efforts:

Zoning Update Advisory Group. The mediation process included organizing over 100 participants into 7 working groups that reached an agreement on a comprehensive revision of the Hamilton County, Ohio Zoning Code. The Hamilton County Commissioners convened this group.

Ohio Construction and Demolition Debris Regulatory Negotiation. Through mediation, twenty (20) parties reached an agreement on regulations to govern the disposal of construction and demolition debris in Ohio. The Ohio EPA convened this group.

Charter Reform Forum. This group of 17 civic organizations and political parties was convened by the Mayor of Cincinnati to reach consensus through mediation on changes in the Cincinnati City Charter related to the method of electing the mayor and city council and distribution of power among the council, the mayor and the city manager.

City of Montgomery Ohio/Bethesda North Hospital/Neighbors. The City Manager of Montgomery, Ohio convened this three-party negotiation. The mediated parties reached agreement on revisions to the hospital zoning restrictions that would enable the hospital to develop its facilities with the support of the neighbors and the City.

Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program Multi-disciplinary Board. This group, created by statute, was convened by the Ohio EPA to reach agreement on recommendations to the EPA Director for comprehensive changes in the regulations governing the Voluntary Action Program, the OEPA program for voluntary cleanup of hazardous sites (usually for development purposes).