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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news September 11, 2023 Officer Dillon Vakoff Remembrance Ceremony Thank you to everyone who came out to remember Officer Dillon Vakoff on Monday, Sept 11. Dillon’s parents, Lisa and Dan, and all of Dillon’s friends in the Department truly appreciated the show of support. Thank you for honoring his life and never forgetting him. Everyone Zoom - Thursday, Sept. 14 Nearly 300 COA team members joined us for the Everyone Zoom this morning, Thursday, Aug. 14. If you were unable to attend or would like to review the information, you may view the PDF of the slide presentation. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System Employee Committee Corner Employees of the Quarter (Q3) for Innovation, Opportunity and Passion (pictured left to right): ● Innovation: Carlos Vulgamott, Senior IT Project Manager, Department of Information Technology ● Opportunity: Brian Lavey, Civil Engineer II, Department of Public Works ● Passion: Bryan Archer, Director of Finance, Department of Finance These three employees will receive $100 and a day off. At the end of the 4th Quarter, the Employee Committee will take all twelve winners and vote for an Employee of the Year for each of the values. If you have any questions, email Housing Specialist Johnny Yang at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Join the Employee Committee at the Employee Appreciation Fall Carnival! The Arvada Employee Appreciation Fall Carnival is coming soon! Please join us on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Clear Creek Valley Park (3700 W 58th Place) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A big thank you to CMO for allowing the closure of City Hall during this time (with the exception of PD). Festivities include a wide variety of carnival games, photo booth, food trucks, music, a live comedian, and the presentation of longevity awards. And don’t forget the treats! Complete with popcorn, sno-cones and cotton candy! We look forward to seeing you all there and celebrating all our organization has accomplished this year. Read the following important information to help us have the best event possible: ● Please bring camping chairs or picnic blankets if you can, as seating will be limited. ● There will be soda available, but please bring a water bottle if you would like water. ● We will not be preparing/delivering meals for this event. Teams that are not able to attend are welcome to send a representative to pick up to-go meals from the food trucks. ● Parking is available in both the east and west lots; however, the lots are small, so parking is limited. Please try to carpool if possible. ● The City has partnered with Scraps to create another sustainable event! There will be three zero waste stations at the event and staff directing where to dispose of all waste. Help support the City's mission by making sure that all trash is disposed of in the proper receptacle. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- About the Employee Committee Employee Committee representatives meet in order to plan and coordinate events as well as collect departmental updates to bring back to their respective teams. Check out the links below to see who your representative is, view the upcoming list of potential City events and browse Employee Committee meeting minutes: ● Find My Rep! ● 2023 Events Schedule* *Please note: this is a working document and all events are subject to change. ● Meeting Minutes - August Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. News from HR This month's New Hire Orientation was held on Sept. 6. Welcome to our new team members! John Zamora (Code Enforcement Officer), Peter Henz (Combination Inspector II), Thomas Shaw (Traffic Engineer III), Dustin Molieri (Systems Administrator), Justin Cusimano (Utility Systems Tech) and Meganne Brandon (Evidence Tech) Employee status changes We invite you to view this spreadsheet to see employee status changes. Employees may demonstrate interest in similar job opportunities in the future by contacting Human Resources at [EMAIL REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED], or your supervisor to obtain additional information. Here’s how to view City of Arvada job postings All City of Arvada job opportunities are posted on our job link. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Register in advance on the Arvada University Learning Calendar. Contact Liza Nolder ([EMAIL REDACTED]) with questions. Session/topic Date Registration details Type of Training Host Mitigating Unconscious Bias Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters Stop the Bleed Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, PD training room Michael Brumbaugh Cultural Humility Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Government Center, Brighton Adams County Our Community Listens workshop Sept. 19, 20, and 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Government Center, Brighton Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities. Adams County Communication Tools: Interpersonal Mastery Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People *Emerging Leader prerequisite* Sept. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Whisper Creek Community Room Noelle Oberg, City of Arvada Our Community Listens workshop Oct. 11, 18, and 15 (3 consecutive Wednesdays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Government Center, Brighton Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities. Adams County Cultural Humility Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Westminster Human Services Center Adams County Conscious Communication Oct. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In person, Government Center, Brighton Adams County Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Save the date: upcoming employee benefits events The City of Arvada’s HR team is hosting some upcoming events to inform and educate City team members about employee benefits.These events will each be eligible for a Wellness punch. More detailed information will be provided in the near future! Flu Shot Clinics: All City employees, including seasonal/variable employees, are eligible for flu shots. ● Oct. 4 - Indiana Shop ● Oct. 11 - City Hall Benefits Fair: This will be a good opportunity to meet the amazing Vendors that provide your elected coverages, and to ask any benefit- and coverage-related questions, and more! All full-time employees, part-time employees, and Health Plan Eligible employees are invited to participate in the Benefits Fair. ● October 18 - City Hall Annual Enrollment Presentations: Presentations will include an overview of Benefits, information about any changes coming in 2024, and Q&A sessions. All full-time employees, part-time employees, and Health Plan Eligible employees are invited to participate in Annual Enrollment presentations. ● Oct. 24 through Nov. 2 - Multiple locations If you have any questions, contact Human Resources Benefits Specialist Leesha Neuhold at [EMAIL REDACTED]. News from Risk Management New life saving device available LifeVac is a revolutionary airway clearance device designed to aid in the rescue of individuals who are experiencing a choking emergency. This non-invasive and easy-to-use tool can help dislodge objects lodged in the airway, potentially preventing a fatal outcome. LifeVac is a proven alternative to traditional choking rescue techniques and can be employed by both medical professionals and laypersons. View some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about LifeVac. The City of Arvada's decision to install LifeVac devices demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing safety and preparedness. By equipping employees with this innovative choking rescue device, the City aims to minimize potential risks and facilitate prompt and effective response to choking emergencies. With LifeVac, the City is taking proactive steps toward creating a safer environment for everyone. LifeVac devices will be located in break rooms in City facilities. This google spreadsheet provides a specific location of each unit. LifeVac operates on a simple yet effective principle: it creates a powerful suction that can dislodge a blocked airway when conventional methods such as back blows and abdominal thrusts have failed. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use LifeVac: 1. Identify choking Look for signs of choking, such as difficulty breathing, inability to speak, or turning blue. 2. Call for help: Dial emergency services (911) immediately to alert professionals while preparing to assist the choking individual. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 3. Retrieve the LifeVac device. 4. Assemble the device: Remove the LifeVac device from its packaging and connect the suction tube to the mask. 5. Apply the mask: Position the mask firmly over the choking person's mouth and nose, creating a secure seal. 6. Activate the suction: With a quick downward motion, depress the plunger on the LifeVac device, creating a powerful suction. 7. Observe the airway: Keep a close watch on the person's airway to identify if the lodged object is dislodged. 8. Repeat if necessary: If the airway remains blocked, repeat the process until help arrives or the obstruction is removed. Installing LifeVac devices in facility break rooms throughout the City will bolster safety protocols and enhance the overall preparedness of our organization for choking incidents. Infrastructure Work System Share your feedback for Arvada’s transportation future Feedback for Connecting Arvada, the City’s first Transportation System Plan, is closing on Oct. 1. Be sure to share the challenges you see in your neighborhood or along the routes you travel. There are three ways to participate: 📍Drop a pin on the map for a specific location 💡Share your ideas for the future 💬Leave a general comment Connecting Arvada reaches out to older adults and those living with disabilities Katie Patterson (Infrastructure) and Brady Porterfield-Finn (City Manager's Office) collaborated to host a community conversation at the Olde Town Library on Thursday, Sept. 7. The focus of this conversation was to gather input for the Connecting Arvada campaign from community members with barriers to accessing transportation, including older adults and those living with disabilities. Twenty community members attended this conversation representing the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, APEX, Jeffco Schools, RTD and more. Safe Community Work System Arvada Police Officer Employee Referral Bonus Program Help Arvada Police hire new officers and get paid! The purpose of the Employee Referral Bonus Program is to provide a paid incentive to any current city employee who brings new talent to the Arvada Police Department by referring applicants who are subsequently selected and successfully employed as a commissioned police officer. Receive $500 when a recruit starts the academy and another $500 when they graduate from field training. For eligibility and rules please visit: 2023 Arvada Police Officer Referral Program Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Arvada Police Department’s Women’s Awareness, Defense and Empowerment Course View this quick video from a recent Women’s Awareness, Defense and Empowerment Training. The Women's Awareness, Defense and Empowerment (W.A.D.E) course is a free class taught by police officers and designed to provide women with fundamental awareness skills and self-defense techniques to aid in the management and prevention of assaults and encounters. Go to the WADE webpage on arvadaco.gov for registration or to be added to a wait list. Community and Economic Development Work System Izabela Petrykowska Selected to Serve as Executive Director of AEDA and Economic Development Manager Izabela Petrykowska has been selected to serve as the new Executive Director of the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) and Economic Development Manager for the City of Arvada. Prior to assuming this new position, Iza served AEDA as a Senior Economic Development Specialist for nearly four years. Izabela moved to Colorado in 2016 to pursue a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at CU Denver. She graduated at the top of her class in 2019 with a focus on economic development. Prior to working for the City of Arvada, Izabela worked as a consultant assisting cities in the Denver Metro Area and mountain towns with planning services including Comprehensive Planning, Long Range Planning, and On Call Planning. Izabela is originally from Poland and has lived abroad in Argentina and speaks both Polish and Spanish. She lives in Arvada with her husband and daughter. When asked about the new role, Izabela said, “I am truly honored to be chosen as the Executive Director for the Arvada Economic Development Association. I moved to Colorado seven years ago and my family and I chose Arvada because we loved the community and opportunities that this City had to offer. For the last four years I have worked for AEDA, primarily focusing on business retention. I have worked with home-based businesses all the way to our primary employers and am constantly impressed by the caliber of businesses we have here. I am excited to work with my team, the City, and strategic partners to make Arvada one of the best places for businesses to locate and grow in.” Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Construction underway for new Holistic Health and Fitness Park In partnership with Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), the City’s Parks and Urban Design team recently broke ground on the city’s newest park. The Holistic Health and Fitness Park is located just north of the RRCC campus in the Arvada Ridge area of the city, west of Kipling and south of the Lutz Sports Complex. One of the first of its kind in the nation, Arvada's newest park will focus on whole-body health and offer a variety of uses for all ages and abilities, provide interactive features, and improve community access to free health opportunities and solutions to chronic health issues.Construction is anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2024. Visit the project page on ArvadaCO.gov to learn more! Majestic View Nature Center Register for National Public Lands Day. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- The Arvada Center for the Performing Arts Discount ticket opportunity for City team members to The Laramie Project Sept. 29 - Nov. 5: Performances are Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday at 2 p.m. When gay college student Matthew Shepard was found brutalized and tied to a fence outside Laramie, Wyoming in 1998, his death made people across the country take a hard look within. Twenty-three years after its World Premiere at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Laramie Project still resonates today. As America continues to grapple with hate crimes, we dive deep into a very human story of the prejudice, hatred, conflicts and contradictions revealed by Matthew’s death. Patch-worked together from hundreds of interviews, The Laramie Project explores the reactions of sixty real-life characters at the epicenter of one of the country’s most heinous anti-gay crimes, examining the depth of human hatred and the heights of compassion and love. Content: Ages 6 - Adult City of Arvada Employee Discount Tickets: $10, limit 4 Purchase through the Box Office or by calling [PHONE REDACTED]. Tickets are not available online. You must state which City department you work for, and use promo code 11209. Email your news to