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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news May 29, 2023 New website launch June 1 We are excited to announce that the City’s new website, ArvadaCO.gov, launched this Thursday, June 1! We hope you are as excited as we are about its new design and features! Check out its responsive design on different devices, ask our Chat Bot some questions and sign up to receive alerts and notifications! While you are looking around at the new site, if you come across broken links or factually incorrect information please let us know immediately, so we can correct it. We know that many of you will have ideas and suggestions for ways to improve the site, and we look forward to hearing your feedback but respectfully ask that you allow the next 2-3 months for the Core Team to continue learning the CMS tools, tweaking material and gathering user analytics. Please make note of your suggested changes or improvements. Your work system communication contact will reach out with feedback opportunities after a couple months to consider revisions. We know it will take awhile for everyone, including our customers, to get used to the new site, and we appreciate your patience with that process. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the Core Team: ● Public Safety: Dave Snelling, [EMAIL REDACTED] and Chase Amos, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● Infrastructure: Katie Patterson, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● Clerk's Office: Kevin Luy, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● CED/AEDA: Liz Johnson, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● VCN: Sean Star, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● OSE: Cindy Javelet, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● Information Technology: Jennifer Valdez, [EMAIL REDACTED] Email Signature reminder Between June 1 and June 30, you will need to change your email signatures. Instructions for doing are available on Inside Arvada. Please wait until June 1 to do so. If you need assistance, please reach out to Jennifer Valdez, [EMAIL REDACTED]. Water tower illuminated for Memorial Day In honor of Memorial Day on May 29, the Olde Town Arvada Water Tower was illuminated for those who served our nation and are no longer with us. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Accessibility Tip of the Week: Take the #NoMouse Challenge If you had to move around a website without using your mouse, could you do it? Many people cannot or do not use a mouse, and instead navigate the digital world with a keyboard, keyboard emulator or other input device. This includes blind and low-vision users, as well as those with mobility disabilities. The #NoMouse Challenge is a global effort to raise awareness about the importance of accessible web design. Visit the NoMouse website for instructions, and next time you create content that may end up on the web, keep in mind the importance of design simplicity: ● reading order ● headings ● short paragraphs ● bulleted lists ● alt tags for images ● properly labeled hyperlinks ● use of simple tables only when necessary, etc. For those interested in a deeper dive into keyboard accessibility, visit the World Wide Web Consortium.(W3C:) webpage on keyboard accessibility. Take Your Child to Work Day video April 27, 2023, was National Take Your Child to Work Day. Watch the latest Arvada Media Services video and come along with two kids as they learn how city team members are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community! June 10 Bulky Item Drop Off Event Don’t forget, if you are an Arvada resident the next Bulky Item Drop Off Event is on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC), 19500 W. 64th Parkway. For more information about what is and is not acceptable, visit the City’s website. These events are included in the minimum services that Arvada customers invest in as part of the City's Waste and Recycling Program. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- DEI June is Pride Month Pride is celebrated each year for the month of June to honor and commemorate the community. Pride Month started on June 28, 1970 on the one year anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots sparked the gay liberation movement in the United States and celebrations have since spread to cities around the world. Looking for opportunities to get involved in the Denver area? The Center on Colfax is the largest community center in the Rocky Mountain region and offers a series of year-round events and resources. Additionally, join community members from across the Denver metro area to celebrate Pride at one of the following events this summer: ● Boulder Pride Festival: Sunday, June 11 at 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Boulder Central Park (1212 Canyon Boulevard Boulder, CO, 80302) ● Denver Pride- Parade, Festival and 5k Race: Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, Civic Center Park (101 W. 14th Ave. Denver, CO 80202) ● Aurora Pride: Saturday, August 5, Aurora Reservoir (5800 S. Powhaton Rd. Aurora, CO 80016) June is National Safety Month June is U.S. National Safety Month, when people focus on how they can keep their environment safe and free from danger. Over the next 4 weeks, we will be bringing you information to help you and your colleagues be safe in the workplace environment. Weekly topics include: Emergency Preparedness, Slips, Trips and Falls, Heat-related Illnesses, and Hazard Recognition. This week’s topic is: Emergency Preparedness: What is a workplace emergency? A workplace emergency is a situation that threatens workers, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or man-made, and may include hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, winter storms, chemical spills or releases, disease outbreaks, releases of biological agents, explosions involving nuclear or radiological sources, and many other hazards. In 2021, 61,105 weather-related events resulted in 947 deaths and 1,667 injuries. Winter weather, heat and floods resulted in the most deaths that year. In the workplace, the most common type of emergency is a fire. In the event of a workplace emergency, here are a few tips that you should familiarize yourself with: ● Egress routes and exit points in your facility ● Assembly areas outside of the facility you are working in ● How to account for all employees after an evacuation ● How to properly perform CPR, first aid, and operating an AED—or identify someone else qualified to do so Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● Location of first aid cabinets and AEDs ● How to report an emergency situation For additional resources and guidance, the National Safety Council offers safety tips specific on preparing for earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes, and how to minimize risk. Federal agencies like and are also valuable resources for emergency preparedness. When you face a natural or man-made emergency, try to stay informed through radio, TV or the Internet. Join us for the Health and Safety Fair on June 7 On Wednesday, June 7, you are invited to participate in the Health and Safety Fair! It will take place at Indiana Shops (6701 Indiana St.) from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and City Hall (8101 Ralston Rd.) from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Activities will include skin cancer screening, heat stress education, weather emergency preparedness, stress and fatigue talk, distracted/drunk driving demos, AED training and more! The team will have a passport card for employees to receive a stamp at each station. If you collect at least 5 stamps, you will earn a punch on your wellness card! Please direct questions about the event to HR Coordinator Alyssa Howell at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Let’s Celebrate!: Join us on June 7 at Stenger Complex for BBQ The Arvada Employee Appreciation Summer BBQ is coming soon! Please join us on Wednesday, June 7 at Stenger Sports Complex from 11am to 1pm. City facilities (except PD) will be closed during this time to encourage attendance. 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 is limited. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● Ball Corporation donated aluminum cups to the City. Check out a video from Ball to learn more about the cups. Please help us be part of the sustainability party by placing the aluminum cups in recycling if you use one. ● If you would like water, please bring a water bottle. No water will be available. ● If you or your team cannot attend, please let us know a head count of those who cannot make it and designate a person from your team to pick up to-go meals. Please email Kylie at [EMAIL REDACTED] by May 31 to arrange the to-go meals. ● Try to carpool or walk to Stenger if you are able as parking is limited. Please send any additional questions you have about the event to [EMAIL REDACTED]. Employee Committee Corner Employee Photo Contest deadline is Monday, June 12 ● Who can submit a photo? ○ All current City of Arvada employees. Including temporary and seasonal employees. ● What is it? ○ The City of Arvada annual employee photo contest. We are currently accepting submissions! ● Where can photos be taken? ○ Anywhere in our beautiful City! Each participant may submit up to three high resolution photos. ● When can photos be submitted? ○ Photos can be submitted through the first two weeks of June. All submissions must be received no later than Monday, June 12. Judging to take place June 15. ● How can I submit my photos? ○ By visiting and completing the 2023 Photo Contest Submission Form. ○ If you submit photos, you must also complete the Photo Contest Release Form. To complete the form, you must print it, fill it out, scan it electronically and attach the electronic copy of the form to the 2023 Photo Contest Submission form. ● Why should I submit a photo? ○ To have fun and win gift card prizes! Please send any additional questions you have about the photo contest to [EMAIL REDACTED]. 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 - May Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. Safe Community Work System Help the Arvada PD K9 Unit Aftermath sponsors an annual grant to assist law enforcement K9 programs. The Arvada PD K9 Unit received an honorable mention last year ($250) and we think we can do better this year! The winner is decided by community voting and the top agency will be awarded $2,500. The voting period is open from May 25 until June 5. Anyone can vote, up to three times a day (once per option): 1. Online - Find your agency K9 and his picture and click to vote = 1 vote 2. Facebook - Like and comment on the daily post with the agency name, city and state = 1 vote 3. Instagram - Enter the agency name, city and state = 1 vote Please share with your friends, family, and colleagues and vote every day! Arvada PD Graduation, Promotion and Deputy Chief Swearing-in Ceremony On Tuesday, May 23, we welcomed 13 new Officers and two Deputy Chiefs, and promoted two new Sergeants to the Arvada Police Department at a ceremony in City Council chambers. Thank you to all who came to celebrate the occasion with us! Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System What to keep in mind during market changes Here are some things to keep in mind during market changes: ● Market swings are common. ● Moving in and out of the market can be risky. ● Sticking with your plan is often the best decision. Learn more at NetBenefits.com/marketchanges. Here’s how to view internal job postings All internal job opportunities are posted on our internal job link and on Inside Arvada under the “Employee Resources” tab. Arvada University Update Register in advance on the Arvada University Learning Calendar. Contact Noelle Oberg ([EMAIL REDACTED]) with questions. Session/topic Date Time and/or resource link Type of Training Conscious Communication June 8 or Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] In-person Government Center, Brighton Diversity Workshop: The Human Library Experience. Learn more on the Human Library website. June 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] Virtual Process Improvement, Green Belt for Leaders June 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register here Virtual Project Management, COA Way! June 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] Virtual Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register here In-person Communication Skills: Our Community Listens Aug 8-10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day Email [EMAIL REDACTED] 3 days In-person Government Center, Brighton Infrastructure Work System Roadway closures: West 72nd Avenue and Balsam at Ralston Road Both the West 72nd Avenue and Ralston Road bond projects are completing critical work requiring road closures. ● West 72nd Avenue: The intersection of West 72nd and Oak Street is closed through June 13. ● Ralston Road: Balsam Street has closed to the south of Ralston next to Arvada K-8. Please remember to slow down and drive safely in and around construction zones. Alternative routes are advised for both routes. Find more information and detour maps on the project web pages. Community and Economic Development Work System Check out Visit Arvada’s Guide to Summer Events Each summer Visit Arvada, Arvada’s visitor’s center, develops a comprehensive activity guide highlighting the fun things happening around town throughout the summer. This year’s guide features a wide variety of events and things to do in Olde Town, the Majestic View Nature Center, the Arvada Center, and the Apex Park and Recreation District. Read up on summer fun in Arvada today! Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Field of Dreams rescheduled for Friday, June 16 The Festivals Commission has rescheduled their first Movies Around Town event for Friday, June 16 at Wood Run Park due to the NBA Finals – go Nuggets! The original date was Friday, June 9. Live music starts around 7:15 p.m. followed by Field of Dreams on the big screen at dusk.This event is free! Visit the Arvada Festivals website for dates and locations for all of this year’s Movies Around Town. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Arvada on Tap Amateur BBQ Competition Do you enjoy BBQing? Register to participate in the Arvada on Tap Amateur BBQ Competition! Arvada on Tap returns to the Ralston Park Addition (64th and Quail) from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 and is currently seeking a few more amateur to participate in the competition. Limited spaces available. For more information or to register, visit arvadaontap.com. Email your news to