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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news May 22, 2023 ArvadaCO.gov update. We launch June 1, one week from today! ● What you might notice: ○ Content you are accustomed to finding in one place may be positioned elsewhere because the new navigation is different. ○ Content that was repeated on more than one web page may be combined into one page. ○ Content that was out of date may no longer be included on the site. (No content is DELETED; it can still be accessed if needed. ● Providing feedback: We encourage City team members to get familiar with the new site, and we know you’ll have ideas and suggestions for changes. Once the core team has learned the new backend capabilities and has a chance to review site analytics, we will be happy to hear your feedback and will provide feedback opportunities for you. ● Feel free to reach out to the core team with questions/concerns: ○ 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] Accessibility Tips ● Writing for the Web: Plain Language Checklist adapted from the Plain Language.gov website. People scan documents and webpages for quick answers to their questions. If you follow this “Plain Language” checklist, you will help ALL readers quickly find what they are looking for, while also making content readily available to people with cognitive barriers and those using screen readers 1. Create page titles using words your readers would use when doing a web search. 2. Break your page into topics and create short, logical headings (it helps to ask yourself: "What are the key takeaways I want people to get from this?". Make those clear. 3. Create short paragraphs under headings. Be concise. Get to the point. Eliminate unnecessary words. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 4. Use short lists and bullets to organize information. 5. Never use “click here” as a link. Link language should describe what your reader will get if they click the link. Dig deeper into using plain language at the Plain Language.gov website. Nominate the Employee of the Quarter (Q2) by next Wednesday, May 31 Take the time to recognize someone on your team for their hard work and nominate them for Employee of the Quarter (Q2). This is a great way to express your appreciation and gratitude for your peers. We will be accepting nominations for Q2 through Wednesday, May 31. If you have any questions, please email the Employee committee at [EMAIL REDACTED]. City of Arvada Golf hosts Van Arsdale Elementary field trip The City’s golf team recently hosted Van Arsdale Elementary School fifth graders for a field trip at West Woods Golf Club. The field trip is part of the City’s Golf In Schools program where local elementary school students learn the fundamentals of the game from the City’s staff of golf professionals. The Golf In Schools curriculum starts with instruction at the school during gym class for third, fourth and fifth graders. Fifth graders then get to wrap up the program by taking a field trip to West Woods. Watch the Golf In Schools video from Arvada Media Services to learn more! Ryan Stachelski pursues new opportunity Ryan Stachelski, Director of Community and Economic Development, has taken a new position with PaulsCorp, a Denver-based real estate and capital management firm. Ryan will leave the City this Thursday, May 25 for his planned sabbatical and then to pursue the new opportunity. Over the course of 12 years, Ryan has served in various roles of increasing responsibility on the Community and Economic Development team, providing the work system with solid leadership, support and mentorship. We wish Ryan the best of luck in his future endeavors. He will be missed! Rob Smetana will be Acting Director of Community and Economic Development and can be reached at [EMAIL REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED]. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Join the Employee Appreciation Summer BBQ on June 7 The Arvada Employee Appreciation Summer BBQ is coming soon! Please join us on Wednesday, June 7 at Stenger Sports Complex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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. ● 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]. Next Bulky Item Event is on Saturday, June 10 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. Reminder: Check out these resources for getting your pet licensed and vaccinated Did you know that the City of Arvada requires all dogs 4 months of age and older to be licensed annually (cats are optional)? If your pet ever gets lost and is found by an Animal Control Officer or an Animal Control partner, a license helps them to return your pet quickly. Vaccinations are also critical for taking care of your pets and keeping them healthy. You can access licensing services at Foothills Animal Shelter or at one of the City’s police community stations Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by bringing the required documentation and $20 per pet license. Watch the latest Arvada Media Services video to learn more about the importance of licensing and vaccinating your pets, how much services cost and what paperwork you need to bring with you. Low cost vaccination Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- clinics are offered at Foothills Animal Shelter (580 McIntyre St, Golden, CO 80401) on Fridays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. You can also visit the Foothills Animal Shelter’s website to learn more about licensing services and vaccinations. If you have questions, you can contact the Foothills Animal Shelter team at [EMAIL REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED]. Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System Managing your budget during times of inflation Did you know that according to Fidelity’s Q2 2022 Quarterly Participant Wellbeing study, 1 in 4 of people report saving less in the last 3 months, and that over half say it is due to increasing prices? With the fluctuation of the dollar, you may also find yourself stressed managing your day-to-day budget. Developing a stronger understanding of your expenses and sources of income can go a long way to alleviating stress. Here are some small steps you can take: ● Be intentional with your spending. For many of us, understanding where you spend can be a huge challenge. Identify what you need to have and want to have to see what you can skip or cut. ● Don’t spend what you don’t have. Relying on credit cards to pay for things that don’t fit into your budget can be tempting, but too much credit card debt can be very challenging to deal with. ● Check your budget again…and again…and again… Budgeting doesn’t have to be a one-time activity. If your plan isn’t working, changing it is okay. ● Mind your retirement savings. If you think things are expensive today, imagine how much they will cost when you retire! Cutting retirement savings may feel like a quick strategy to pay for things today, but putting money in your workplace savings plan is a strong way to fight inflation later. Since a budget helps you review every area you are allocating money towards, you'll be able to see where you might be able to trim expenses. Use these below resources to budget and plan during inflation: Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● Use this document to start planning your budget information and identify expenses matched to your income. ● Wondering about the effect of inflation on your retirement savings? Visit this webpage to learn more. View this flier to learn more and visit Fidelity’s website at NetBenefits.com. Mental health resources for City employees May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the City of Arvada supports your Mental Health! This is a great time to refresh your awareness of the amazing mental health benefits available to you, whether they are face-to-face or virtual. Check out some of the resources you can access: ● Meet Dr. Vanessa Bayer, a licensed helping the Arvada community. Dr. Bayer's office is located at the Everside Clinic in Arvada, and we are thrilled to have her as a strong mental health resource. She's dedicated to meeting the needs of City employees in a variety of areas, including stress, anxiety, depression, family/relationship concerns, addictions, work/life balance and more. Dr. Bayer is available to employees and family members who are enrolled in the Everside Clinic. View this flier to learn more about Dr. Bayer. ● Access a therapist through the Talkspace App. If you are enrolled in our health plans through UMR, you have digital access to a dedicated therapist by downloading the App. You can communicate by message or have real-time face-to-face video appointments. Talkspace is another tool to access trained and treatment management. This is a great online support that is convenient, safe and secure. Check out this flier to learn more about this benefit. ● Participate in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through You have 24/7 access to support, resources and information through This benefit includes support to meet life's needs, including confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance and financial resources. is available to benefited employees and their family members. Read this flier to learn more about his benefit. For additional questions about these benefits, reach out to HR Benefits Specialist Leesha Neuhold at [EMAIL REDACTED]. 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. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 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]. 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 Communication Skills: Our Community Listens June 6, 8, and 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day or 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 Conscious Communication June 8 or Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] In-person Government Center, Brighton Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 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 7 Habits of Highly Effective People June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register here In-person Employee Committee Corner Employee Photo Contest ● 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 week 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. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● 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]. 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 - April Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. Infrastructure National Public Works Week Thank you to our hard working Public Works team members! This week we recognize you and the wide variety of roles and responsibilities you hold that keep our community so vibrant and great. You help ensure people have safe routes through the city whether they are driving, walking or rolling in the rain, shine, ice and snow. Check out the City’s Facebook page for some highlights of our teams this week and the work they do. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Arbor Day video Earlier this month, the City’s Forestry team joined Peck Elementary School fifth grade students for the City’s annual Arbor Day tree planting celebration. Watch the video to learn more about this year’s special tree planting. Save the Date: Arvada On Tap is Saturday, June 24 Buy your tickets now for Arvada On Tap, Saturday June 24 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Ralston Park Addition (64th Ave. and Quail St.). Arvada On Tap is a fun outlet for craft beer and BBQ sampling! The event features craft breweries, local food, vendors and great live music. Attending Arvada On Tap helps support our community partners and the great services they provide in our community! All proceeds from this event will go to our community partners: Arvada-Jefferson Kiwanis, Arvada Sunrise Rotary, and Arvada Vitality Alliance. Buy tickets in advance and save $10 per ticket! Interested in participating in Arvada On Tap as a brewery? Registration is still open. Sign up now! Movies Around Town series begins on June 9 Join the Festivals Commission in kicking off their Movies Around Town series starting at Wood Run Park on Friday, June 9. Live music by Colorado Batch 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--- Reminder: Parking lot closure at Majestic View The parking lot at Majestic View Nature Center is closed for paving this week through next Wednesday. If you plan to visit between May 23-31, please park at Majestic View Park on 72nd and take the short, paved path to the Nature Center. Employee Updates Newly hired Edna Hendershot, Deputy Police Chief, effective 5/8/23 Noah Parks Worker II, effective 5/8/23 Richard Medina, Custodian, effective 5/9/23 Erin Atencio, Homeless Project Manager, effective 5/10/23 Jonathan Church, Systems Administrator, effective 5/15/23 Genteman, Police Records Specialist, effective 5/16/23 Promotions Tyler Baker, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 David Binkowski, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Jackson Chase, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Gunnar Foegen, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 David (Davey) Haywood, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Shelby Hutchison, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Brian Malone, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Eliezer Mercado, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Nicholas Murtha, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Benjamin (Ben) Neal, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Lucas Stroehlein, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Anna Swayne, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Abigail (Abby) Trapani, Police Officer, effective 5/12/23 Travis Hesalroad, Utility Supervisor, effective 5/15/23 Richard (Ricky) Perry, Streets Technician III, effective 5/15/23 Isabela Petrykowska, Senior Economic Development Specialist, effective 5/16/23 Retirements Kenneth (Ken) Peterson, Water Resources Administrator, effective 5/19/23 Resignations Steven Green, Utility Foreman, effective 5/12/23 Spencer Page, Plant Supervisor-SCADA, effective 5/12/23 Email your news to