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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news May 8, 2023 Honoring Fallen Officers The Colorado Law Enforcement Fallen Officer Ceremony was held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10 a.m. This ceremony honored those officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2022 to include Officer Dillon Vakoff. The Arvada Police Department’s annual Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 9 at 12 p.m. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Police Department and honor our fallen heroes. Nominate the Employee of the Quarter for Quarter 2 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]. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Catalytic converter theft prevention Concerned about your catalytic converter being stolen? Visit our Police Service Technician team at the front desk of headquarters on the first floor of City Hall or one of the substations to get a free CATETCH anti-theft kit. All you need is the valid vehicle registration of the vehicle you want to use it on! All City Employees are eligible to receive one free kit. Accessibility: Remembering why it's important Keeping in mind that 20% of the people we serve and work with have some kind of barrier to accessing our services is a good reminder why applying basic accessibility practices wherever we can is important. Here are a few standards to commit to now: ● When sending an email, do not use an image with overlaid text on it unless you also include the text separately. ● When hosting/presenting at a virtual meeting, do not assume everyone attending the meeting is sighted. If using a slide deck, read the words on each slide aloud. Slow down and pause often to ask if there are any questions. ● When creating a PDF destined for the web, create an accessible version in Word first and then convert to a PDF. It is much easier to create an accessible document than to remediate a highly-stylized PDF. For those who want to do and learn more, the State of Colorado produces a Accessibility Newsletter with really valuable information, tips and resources. Learn more and sign up for their newsletter. ArvadaCO.gov launches June 1 Clarification regarding what to do with assets that include the Arvada.org URL: You do NOT need to discard business cards, letterhead or other assets with the Arvada.org URL on them. Arvada.org will redirect to the new website. Simply keep track of these assets, so that when it is time to reorder them, you can include the new URL in the order. Reminder: Beginning June 1 and through June 30, EMAIL SIGNATURES will need to be changed out. Unfortunately, you can’t make this change now, because it has to do with the coding behind signature elements, which will be coordinated with the June 1 new domain launch. We will remind everyone via Weekly Briefs and an Everyone email as the date gets closer, and instructions will be provided on InsideArvada. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Water Tower lit last weekend in honor of Fallen Firefighters Last weekend was Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters. To honor the fallen firefighters across the nation, the Olde Town Arvada Water Tower was illuminated red. We thank our partners at the Arvada Fire Protection District for their service to the community! Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System 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]. 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]. New May Employee Orientation held on May 3 Please join us in welcoming our newest team members! Pictured Left to Right: Brian Lavey (Civil Engineer II - Transportation), Jared Blair (Utility System Technician), Jonathan Galan (Municipal Inspector Patrick Macklin (Municipal Inspector Todd Reeves (Deputy Police Chief), Amy Willhite (Water Resources Administrator), Majid Aslami (Civil Engineer I - Transportation), Nathaniel Gonzales (Planner Kelli Bradley (Civil Engineer III - Utilities Design) Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Fidelity phone appointments are available on May 16 and 17 Sam Casad from Fidelity will be holding 30 minute phone appointments this month on Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17. Any participant from ANY of our City retirement plans can sign up for one of these appointments. All appointments are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Please use the links below to access sign up sheets for these appointments. Each link has several 30 minute appointment times you can reserve. When signing up, please provide your name and a phone number for Sam to call you. On the sign up sheet, you will also see 5 additional alternate spots listed as well. These alternates will only be contacted if Sam has extra time during the day, or if he cannot reach someone who had signed up. He will call those people in the order they are signed up. Tuesday May 16 phone appointments Wednesday May 17 phone appointments If you are unable to get a phone appointment, you can also speak to a Fidelity rep by phone by calling customer service at 1-[PHONE REDACTED], or by accessing the numerous financial resources available by logging into your account through Fidelity NetBenefits. Please contact HR Manager Jeff Monzingo with any questions 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. 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 Multigenerations in the Workplace May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] Virtual Coaching in the Moment, all day training for leaders May 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] In-person Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Trakstar Training for new users May 18 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Register here In-person Conflict Management May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Email [EMAIL REDACTED] Virtual 7 Habits of Highly Effective People May 22 or June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register here In-person 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 Diversity Workshop: The Human Library Experience. Learn more on the Human Library website. June 8 9:30 -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 Employee Committee Corner Photo Contest The City of Arvada annual employee photo contest is now open for submissions! Read on to learn more: Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● Who can submit a photo? ○ All current City of Arvada employees, including temporary and seasonal employees. ● Where can photos be taken? ○ Anywhere in our beautiful City! ● How many photos can one person submit? ○ Each participant may submit up to three photos that were taken in Arvada within the last three years. Please ensure your digital photo submissions are high resolution. ● 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 will take place at the Employee Committee Meeting on Thursday, June 15. ● How can I submit my photos? ○ View more photo contest details and submit your 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 prizes! View the Photo Contest Submission Form to learn more about what prizes will be awarded. 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. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Community and Economic Development Work System Building Safety Month article features Nate Romero Assistant Building Official Nate Romero has been recognized for his dedication to building safety and team mentorship in an article featured in the Building Safety Journal, an online publication produced by the International Code Council. Congratulations to Nate for this well-deserved recognition. The City is lucky to have Nate’s expertise in keeping us all safe in the places that we live, work and play. Ralston Corridor Land Use Study Public Open House on May 24 The Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (AURA) in partnership with the City is conducting a study of the Ralston Road Corridor (Wadsworth Blvd. to Garrison Street) to better understand land use constraints and to improve the barriers to development and pedestrian circulation. AURA will be hosting an open house for the public to learn more about the study and to provide their thoughts on Wednesday, May 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at their offices located at 5603 Yukon Street. The study is being funded by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). For further information, call AURA at [PHONE REDACTED]. Infrastructure Pavement Management tours with the City Council Monday afternoon the Public Works Department took members of City Council and City leadership on a tour of the Pavement Management Program. The program works to repair City roads and replace concrete in areas where work is taking place. The team includes Pavement Manager Ben Sawaya and Pavement Management Coordinators Christine Biddle and Matt Grandy, who all helped to share information with the City Council about the program, funding structure and ongoing work throughout the city happening this year. Thank you to this team and all of the team members who were present to support in sharing information with the City Council about the program. Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Arvada on Tap early bird tickets are available Get your early bird Arvada on Tap tickets before May 15! Early bird tickets are $35 per person. Taste unlimited samples from over 20 breweries and check out the Amateur BBQ Competition, live music, vendors and more! Visit the Arvada Festivals Commission website for additional information. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Watershed Cleanup Stewardship Project Our first watershed cleanup of 2023 is happening on Thursday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This event will be a great way to meet other people who are interested in the environment, get your steps in for the wellness challenge, make a difference in the community and possibly win a rain barrel! For every bag of trash you collect you will receive a ticket for the rain barrel giveaway. For the May cleanup we’ll be meeting at Oak Park, located at 6557 Oak Street. In order to ensure that we have enough supplies, please register to attend the cleanup by 5 p.m. on Thursday. If you can’t make it this month, we’ll be doing cleanups in different locations along Ralston Creek on the second Thursday of the month through October so keep an eye on our calendar! Employee Updates Newly Hired Nathaniel Gonzales, Planner I, effective 4/24/2023 Todd Reeves, Deputy Police Chief, effective 4/24/2023 Brian Lavey, Civil Engineer II, effective 4/27/2023 Amy Willhite, Water Resources Administrator, effective 5/1/2023 Promotions Cameron Berry, Parks Worker III, effective 4/22/2023 Adam Buelter, Parks Worker III, effective 4/22/2023 Dakota Horendeck, Parks Worker III, effective 4/22/2023 Cody Mills, Parks Worker III, effective 4/22/2023 Vincent Valdez, Utility System Technician-Journey Level, effective 4/22/2023 Jana Van Abel, Lead Police Services Technician, effective 4/22/2023 Benjamin Sawaya, Pavement Manager, effective 5/2/2023 Resignations David Schneider, Senior Technical Support Analyst, effective 4/28/2023 Retirements Karen Crawford, CAD/GIS Supervisor, effective 5/5/2023 Email your news to