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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news June 5, 2023 Thank you for joining us at the Employee Appreciation BBQ and Health and Safety Fair! Thank you to all our City team members who joined us at the Stenger Sports Complex for BBQ and the Health and Safety Fairs at Indiana Shops and City Hall! It was fantastic to see the camaraderie and the participation in activities, including skin cancer screening, heat stress education, weather emergency preparedness, stress and fatigue talk, distracted/drunk driving demos, AED training and more. Thank you to all City team members for the work you do for our organization and the community! Thank you also to the organizers of these events, including the Employee Committee and the HR team, for bringing us together to connect and learn about valuable resources, services and programs. Everyone Zoom meeting on June 8 The City team attended an Everyone Zoom meeting on Thursday, June 8. In the meeting, the award winners for Employees of Quarter 2 were announced and the team received updates on the progress of NASCAR (replacing Oracle project), the new ArvadaCO.gov website, the two newly hired Arvada PD Deputy Chiefs and 13 new officers and more! You can watch a recording of the meeting or review the slide presentation. Winners of Employee of the Quarter for Quarter 2 Congratulations to our three winners of the Employee of the Quarter Award for Quarter 2! These City team members exemplify our City’s values of Innovation, Passion and Opportunity. Read the nominations to learn more about the important work these team members are contributing to the City: Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Award for Innovation: Carina Bueno, Accounting Technician III, Department of Finance “We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.” "Carina is being nominated for innovation because she excels at taking ideas and works towards turning them into reality. Without prompting, she gathers all involved parties to meet to share creative ideas in order to drive sound business practices. During our heaviest deadlines this quarter, she met with Courts, Majestic View, Ralston House, IT, Finance and the Reservoir staff to discuss improvements to current processes. Carina offers a fresh eye on processes when there are issues or when things are not functioning as efficiently as they should. She enthusiastically tackles challenges and seeks to learn from other people. Carina's charisma with colleagues helps to facilitate innovative changes which benefit all when they are implemented. She provides valuable feedback to successfully navigate the city's administrative infrastructure. From streamlining Courts financial accounting processes, updating and expanding on our deposit process, purchasing locked deposit bags for Ralston House to secure cash deposits, and actively participating in testing systems for the Reservoir -she is advancing the use of best practices." Award for Passion: Johnny Yang, Housing Specialist, Department of Community and Economic Development “We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.” "Johnny always has such a positive attitude when he is at work. We work in difficult situations at times, when people can be at their very lowest; Johnny always manages to stay calm, helps when and where he can and provides zero added stress. It's always a better day when he is in the office. Even when he pulls his little pranks. Yes, he is a prankster believe it or not. Thanks Johnny, for always bringing good vibes! You are appreciated!" Award for Opportunity: Police Sergeant Brandon Valdez, Department of Public Safety “We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.” "I am honored to nominate Sergeant Valdez for Employee of the Quarter. His exceptional actions during a challenging period truly embody the core value of Opportunity within our organization. Sergeant Valdez's outstanding leadership and commitment to these principles make him a strong candidate for this well-deserved recognition. During a difficult time on Team 4, Sergeant Valdez faced a significant challenge when I suffered a broken leg while apprehending a combative suspect. This unfortunate event left him as the sole permanent sergeant responsible for the entire team. Rather than being overwhelmed by the situation, Sergeant Valdez Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- embraced this opportunity to showcase his exceptional leadership skills. He immediately took charge, adapting to the increased workload without complaint. He successfully handled every officer on the team, managing vacation requests, approving reports and paperwork, responding to calls for service all over the city, and addressing all questions from officers working patrol. Sergeant Valdez's actions exemplify our commitment to embracing possibilities. Despite these added responsibilities, he saw this as a chance to demonstrate his capabilities as a leader and make a positive impact on the team. He effectively managed the entire team for the approximate two months I was injured, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to the organization. In addition, Sergeant Valdez's dedication and perseverance perfectly align with facing challenges, within our core value of Opportunity. He willingly adjusted his personal schedule, working late hours, and forfeiting his vacation time to ensure the smooth functioning of Team 4 during the time I was injured. This proactive approach highlights his commitment to excellence and dedication to his team during difficult times. Furthermore, Sergeant Valdez's empathy and actions toward my injury, including organizing a meal train for my family, truly exemplify our value of embracing possibilities and delivering quality results. He personally ensured my well-being by providing dinner for my family as part of a meal train he helped create and regularly checked in on me. By taking the initiative to provide support, he showcased his compassion and demonstrated his commitment to delivering exceptional results, not only within the department but also for the well-being of a fellow teammate. In summary, Sergeant Valdez's outstanding leadership, dedication, and genuine care for his team members exemplify our core value of Opportunity. He embraced the challenge presented to him, seized the opportunity to make a positive impact, and persevered through adversity with unwavering commitment. His actions during this difficult time demonstrate his shared commitment to diversity, embracing possibilities, facing challenges head-on, persevering, and taking decisive action to deliver quality results. It is without reservation that I endorse Sergeant Valdez for Employee of the Quarter." ArvadaCO.gov updates ● The City of Arvada has a new website! Watch this video to learn more about the new features, including the AI Chat Bot for asking questions and the navigation bar for finding information that you need. Then visit ArvadaCO.gov to test out these features yourself! ● Email Signature reminder: Now that ArvadaCO.gov is live, it is important to remember to change your email signature. Why? Because the logo/social media icons in your prior email signature are linked to Arvada.org. They will redirect to the new site for now, but at some point in time, they no longer will and Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- the images will appear broken. Instructions for changing your signature are available on Inside Arvada. If you need assistance, please reach out to Jennifer Valdez at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Also, if you come across any broken links or inaccurate information, please reach out to the Core Team, so we can correct it right away. If you have ideas for changes/improvements, please make note of them. We will be reaching out to all our team members in a few months for feedback: ● Public Safety: Dave Snelling, [EMAIL REDACTED] and Chase Amos, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● Infrastructure: Katie Patterson, [EMAIL REDACTED] ● City 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 Tip: Making print documents accessible Print materials can create an access barrier for the visually impaired. Here are 4 easy things you can do to make print materials accessible: 1. Contrast: Use high-contrast colors for text and background. Good examples are black or dark blue text on a white or yellow background, or white or yellow text on a black or dark blue background. Printed material is most readable in black and white. 2. Font size: Bigger is better. Keep your text large, preferably between 12 and 18 points, depending on the font. (Point size varies among fonts.) 3. Font family: Choose standard sans serif fonts with easily recognizable upper- and lower-case characters. Arial and Verdana are good choices. Avoid complicated or decorative fonts. 4. Font style: Avoid light type with thin strokes. When emphasizing a word or passage, use a bold or heavy font. Italics or upper-case letters are not recommended. Last Call: Enter your photos in the Employee Photo Contest by Monday, June 12 ● Who can submit a photo? ○ All current City of Arvada employees. Including temporary and seasonal employees. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● 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]. Save the Date: Blood Drive at City Hall on June 29 The Employee Committee is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in the Anne Campbell room at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Blood Drive information including sign up for donor appointments will be made available in the next few weeks. It’s the Big $10K Giveaway! All donors who come to give in June are automatically entered into a drawing to win 1 of 2 $10,000 prepaid gift cards! The gift card is redeemable by email. *Terms and conditions apply, see official rules at vitalant.org/June2023Giveaway. Next Bulky Item Drop-Off event is June 10 Remember: 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--- 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. This week we will focus on Slip, Trips and Falls. How common are slips, trips, and falls? Much more common than you might think. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of the general industry accidents, which account for: ● 15% of all accidental deaths per year, the second-leading cause behind motor vehicles ● About 25% of all injury claims per fiscal year ● More than 95 million lost work days per year—about 65% of all work days lost ● 9 million slip, trip, and fall injuries requiring emergency room care each year ● Costing an average of $20,000 per accident According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, 5,190 people suffered fatal, work-related injuries. In the previous, 805 workers died in falls and 211,640 were injured badly enough to require days off of work. Those working in construction are most at risk for fatal falls from height—more than seven times the rate of other industries—but falls can happen anywhere and to anyone. Below is a list of situations that may cause a slip, trip, or fall: ● Wet or greasy floors ● Uneven walking surfaces ● Loose flooring, carpet, or mats ● Transition from one floor to another ● Damage or irregular steps ● Clutter ● Electrical cords or cables ● Open desk or file cabinet drawers ● Weather hazards—rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, or wind. Regardless of whether or not you are working on or traveling on flat ground, keep these tips in mind to mitigate risk on injury from a slip, trip, or fall: ● Keep the work area clear of hazards and immediately clean up spills ● Keep floors and surfaces clear of clutter ● Install handrails on stairways; use existing handrails when ascending or descending ● Wear proper footwear ● Never stand on chairs, tables, or any surface with wheels ● Properly arrange furniture to create open pathways ● Maintain good lighting indoors and out Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Volunteer to be a Neighborhood Leader Last week, the Neighborhood Leader Network meeting convened at the Apex Recreation Center for a quarterly meeting. Representatives from more than 10 neighborhoods shared ideas and resources as they planned their summer and fall gatherings. As we work to expand the reach of our Neighbors Connected Program and the Neighborhood Leader Network, we have identified neighborhoods in need of leaders. Neighborhood Leaders serve as voluntary facilitators of gatherings and information sharing in their immediate neighborhood. Neighborhoods which do not currently have an active leader registered in our database can be found at Neighborhood Leader Openings. If you live in one of these neighborhoods and want to volunteer as a Neighborhood Leader, or would like to recommend a leader, please contact Brady Portferfield-Finn at [EMAIL REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED]. Golf or volunteer for a good cause on Aug. 14 Want to help community members in need and play golf at the same time? Consider registering to play or volunteer for the Swingin’ with School Pride golf tournament! The tournament will take place at the Hiwan Golf Course (30671 Clubhouse Ln, Evergreen, CO 80439) in Evergreen on Monday, Aug. 14 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be 18 holes with a golf cart, a complimentary breakfast at the Club beginning at 6:30 a.m., a delicious golfer snack pack, competitive on-the-green games, a rewarding post-tournament meal and more! This annual tournament has been hosted for 31 years by the Developmental Disability Foundation (DDF) to benefit the Developmental Disability Resource Center (DDRC). This year, the tournament proceeds will benefit the DDRC’s Children and Family Services Unmet Needs Fund. This fund assists hundreds of families who have a loved one at home with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have access to specialized support and resources they might otherwise not be able to afford. Visit the DDRC website to learn more and sign up to golf or volunteer. If you have questions, contact the City’s ADA Coordinator Ann Foster at [EMAIL REDACTED]. DEI June events where you can celebrate 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. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 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) Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System Stay connected to your benefits through the Fidelity App Want to check out your benefits anytime, anywhere? Download the fidelity App! You can access all your Fidelity workplace accounts right from your mobile device. Visit Fidelity’s website to download the App today! Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- The Courts team hosts Olde Town Arvada scavenger hunt The Courts team hosted a team-building scavenger hunt on Tuesday, June 7 in Olde Town Arvada. They all learned fun facts and history and ended with a much deserved ice cream treat! Each quarter, selected team members organize a spirited activity that promotes camaraderie and entertainment. Compliments for this quarter's creativity go to Tanette Thurston and Karla Pickens. Thanks Team! What a fun day! Here’s how to view City of Arvada job postings All City of Arvada job opportunities are posted on our job link. 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 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 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 Conscious Communication 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--- Employee Committee Corner 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. Infrastructure Work System West 72nd Avenue Closure at Oak Street through June 13 The West 72nd Avenue and Oak Street intersection remains closed through June 13. 72nd Avenue is closed from Quail to Miller streets. Oak Street is closed from 72nd Avenue to Parfet Street. This closure is in place to remove roadway materials, and install the new drainage and water line system. Visit the project webpage for more details and the detour map. Meyers Pool Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 20 City team members are invited to join the City project team as well as partners from Jeffco Public Schools and Apex Recreation Center for a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the kick-off of construction for the new Meyers Pool facility. The event will be held in the parking lot of the current facility at 7900 Carr Drive on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 4 p.m. Learn more on the Meyers Pool project webpage. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Successful Leyden Rock emergency management planning meeting On June 1, the City team hosted approximately 200 community members from the Leyden area to talk about their questions and concerns with emergency preparedness in the area. Their feedback as well as the insights provided through a Speak Up Arvada survey will inform an Emergency Preparedness Study being completed by the City. Thank you to Mobility Planning and Innovation Manager John Firouzi for facilitating the meeting and to the many members of the City team, Arvada Fire Protection District, and Arvada PD for supporting the engagement. Check out the Speak Up website to learn more about the work being done for this project. Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System What does it mean to be a Good Golfing Neighbor? In an effort to prioritize safety in and around the City’s two golf courses, West Woods and Lake Arbor, the Arvada Golf team has launched its “Good Golfing Neighbor” campaign. What does it mean to be a good golfing neighbor? Being a good golfing neighbor means prioritizing safety by reducing the number of errant shots that have the potential to cause personal damage or injury. There are several ways golfers can join this collective effort. To learn more, visit the West Woods or Lake Arbor websites. Hillside Playground Renovation survey As part of the City of Arvada's 'Taking Lasting Care' program, the Parks and Urban Design team will renovate the playground at Hillside Park, located at 7400 Jay Ct. in northeast Arvada. A survey on Speak Up Arvada was launched earlier this week to gather input from the community on their preferred playground themes, equipment, and elements. If you know anyone who uses the Hillside Park playground, please share the survey! The survey is open now through June 24. Construction for the playground renovation is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2024. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Movies Around Town Kicks off next week with “Field of Dreams” The Arvada Festivals Commission Movies Around Town summer-long series begins with a showing of Field of Dreams next week on Friday, June 16 at Wood Run Park (8255 Hoyt Way). Live music begins at 7 p.m., and showtime begins at dusk. This is a free event! Please note that pets, barbecues, fires, smoking/vaping and alcohol are not permitted. For more information, visit the Arvada Festivals Commission website. . People’s Choice Movie Poll now open The Movies Around Town People’s Choice Movie Poll is now open on Speak Up Arvada! Take the quick poll to vote on your top movie choice among the following options: Finding Nemo, the Incredibles, Lightyear, Monsters, Inc. and the Sea Beast. The top choice will be shown at the final Movies Around Town event of the year on Sept. 8 at Forest Springs Park (665 Kendrick Dr.). Visit the Arvada Festivals website for more information about other Movies Around Town dates and locations. Join the Watershed Cleanup Stewardship Cleanup on June 8 This month’s Watershed Cleanup is happening on Thursday, June 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This event is a great way to make a difference in the community, protect wildlife, and meet other people who are interested in the environment! This month’s cleanup will start at the Van Bibber Open Space parking lot (5575 Ward Rd.), and then head east along Van Bibber Creek towards Little Raven Park. Please note: if there is lightning within a 10-mile radius of the cleanup location, this event will be postponed or canceled. If you plan to attend, email Jessica Colby at [EMAIL REDACTED] to be sure you receive any updates on weather cancellations or postponement. 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! Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Community and Economic Development Work System New Town and Northwest Arvada Sub-Area Plans approved The New Town and Northwest Arvada Sub-Area Plans were approved by the City Council on Monday, June 4. The plans will now act as the guiding documents for new development in these sub-areas. Congratulations to the Planning Team for their hard work on developing and finalizing these plans! Review the Approved New Town Sub-Area Plan - The New Town Sub-Area is generally defined as the areas along Wadsworth Boulevard and Bypass between the G Line tracks on the north and Interstate 70 on the south. The Arvada Marketplace shopping center along 52nd Avenue is also included in this area. Review the Approved Northwest Arvada Sub-Area Plan - The Northwest Arvada Sub-Area is generally defined as the area east of State Highway 93 to Gladiola Street, including the Indiana Street corridor, and between the railroad tracks on the south and the City boundary on the north. Employee updates Newly Hired Daniel Black, Police Recruit, effective 5/22/2023 Matthew (Matt) Rabinovitch, Police Recruit, effective 5/22/2023 Nathan Sexton, Manager of Traffic Operations and Maintenance, effective 5/22/2023 Benjamin Wartofsky, Police Recruit, effective 5/22/2023 Promotions Derek Leidigh, Senior Survey Technician, effective 5/6/2023 Deborah (Debbie) Ollila, Senior Technical Support Analyst, effective 5/22/2023 Ryan Brown, Police Sergeant, effective 5/23/2023 Matthew Hammernik, Police Sergeant, effective 5/23/2023 Colton Loyd, Utility System Technician-Senior Level, effective 5/31/2023 Resignations Dylan Snyder, Police Officer, effective 5/22/2023 Logan Summer, Police Officer, effective 5/25/2023 Scott Alvey, Police Officer, effective 6/1/2023 Candace Harris, Police Civilian Operations Manager, effective 6/2/2023 Ryan Stachelski, Director of Community and Economic Development, effective 6/2/2023 Stuart Scott, Police Officer, effective 6/4/2023 Veronica Mize-Cuadro, Police Records Specialist, effective 6/8/2023 Retirements Bradley (Brad) Reynolds, SCADA Process and Controls Technician I, effective 6/6/2023 Email your news to