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WEEKLY BRIEFS - City of Arvada internal news Dec. 4, 2023 There’s still time to contribute to the City of Arvada Workplace Giving Campaign! Giving at work is easy, especially when you spread out your giving through a number of pay periods. We invite you to find the nonprofits and causes you care about most and donate directly through your paycheck! Everyone is welcome to participate in the City of Arvada Workplace Giving Campaign. Every dollar makes a difference! Sign up to contribute by Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 and your selected nonprofit(s) will receive your gift throughout 2024. Join with your coworkers to make a lasting impact! Did you know that City of Arvada Employees contribute over $10,000 each year to support nonprofits? That’s less than $5 per paycheck. Let’s work together to make this amount even higher next year! Join HR for an introduction to Extended Care Leave Extended Care Leave (ECL) is a NEW benefit that starts on January 1, 2024! The HR team wants to communicate how this leave option will benefit and support employees of the City. Attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more about the City's alternative to FAMLI. This new City benefit can be used in many Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) situations. During the information sessions, learn more about ECL and changes to sick leave accruals. Don't miss out on one of these informative sessions! ● Indiana Shop/Lunchroom (in person) - Dec. 7 at 7:30 a.m. - Sign up for a breakfast burrito. ● City Hall/Anne Campbell (in person) - Dec. 12 at 2:30 p.m. (No need to sign-up. There will be cookies!) ● A recorded session will be available on Inside Arvada immediately after the last session. If you have questions, please reach out to Benefits Specialist Leesha Neuhold at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Help your neighbors in need and donate to the Community Donation Drive by Dec. 17 The City's Community Donation Drive has seen an amazing response from Arvada residents and City team members so far! The City Manager's Office, Housing and Courts teams have collected more than 20 large moving boxes worth of donated winter gear, new underwear and children's clothes for One Small Step Defendants and migrants in the Denver metro-area. Thank you to everyone who has donated items! Although we’ve done incredible work, there is still progress our City team can make. Axios reported this week that the number of migrants Denver has received in the past year now totals more than 29,000 people, so there is still a huge need for support. You can contribute donations to collection boxes in the City Hall lobby and each of the Police Community Stations around the City until Sunday, Dec. 17. Donations are sorted and delivered weekly to the teams in Arvada and Denver, who then distribute the donations to community members. Check out the Community Donation Drive flyer to learn more about the drive! If you have questions, contact Brady Porterfield-Finn, Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System Share your photos in the City’s “Hidden Gems” photo contest before Tuesday, Dec. 12 After a wildly successful “Wild Arvada” community photo contest in 2023, the communication team is hosting a new one for 2024! We are looking for photos that reveal “hidden gems” in our community. "Hidden Gems" can mean different things to different people: a fishing spot under a bridge, a bench with a majestic view, a stained glass window in a church, a tree that has twisted with the elements over time. We invite you to share your hidden gems with us through our Hidden Gems photo contest! Snap a photo of your hidden gem and email to [EMAIL REDACTED]. Selected photos will be featured on the City’s social media platforms and, potentially, a future cover of the Arvada Report. Visit ArvadaCO.gov/hidden-gems for photo submission guidelines and where to submit your photo. Submit your photos between Nov. 15 and Dec. 12. 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. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- 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 Liza Nolder ([EMAIL REDACTED]) with questions. Session/topic Date Registration details Type of Training Host Conflict Management Dec. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters Project Management Training Jan. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual City of Arvada Internal Project Management Team Employee Committee Corner Winter Snow Grab & Go breakfast Plan to stop by City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 12 for the last Employee Committee event of the year! All City of Arvada employees are invited to the City Hall Atrium for a hot Grab & Go breakfast. The event will be catered by Serendipity Catering from 7 to 9 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there. There will be vegan and gluten free options available. Please plan to pick up breakfast and head out for your day. There will be a couple of standing tables, but there will not be enough seating for everyone. Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. 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: Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● Find My Rep! ● 2023 Events Schedule* *Please note: this is a working document and all events are subject to change. ● Meeting Minutes - November Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. Safe Community Victim Outreach Inc. VOI has added two new victim advocates to their staff. Angie Bartolino and Mary Carver will be among the dedicated advocates that assist victims in Arvada and across Jefferson County. The organization is an invaluable resource to the PD and our community. Learn more about VOI and look at their volunteer page if you are interested in helping people heal and recover. Community and Economic Development AEDA Hires New Economic Development Specialists The Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) has hired two new Economic Development Specialists to join the team! Nancy Flock and Sarah Miley began in their new positions in November and December respectively. Nancy Flock Nancy Flock has recently joined AEDA as an Economic Development Specialist and will be focusing on business retention and expansion efforts. Prior to joining AEDA, Nancy worked for Commerce City as a Small Business Programs Economic Development Specialist for the past four years where she built relationships with the small business community, managed the Small Business Resource Center programs, and managed a commercial façade program. Before working in economic development, Nancy spent just over 10 years with a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) ensuring rural small businesses had access to capital for start-ups, operations, and expansions. Her loan portfolio included a broad range of businesses from retail, restaurant and transportation industries. Nancy earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska. Nancy is a fluent Spanish speaker and enjoys being active, cooking and spending time with friends and family. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Sarah Miley Sarah Miley (she/her) recently joined AEDA as an Economic Development Specialist and will be focusing on business outreach and assistance to support AEDA and the City of Arvada's economic development goals. Sarah previously worked for the Colorado State University (CSU) System for over ten years, most recently as Programs Manager at the new CSU Spur campus located at the National Western Center. In this role, Sarah led local community engagement, public program and events development, and campuswide economic inclusion initiatives. Prior to this role, Sarah was an intern at the Community and Economic Development department in Adams County and Catering Manager for a small, family-owned, business in Denver. Sarah holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver as well as a Bachelors in Sociology from Colorado State University. Sarah grew up in Denver and enjoys spending time with her husband Max, very large extended family, friends, and her two rescue dogs, Opie and Disco. Infrastructure Centralized trash and recycling pick up - 3rd Floor begins Monday, Dec. 11 The 3rd floor of City Hall will join the 2nd floor in centralized trash and recycling pick up beginning Monday, Dec. 11. Once in place, you are responsible for dumping your trash and recycling into the centrally located bins. 3rd floor bins are located near the northside printing and in each kitchen area. What to know: ● Cans with food or liquid should be emptied in the central trash. ● If you also need to remove the liner bag, extra bags are in the bottom of your trash can. ● If you need more bags, send a work order to [EMAIL REDACTED]. This will help streamline efficiencies for the Facilities team. Soon, teams in the Annex will be added as well. More communication will be shared as dates are finalized. APWA re-accreditation The Public Works and Utilities Departments just achieved its 2nd re-accreditation with the American Public Works Association (APWA) in November! The evaluation and best practice review process serves to provide a means of formally verifying and recognizing public works agencies for compliance with the recommended practices set forth in the Public Works Management Practices Manual. Accreditation is a voluntary approach to objectively evaluate, verify and recognize compliance with the recommended management practices. The City of Arvada was first accredited in 2016 with re-accreditations in 2020 and 2023. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Arvada Festivals Commission is looking for new members Do you know anyone in the Arvada community who is looking for a fun and exciting way to volunteer? Be sure to let them know that the Arvada Festivals Commission is looking for new members! 🎉Festivals Commission volunteers play a key role in planning and hosting some of Arvada's best community events, including the Arvada Kite Festival, WinterFest, Arvada On Tap, Movies Around Town and more! Other City boards and commissions with vacancies include Arts and Culture, Human Services, Parks, and Sustainability. Applications are open now through Jan. 8 at ArvadaCO.gov/2024Boards. Shop local and support the Nature Center Looking for a gift for the nature-lover in your life? Stop by the Nature Center and pick up a gift from our gift nook. Beanies, shirts, books, water bottles, adventure kits, pocket guides, bee hotels, and more. Whether you’re looking for gifts for children or adults, we have something for you! Email your news to