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WEEKLY BRIEFS - City of Arvada internal news Jan. 15, 2024 City teams stay on top of services during Arctic freeze The Arvada Team demonstrated all the City’s MVVs over the MLK holiday weekend, braving not just snow but an Arctic freeze with three days of temperatures falling to -10 and climbing to highs in the mere single digits. As of Monday morning, our Snow Control team, consisting of 39+ personnel from Streets, Water Distribution, Traffic, and Wastewater, had worked more than 379 hours beginning Friday night. By Monday morning, the Snow team had plowed 4,125 lane miles and applied 372 tons of salt. Our Parks team had cleared snow from 150 miles of trails, sidewalks and parking lots. Our Water Operations team worked 24/7 to ensure water service, addressing issues such as frozen meters and pipes. Our PD team was out in the community constantly monitoring for safety and connecting unhoused folks to shelter. Strength in Partnerships The Severe Weather Shelter Network Arvada site (Cornerstone Church) hosted 40 people each night. The CO National Guard, JeffCO and Adams County aided with transportation and supplies. Emergency support included plumbing repairs, trash removal and additional resources. Collaboration with the state, county and others provided additional shelter, food and necessities for the unhoused. Community members volunteered and delivered food to the shelters. With gratitude, from City Manager Lorie Gillis On Monday afternoon, City Manager Lorie Gillis sent out an Everyone email expressing her gratitude to the City teams: “Plow drivers, Streets, Utility on-calls, Public Works, Parks, Emergency Management, Police Department, and our Communications team, you’ve done a great job. Behind the scenes, IT, Human Resources and Finance have responded to your calls. Many of you have volunteered or taken supplies to the Severe Weather Shelter Network. Thank you. It’s a blessing to work with such a talented and dedicated team.” Volunteers needed for Point in Time Count of our unhoused neighbors on Monday, Jan. 22 Each year, the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative organizes a Point in Time count to determine the number of unhoused people in our communities. The PIT count raises public awareness, promotes collaboration across the region and provides needed demographic and survey data to enable communities to apply for increased housing funds. You can help by volunteering for a few hours during the Point In Time count on the night of Jan. 22. If you are interested in learning more or would like to volunteer, visit the Point in Time count webpage. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- We invite you to attend ‘A Chocolate Affair’ ‘A Chocolate Affair’ is a fundraiser to help stop child abuse in our community. All proceeds benefit Ralston House, a local nonprofit that provides a safe and healing place for over 1,000 children and families who have been victims of abuse. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Olde Town Arvada (5726 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.). Visit the Ralston House website to buy your pre-sale tickets now! ACTION REQUIRED on updates to Personnel Rules and Employee Policies by Feb. 2 In 2023, the City’s Human Resources team collaborated with the Legal team to make several significant updates to the City’s Personnel Rules, which are ordinances approved by City Council, and numerous Employee Policies, which are City Manager’s Office approved guidelines to help with the implementation process related to the Rules. On Jan. 3, 2024, the HR team emailed all employees the links to these updated rules and policies, as well as an electronic acknowledgement form that is required to be signed and submitted by every City employee. Please note that MuniCode and Intranet updates are currently in process, with expected completion in the near future. Please view the links below: ● View the updated Personnel Rules, as well as a copy of the red-lined version of the rules that shows all the updates. ● View the updated Employee Policies, as well as the red-lined version of the policies that shows all the updates. Every city employee is responsible for reading and understanding these policies, as well as for completing the EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM. Once you click the SUBMIT button, the form will be sent electronically to both the HR team and your email. This acknowledgement form must be completed by February 2, 2024. If you have any questions about any of the updates or the acknowledgement process, please fill out this Google form. An HR team member will reach out to you to answer or clarify your question. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Purchasing card updates The Finance team has the following updates to share with our City team members: ● The City will be closing our MasterCard p-card account. For cardholders, this means that if you have a Visa card, you will not be affected. If you have a MasterCard, you do not have to take any action, but be on the lookout for more communication from P-Card Administrator Cati Munic throughout January and February. ● The new P-Card policy is available on Municode, and the cardholder training has been updated in NeoGov. All cardholders will automatically be enrolled in the training. Once you receive an email notification that you have been enrolled, you will need to complete the training within 30 days to avoid having your card suspended. ● The P-Card page has been updated on Inside Arvada. Cardholders are encouraged to check it out and look through the forms, policies, procedures, and additional resources. If you have questions about these updates, please contact Cati Munic at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Check out our new City-branded communication templates You can now access branded templates for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets through your Google Drive. Follow these steps: 1. From your Drive, select “New” 2. Hover over the arrow next to Docs, Slides, or Sheets based on desired template 3. Click “From a template” 4. Make sure you are on the “City of Arvada” tab in the template gallery (not the “General” tab) 5. In Docs the section titled “COA” has a template titled “COA Color Palette”. This template has pre-populated the City’s font, brand colors, and heading structure. 6. In Sheets under the “COA” section there is a template titled “COA Theme” with the brand colors pre-populated. 7. In Slides under the “COA” section there is a template titled “COA Slide Deck”. The deck has a variety of slide formats to choose from and build a branded slide deck. These resources will help ensure team members are creating consistent and professional looking assets. If you have questions, email Manager of Communications-Infrastructure Katie Patterson at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Nominate a deserving young person for the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards by Wednesday, Jan. 31 The Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards (ACMCYA) is a program that recognizes youth, grade 6-12, up to 20 years of age, who have overcome personal adversity to create positive change in their lives. ACMCYA is currently seeking nominations for the award program. If you know of a young person deserving of such an award, learn more and nominate them through the Adams County Education Consortium. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. 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. 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 OSHA 30 Hour Training Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In Person Indiana Shops HR Safety Consulting OSHA 10 Hour Training Jan. 24 and 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In Person Anne Campbell HR Safety Consulting Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Wastewater/Collections MRT Jan. 24. from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Register on Inside Arvada In Person Wastewater Building Evie Rhodes Trakstar New User Training Jan. 24 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Register on Inside Arvada In Person PD Training Room Jeff Monzingo and Scott Jarvis Delegation Skills Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters Project Management Training Jan. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual City of Arvada Internal Project Management Team Conflict Tools: Empowering Others Jan. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People *This course is a prerequisite for the Emerging Leader Program* Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada In Person West Woods Community Room Noelle Oberg Managing Meetings Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register on Inside Arvada Virtual Employment Matters 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: ● 2024 Find My Rep! Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- ● 2024 Events Schedule* - All City event dates coming soon! *Please note: this is a working document and all events are subject to change. ● Meeting Minutes - Look for updates after our Thursday, Jan. 18 meeting Please contact your Employee Committee at [EMAIL REDACTED] if you have questions. Safe Community Volunteer with Victim Outreach Incorporated Victim Outreach Incorporated (VOI) promotes the healing of people impacted by crime and trauma in Jeffco. They’re looking for volunteers to ensure that victims have compassionate, informed support in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience. Volunteer advocates are called by police to respond on-scene overnight and on weekends. They provide emotional support during a crisis, share information and resources, and are a crucial first step to victims starting on a path of healing and recovery. You must be at least 21, pass a background check, have reliable transportation, commit to 1 year of service and live near Arvada, Golden, and Wheat Ridge. No experience is necessary. VOI will provide 40 hours of advocate training, reference and resource materials and ongoing learning opportunities. VOI’s Spring academy for volunteer advocates begins next month. For more information, email VOI or call [PHONE REDACTED]. Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Arvada-Blunn Reservoir in need of more volunteers for 2024 Did you know the Arvada-Blunn Reservoir welcomed more than 17,000 visitors in 2023? It’s all made possible thanks to people like Karen Sanches, one of our incredible volunteer Reservoir Rangers who assist with the daily operations at the reservoir. Karen joined the volunteer program last year and quickly became one of our most dedicated Rangers, serving more than 700 hours in 2023! Karen says that it’s the people she volunteers with and the beautiful setting of the reservoir that make it If you’re like Karen and enjoy serving the community and love being outdoors, there's a place for you among the Reservoir Rangers. The City is actively seeking more volunteers to join the program in 2024. With training scheduled for the third week in March, now is the perfect time to join! To become a volunteer Ranger, visit ArvadaCO.gov/Rangers. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Join us for Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 24 Our City’s Festivals team would like to invite all our City team members to experience the magic of Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Park right near Olde Town Arvada (5750 Upham St)! Immerse yourself in a celebration of diverse arts and cultures, from mesmerizing performances to incredible craft artists. Enjoy free carriage rides for the whole family and witness the enchantment of live ice sculpting. Be a part of the excitement with a delightful pet parade at the beginning of the event – it is free for everyone to join! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and don't miss this unforgettable day of winter wonder. For more details, visit arvadafestivals.com/winterfest and follow @arvadafestivals on Facebook and Instagram. We hope to see you there! Stay tuned for the volunteer sign-up page! If you have questions about the event, email Festivals Event Assistant Layla Diaz at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Infrastructure Last chance to share Meyers Pool stories! The Meyers Pool Share Your Story project on SpeakUp Arvada will close at the end of the month. If you or someone you know wants to share their memories at the facility be sure to do so by Sunday, January 28! The project is making progress and still on track to be completed by early Fall 2024. Visit the Meyers Pool project webpage for more information. Arvada Center Discount Tickets Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 City of Arvada Employee discount tickets: ON SALE 1/16/2024 Feb. 16 - March 31, 2024 Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday - Sunday at 2 p.m. Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 is a sung-through musical adaptation of a 70-page segment from Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel War and Peace by Dave Mallow. The music merges Russian folk and classical with indie rock and EDM; creator Dave Mallow calls it an "electropop opera." It's a sung-through musical, with just one line of spoken dialogue coming in Pierre and Natasha's only scene together. On stage, nearly all of the actors play musical instruments. It is based on Part 8 of Tolstoy's novel, focusing on Natasha's romance with Anatole and Pierre's search for meaning in his life. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Content: ages 6 - adult City of Arvada Employee Discount Tickets $10 Tickets, limit 4. Valid for traditional reserved seating only. Not valid for table, booth, or bar seating. Purchase through the Box Office or by calling [PHONE REDACTED]. Tickets are NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE and you must state which City department you work for and use promo code 11209. Learn more about the show on the Arvada Center’s website. Email your news to