Around the Arch Blog

My boss asked me to write something for this blog about an award we just received for our social media program. Although the award is from a well-respected organization and we have put a lot of work into interacting online… my first thought was that people wouldn’t care and we’d sound like we were tooting our own horn. An actual trophy arrived in the mail yesterday, and I wasn’t sure exactly what to do with it.

Then something happened yesterday that reminded me why it’s important that the City of Reno keep trying to connect with people on social media, and that more people know about it.

This tweet came in at 11:40 a.m. on October 3:

Well that didn’t seem right. So we looked into it, and it turns out that the contractor for the project sent out notices Monday instead of Friday as planned. We talked with the owner of the referenced business and with the contractor, and made arrangements to maintain access to the business for customers during the time of construction.

Our Twitter post at 6:45 p.m.:

The behind-the-scenes activity that you didn’t see involved public works staff having conversations and an in-person visit with the business owner, working out a plan to make sure customers could get to the business, arranging for the crew superintendent to slurry the street earlier in the day, and communicating the results back to public information staff.

We decided from the beginning that if we were going to try to connect with people online, we needed to be responsive and have an internal process for addressing any issues. I’m grateful for the department support we have to make that happen, and that we have so many people here who really care.

So this morning I found a place for that little glass award on the shelf above the counter on the 12th floor of City Hall, and now I’m hoping someone asks what it’s for.

Please keep connecting with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr & LinkedIn!

Donna Dreska, who has been in the city manager’s position since Charles McNeely left, is officially Reno’s newest City Manager. The City Council approved a contract with Dreska in which she volunteered to lower her salary and benefits by more than $15,000. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkTXU9u47Xk]

The Council congratulated Norma Clary for 30 years of service with a proclamation. Norma worked for five different Finance Directors during her employment with the City.

During today’s Reno City Council meeting, seven City employees were honored with Employee of the Quarter Awards. The awards are based on the City’s core values of respect, responsibility, responsiveness, and results—also known as the 4Rs. Employees selected for the awards were nominated by department directors and co-workers.

The follow City of Reno employees received Employee of the Quarter Awards:

Gayela Emory, Finance Department
Emory is recognized for her continuous work and dedication in preparing a comprehensive budget during extremely trying times with the current economic conditions and reductions in staff. She continuously works with all departments to help them realize their objectives and perform their tasks within budget constraints.

Joyce Bushco, Finance Department
Bushco is recognized for taking the lead as Project Manager in the City’s transfer of banking services. She coordinated with the new banking company and the various City departments that were effected to successfully implement this huge transition.

Kim Kilgore, Finance Department
Kilgore is recognized for developing and maintaining a parking citation tracking and collections process for the City Clerk’s Office. Developing this process has resulted in over $150,000 of additional revenue collected.

Mary Beth Anderson, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Anderson is recognized for her excellent customer service, technical expertise, and passionate professionalism. She places the highest priority on supporting, directing and giving excellent customer service to all individuals that she comes in contact with, whether external or internal.

Katy Kelly-Ballinger, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Kelly-Ballinger is recognized for taking the lead role in the Youth Services Programs during the aftermath of layoffs. She was able to keep all services flowing smoothly and took over key components of extra work that was required for continued performance of critical programs.

Bob Forse, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Forse is recognized for his dedication and actions in keeping Rosewood Lakes Golf Course operating smoothly and for running a great golf program. With a reduction in force of part time staffing, Forse has pitched in above and beyond his normal duties to ensure a well maintained and playable course.

Sharon Spangler, Community Relations
Spangler is recognized for creating an in-house television broadcast facility that has been particularly noteworthy. As a result, the City is now able to broadcast live meetings and scheduled programs from City Hall, conduct pre- and post-production tasks in-house, and save $135,000 in the first year of operations and approximately $225,000 next year.

Congratulations to everyone!

During today’s Reno City Council Meeting, Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman and the City Council honored two RPD officers and a Reno code enforcement officer for their lifesaving acts.

Officer Carlos Valles was presented the Police Medal of Valor and Officer Robert Garlock the Lifesaving Award. The officers’ heroic, lifesaving acts warranted them both to receive two of the highest honors.

On January 7, 2010, Officer Garlock responded to a stabbing call and was the first to arrive on scene. After hearing a badly injured person was still inside the apartment, without hesitation or and while putting himself at risk as suspects were still in the area, Officer Garlock entered the apartment to help the victim. Garlock performed medical treatment for the severe bleeding until emergency medical attention arrived. Hospital personnel, who subsequently treated the victim, said Officer Garlock’s quick response to render aid to the victim prevented certain death.

On April 17, 2010, Officer Valles was the first to arrive on scene of a structure fire. Flames were engulfing the apartment of an elderly resident and thick, black smoke billowed from the front door. Due to the smoke neighbors were unable to try and rescue her. Officer Valles entered the apartment, crawled to the unconscious woman inside, and pulled her back outside to safety. Emergency medical personnel on scene said they believed the woman would not have survived if she had remained in the apartment a minute longer. Officer Valles was treated for smoke inhalation.

In addition to the two Reno Police Officer honors, City of Reno Code Enforcement Officer Cindi Gil-Blanco was presented the Chief’s Certificate of Commendation.

On May 12, 2010, Code Enforcement Officer Gil-Blanco was driving home after work when she observed a young man rolling down an embankment after being struck by a vehicle while on his bicycle. The man’s helmet had flown off his head after he was thrown several feet from the site of impact. Realizing he was not moving and was suffering from shock and head injuries, Gil-Blanco quickly came to his aid. Gil-Blanco used her experience as a former police officer, ski instructor, and the certified first aid training as a Code Officer to immediately provide medical treatment. In addition, Gil-Blanco took control of the scene until emergency responders arrived. The young man’s mother advised that thanks to Gil-Blanco’s immediate action her son is alive and stayed in good condition.

Reno policemen and firefighters made this year’s American Red Cross Real Heroes list. The organization honors members of our community for their extraordinary courage in helping people and animals. Among the public safety people honored this year are firefighters Jesse Washington, Thomas Glover and Bernard Chapman, Captain Owen Hardy, Equipment Operator Darrell King, police officers Ron Field, Tom Alaksa, Dan Knight and Kevin Collins and Sergeant Colby Palmer.

Grab your bike and mark your calendars for May 15 through May 21, 2010. It’s Bike to Work and School Week!

At yesterday’s City Council Meeting, Mayor Cashell presented the proclamation to announce the week in hopes of encouraging all commuters to join the City of Reno and the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance in promoting and participating in bicycling as an alternative, non-polluting form of healthy transportation. 

Commuters who travel by bicycle employ a clean, quiet, and efficient mode of transportation while helping to reduce harmful exhaust pollutants and improve air quality, saving on fuel and maintenance costs associated with driving to work or school. Moderate physical activity such as bicycling on the part of employees can in turn be a benefit to employers by reducing healthcare costs, decreasing absenteeism, and increasing productivity.

The City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance encourages parents and kids to bike safely by observing all safety measures, including wearing a helmet and obeying all traffic laws.

To help raise awareness about Bike to Work Week, local elected government officials are riding from Sparks City Hall to Reno City Hall on May 17 at 10 a.m. More information will be sent out in the upcoming days.

The Reno City Council has made “green” a priority by enhancing the City’s efforts to reduce its impact on the environment by providing leadership in the community to encourage residents and businesses to join in this effort. To learn more about the Green Priority and how the City is “Keeping it Green” visit www.reno.gov.

To learn more about Bike to Work and School week visit www.bikenevada.org— “Burn calories, save money, help the environment and have fun.”

Administrative and support staff will be recognized in workplaces around the world next week.

To celebrate the annual observance, which is sponsored by the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and to honor their valuable contributions in the workplace, Mayor Cashell proclaims April 18-24, 2010 as Administrative Professionals Week and Wednesday, April 21 as Administrative Professionals Day.

The theme of Administrative Professionals Week 2010 is “Power of Commitment” reflecting how today’s career-minded administrative professionals are advancing their careers and the profession as a whole through a commitment to their careers through improving and expanding their skills.

Administrative professionals play an essential role in coordinating the office operations of businesses, government, educational institutions, and other organizations in the public and private sector. All employers are encouraged to support continued training and development for administrative staff, recognizing that a well-trained workforce is essential for success in the business world.

The City of Reno Public Works will proudly participate in the 6th annual Building Women Exploration Fair on Friday.

The Building Women Exploration Fair is a unique ‘women only’ event exposing women to non-traditional employment roles in the construction trades plus allows participants to have a “hands on” opportunity at varying trades. Welding, painting, plastering, plumbing, and heavy equipment operation are some of the trades that are highlighted at the fair. Attendees will also be able to learn how to apply and qualify for free building trade apprenticeship programs.

The Building Women Exploration Fair is presented by the Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association (WACA) in partnership with the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Job Opportunities in Nevada (JOIN), Inc., Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada Supply.

The City of Reno is dedicated to a diversified workforce representative of the community. For more information about the event visit www.buildingtradejobs.org.

What: Building Women Exploration Fair

When: Friday, April 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: TMCC/IGT Applied Technology Center at 475 Edison Way, Reno, Nevada

Reno City Council approved a staff recommendation to layoff up to 200 employees to balance an additional $5 million shortfall in this year’s budget. The reduction in staff will save millions towards making up a projected $30 million shortfall for next fiscal year, which begins July 1st.