EDGE
EMPLOYEE
SPRING 2017
LEADERSHIP / GROWTH / SERVICE
2017 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 1
"...so what's happening in your city???"
EDGE
CO N T E N T S Our Leadership Message from the City Manager
7
Our People 8 Coin Awards Program Amanda Lucas - Water Treatment Plant 10 Director Q & A Diana Allen - Human Resources 12
Employee Spotlights
14
Birthdays
16
Retirement
Scott Kennedy - Electric Utilities Gwendolyn Dowds-Nash - Library
Steve Bates - Municipal & Community Services 17 Retirement Dennis Clayton - Economic Development
18
20
New Employees
112
13
18
10
116
117
Our Stories 20
Feature Story
Your Water - From Lake to Tap
22 What's Happening 23 From The Vault 21
When You're Hot, You're Hot
25
Things That Make You Go Hmmm...
Our Photographs 28
Click
31
Photo Finish
Cover photo by Tim Todd Location - Water Treatment Plant 4
EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
APPLY TODAY AT
WWW.WEATHERFORDTX.GOV/CU
FIRST CLASS BEGINS MARCH 9
2017 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 5
From the
Staff The New Year has each of us starting out the year with a sense of a new beginning, renewal, hitting the reset button, as it were. The City of Weatherford has also hit its own sort of reset button. We have taken the next step forward promoting the City not only to potential visitors and neighboring cities but to the long-time citizens of Weatherford. The new Experience Weatherford website is the City’s tourism site, promoting all the great well-known destinations within our great city as well as those hidden gems that even some of our residents may not be aware of or have just forgotten what a great, hip place Weatherford is to hang out in. We are wanting both tourists and locals alike to know that Weatherford has something for everyone. The new tourism website was an immense teamwork effort between the Communications and Marketing department, the Parks, Recreation and Special Events department, and the Main Street/Historical department. Our own department recently went through a name change from Public Relations to Communications and Marketing. With the name change came a new sense of direction and set of goals. One major change is our stepping up our printing capabilities to be able to produce superior printed materials at a fraction of the cost of sourcing the printing to commercial print shops. Our “one stop shop” keeps the time line requirements to a minimum and allows us to be very creative on a minimum budget. Internally, the City departments are revamping much needed policies for branding, communications and social media. The world is obviously a different place. Not only will the City be current in its operations, we will also give our citizens more reasons to be proud of where their City is going. Blake Rexroat Director, Communications and Marketing
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EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
The Employee Edge is published by the City of Weatherford, Texas. www.weatherfordtx.gov 303 Palo Pinto St. | Weatherford, TX | 76086
Employee Edge Creative Team
Krista Beach Administration
Malinda Nowell Administration
Blake Rexroat Communications & Marketing
Sandra Green Human Resources
Tim Todd Communications & Marketing
MESSAGE FROM S H A R O N H A Y E S
I
am so pleased with the things that took place in this organization in 2016. The past year consisted of various exciting, at times, difficult ventures that were undertaken. Just like with anything that is growing and progressing, there are both peaks and valleys. As I view the overall picture of the accomplishments that have transpired, I am so grateful for the dedicated, zealous employees who continue to make our success possible. As we prepare to tackle 2017, I look forward to confronting even greater challenges. I know that the men and women in this organization are capable of defying any obstacles because I have observed them doing so firsthand. We started off the past fiscal year talking to the council about the formation of a TIRZ along I-20. The council readily accepted the idea and we continued forward. The plan was formalized in July and had the first ground breaking in October. Academy and Hobby Lobby are now under construction and we have a new auto dealership expected to start this spring. We were able to move forward with an Interstate Access Justification (IAJ) in order to proceed with construction necessary to eliminate traffic issues at Bethel and I-20 and open up that area for development. Staff continues to work with TxDOT on the Turn Back Program. This would allow the city to assume control of much of the state highways inside the city limits in exchange for the western loop and Jack Borden Way. This will also allow the city the opportunity to have greater control over traffic in
the downtown area and the ability to provide more possibilities for events in downtown. With the launching of the new tourism website, Experience Weatherford, we have a unique opportunity to help grow our historic downtown. Some categories of high priority for the upcoming year include implementation of the Highway 180 corridor study recommendations, TIRZ implementation, looking at the possibility of an outdoor warning system and plans for completion of an emergency management program. There is also the need for facility revitalization and expansion within the organization. We are about to take steps to renovate the old City Hall, opening up the apparatus bay for permits and customer service. The library facility needs assessment and the parks master plan have been completed and the Animal Shelter is in the process of beginning the campaign for improvement and expansion. Identifying property for a future police station is also on the agenda of priorities for 2017. I know that the lists seems endless but we are in the business of providing our citizens and this community with more...more opportunities, more businesses, more experiences, new and changing growth and culture. I do not want our town to be ordinary or undistinguished. I want to be a part of a city that flourishes and prospers. I know that to accomplish that goal that "it takes a village"; it takes the effort of an entire community. I look forward to being a part of that with each of you in this upcoming year.
Monthly Birthday Breakfast Invitation The City Manager would like to have breakfast with staff members during your birthday month to simply say "thank you" and to find out what is going on in your world. Please join her for breakfast.
Second Thursday of Each Month Cherry Park Community Building 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. OUR LEADERSHIP
7
Our People
COIN AWARDS PROGRAM:
WATER PLANT OPERATOR, AMANDA LUCAS
T
he City of Weatherford has a Coin Awards Program for the organization-wide purpose of recognizing employees that go above the call of duty and who’s actions are worthy of special recognition. Supervisors are encouraged to recognize employees and co-workers when their actions merit praise. For an employee to be given a coin by their supervisor, they must receive a compliment from a citizen or be witnessed going above their normal scope of duties. The Department of Human Resources will log the date the coin is given to the individual as well as place documentation in their personnel file. Upon receiving 10 coins, the employee is given a certificate for a day off with pay.
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EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
Tell us about how you received your coin through the coin awards program. I helped with the Citizen University tour by taking pictures for the Water Plant presentation.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy going to my kids' extracurricular activities and practicing their sports with them. I also love hunting, fishing, shooting my bow and gardening.
What is your background and education? I graduated from Mansfield High School and went to college for a little while to work toward an Associates Degree in Science. I also have a background with management in food service.
What do you love most about Weatherford? The people and all the parks.
What do you love most about your job? The people I work with day to day and all the new things I learn with each passing day. How long have you been working for the city? For three and a half years. What is your daily schedule? My daily routine involves checking instrumentation, working on state reports, and the disinfection and distribution of water throughout the City.
What are other details about you that most people do not know? I have three wonderful children; two girls and one boy, ages 11, 14 and 18. My most favorite thing in life is being their mom. What advice would you give to a new employee starting work with the City of Weatherford? In my particular job, asking lots of questions and paying attention.
What made you decide to pursue a career in the water treatment? I was looking for a job with the City and thought this would be a good fit. What is the most challenging situation you have faced as an employee? How did you overcome the challenge? The most challenging situation was the switchover in our SCADA system and working out the bugs. I did this by being in constant contact with the programmer and engineering team working on the switchover. Who has been a mentor to you during your career? Explain. Taz Thurman, my manager at the plant. He trained me for my job and has taught me all the state regulations for the state mandated reports I complete each month.
A very special thanks to our great friends at Vintage Grill & Car Museum for offering their museum for our photo shoot. You guys rock! 202 Fort Worth Highway, Weatherford
OUR PEOPLE
9
Q&A
Diana Allen Director of Human Resources What do you love most about your job? I love the fact that I get to interact with every department. We have great leadership and great people, and I get to work with all of them.
you don't know what challenges they are facing. We could avoid a lot of conflict if we are always kind and respectful to those around us.
What is your daily schedule? It is full of variety and challenges. We have our administrative tasks that must be keep up with, but someone can walk through the door on any given day with a problem that needs attention immediately. What was your career prior to working for the City of Weatherford? I had moved around every couple of years before I came to Weatherford. I was with Cook County before here, City of Decatur before that, and spent a number of years with Home Depot. I really love being at the City of Weatherford and hope to be here for a long time. What do you love most about being a City employee? Being part of a great team. I am so proud of where the city is going and proud to be a part of it. What advice do you have for employees? Like the old proverb says, treat everyone with kindness,
10 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
What is the biggest challenge with your position? The biggest challenge honestly is healthcare. From trying to give the employees the best benefits we can to helping them navigate the system. It challenges us every day. Why are employees important to the daily operations of the city? Processes and services can be easily copied. Great personnel cannot. Their knowledge and abilities are out greatest resources. It is what sets our city apart from other cities.
because I said I would.
A Little More Personal... Dogs or cats? Why? Anyone who is around me for more then 10 minutes knows how much I love my dogs. I am obnoxious about telling people how awesome they are and love showing pictures of them. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I am not Catholic but I would really like to meet Pope Francis. I admire his dedication and his mission of mercy...plus he really likes soccer, too. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The list is too long to print.
A new program will be coming soon out of the Human Resources Department, "because I said I would." Diana attended the recent Human Resources Southwest Conference and attended one of the keynote speaker sessions with the founder of this social movement, Alex Sheen. The website for "because I said I would" states that they are, "a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity. We make and keep promises to end suffering , establish peace and build happiness. Our mission is to strengthen humanity's will." The idea behind "because I said I would" is that people make a promise to make themselves accountable to their commitments through the use of "promise cards". Make and keep a promise to improve yourself, your organization or your community. "Imagine the impact on our organization if every employee made a promise to make a positive change and the commitment to keep it," stated Diana.
What is your favorite movie or TV show? No surprise here. Anything in the Star Trek franchise. If there was a candy dish on your desk, what would you fill it with? I always have Smarties in my office. If you joined the circus, what would you be? The "Ta-Da" girl. Someone would do something great and I would hold my arms up and go "Ta-Da", like Vanna White. Special thanks to Josh Porter, Owner/ Mechanic of Unspoken Bike Shop for the great photo shoot location. Bike on! 220 York Avenue, Weatherford 2017 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 11
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT SCOTT KENNEDY Lead Senior Lineman - Electric Utilities Describe your position. As a Lead Lineman for the City of Weatherford Overhead Crew, I work under the Overhead Foreman to complete maintenance and construction tasks and assist in switching procedures. On the maintenance end, I do pole changeouts, downed lines, system repairs such as fading crossarms or any maintenance that might prevent future outages. On the construction end, I install new lines to feed electricity to our Weatherford customers. I also assist in the training of new personnel in daily tasks and outage situations, I pull after-hours and call-outs for outages, work side-by-side with the crew and well as oversee projects and tasks assigned by the Overhead Foreman. How long in your position? I have been with the City for over 19 years. What did you do prior to working for the City of Weatherford? I started in Sanitation, moved to the Lake Maintenance department, became a summer help groundman at the old warehouse on Fort Worth Highway before progressing to where I am today. What do you love about your job? I love doing a job that most won't or don't think about. Many people don't' know what it takes to get the power to them or to restore it during inclement weather. It's great to work with a great group of guys.
12 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
What is the most challenging part of your job? There's usually always a challenge working with 7200 volts of electricity. Even day-to-day tasks can give unique obstacles with even the most simple of jobs. Customer reliability through quality work practices.
Anything interesting you've done in your life you'd like to share? I haven't done anything too interesting; just a regular guy. Any hobbies or areas of interest? I like to watch my daughter (a Junior at Weatherford High School) play softball. I also enjoy photography, shooting, bike riding, welding, wood working and fixing things. Any personal goals you have for yourself? My goal is to reach retirement and enjoy the time that follows. I'd like to travel to some distant lands to see other cultures and to live happily.
What do you find interesting about the City of Weatherford? I think it's interesting how upper management has to adjust and keep up with the growth and development while trying to keep our small town feel. How do you feel about all the changes going on in Weatherford? I like the changes such as Heritage Park with the trails, pavilion and such. It seems to give our community a place to go. I like some of the bigname stores coming in so that I can stay local to shop. I'm not a fan of the traffic but it is part of our growing pains and is much better than it was.
Tell us more about your personally. I'd like to think that I'm laid back, sometimes too low key. I try to look each day as a good day, even though some are better than others. I like BBQ and good burgers with ice cold beverages and good company. I like going to church and helping people out when I can. I like to have fun and enjoy life whether at home or out and about the backroads cruising.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT GWENDOLYN DOWDS-NASH Manager of Youth Services Describe your position. I'm the Manager of Youth Services at the Weatherford Public Library. Primarily, I'm responsible for creating and managing the resources, programming and services for youth aged 0 to 18 years. I am also one of the reference librarians, develop collections for all ages, have a hand in the outreach, marketing and press efforts for the library, organize the book sale, coordinate volunteers and more. In short, I make sure the patrons, especially kids and teens, have the materials they want, activities they love and a place of their own to enjoy throughout the year, that the community knows about everything the library offers and that the library is always learning and growing so that we can best serve the people of Weatherford and Parker County. What did you do prior to working for the City of Weatherford? I was working at Barnes and Noble in Arlington, part of my gland plan to work through my graduate studies. Then, like something out of a Lifetime special, I fell ill the day before I was meant to sit for the GRE, had my appendix removed and used my life's savings to pay hospital bills. In the course of recovering from the setback, I moved to Weatherford and applied to work as the Circulation Clerk at the library. What do you love about your job? The variety and the challenge. There are many different aspects to the work - mental, physical and social - which means I get to explore new ideas, solve problems, work with people and learn something new every day.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Getting the word out about what the library does. In a way, the hardest part is to help everyone understand that the library has always been about more than the books we keep on the shelves - it's an expression of the character, intellect and promise of our community. We're one of those institutions that shows how rich a town truly is.
What do you find interesting about the City of Weatherford? I've always been fascinated by how towns develop - it comes from my obsession with art, science, history and several 'ologies' (i.e. archaeology, anthropology, psychology, sociology, etc.). Weatherford has quite a bit of history, but is still a young town with a lot more growth to come.
Anything interesting you've done in your life you'd like to share? My husband is a performer and runs a stage combat company, of which I am a member. So, yes, I can make a fake fight look very real...even with swords. Any hobbies or areas of interest? I belong to many geekdoms. I love to read, especially science, science fiction, fantasy and history. I obsess over action films, superhero comics, science fiction shows and science documentaries. I love visiting museums and art galleries. I love making things - beading, sewing, paper-folding - and if I'm lucky to find the time, I paint. I am a huge console gamer. Right now, I'm working my way through Skyrim again. I really enjoy sword-fighting and acting, which works very well with the stage combat work I periodically get to do with my husband. Any personal goals you have for yourself? To have more fun - learning more about everything, doing different things and experiencing as much as possible. Tell us more about you personally. It there anything to tell? Besides, a lady should keep them guessing...
How do you feel about all the changes going on in Weatherford? I'm curious to see how it will all unfold - what kind of community we will become, what our strengths will be, the physical spaces we will develop and all the people we will welcome.
OUR PEOPLE 13
Happy Birthday. January Chris Accardo Edgar Alonso Nathan Arms Chase Bailey Juan Barrientos Chris Beniak James Berry Matthew Brazeal Brian Dickerson C J Durant Doug Evans Bob Glenn Gladys Hansen Judy Hernandez Casey Jones Bobby Laine Jordan Lashbrook Ana Lira
Mike Manning Chad Martin Al Mata Kristen Mattocks Howard McClurkin Robin Moore Carmen Morales Robert Moss Austin Nichols Dustin Rich Justin Riley Jeff Robinson Michael Rudd Travis Sharp Charles Tippie Matt Vinson Jeremy Williams Melissa Winn
March Robin Adair Amanda Amenell Charlotte Baker Brett Barkley Eric Barksdale Travis Bramow Christina Brown Josh Burns Monica Butturini Christine Cosentino Greyson Cox Chris Crawford Jennifer Cronin Maricruz Delgado Troy Dickey Mike Ellis Harriet Followill Jason Goff Shannon Goodman 14 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
Luke Hall Stan Hamrick Celina Hernandez Ashley Jones Angee King-Bush Amanda Lucas John Marusak Ashley Rhodes Kyle Rodgers Cruz Rivas Cody Robinson David Sears John Shelley Kevin Turner Ronnie Villarreal Tessa Wilken Cameron Wilson Jordan Wooten
February Tiffany Bagwell Sean Beck Jesse Blume Jill Brantley Brad Burnett Randy Cameron Pat Cherryhomes Kevin Cleveland Tracey Curry Joe Farley Pablo Garcia Kevin Hilliard James Holland Joe Hopkins Mike Ingram Clinton Kaska Scott Kennedy Karen King Greg Lance Randy Law Kyle Lester
Leah Lewis Andy Loller Michael Marciniak Jacob McCollum John McEntire Toby Mize Jason Morrow Karen Nantz Tammy Payne Jonathan Peacock Ashley Polvadore Johnny Qualls Dustin Reichelt Blake Rexroat Richard Tate Shelley Thornton Roy Vernon Michelle Weldon Elizabeth White Terry Williams
April Cathy Allen Donald Allen Zach Atkins Michael Baldwin Ken Bean Brian Bishop Sarah Blackford Diane Chambers Josh Clements Greg Collazo Dustin Deel Gene Doss Nathan Eames Edgar Esquivel Raul Flores Daniel Frias Kevin Gates Roy Jeffrey Randa Kirk
Matt Leppla Kyle Lucas Patrick Mahoney Matthew McKittrick Kristi Morris Ray Palmer Stephanie Province Kerri Sanderson Brenda Schwartz D. L. Sosebee Chad Street Craig Swancy Jeff Thomason Tim Todd Trey Wagoner Dahlia Wells Dennis Whitford Steve Zapata
s m o o l B
Presented by the City of Weatherford
d r o f ther
Wea
E
RD A G ND
A E M HO
L
VA I T S E NF
Saturday, April 22, 2017 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Historic Downtown Weatherford Seasonal Plants and Flowers Home and Garden Vendors Free Educational Sessions Classic Car Display Downtown Shopping and Dinner
For information visit weatherfordtx.gov/blooms
Retirement O
n January 18, 2017, we gave a fond farewell to our Steve Bates, Director of Municipal & Community Services. Steve started with the City in September of 1988 as a Sanitation Loader. In 1989, he was promoted to Relief Driver/ Loader; in 1992, he was promoted to Driver; in 1994, he became a Heavy Equipment Operator; in 1996, he was the Sanitation Supervisor; in 1999, he became the Superintendent of Sanitation; in 2005 he was promoted to Superintendent of Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance; in 2011, he was promoted to his position as Director of Municipal & Community Services. We asked Steve what he would miss about working with the City. "What I will miss most will be my work family. I have spent nearly a third of my life with most of the employees of Weatherford in various departments and I can honestly say that it was a pleasure getting to know each and every one of them. All will be greatly missed. There is some fine talent in this organization and the citizens of Weatherford are in good hands." "As far as what is next, there is currently an estimated population in excess of 1.5 million feral hogs in Texas. Feral hogs are capable of breeding at six months of age, and gestation is around 115 days with an average litter size of four to six, but under good conditions, may have ten to twelve young and are capable of producing two litters per year. It's only getting worse. Feral hogs cause millions of dollars every year in property damage. So, with that being said, I am venturing into a professional feral hog removal service. I am excited and looking forward to working with municipalities, ranchers, golf courses, landfills and farmers to reduce or try to eradicate their nuisances. It's a new page in life for me and it brings me to the outdoors where I love to spend my time."
Edge Magazine asked some of Steve's co-workers, "In one
word, what was it like to work with the infamous Steve Bates?" Here are some answers:
"GRATEFUL" - (Sharon Hayes, City Manager "DEDICATED" - (James Hotopp, Deputy City Manager) "INSPIRATIONAL" - (Brad Burnett, Asst. City Manager) "ANIMATED" - (Olen Arey, Manager, Mun. & Comm. Services) "FABULOUS" - (Ken Bean, Facilities Maintenance "I would like to thank all of you at the City of Manager) Weatherford for being such a wonderful family." "PRIORITIZE" - (Cathy Allen, Sanitation Coordinator) "EXUBERANT"- (Manny Palacios, Director, Transp. & We all miss Steve and wish him the best in his Public Works) new profession! "EMPATHETIC" - (Rick Schaffer - Director, Water, WW & Engineering) "LOYAL" - (Sandra Green, Human Resources Specialist) "DEVOTED" - (Dustin Deel, Director, Animal Services) "SUPPORTIVE" - (Paul Sutton, Senior Mechanic)
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Retirement W
e also said goodbye and fond farewell to (GSA) and the Department of Defense (DOD)/Corp. our Director of Economic Development, of Engineers (COE) Military, public and university Dennis Clayton who retired on February 3. education, major hospital/health care, municipal/ airport terminal, industrial parks and maintenance, Clayton has been the Director of the Weatherford commercial banking and office projects. Economic Development program for approximately 12 years. He worked full time in economic "For more than a decade Dennis has serviced the development for nearly 18 years and was recruited City of Weatherford and the community. He has to Weatherford to be the first Executive Director provided invaluable knowledge that has helped of the new City formed nonprofit Weatherford new and existing businesses grow and develop," Economic Development Authority, Inc. in 2004. said City Manager, Sharon Hayes. "He will be In 2014, Dennis transitioned the program to the greatly missed and I thank him for his many years City of Weatherford Economic Development of service to the City of Weatherford." Department. Dennis has been a very active member in many Weatherford community organizations including service and chair positions for the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Weatherford ISD Education Foundation Board, WISD District Education Improvement Committee, the United Way of Parker County Board and is a current member of Rotary Club. He has also served on the Weatherford Regional Medical Center board of trustees, Parker County Committee on Aging, Brazos Valley District Committee and the former Weatherford College Tech Prep Steering Committee. "Weatherford is now home to Debbie and me," said Clayton. "The wonderful people and friends, and the community make this a great place to live and work. It has been a great privilege to work with the economic development Board(s), the City and the community over these years, as a part of making Weatherford the community it is and is yet to be." Dennis is a Graduate of the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Dennis has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Texas Tech University and is a registered architect in Texas. Dennis holds membership in the IEDC, TEDC, ISCS and TSA/AIA. As a registered architect, Clayton has over 26 years of experience, including over 20 years as a corporate architect and owner. He was the SeniorPrincipal Architect and VP/Division Manager for design, project management and marketing for many clients/facilities and projects. Clients included U.S. government General Services Administration
Dennis Clayton giving a lecture at Citizen University
OUR PEOPLE 17
NEW EMPLOYEES KIMBERLY RECKER office assistant p/t
JOSE VASQUEZ-MORLAS
Heritage Park
Maintenance Worker I W/WW Construction
TERRY WILLIAMS
RACHEL REEVES
ANDRES JOHNSON
JORDAN WOOTEN
Groundskeeper Parks & Properties
Lineman Helper Electric Utilities
18 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
Librarian Public Library
Maintenance Worker I W/WW Construction
CLINTON KASKA Groundskeeper Parks & Properties
PAUL PASCHALL Utility Board Utilities
KYLE RODGERS Firefighter/EMT Fire Department
DEBRA KASPAREK
ASHLEY POLVADORE
JASMINE SHERIFF
JAMES SAINT
Animal Care Tech Animal Services
Police TCO Police Department
Library Clerk (P/T) Public Library
AMANDA AMENELL First Monday Assistant Heritage Park
RANDALL DENNY Sanitation Loader Sanitation Collection
JENNIFER CRONIN
Police Officer Police Department
First Monday Groundskeeper Heritage Park
ERIC BARTON
LEAH LEWIS
Lineman Helper Electric Utilities
CRYSTAL CHANCELLOR Utility Representative Utility services
Asst. Court Clerk / JCM Municipal Court
ROB LaSOYA Lineman Helper Electric Utilities
OUR PEOPLE 19
Feature Story
Your Water - From Lake To Tap Have you ever turned on your sink faucet and wondered exactly what this water goes through from its source to what you are looking currently looking at? Hmm... Here's the chance to learn. The entire process starts with our lake, good 'ole Lake Weatherford. Our investigation begins at the Dr. Paul Phillips Water Treatment Plant, perched on the edge of the lake. For a great vantage point on this city property, you can see the jetty extending into the lake. A pump at that jetty starts the intake of the raw lake water on a journey inside of 3,330 feet of pipe.
view of the jetty were the intake pumps are located
It is at this initial entry point that one of four treatments of disinfection to the water begins. The first treatment is an initial disinfection process for such microscopic parasites as Crypto (cryptosporidium) and Giardia. (These names alone should make you not want to drink lake water!)
removing the particulates from the water (like the Crypto and the Giardia). Once the water reached the water treatment plant building, it comes to the proverbial "fork in the road", or in this case, the "fork in the pipe". The left fork goes to the Trident water treatment systems; the right fork goes to a membrane ultra-filtration system. Just so you know, the Weatherford Water Treatment Plant can treat 14 million gallons of water every day; the Trident water treatment system can treat 8 millions gallons a day while the membrane system can treat 6 million gallons a day. So here were are at the Trident water treatment system. As soon as the water enters the facility, it first encounters a hydraulic mixer which is where yet another chemical treatment takes place. During this treatment, the water is treated with chemicals (over 200 "recipes" with chlorine, citric acid, caustic, acids, etc.) and any larger particulates are given a negative charge, which will prove later to be a very useful purpose. Once it reaches the main tank or "pond", the negatively changed particulates are bound with coagulants and polymers (the positive charge). This process gives weight to the particulates. As you may have learned in your science class, things with weight in water fall to the bottom. (Guess you should have stayed awake during science class, huh?) The same thing happens here. These particulates start heading for the bottom of the tank. Think of it like a giant snow globe when all that "snow" is shaken and starts to fall back to the bottom of the globe.
microscopic view of cryptosporidium
When thinking about how water is disinfected, it can happen in two ways; chemically and physically. If it is treated physically, there is a process of actually 20 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
view of the Trident system
The "snow" then goes through a mixed media filtration system of three unusual layers; anthracite on the top, sand in the middle, then high-density garnet on the
bottom. The particulates eventually get trapped in one of the three layers while falling toward the bottom, thanks to gravity. What eventually makes it through the final layer at the bottom, where the stollet drain is located, is purified water which continues on its path for treatment number three.
If we are back at the "fork" and take a right turn, we end up at the other water treatments system, the membrane treatment system. This area looks like a modernist scene somewhere between Phantom of the Opera and Blue Man Group. Rows and rows of vertical pipes in three groupings or "trains". Inside each module of the membrane are tiny "straws" that filter out the particulates. In each of the vertical modules, there are 539 square feet of surface area of the "straws". There are 222 total modules in the entire membrane system. If you do the math, you can see how amazing this filtration system is. What is unique about these two systems of filtration is the precise monitoring of the water. It is a very delicate balancing act. There is a constant monitoring of the pH and stability of the water. Ph is used to do two things. First, to control the distribution in the infrastructure. For example, a building of scale in the pipe systems can cause a reduction in the pipe for the water to travel through. Too much acid can be aggressive and cause corrosion. Second, the pH creates stability in the water, which enables chlorine to do its job effectively in the water.
The filtered water is discharged from the top of the membrane system and leaves the building to meet up with the discharged water that came from the Trident system. All the water goes to a common tank for a process called hydraulic mixing where additives such as ammonia, fluoride or chloramines are added. When all is said and done, the water goes to a holding tank, thirty feet below ground called a clear well. This is the main holding tank of water that eventually ends up traveling to various ground facilities around the city, which then is pumped into the above ground tanks that we are used to seeing.
exterior view of the clear well holding tank
PH (which stands for "potential of Hydrogen") is a measure of acidity or alkalinity of water soluble substances. (The pH value is a number from 1 to 14, with 7 being the middle or "neutral" point. Values below 7 indicate acidity as the number decreases, 1 being the most acidic. The normal range for pH in surface water system is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems is 6 to 8.5. The pH of pure water is 7.) So what is the goal for Taz's plant??? 8 to 8.3 How does he know if he is meeting that goal? Well, there is all the constant monitoring, most of all is an online monitoring that is updated every five minutes...yep, every five minutes that reports the value of the water. The reports are also submitted to the big water boss, the TCEQ...the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality. It takes two kinds of brains to run the Water Treatment Plant; human and computer. There are the human brains that oversee everything in the Water Treatment Plant but there is the computer brain, the SCADA system.
the filtration system and view of the interior with the "straws"
(SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition.) This is the visual/tech side of things. In a particular part of the treatment plant is a room with several computer screens with the SCADA software on it. This is the computerized controls for the entire function of the water treatment plant. One person sitting at this computer-grouped station can monitor and perform the major functions of the plant. The operator can pump the water from the lake to the plant, it can OUR STORIES 21
control the disinfection treatments during the many processes, it can monitor the level of the above ground water tanks, it can move the water to the Trident water treatment system or the membrane system and even cycle the systems into cleaning or "flushing" mode. It can even move water from the various underground holding facilities to the above ground water tanks.....all with the touch of a button. Seem simple, huh? Back to the human brain.
employee Amanda Lucas running a test of the water in the lab
employee Kenneth Glover working the SCADA system
As Taz mentions, "It's a balance of predictive versus reactive". You can predict water usage, based on previous actions. You know that at a certain time in the day, most people are arriving at home so water usage is going to increase or in the summer, you know that more water usage is up because of lawn watering. Based on these observations, you know that the water towers need to be at a certain level at a certain time of the day which means you need to move water from the underground storage to the aboveground towers. At the same time, you need to know how long that water has been in that tower, or the water's age. Yes, in a way, water has a shelf life. The additives in the water that keep it germ free and clean do not last forever so the water has to be replaced with new water. Everything is that balancing act, balancing time and nature. So what happens to the old water? It goes to the settling lagoon, treated with polymers, then released into the creek or, better yet, sold to a golf course for their ponds. If we should ever get a little too low on water or need to go into conversation levels, our backup is Lake Benbrook. We have pipes that pump directly from Lake Benbrook to our plant to go through the same process. So the next time you turn on your water faucet, you may want to think about all the processes (and the people) that your water has gone through just to get to you.
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The actual building that the Water Treatment Plant is housed in is named after Dr. Paul Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a prominent dentist here in Weatherford for 32 years and was on the Municipal Utility Board for 29 years. On March 27, 2014, the MUB elected to name the existing building in his honor.
When You're Hot, You're Hot ! On October 21, employees scrutinized their recipes to come up with the best of their best in the annual Chili Cook-off Contest, this year expanding the culinary features to include salsa and cobbler. The annual event benefited a favorite charity, United Way of Parker County. An unexpected addition to the charity coffers was the "Pie In The Eye" featuring the Deputy City Manger, James Hotopp; City Secretary, Malinda Nowell; and Communications and Marketing Director, Blake Rexroat. The outstanding turnout of this event and contributions people raised $5000.00 for United Way. Again, THANK YOU!!! Here are the winners:
Judge's Choice Chili Randall Poston
People's Choice Salsa Malinda Nowell
Cobbler C J Durant
Malinda's Salsa 12 Roma tomatoes 1 yellow onion 1 bunch cilantro (stems and all) 2 jalapenos (seeds removed from one) 1 TBS. minced garlic 1 TBS. cumin 1 TBS. + 1 tsp. salt Rinse the produce. Cut the tomatoes and onion into chunks. Use a NutriBullet or food processor to finely chop your vegetables. Put all ingredients in a four-quart pot. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes. Place in canning jar to store ahead, or refrigerate for immediate use.
Chili Christina Brown
Salsa Gary Miller
Randall's Chili 2 lbs. Chili Grind Ground Beef 1 can Beef broth 1/2 can Chicken broth 1 1/2 cans Tomato Sauce 1st Dump: 2nd Dump: 1 TBS ground garlic 1 tsp. ground garlic 1 TBS ground onion 1 package Sazon Goya 1 TBS Dry Beef Bullion 2 TBS. chili powder 1/8 tsp. cayenne powder 2 dashes hot sauce Brown meat, drain off grease, add beef broth, chicken broth, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for 40 minutes. Add 1st dump and simmer for 40 minutes. Add 2nd dump and cook on low heat for 25 minutes. Add salt to taste and if too hot, add 1/8 brown sugar. OUR STORIES 23
What's Happening Public Library - Special Programs SPRING BREAK FOR KIDS: Monday - March 13 - Artstravaganza Two sessions: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm - for kids in 1st to 3rd grade; 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm - for kids in 4th to 6th grade Tuesday - March 14 - Wacky Science Two sessions: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm - for kids in 1st to 3rd grade; 2 pm to 3 pm - for kids in 4th to 6th grade Wednesday - March 15 - Storytime Sock Hop - from 10:30 am to 11:15 am - Best of the Box Office - from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Public Library - Ongoing Programs Storytime at Weatherford Public Library Wednesday & Friday mornings from 10:30 am to 11:15 am Enjoy great stories, music, finger-plays and rhymes with your little one. There is also a fun craft to make and take home! Storytime offers two groups that meet at the same time. One is for kids from birth to 3 years, the other for those from 4 to 6 years - just pick the one that best for your child. After School For Teens Mondays & Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Teen Writers' Group Second Wednesday of the month, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm The Needlework Group First Tuesday of the month, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm Third Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm The Needlework Group is a great way to meet fellow crafters who enjoy crochet, embroidery, knitting or any other type of hand work. The group is open to all ages and skill levels and you can share tips and projects - just bring your own materials.
Coloring for Grown-Ups Second Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Book Club Third Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Parks, Recreation and Special Events March : 16th - Food Park Lounge Night @ Heritage Park Food Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 18th - Movies in the Park @ Heritage Park Ampitheater 25th - Keep Weatherford Beautiful City Cleanup @ Heritage Park Farm and Ranch 28th - Food Park Lounge Night @ Heritage Park Food Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays) April : 1st - Kid Fish @ Holland Lake 8th - Concerts in the Park @ Heritage Park Ampitheater 13th - Food Park Lounge Night @ Heritage Park Food Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 22nd- Blooms in the Garden Festival @ the Downtown Square 25th - Food Park Lounge Night @ Heritage Park Food Park (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 24 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
From the VA U L T By Malinda Nowell, City Secretary
I
n 2013, after kind suggestions that I really should have a copy of the city's articles of incorporation, I started trying to locate them. I didn't know what they'd look like, being that long ago, but I knew they weren't in the vault. When was Weatherford incorporated, anyway? Was it 1856 or 1858? Does it matter? That was so long ago, and it's only two years apart. I had seen and had been asked about both. I always stood by 1858 because that's what my city seal said, and that had to be right, didn't it? I mean, we emboss important documents with that thing! But still, something must have occurred in 1856, right? I started the search by contacting the government filings section at the Secretary of State. However, their in-house records only date to 2006. Really? Weatherford is so much older! And then I was off to the State Library and Archives Commission. Bingo! They sent me a copy of the act and told me that, at that time, cities of a certain size were incorporated by act of Texas Legislature. The act to incorporate the town of Weatherford was approved by the 7th Legislature on January 2, 1858. You might imagine my next question...Why then, does 1856 keep coming up? Well, that's because Weatherford was "founded" in 1856. And how do I know that? Because a wonderful person whom I don't recall told me that there's a historical marker on the lawn of the courthouse that says so. That didn't take as long as I had expected. Thank heavens for email and not having to drive last issue's team of horses down to the state capitol at a reckless gait to find my answer!
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Things That Make You Go Hmmm... "There is No I in Team, But There is in Sacrifice" By Executive Assistant Krista Beach
I
love sports! You give me tickets to a Rangers, Mavs or Stars game and I am a pretty excited girl. So hopefully, even if you are not a fan, you can still relate to the message behind the sports references. Pat Riley, who was an exceptional NBA coach, wrote about, "The Disease of Me." He said, "The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they're part of the team is to sacrifice. It's so easy to become selfish in a team environment...to play for me. However, we must give up something in the immediate present - comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards - to attract something even better in the future." What's true on the basketball court or on the field for any sport is true in life, as well. Sacrificing for others can be difficult and exhausting. The definition of sacrifice is to give up something that is valuable in order to help someone else. We all tend to be quite proficient at ignoring our own faults while being highly sensitive to the flaws of others. This mentality often interferes and obstructs with our opportunity to make a sacrifice that will enhance "the team." I have often been in situations where I have been inclined to form an opinion based on what I would do personally instead of taking the time to remember that my viewpoint is not the only perspective and that a different perspective might benefit the entire team. We can't expect to get in shape physically if we overindulge and don't work out, we can't learn to play a musical instrument if we aren't practicing, and we are unable to receive an income if we don't get up each day and go to work. There are always sacrifices in most anything we do. Well known soccer player, Mia Hamm, once said, "I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team. I defer to it and sacrifice for it because the team,
not the individual, is the ultimate champion." No truer words have ever been spoken because the truth is if one member of the team loses, we all lose. And if one member is honored, we should all rejoice together. However, that is seldom the case. A willingness to sacrifice leaves others feeling valued, inspired, challenged, appreciated and with a positive mindset. Inspired workers tend to give their best. However, sacrifice is not always a positive thing. A leader can be so focused on harmony that they sacrifice great results. They can accept low performance issues to avoid upset instead of addressing issues through engagement, coaching, reassignment or dismissal. They tolerate change resistance of a few instead of leading all team members through it, and they concede to the pessimist's constant negativity instead of asking them for solutions and allowing them to take ownership of their part of the process. Coaches of any sport want players who are coach-able. Anyone know a football player by the name of Johnny Manziel? Do I need to elaborate??? Some things are so much more important than performance. We have to surrender our need for individual glory for the benefit of the entire team. If we are not driven by personal gain, we can create an environment that enables a win for everyone so that we can all celebrate together! Whether it is on the field, on the court, in the office or even at home, we constantly have opportunities presented to us to participate as a team. The last quote I want to share is by an unknown author, but it is a worthwhile sentiment that sums up this entire thought. "Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me and more we."
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CLICK
Above: Deputy Chief Chris Crawford accepts the Texas Police Chief 's Association Recognition Certificate from Police Chief Barbara Childress.
Above: Deputy Court Clerk Meagen Adams being sworn in by Judge Tim Galbreaith.
Above: "Pie In The Eye" recipients for the United Way of Parker County during the Employee Holiday Luncheon include Deputy City Manager James Hotopp, City Secretary Malinda Nowell and Communications and Marketing Director Blake Rexroat.
Above: Police Officer James Saint being sworn in by Judge Tim Galbreaith. Right: The official groundbreaking for Academy and Hobby Lobby. 28 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
Left: Police Department Property and Evidence Technician Tina Maxwell describes evidence packaging during Citizen University class. Right: Library Director Chris Accardo lecturing during Citizen University class night.
Above: Police Officer Tom Seaton describing the contents of a police vehicle during Citizen University class.
Above: Building Official Randy Law and Finance Analyst Tomara Holloway search for their glass tiles on the new glass art sculpture.
Above: Assistant Court Clerk/ Juvenile Case Manager Tiffany Bagwell during Citizen University.
Above: Communication and Marketing Coordinator Tim Todd and father, Col. Edward Todd, unveil the employee glass project, "Caution! Artist At Work!" in City Hall. OUR PHOTOGRAPHS 29
Above: The first graduating class of Citizen University.
Above: A final hug by City Manager Sharon Hayes to Steve Bates.
Above: Firefighter/EMT Nathan Lee going through the firefighter truck driving simulator training.
Above: Municipal & Community Services Director Steve Bates at his retirement party. Left: Economic Development Director Dennis Clayton giving his farewell speech at his retirement party.
Right: City Manager Sharon Hayes with her final goodbye to Dennis Clayton during his retirement party. 30 EMPLOYEE EDGE | 2017
Photo Finish
In case you missed it, "Caution! Artists At Work!" is located at City Hall. The glass sculpture was dedicated on December 16 with a formal unveiling complete with the same disco music played during the creation months with City employees. ...because I said I would.
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