July CityLink 2013

CITY LINK Intranet: lsnet | No. 70

July 2013

City Manager Message

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n April, I announced to staff re-assignments in the Administration Department. As a part of that announcement, I also informed employees about changes associated with the re-assignment of two existing technical positions to a broader base of responsibility as assistant city manager positions. One of those roles, as you know, was filled by Daren Fristoe in April.

An executive search began in May to fill the assistant city manager (ACM) position with responsibility for the City’s Administrative Services departments. The Administrative Services departments consist of Central Building Services, Information Technology Services, Fleet and the City Clerk’s Office.

Recently, we interviewed the five finalists for the ACM job and I am confident that one of these individuals will be hired for the position. The purpose of today’s message is to talk to you about the process thus far to hire the City’s new ACM. I have been a part of an internal team interviewing impressive candidates, both internally and externally, for the ACM position. continued on the back

If you have been in City Hall lately, you will notice the addition of the “LS” icon and the “Yours Truly” tagline above the receptionist desk. It’s just another great way the City is bringing the community-wide brand to life in our organization.

Please continue to visit the LS Marketing page at lsnet for additional news about the City’s brand.

Blood Donation Saves Lives Most of us realize that the Community Blood Center (CBC) exists. But you never really think about needing the services of the CBC – at least that’s how I used to feel. Hi I’m Stephanie Walters, an employee in the Public Works Department and coordinator of the City’s Blood Drives.

I love my job as an administrative coordinator at the City because it gives me an opportunity to interact with the residents we provide services to daily. Just as important is my role of organizing blood drives at the City because it allows me an opportunity to give back to our community. I also have a very personal reason why I’m involved with blood donation.

additional heart procedures at ages 9 months and 12 years old. During each procedure, she needed a blood transfusion. My husband and I were not able to donate blood to our daughter because neither of us share her blood type.

So, you can imagine how invaluable the CBC was to our family. Today, Audrey is 16 and doing well.

first community-wide blood drive in front of City Hall on Green Street.

Our organizations are reaching out to as many folks as possible to spread the word about how easy it is to donate blood.

First, it will only take about 30 minutes. And the requirements are simple. You will need a drivers license or donor card; weigh more than 110 lbs., drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal before donating blood. The CBC has a check-list of requirements on their site to verify your eligibility to donate blood.

Because I know what the CBC has done for my family and for numerous others throughout the metropolitan area, I have organized the blood drives at the City for more than nine years. I also donate blood because If you would like to register for the blood it’s for a good cause and I could save drive, visit www.esavealifenow.org and enter someone’s life. the code cityleessummit.

On August 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., When my daughter, Audrey, was 3 days old, the City and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of If you have questions, please call me at Ext. she had her first open heart surgery. She had Commerce will collaborate on Lee’s Summit’s 1890.

All City Staff Meeting is October 29, 2013! Details are on the back.

CITY LINK

City Manager Message

LSPR Events!

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This job opening yielded more than 120 highly qualified applicants, both from the Kansas City metropolitan area and across the country. The Human Resources Department narrowed the list of 120 applicants for the job to 60 based on qualifications. Next, Deputy City Manager Brian Scott, Assistant City Manager Daren Fristoe and I narrowed the list of individuals vying for the job to 13 based on a review of their past experiences and qualifications. In order to reduce the list to the top five candidates, we conducted interviews with the semi-finalists for the job either in-person or via Skype.

As of July 9, five finalists for the ACM position were interviewed by the Management Team. These interviews gave the Management Team members an opportunity to ask about their job experiences, problem-solving ability, prior projects and analytical skills—all of which are necessary in order to work in city government. It also allowed us to see first-hand their public speaking and presentation skills.

All of the applicants have a wealth of progressively responsible public sector experience, including work with the budgeting process, cultivating relationships and providing leadership to City departments. Their interest in becoming a part of our organization and our community says a great deal about who we are in Lee’s Summit. In fact, many of them spoke about the City’s impressive accomplishments and goals and about wanting to be part of our progressive and forward-thinking organization.

Having a clear and attractive identity and reputation or brand enables a city to sell itself more effectively, to its citizens, visitors, and individuals seeking to become part of its organization. Our City’s positive reputation is a reflection of our dedicated employees and leadership. Thank you!

I am hopeful the City will fill the new assistant city manager position by late August or early September. When the decision becomes final, our employees will be among the first to be notified of this organizational decision.

Looking for a great way to spend the summer?

There is always something to do in our community. Here are a few ideas for the months of August and September.

Movies in the Parks

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Saturday, August 10 at 8 p.m., “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief” at Backyard Bash at Paradise Park; FREE.

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Friday, Sept. 13 at 8:20 p.m., “E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial” at Legacy Park Amphitheater; FREE. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

Music in the Parks

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Friday, Aug. 2 from 7—10:30 p.m., “Blues & Jazz Fest” on Green Street; FREE.

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Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m., “Rattle and Hum (U2 Tribute)” at Legacy Park Amphitheater |$5 prepurchase, $7 at gate. Gates open at 7 p.m.

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Saturday, Sept. 7, “7 Bridges Road, A Tribute to the Eagles” at Paradise Park; FREE. Check the summer of fun website for details.

Visit summeroffun.net City Manager Stephen Arbo

New Lawson Training Module!

Have you noticed some changes since the last time you logged onto Employee Self Service (ESS) available at my.cityofls.net?

You now have a new “Training” module bookmark! This module allows employees to sign up for required Safety Training and check scheduled and completed courses, all through ESS. Required training is assigned to employees based on the job they perform. In addition, the new “Training” module of Manager Self Service (MSS) provides managers and supervisors with a reporting tool to show the progress toward completion of safety courses for their direct reports.

For step-by-step sign-up instructions for the “Training” module, select the “Training Resources” bookmark under “Helpful Information.” Select either the ESS or MSS Training Module instructions.

If you would like help accessing the “Training” module or have questions, please come to the ITS Training Room on the second floor of City Hall at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, or call Human Resources at Ext. 1051.