Do you have an idea for an item that should be included in future editions of Newslink? We are always looking for department news, personal accomplishments and people to feature. Send your suggestions to cojcnews@johnsoncitytn.org.
At the American Legion Post 24 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, two outstanding City first responders were recognized for their dedication and service.
Lt. Ben Blevins of the Fire Department was awarded Firefighter of the Year and Justin Jenkins of the Police Department was named Police Officer of the Year by the American Legion Post 24 of Northeast Tennessee, acknowledging their exceptional commitment to
public safety, service and leadership.
We extend our congratulations to Ben and Justin for these well-deserved honors and thank them for their unwavering dedication to keeping Johnson City safe.
13 selected for inaugural Leadership Academy
Administration is pleased to announce the participants selected for the inaugural employee Johnson City Leadership Academy.
Once a week for six months, these 13 employees will hone their leadership skills and learn what it takes to guide teams and departments to serve the community, ensuring that
public services are delivered efficiently and exceed expectations. This cohort will develop a deep understanding of City operations, strong communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Congratulations. We look forward to watching each of you prepare to make a
Anna Baker Public Works
Lt. Ben Blevins Fire
David Cullop Public Works
Rex Fink Planning and Development Services
David Harrell Information Technology
Inv. Timothy Hensley Police
meaningful impact in your community.
Jeramy Isbel Water and Sewer Services
Lindsey Jones Communications and Marketing
Lt. Brandon Jordan Fire
Michael Rocker Water and Sewer Services
Lawren Smith Parks and Recreation
Kim Shepard Risk Management
Garett Townsend Fleet Management
Rock blasting on West Oakland to begin soon
As part of an ongoing Public Works project, Baker’s Construction Services will begin controlled rock blasting near West Oakland Avenue and Denny Mill Road. The first blast is scheduled for Sept. 18.
Blasting Schedule:
• Blasting will occur around 1 p.m., two to three times per week.
• Blasts are scheduled every other day, depending on project needs. This will not be a daily event.
Why Rock Blasting:
• Blasting is a controlled process used to break and excavate rock for removal. Drilling is performed, followed by the use of explosives to create smaller,
manageable rock fragments.
Traffic and Safety Measures:
• Roads near the blast site will be temporarily closed five minutes before each blast.
• A warning siren will sound five minutes before detonation, followed by a second siren one minute prior.
• Roads will reopen approximately 30 minutes after debris is cleared.
Blasts will generate noise levels of up to 120 decibels and may cause noticeable ground vibrations. Residents near the blast zone are advised to keep pets indoors during blasting to minimize stress on animals.
Blasting operations are expected to continue through October.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to improve our city’s infrastructure!
September 2024
NextRequest launches: Public access made easier
The Legal Department is happy to announce that NextRequest is live. NextRequest is a management platform that facilitates public access to public records. Tennessee residents will be able to request and receive a public record through this modern portal. This platform has several key features that provide automatic reminders and set custom notifications to ensure accuracy; automatically detects sensitive information with ease; customizes
recurring and ad-hoc reports and leverages visual dashboards to identify trends; coordinates across departments to route requests; and maintains a clear audit trail to provide proof of compliance. Additionally, this platform will improve communication between the City and the requestor and increase transparency with the community.
Department staff members have been designated who will help in the collection
of documents as they apply to each department. These staff members have completed a training course in NextRequest, which will ensure a smooth transition.
Tennessee residents will be directed to the City’s website to submit their records request through NextRequest. The steps to “make a request” are outlined on the Legal Department’s landing page. A requestor will create an account with NextRequest in order to receive notifications and accept the records through a link. Those unable to create an account may still obtain a paper version which will be uploaded by the Legal Department.
Contact Tausha Coleman at 423.434.5801 or tcoleman@ johnsoncitytn.org with questions.
Note: Any citizen of the state of Tennessee can request access to any records that are deemed to be records of public bodies. Residency is required to make a successful record request.
WSS’s Jon Lane selected for prestigious water industry leadership program
Water and Sewer Services is pleased to announce that Jon Lane, assistant director, has been selected for a prestigious leadership program sponsored by the KYTN American Water Works Association and KY-TN Clean Water Professionals. Jon is one of only 16 individuals chosen from
across Kentucky and Tennessee, and one of just eight from Tennessee.
This highly competitive program is designed to foster leadership and professional development within the water and sewer service industry. Participants will benefit from unique networking opportunities and access to resources from leading individuals and organizations involved in the field.
Jon’s acceptance into this program is a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field.
“We are thrilled for Jon and proud of his accomplishment,” said Director Tom Witherspoon. “This program will provide him with invaluable networking and reference points that will not only benefit him but also enhance our services to the community.”
WSS crews protect integrity of infrastructure
As part of the Water and Sewer Services Department’s commitment to keeping Johnson City’s infrastructure running smoothly, hardworking crews are smoke testing sanitary sewer lines in the Knob Creek and Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant collection systems. This important maintenance project helps identify points where excess water can enter the system during rain events.
During the test, City crews will send white smoke designed for this type of testing into the sanitary sewer system by blowing it into a manhole. It is then forced out through lines and cracks, openings, or plumbing vents on or near roof tops. The smoke is safe, odorless, non-toxic and nonstaining.
If home plumbing systems are correctly installed and well vented with working water traps, smoke should not enter the home. If smoke enters your home, there are deficiencies in your plumbing system. Call 423.461.1645 for information.
City crews efforts will have a lasting impact on improving the community’s water and sewer services, helping to prevent future issues and ensuring the system operates efficiently.
Multi-factor authentication key to protection
The City’s IT Department is implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users of Oracle Cloud to enhance the City’s system’s security. Without this additional layer of protection, the enterprise software is at significant risk of unauthorized access.
Your assistance is important to this critical process. To
ensure a smooth transition, IT asks that you install the Okta Verify app on your mobile device. The Okta Verify app is free, and it plays an essential role in securing your login to Oracle Cloud.
What You Need to Know:
1. Okta Verify is a free app that works by sending push notifications or generating verification codes to further authenticate your login attempts.
2. The installation instructions for Okta Verify are located at the end of this newsletter
3. You will not be able to access Oracle Cloud without Okta Verify starting Oct. 15, so please ensure the app is installed and ready for use before this date.
Protecting the City’s sensitive data from potential threats helps safeguard operations and ensures a more secure digital environment for everyone.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. IT appreciates your cooperation in keeping City systems secure.
OKTA instructions are on page 10.
September 2024
Congratulations new hires, promotions, retirements
New Hires - August
Owen Adams - Water and Sewer Services
Joseph Piazza - Water and Sewer Services
Justin Hughes - Water and Sewer Services
Sarah Norton - Finance
Joshua Daniel - Public Works
Timothy Williams - Fire
Fulton Leonard - Fire
Lisa Slone - Finance
Michael Voyten - Transit
Daniel Stewart - Public Works
Megan Bell - Legal
Alexa Peterson - Purchasing
Christopher Freeman - Water and Sewer Services
Korena Thornton - Transit
Retirees - August
Ray Combs (20) - Public Works
James Brown (38) - Police
Steven Cravens (26) - Fleet Management
Promotions - August
John Sams - Parks and Recreation
Marques Nave - Parks and Recreation
Lisa Kotrob - Facilities Management
Doug Tittle - Facilities Management
Ginger Whitson - Juvenile Court
Stanford Achi - Administration
Brandon Huskins - Public Works
David Williams - Public Works
Photo Recap: 9/11 stair climb at Bristol speedway
Flu shot: Simple effective way to protect coworkers
As we head into flu season, protecting your health and well-being is more important than ever. The annual flu shot is a simple, yet effective way to reduce the spread of illness and keep the workplace safe and healthy.
Take a moment to get your flu shot this season — it’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Flu Shot Schedule Flu Shot Schedule
It is that time of year. Get your FREE seasonal flu shot. This service is provided to ALL employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) and their spouses. No appointment is necessary. Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic.
Wednesday, Oct. 9 6:30–9 a.m.
Risk Management Conference Room
Monday, Oct. 21 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Street Department
Friday, Oct. 18 2–3 p.m.
Water and Sewer Complex (Drive-Thru Clinic)
Monday, Nov. 11 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Transit (Training Room)
To learn more, contact Human Resources at hr@johnsoncitytn.org or call 423.434.6006.
The City cannot extend this offer to other dependents, family members or retirees. The City’s health plan through BlueCross/BlueShield usually covers flu shots. Most physicians’ offices are providing “clinics” to administer the vaccine without an office visit co-pay. Check with your physician’s office for details and verification of coverage. Flu vaccines are also available at the Employee Health Clinic.
There will be no make-up dates so please try to attend one of the clinic dates.
New festival aims to support downtown businesses
On Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Johnson City’s downtown district will host Main Street Days, a new street festival celebrating and promoting local small businesses.
Main Street Days aims to strengthen the downtown community while showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of the area. With over 30 restaurants, 15 pubs, and numerous antique and clothing retailers, Johnson City offers a wealth of unique experiences and products. This festival will be a day to celebrate these businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them, whose passion and determination bring life to our community.
Visitors can expect a full day of excitement with live music, a variety of food and beverage vendors, and local artists, retailers, and makers. Streets will be closed to create a lively, safe space for all to enjoy the festival.
“We’re thrilled to host this new street festival in the heart of our city,” said Main Street Director Lindsey Jones. “It’s a chance for everyone to come out, enjoy the day, and support the local economy.”
For more information, visit downtownjctn. com/mainstdays or click Learn More.
Sign up for the Main Street newsletter to receive the latest updates on all the events and activities happening downtown.
Multi-factor authentication key to protection
Step One Step Two Step Three
Login to the Johnson City Okta portal on your desktop at https://login.johnsoncitytn.org or click on the Okta icon on your desktop.
Login to the portal with your normal City username and password. If you are logged into your office PC, the browser will automatically log you in with your Windows login.
Once you have successfully authenticated, you will be asked to setup your Okta Verify app on your phone. Select the option to Setup Okta verify.
Step Four Step Five Step Six
Follow the instructions to download and install Okta Verify on your phone and then open the app and scan the QR code that is displayed on your screen.
If your phone asks you to setup the biometric authentication with your fingerprint or Face ID, please complete
After successfully authenticating and setting up your Okta MFA, you will be taken to the Okta Dashboard where you will find links for organizational apps that have been connected to Okta.
