THE INSIDE TRACK M O N T H L Y E M P L O Y E E N E W S L E T T E R ISSUENO.11 APRIL2024 BenefitsBreakdown EmployeeShoutouts COTStaffStream HIGHLIGHTSTHISMONTH: DOSE OF FACTS & FUN WELCOME TO YOUR MONTHLY
C O N T E N T S T A B L E O F 3 STAY IN THE KNOW Project Updates l Let’s Talk Temple 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS Important Dates 4 COMMUNITY CONNECT Community Events l COT StaffStream 8 LEADING THE WAY Snapshots of our City Staff 9 INFORMATION & TIPS IT Tips and Tricks | Purchasing | Game 13 STAFF CORNER Staff Feature | Fun Extras I COT StaffStream APRIL 2024 | ISSUE NO 11 PAGE 1 15 WORKING FOR THE CITY Open Positions | Retirees | New Hires | Years of Service 5 PEOPLE OPERATIONS MD Live I Benefits Breakdown I Resources 11 SHOUTOUTS Submitted BY City Staff FOR City Staff 7 DEPARTMENT FEATURE Departmental Highlight
LEADING THE WAY
PAGE 2 PLE • TEAMTEMPLE • TEAMTEMPLE • TEAMTEMPLE • TEAMTEMPLE • TEAMTEM
T E A M T E M P L E
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE WITHOUT EXCEPTION
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TMRShasbegunquarterly informationsessionsatthe Mayborn–SouthRoom!Please signuptosecureyourspot!
We'reexcitedtointroduceanew processforgettingyourheadshots takenorre-taken!
IMPORTANTDATES:
Saturday|4May,2024
EmployeePicnic
Monday|27May,2024
MemorialDay(CityOfficesClosed)
Wednesday|12June,2024
BringYourChildrentoWorkDay
Photoswillbecapturedeverymonth atNewEmployeeOrientation.Dates andtimesarelocatedontheBrand Boxattempletx.gov/brand.
CyberSecurityTrainingiscoming soon.Beonthelookoutformore informationfromtheITDepartment.
PAGE 3
ANNOUNCEMENTS & OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
APRIL 2024 | ISSUE NO 11
COMMUNITY CONNECT
JoinusonSaturday,May 10th,aswecleanupthe FergusonParkNeighborhood District.Activitieswillinclude trashpickup,lawncare,and otherrevitalizationefforts!
UPCOMINGEVENTS:
Saturday|27April,2024
LunchattheAirport
Draughton-MillerCentralTexasRegional Airport•11AM-2PM
Friday|3May,2024
Thursday|16May,2024
CityCouncilMeeting
CityHall•5PM VOLUNTEERTODAY!
Friday-Sunday|17-19May,2024
CentralTexasAirFest
Draughton-MillerCentralTexasRegional Airport
31May-31August,2024
SummerFamilyPassportProgram LEARNMORE TRAINDAYTICKETS
Jointhemuseumforour annualcelebrationofthe TranscontinentalRailroad!
FirstFriday DowntownTemple LEARNMORE
PAGE 4
S U P P O R T C I T Y E V E N T S A N D I N I T I A T I V E S APRIL 2024 | ISSUE NO 11
@CITYOFTEMPLEPARKS FOLLOWUSONSOCIALMEDIA @CITYOFTEMPLETX @DISCOVERTEMPLE @DOWNTOWNTEMPLE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES TOVIEWOTHER OPPORTUNITIESVISIT TEMPLETX.GOV/VOLUNTEER
MEET MDLIVE
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Createanaccountandscheduleyourappointment.Youcan haveadoctorvisitrightawayorscheduleanappointment–all byphone,computer,orourapp.
SPECIALTIP:Whenenteringyourinsuranceinformationwith MDLive,besuretoincludethe“ZGP”beforeyoursubscriberID.
Virtualvisitsoffercareifyourdoctoris bookedorifyouneedcarewhileyouare athome,atwork,oronthego.
COSTS
PPOPlanCost
Medical&behavioralhealthvisit$25copa HDHPCost
Deductible,then20%coinsurance Medicalclaimcost$48
Behavioralhealthcosts$45-$250 MDLivevisitwillpay80%oftheallowable amountaftertheirnetworkdeductiblehas beenmetforanycoveredservices.
MORE
LEARN
HAVING A VIRTUAL VISIT
•Call888-680-8646 •GotoMDLIVE.com/bcbstx •TextBCBSTXto635-483 •Downloadtheapp PAGE 5 SuzanneDiazwillbethemainpointofcontactforbenefits Shecanalsoassist youwithenrollment,lifeevents,printingouttemporaryinsurancecards,and supportwithclaimissues.Pleaseemailbenefits@templetx.govforassistance. P E O P L E O P E R A T I O N S GET CARE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME!
ACTIVATE YOUR VIRTUAL VIST ACCOUNT TODAY!
BENEFITS ASSISTANCE
TMRS SESSIONS
TMRSwillbeginholdingquarterly informationsessionsinMarchatthe Mayborn SouthRoom.Pleasesignup usingthelinktosecureyourspot!
RETIREMENT BREAKDOWN
Whereveryouareonyoursavingsjourney,you canstartplanningfortheretirementyouwant
WHO?
WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY?
TheCity’sRetirementSpecialistisJesseJ.Rangel.
MissionSquareRetirement'smissionistohelppublicsector employeesbuildretirementsecurity.One-on-one appointmentsarenowavailable.
Scheduleanappointmenttoday!It’snevertooearlytostart thinkingaboutyourretirement.Appointmentswilltakeplace between8:30a.m.and4p.m.
AppointmentswilltakeplaceattheFrankW.MaybornCivic& ConventionCenter.Tobrowsethesiteformoreinformation visithttps://www.missionsq.org/.
Taxadvantages,RetirementSavingPlan,457Deferred CompensationPlan,easypayoutoptions,advice,andclarity, &one-on-onesupport!Startsavingforyourfuture!
Reachouttopeopleoperations@templetxgovforanyassistance!
PAGE 6 SIGN UP TODAY!
P E O P L E O P E R A T I O N S
HAVE QUESTIONS?
MORE
LEARN
DEPARTMENT FEATURE
Let'sgiveabigroundofapplausetoourPlanning&Developmentcrew!They're theoneswhohelpmakeTempleevenbetter.Thisawesometeamdealswith LOTSofimportantstuff,butlet'sbreakitdown:ThePlanning&Zoningteam createsandkeepsupwithaplanforthecity,makingsureeverything's organizedandontrack.TheCommunityVitalityteammakessureour neighborhoodsaretop-notchandgrowingwell.AndtheBuildingPermits& Inspectionsteamensuresthateverythingissafeandreadytoroll Together withdesigners,propertyowners,andbuilders,theymakesureprojectsrun smoothlyfromstarttofinish.They'reahugepartofwhyourcommunitykeeps growingandsmiling!
Wearesogratefulforthisteamandalloftheirexceptionalservice.Frominhousecollaborationtotakingresidents'feedback,thisgrouptrulyworkshard tokeeptheCityofTempleontrackforthefuture.
INFY23THEPLANNINGTEAMPROCESSED:
MYTHBUSTERS
MYTH: ThePlanningDepartmentdecideswhichbusinessestobringtoTemple Thisisnottrue.Theirroleistoprovideguidanceonzoningregulationsand landusepermissions,nottodecidewhichbusinesscanorwillopeninTemple.
34,281Inspections 6,689PermitApplications 36RezoningApplications
PAGE 7
M E E T T H E P L A N N I N G & D E V E L O P M E N T D E P A R T M E N T
STAYINTHEKNOW...
PROJECT UPDATES
EastWestGatewayProject-
LocatednearI-35,theEastWestGatewayProjectisunderwayandwillbring improvedirrigation,landscapeplanting,lighting,andartinstallationstothespace betweenWestCentralandWestAdamsAvenues.
TheprojectisexpectedtoreachcompletioninOctober2024,andweareexcited fortheenhancedimageitwillbringtoTemplevisitorsandlocals!
Let’sTalkTempleVideoSeries
TheCommunications&PublicRelationsDivisionhasstarteda
Let’sTalkTemplevideoseriesinwhichwebreakdownvarious capitalimprovementprojects.Checkoutsomeofourrecent videosonFacebookorYouTube!
PAGE 8
YOUTUBE
WATCHTHE UPDATEHERE!
INFORMATION & TIPS
Videos and presentations from the Purchasing Mini Training Sessions have been uploaded here!
DIDYOUKNOW...
EVERYONE can drop off documents to be shredded at the Recycle Warehouse any day of the week from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You don't even have to live in the city to shred your sensitive documents with Estelle (that's the shredder's name). Call x5725 to make sure staff is ready for you!
HEYYOU,YEAYOU... CLICK TO PLAY THE GAME!
THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE TO COMPLETE THE GAME AND SEND IT TO EMPCOMM@TEMPLETX.GOV WILL WIN A PRIZE!
In2024,theInternetofThings(IoT)isgettingbiggerand bigger.Thismeansmoredevices,likesmartthermostats, fitnesstrackers,andevenfridges,areconnectingtothe internet Butwiththisgrowthcomesabigproblem:security
Hackersseethesedevicesaseasytargets.Andsincethese devicesarealllinkedtogether,ifonegetshacked,itcan createproblemsfortheothers.
Besureyourpasswordsaresecure,andupdatethem regularly!
PAGE 9
B I T S & B Y T E S
P U R C H A S I N G
EMPLOYEE
PET OF THE MONTH: BRUNO
IntroducingtheoneandonlyBruno!He'snotyourtypicalpup;atnineyears young,he'smoreofasophisticatedcanineconnoisseur.Brunoboastsa uniquelineage,beingaPoodle-TerrierMixwithadashofindefinablecharm.
Picturethis:abygoneerainsunnySanDiego,wheremythen-boyfriend,now husband,wowedmewithasurprise.EnterBruno,thegiftthatexceededall mybirthdaydreams.He'stheepitomeofcanineelegance,apupwithaPhD ingoodbehavior.Social?Oh,he'spracticallythemayorofWaggingtonville, excellingindiplomacywithhumansandsmallhumansalike.Buthis masterpiece?Theartofsittinglikearegalfluff,readytoembraceacuddle sessionatamoment'snotice.Brunoisoneofakind,butshhh,remember... "Wedon'ttalkaboutBruno!"
Owner:NohelyMackowiakICommunications&Marketing
PAGE 10 T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O F T H E M O N T H • P E T O
SOARING ABOVE & BEYOND!
BY: LINDSAY FRANCIS, MARKETING & DIGITAL MEDIA DIVISION DIRECTOR
AmassiveshoutouttoChelseaButler fromtheSpecialEventsteam Shehas beendoinggreatputtingtheCentral TexasAirfesttogether,andIamso excitedtoseetheturnout!
A TEAM TEMPLE WIN!
BY: HEATHER LEEDY, RECYCLING MANAGER
ShoutouttoAmbrie,Megan,andNohely forbravingthelandfilltogetthestoryon SolidWaste!EspeciallytoNohelyfor ridingaroundinthepassengerseatof thegarbagetruck.Thoseseatsarenot atallcomfortableandthearomathat comesoffthegarbagetrucksisnotthe bestrightbeforelunchtime!
WELCOME ABOARD!
BY: SENNETT FARIAS, DESTINATION MARKETING COORDINATOR
PleaseextendawarmwelcometoKaitlyn,ournew DowntownCoordinator,totheCityofTemple’s Communications&MarketingDepartment! Welookforwardtoexpandingtheroletoincludekey initiativessuchasdowntownevents,development opportunities,stakeholdercommunications,the implementationoftheTexasMusicFriendlyProgramand somuchmore!IfyouwouldliketoconnectwithKaitlyn,her emailiskneal@templetxgov
PAGE 11 E M P L O Y E E
GREAT JOB DANIEL!
BY: DEBORAH MASON, SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER
Shout-outtoMr.DanielIves,theUtilityDivisionDirectorfor WaterDistribution.Danielwasonpointandofconsiderable helpincoordinatingwaterrelocationsduringourSouthPea RidgeRoadCapitalImprovementsProgram(CIP)project. Givenhisorganizationalskills,technicalexpertise,andwork ethic,Danielwasabletorefocusourapproachandlimitthe numberanddurationofwateroutages.Withhis suggestionsofvalveplacements,andaminormodification toourCIPprojectscope,thenumberofhomes inconveniencedreducedfromover300toaboutadozen. Thankyou,Daniel.Engineeringappreciatesyoursupport!
WAY TO GO TEAM!
BY: AMBRIE DUNN, TALENT MARKETING SPECIALIST
Earlythismonth,Railroad&HeritageMuseumstaff attendedtheTexasAssociationofMuseums(TAM)Annual ConferenceinLubbock,Texas.InattendancewereNatalie Alvara,theLibraryandMuseumsDirector,Alysha Richardson,theMuseumManager,andAngelaMartin,the MuseumCurator.Theconferenceprovidedanexcellent opportunityforprofessionaldevelopmentandnetworking. AlyshapresentedtotheTAMHistoricSitesandHouses affinitygroup,wheretheattendeesdiscussedtopicsthat affecttheoperationsofhistoricbuildingsandsites.
Everyonehadagreattimeandbroughtbacksome awesomeideastoincorporateintotheday-to-day activitiesofRRHM.Waytogo,team,onseekingprofessional development!
PAGE 12
S H O U T O U T S
STAFF FEATURE
KELLY RAWLS
SAFETY TALK STAFF CORNER
KellyRawlsistheSafetyCoordinatorattheCityof Temple!Sincehisstartlastyear,hehasprovidedCity employeeswithanewSafetyManual!Hisgoalisto mitigatehazardsthroughouttheCityofTemplework areas.KellyalsodoessafetyinspectionsatCityof Templefacilitiestolookforhazardsandcorrectany defectsthatcomefromthoseinspections.Asthe safetycoordinator,heconductsandschedulesvarious safetytrainingcourses,suchasHazard Communication,HeatStressandSunExposure,Forklift Training,CPRandFirstAid,andmanyothers.Ifyouor yourdepartmentneedsafetytraining,pleasereach outtoKellyatkrawls@templetxgov
“IhopetocreateasafetyculturewithintheCityof Temple Ifyouseesomething,saysomething Don’tlet unsafeeventshappentoyouoryourcoworkers!”
Asweapproachtheendoftheschoolyear,itisimportanttobemindfulofthe increasedrisksontheroad.Withmoreyoungdrivershittingthestreets,an uptickintraffic,andsmallchildrenplayingoutdoors,roadsafetybecomes paramount.
Stayalertforyoungdriverswhomaybeinexperiencedandproneto makingmistakes.Givethemspaceandbepatientontheroad.
Warmerweatherandoutdooractivitiesmayresultinmorepedestrians onthestreets.Stayalertandyieldtopedestriansatcrosswalksand intersections.
Avoiddistractionswhiledriving,suchasusingyourphoneoreating,to maintainfocusontheroadandpotentialhazards.
Planyourroutesaheadoftimetoavoidcongestedareasandpeak traffictimes,ifpossible.
Bystayingvigilantandfollowingthesesafetytips,wecanallcontributetoa saferendoftheschoolyearforeveryoneontheroad.
PAGE 12
LOOKINGFORTHEGAME?IT’SSOMEWHEREELSETHISMONTH!!
HAVE YOU SEEN THE COT STAFFSTREAM?
TheCityofTemplehasanewemployeeengagementplatformon YouTube!Whenyoucamtakeashortbreak,openYouTube,and seewhatyourfellowemployeesareupto!
Haveafunideaforan employeevideo?Letus know!Wecan incorporateupcoming training/initiativesina funwayforemployeesto skimthroughonbreaks!
PAGE 14
WORKING FOR THE CITY!
OPENPOSITIONS:
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SPECIALIST I
Supportsandmaintainssystemanduseraccounts,includingrights, security,andsystemgroups;providessupportofdatabaseandapplications forusers;providestechnicaldesignandworkincross-functionalteamsto deliverprojectsan
COMBINATION BUILDING INSPECTOR I
TheCombinationInspectorperformscodecomplianceinspectionsforthe community'snewconstruction,renovation,alteration,addition,andrepair projects Additionally,thepositionperformsplanreviewsofconstruction projectstoensurepropercodecomplianceisachieved.Thepositionensures thatminimumhealthandsafetystandardsarefollowedtoprotectresident andvisitoroccupantsinallbuildingswithintheCityofTemple
LIBRARY SUPERVISOR - TECHNICAL SERVICES
Performsoriginalcatalogingofaudiovisualandgenealogymaterials. Coordinateswithdrawalofmaterialsanddeletionofrecordsincollaboration withlibrarystaff Overseesdailybackupofrecords Supervisesand participatesintheinventoryofcollections,includingassigningcollectionsto beinventoriedanddistributingreportstodepartmentsupervisors.
EVIDENCE & PROPERTY TECHNICIAN
Undergeneralsupervision,thispositionwillberesponsiblefortheintake, storage,anddisposalofallTemplePoliceDepartmentevidencereceived.
PAGE 15 VIEW ALL OPEN POSITIONS
TEMPLE
TEAM
MEETOURNEWHIRES:
LouisBurson
DwightAbrahams
RETIREES:
DianneJones(11)
Sales&MarketingSpecialist
CaseyLiddell(27)
CrewLeaderII-Streets
AshleyBoland
AmeliaWeaver SolidWasteDriver
EthanHart Telecommunicator
WaterOperatorApprentice
JeromeGreger
MaintenanceWorker
TerriMooney
Telecommunicator
JordanDeMaio WaterOperatorIV
MaintenanceWorker
StevenHendricks AdministrativeAssistantII
GeuseppeGrimaldi ProgramCoordinator
SolidWasteDriver
KennethDrake
WarehouseCoordinator
YEARSOFSERVICE:
DillionDavis(5)
PoliceOfficer
EmilyLabruzzo(5) PoliceOfficer
EdwinGuzman(5) PoliceOfficer
ShaunaMyers(5)
Evidence&PropertyTechnician
CrystanParker(5)
PoliceOfficer
LisaVangilder(5)
PoliceOfficer
DavidOlson(5)
AssistantCityManager
GolfShopAttendant
CraigVanValkenburgh(5) ParksDivisionDirector
CourtneyAtlenberg(5)
LeeBullock(5) CustomerServiceRepresentativeI
ChristopherCeballos(5)
MaintenanceWorker-Streets
BreanneChandler(5)
AdministrativeAssistantI
PoliceOfficer
KeithSmith(10) UtilityComplianceCoordinator
HeatherWilson-Ellis(10)
LeadHeavyDutyTruckTechnician
MichaelJohnsonJr.(10)
KelvinSears(10) MaintenanceCoordinator
MercedesDeaton(25)
AdministrativeAssistantI
DonaldRobinson(30)
HeavyDutyTruckTechnicianIII
DavidDavis(35)
PoliceSergeant
PAGE 16
SUBMITYOURIDEASHERETOBE
FEATUREDONAFUTUREISSUE:
ISSUENO.11 APRIL2024
M O N T H L Y E M P L O Y E E N E W S L E T T E R
THE INSIDE TRACK
