Employee Newsletter Issue No. 5

OCTOBER 2023

ISSUE NO. 5

THE INSIDE TRACK MONTHLY

EMPLOYEE

WELCOME TO YOUR MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

DOSE OF FACTS & SPOOKY FUN \

HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH: Community Summit Recap ‘Find It’ Halloween Game Grand Openings

Snapshots of our City Staff

ANNOUNCEMENTS Important Dates

COMMUNITY CONNECT Community Events l Volunteer

DEPARTMENT FEATURE Benefits Information | Safety Talk

STAY IN THE KNOW

CONTENTS

2 3 4 5 7 9 10 11 13

LEADING THE WAY

TABLE OF

OCTOBER 2023 | ISSUE NO.5

Project Updates l Employee Pet of the Month

INFORMATION & TIPS Tips and Tricks | Purchasing | And More

SHOUTOUTS Submitted BY City Staff FOR City Staff

STAFF CORNER Employee Feature | Commuity Summit Recap I Game

WORKING FOR THE CITY Open Positions | Retirees | New Hires | Years of Service

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PLE • TEAM TEMPLE • TEAM TEMPLE • TEAM TEMPLE • TEAM TEMPLE • TEAM TEM

LEADING THE WAY WE

HAVE

THE

BEST

TEAMS!

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OCTOBER 2023 | ISSUE NO. 5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

&

OTHER

IMPORTANT

INFORMATION

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE WITHOUT EXCEPTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next quarterly headshot session is November 8. If you have a City email, please be sure to sign up on the Brand Box at templetx.gov/brand.

IMPORTANT DATES: Tuesday | 31 October, 2023

Employee Halloween Costume Contest

Wednesday | 8 November, 2023 Employee Veterans Luncheon

Thursday | 23 November, 2023 Employee Holiday - Thanksgiving

Friday | 24 November, 2023

Employee Holiday - Day After Thanksgiving

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The neighborhood planning team will soon begin work in the Oaks at Westwood Neighborhood District and they HERE for any employees are looking who reside in that area to be a part of thier resident focus group. If you are interested, please reach out to bgarcia@templetx.gov

OCTOBER 2023 | ISSUE NO. 5

COMMUNITY CONNECT SUPPORT

CITY

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!

EVENTS

AND

INITIATIVES

UPCOMING EVENTS: Saturday | 28 October, 2023

Join us for Make A Difference Day as we clean up Bird Creek. Activities will include trash pickup, lawn care, and other revitalization efforts.

Household Hazardous Waste Event Solid Waste Complex • 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Tuesday | 31 October, 2023 Fright Fest Santa Fe Plaza • 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Please sign up to volunteer at templetx.gov/volunteer or meet us at 3500 SW H K Dodgen Loop on October 28th from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

Friday | 3 November, 2023 First Friday Downtown Temple

Saturday | 4 November, 2023 Family Day RRHM • 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday | 9 November, 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony Santa Fe Plaza • 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Saturday | 25 November, 2023 Shop Small Saturday

TO VIEW OTHER OPPORTUNITIES VISIT TEMPLETX.GOV/VOLUNTEER

Wednesday | 29 November, 2023 Heart to Home Grand Re-Opening

VOLUNTEER TODAY!

HALLOWEEN RECIPE: PRETZEL SPIDER WEB

This is a wonderful Halloween treat idea, chocolate pretzel spider webs. It’s crunchy, salty, sweet, and full of chocolate!

READ THE FULL RECIPE PAGE 4

DEPARTMENT FEATURE MEET YOUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

The Purchasing Department is in charge of complex procurement processes, managing formal solicitations, streamlining council agenda submissions, and ensuring seamless contract processing. Additionally, this team of 8 handles requisitions, purchase orders, accounts payable, invoices, P-Card programs, and vendor setups with precision. Recently this group was awarded the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute. This prestigious annual award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. Thank you for all that you do for the City of Temple!

THE PURCHASING TEAM MAINTAINS/SUPPORTS: Pcard transactions audited: 19,294 POs issued: 2,594 Invoices processed: 13,062

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BENEFITS

INFORMATION

MEET OUR BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR Suzanne Diaz will be the main point of contact for benefits. She can also assist you with enrollment, life events, printing out temporary insurance cards, and assistance with claim issues.

WELCOME BCBS DENTAL New cards were mailed to your address listed in Dayforce.

Find a dentist who takes Blue Care Dental.

SAFETY TALK Know where the fire extinguishers are and hazards to look for that can cause a fire. If a fire extinguisher needs to be used to put out a small fire remember the acronym P.A.S.S. for the steps

P

Pull the pin of the extinguisher

A

Aim at the base of the fire

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S

S

Squeeze the trigger

Sweep from side to side

STAY IN THE KNOW...

PROJECT

UPDATES

Heart to Home Introducing the Heart to Home Animal Adoption Center! Say goodbye to the old and hello to the fantastic. The City of Temple started this transformation in December 2022, and it's a game-changer for our furry friends. The expansion and renovation features 40 brand-new doggy suites, totaling 70! But that's not all, we are cranking up the comfort with climate control, so no more chilly chihuahuas or hot huskies. It will now be easier for you to find your new fur-ever friend by creating a smoother flow through the facility. And to top it off – a fabulous new yard where you can mingle with the animals. Mark your calendars because the grand reopening is coming up after Thanksgiving, currently scheduled for November 29. It will be a tailwagging good time, and you won't want to miss it!

Fixed Base Operator (FBO) The brand new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in Temple is the gateway to our city's aviation world. Offering a private and efficient experience for passengers, the FBO serves as a magnet for tourism, business, and investment. This state-ofthe-art facility expands the airport's capabilities with modern amenities, hangars, and fueling stations. Doubling the size of the current FBO, it honors the tradition and history of Temple's airport while keeping pace with its remarkable 35% growth in operations since 2019, with 40% of this year's fuel sales coming from non-based customers. The FBO is more than a building, it's the flying start to a brighter future for Temple, and is opening it's doors on November 1st!

FYI: The 1st Street Parking Garage is now open!

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CORTEZ THE KILLER

PARKER

Owner: Sennett Farias I Destination Marketing Coordinator

Owner: Buford Craig I Director of Transform Temple

WILLOW

TOTO

Owner: Belinda Garcia I Neighborhood Navigator

Owner: Lindsay Francis I Marketing & Digital Media Division Director

RANDOM JOKE OF THE MONTH: Why didn’t the vampire attack Taylor Swift?

Because she had Bad Blood!

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OF THE MONTH • PET OF THE MONTH • PET OF THE MONTH • PET OF THE MONTH • PET OF THE MONTH • PET OF THE MONTH • PET O

EMPLOYEE PETS OF THE MONTH: HALLOWEEN EDITION

INFORMATION & TIPS PURCHASING TIDBITS

DEPOSITS/PREPAYMENTS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES The City does not pay for goods and services before delivery unless Finance and Purchasing approve an exception. For an exception to be considered, the advance payment must be necessary and serve a proper public purpose.

Examples of exceptions that may be considered include: - Significant cost savings - Specialized goods/services - Subscriptions Exceptions regarding purchases that exceed $50,000 and require Council approval must be approved by Finance and Purchasing prior to submitting a

READ THE FULL YEAR-END NOTICE HERE

Council agenda item.

Texas Government Code allows the City 30 days to pay for goods and services from the later of: (1) the date the governmental entity receives the goods under the contract; (2) the date the performance of the service under the contract is completed; or (3) the date the governmental entity receives an invoice for the goods or service.

BITS & BYTES In today’s world, almost everything connects to the internet. Your home modem acts as a gateway between the internet and your devices, and without at least some security, you leave yourself open to cyber-attacks.

Change The Name of Your NetworkHaving the default name can give clues to attackers as to what equipment you have, which can lead to finding out the vulnerabilities that go with it.

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Reboot Your Modem/Router Once a Month- Periodically reboot your modem/router to clear potentially malicious software from memory, refresh your device connections, and keep your internet connection healthy and fast.

EMPLOYEE SHOUTOUTS! C&M MAGIC BY: HEATHER LEEDY, RECYCLING MANAGER

Shout out to Communications and Marketing for creating and putting on such a great Community Summit. It was a fantastic way for the residents to interact, ask questions, learn more, and engage with the very people who serve them in such a fun environment. Thank you for all the hard work you put into it!

SPOOK-TACULAR MARK! BY: SENNETT FARIAS, DESTINATION MARKETING COORDINATOR

We want to shout out our parking manager Mark Jesse! Over the past few months, he has worked incredibly hard to get our two new parking garages ready for downtown Temple. He has researched all the best technology to bring to Temple, put in long hours, and has been available to answer any questions we have had. Mark is always willing to go the extra mile. He is a valuable asset to our team; we are so lucky to have him. Thank you, Mark, for all of your hard work and dedication!

SLAY SANTOS BY: ALEXIS VALENCIA, MARKETING SPECIALIST

Congratulations to Santos Soto for being named Exchange Club Firefighter of the Year for his commitment to Temple Fire & Rescue! For the past four years, Santos has served as a community educator on fire prevention, CPR, First Aid, and other safety topics. He's also been vital in organizing the Jr. Fire Cadet Program and training/caring for Smokey, our education and comfort therapy dog.

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STAFF CORNER EMPLOYEE FEATURE Congratulations to our twenty United Way Donation prize winners! Thank you to Olan Vining, Christine Leal, Daniel Amaya, Karl Reigle, Michelle Guerra, Wayne King, Micheal Kortis, Jennifer Hentzen, Kirby Bush, Lisa Hatfield, Dalton Kelly, Drew Brooks, Tiffany Colon, Justin Brantley, Katie Stewart, Jennifer Henager, Charles Ramm, Cody Close, Jesse Huber, and Amy Willoughby for your contributions!

TIME TO GET SPOOKY! THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE TO SOLVE THE GAME AND SEND IN A COMPLETED SCREENSHOT WILL RECEIVE A PRIZE FROM COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING!

PLAY NOW!

EMAIL THE COMPLETED GAME TO EMPCOMM@TEMPLETX.GOV

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COMMUNITY SUMMIT: A KILLER EVENT The Communications & Marketing Department pulled off an amazingly successful Community Summit. The Community Summit was the first event of its kind that the City of Temple has ever had. It was a free community event, held at the Santa Fe Plaza on the same day as Downtown's Oktoberfest event, to encourage visitation to downtown afterward.

At the Community Summit, there was live music by Holly Tucker, bounce houses, and other fun activities for kids and families. The goal of the event was to communicate with our residents in a way we never have before, that would encourage conversation between residents and City staff. So, the most important part of the event was the informative and engaging booths put together by each City department. Each department did a great job setting up their booths and working with the C&M department to ensure they had what they needed to tell the stories of their programs, projects, services, and events. I am very grateful for everyone in each department that participated in making the event a success!

The event was planned, managed, and executed by the Communications & Marketing Department. The logistics of planning this event were very demanding, especially with an already heavy workload. My team stayed on task with their other responsibilities and made sure they did everything needed to ensure the Community Summit was a huge success! We saw over 500 residents at the event, and look forward to making this an annual event in Temple, that residents can look forward to each year!

-Heather Bates, Director of Communications & Marketing

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TEAM TEMPLE

WORKING FOR THE CITY WILL LIFT YOUR SPIRITS! OPEN POSITIONS: DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - PARKS This position is responsible for developing and conducting projects related to the planning and implementation of the City’s Parks and Trails Master Plan and Capital Improvement Program. Work involves performing site analysis, developing cost estimates, park designs, master plans, and overall project management while working with developers, special interest groups, contractors, and other governmental agencies.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II - TRAINING UNIT Responsible for performing general office tasks to support assigned unit within the Police Department. Prepares memos, enters data, and generates reports.

Answers procedural and general information questions. Maintains confidential files. Works under general supervision, uses independent judgements within limits of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Required to drive to perform office related tasks and errands.

CONVENTION CENTER EVENT STAFF - SERVER (PT) Assists the Food and Beverage Coordinator in the day-to-day operation of the Food and Beverage Division at the Convention Center to include food orders, preparation, service, inventory, and maintenance. Must be available to work 25hrs per week and flexible hours to include days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - WILSON RECREATION (FT) Develops and implements various programs designed to provide recreational opportunities to the community. Supervises and coordinates the assigned recreation employees and volunteers. Must be available to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

VIEW ALL OPEN POSITIONS

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MEET OUR NEW HIRES: Richard Megoulloa Utility Technician Apprentice- Sewer Collection

Koby Petter Maintenance Worker- Golf Course

Donald Porter

FANG'-TASTIC EMPLOYEES

Equipment Operator Apprentice- Streets

Jacob Tippie Utility Technician Apprentice- Sewer Collection

Ryan Carline Recreation Specialist- Summit Fitness & Recreation Center

Karli Barger

YEARS OF SERVICE Heather Bates (10) Director of Communications & Marketing

Paralegal

Debra Hollingsworth (10)

Christopher Mathews

Senior Buyer- Purchasing

Equipment Operator Apprentice- Drainage

Justin Larue (15)

Jennifer Escobedo

Golf Superintendent

Customer Service Representative- Airport

Robert Miller (15)

Richard Zafrilla

Player Attendant

Technology Support Specialist- IT

Kathleen Person (20)

Charlese Butler

Municipal Court Judge

Public Relations Specialist

Donald Lohman (25)

Samuel Andrade

Project Inspector- Engineering

Crew Leader II- Streets

William Lassiter

RETIREES

Firefighter

Melinda Mersch (23)

Michael Garcis

Crime Analyst

Solid Waste Driver- Residential PAGE 14

OCTOBER 2023

ISSUE NO. 5

THE INSIDE TRACK MONTHLY EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

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