Y O U R C I T Y . Y O U R N E W S . D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

TAKE5

Page 3Blood Drive

Page 3Open Enrollment

Page 4New Assistant City Manager

IN THIS ISSUE

Page 2BUZZWORTHY

Page 3OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK

Page 5CELEBRATIONS

Page 8PERSONAL TOUCH OUT ON THE TOWN

Page 9CITY EXCHANGE KUDOS

CONTENTS

TABL

E OF

The City of Tacoma’s General Government United Way Campaign recently kicked off on Nov. 19, and runs through Dec. 19. This year’s campaign focus is on increasing participation by 10 percent over last year. If you haven’t already be sure to visit the United Way campaign donor site and enter the Username and Password provided to you by United Way. Once logged in, you can review or make a pledge, view the campaign video, find out more about leave-based contributions, and read all about the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department challenge to the City of Tacoma General Government.

When you invest in United Way of Pierce County, you are Changing the Story for children and families. It takes all of us working together to make real change because great things happen when we LIVE UNITED.

Change starts here. Can we count you in?

UNITED WAY GENERAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN

IN FULL SWING

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20142

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...DEAL REACHED FOR NEW CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL IN TACOMAThe City of Tacoma has announced that a development agreement has been reached with Yareton Investment and Management LLC. They are proposing to build a 4-star minimum 300-room hotel with parking in downtown Tacoma adjacent to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center at 17th Street and Broadway. The development is expected to break ground in late 2016.

“This project reflects Tacoma’s success in raising its international profile and cultivating relationships,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “This is part of Tacoma’s unified agenda and strategy for international relations to promote education, the arts, tourism and attract private investment.”

“Tacoma continues to evolve economically,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “With strong commercial anchors at both ends of Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma – namely the University of Washington Tacoma, museums, and concentration of restaurants and retail stores – the new hotel will serve as a centerpiece for additional catalytic investment in the downtown core.”

Over the next several months, the City will work directly with Yareton in its due diligence and on the entitlement process, which will consist of preparing and submitting development plans for the hotel. A second phase of the project is also being contemplated by the developer, which would include approximately 200 residential condominiums, ground floor retail and/or office and parking.

More information on the project is available through Community and Economic Development Director Ricardo Noguera at (253) 591-5139.

Ankrom Moisan Architects

Occasionally, training schedules are revised. For the latest information, please view the Human Resources Department’s intranet site.

CITY OF TACOMA JOBSFor the latest City of Tacoma job postings, and to submit an application, visit cityoftacoma.org/jobs. Occasionally, closing dates are revised. For additional assistance, call (253) 591-5400, Ext. 1.

DECEMBER

TRAI

NINGRequired Training

26 New Employee Orientation TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

27 Domestic Violence Policy Awareness TMB 1444 9 - 9:30 a.m.

Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention TMB 1444 9:30 a.m. - Noon

Cultural Awareness TMB 1444 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Computer Training6 govME Level 1

TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - Noon

20 govME Level 2 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - Noon

General Training20 HR Process Training—Basic Definitions

TPU Auditorium 10 - 11:30 a.m.

21 HR Process Training—Basic DefinitionsTPU AuditoriumTMB 2482 - 3:30 p.m.

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20143

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...OPEN ENROLLMENT BENEFITS MEETINGSCome to an upcoming meeting to learn about employee benefits changes for 2015. Four sessions are available and representatives from Regence, Group Health, Vision Service Plan and our new Wellness program will be on site to talk with you between presentations if you have specific questions.

Dec. 8 11:30 - 1 p.m. and 3:30 - 5 p.m. – Tacoma Municipal Building Council Chambers (Breakout sessions will be held in TMB 148.)

Open Enrollment will run from Nov. 25 - Dec. 12. Human Resources Representatives will be available during the above sessions and the following times and locations to assist you with your open enrollment questions or if you need assistance making your selections online through Employee Self Service (ESS). If you have questions outside of these times, please feel free to call the Benefits line at (253) 573-2345 or email benefits@cityoftacoma.org.

Tacoma Public Utilities Computer Training RoomAdmin. Building North Ground FloorDec. 4 , 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tacoma Municipal Building Computer Training Room 1530, 15th Floor Dec. 2, Noon - 4 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

BLOOD DRIVE ON DEC. 18Give the gift of life this holiday

season by donating blood at the

City of Tacoma Blood Drive on

Dec. 18 from 8 - 11 a.m. in the

Tacoma Municipal Building 7th

Floor Conference Room. Your

donation would likely be the most

important and precious gift for a

premature baby, cancer patient

or trauma victim. Remember to

drink plenty of liquids and eat a

hearty meal that morning and

contact Jennifer Kammerzell in

Public Works at (253) 591-5511

with any questions or to schedule

an appointment. Walk-ins are

welcome. Our goal is 15 donors.

GIVE BACK

GIVI

NG

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20144

TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WEBPAGE ON EBOLAThe Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers this FAQ sheet regarding the Ebola virus, and the preparations that state and local public health departments have implemented to address it.

The City of Tacoma, through the Tacoma Fire Department’s leadership on Comprehensive Emergency Management planning and preparedness, is a part of the county, state, and national public health and emergency response systems.

During a pending pandemic, or need for mass medical care, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is the lead agency in our area for providing direction to local emergency responders and the general public. For this reason, please refer to tpchd.org/ebola for additional information on Ebola and direct any general questions regarding Ebola to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

CITY MANAGER T.C. BROADNAX NAMES NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERCity Manager T.C. Broadnax has appointed Mark Lauzier as Tacoma’s new assistant city manager. Lauzier comes to the City with more than 27 years of public service experience serving in various capacities and ill step into his new role on Jan. 5, 2015.

“Mark’s proven leadership and breadth of experience in city management is what makes him a tremendous asset to our organization and the Tacoma community,” said Broadnax. “I look forward to having someone of Mark’s caliber joining our leadership team.”

Prior to joining the City of Tacoma, Lauzier most recently served as county administrator for Page County in Luray, Va. where he oversaw a $62 million budget and led the county’s daily operations. Before that, he served as budget officer for Loudoun County in Leesburg, Va., a community of 330,000 people with an annual budget of $1.7 billion.

Several of Lauzier’s most notable accomplishments occurred while he served as city manager of Parkland, Fla., where he developed a strategic vision, capital improvement program, and quarterly reporting and performance monitoring system that kept the organization focused on achieving the city commission’s goals and objectives all while ensuring sound fiscal management. He also led the city through a successful response and recovery from Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

“I am very excited about joining the City of Tacoma. It is clear to me from the residents and professional staff I met during my visit, and the positive energy I experienced, that Tacoma is a special community. It is a city poised for greatness, and I am honored to be an integral part of its success,” said Lauzier.

Lauzier holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bryant University in Rhode Island. He is also an ICMA Credentialed City Manager.

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20145

DOWNTOWN ON THE GO’S ‘RIDE THE BUS WITH THE MAYOR’ EVENT IS A SUCCESSLast fall was a great time to try out transit. Taking advantage of Downtown on the Go’s “Ride the Bus with the Mayor” event, residents had the opportunity to listen and speak to Mayor Marilyn Strickland while giving the bus a try. Many participated in Downtown on the Go’s “Selfie” campaign by taking a picture while riding the bus and wearing an “I bus Tacoma” button. Check out the Try Transit Month and selfie photos on their Facebook page!

CELEBRATIONS

CONG

RATS

!

NEW PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LOBBY HOURSLobby Hours for the City of Tacoma’s Planning and Development Services changed Monday, Dec. 1, to allow for enhanced customer service to online applicants and to serve code enforcement customers more efficiently.

Since Dec. 1, walk-in customer service hours on the third floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St.) have been:

• 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday and Friday• 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday

Telephone calls will continue to be answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and online services are always available at tacomapermits.org.

Planning and Development Services holiday hours will be in effect from Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 with lobby hours from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. daily.

More information is available here or by calling (253) 591-5030.

ANNUAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION BREAKFAST ON DEC. 10Please join the department directors for the annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast on Dec. 10 from 7 - 9 a.m. in the 7th Floor Conference Room of the Tacoma Municipal Building. This year there will be additional options available which provide healthier choices. In an effort to be environmentally friendly and waste-free, please bring your own reusable dishware and utensils if possible.

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20146

CITY OF DESTINY AWARDS NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JAN. 16Nominations for the City of Tacoma’s 29th annual City of Destiny Awards, which spotlights exceptional volunteers who have worked to drive Tacoma forward, are being accepted now through Jan. 16, 2015.

Eligibility requirements for each of the award categories are available on the current nomination form, which is available in hard copy at the various Tacoma Public Library branches and the TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center (Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., 2nd Floor).

The current nomination form, and additional details about the City of Destiny Awards, is also available at cityoftacoma.org/destinyawards.

11 D AY S I N T H E L I F E O F

DR. MARTINLUTHERKING, JR.H O N O R I N G H I S L E G A C Y I N 2 0 1 5 T H R O U G H C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E

MONDAYJANUARY 19, 201511 a.m.GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION AND TRADE CENTER1500 Broadway in Downtown Tacoma

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20147

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

CITY OF TACOMA JOBSFor the latest City of Tacoma job postings, and to submit an application, visit cityoftacoma.org/jobs. Occasionally, closing dates are revised. For additional assistance, call (253) 591-5400, Ext. 1.

LATEST CYBER SECURITY NEWSLETTER OFFERS HOLIDAY TIPSThe holidays are right around the corner and consumers are being

bombarded with ads for discounted merchandise, free shipping and other

special deals during the holiday season, and in particular for Black Friday

and Cyber Monday. Last year, more than $1.7 billion was spent online on

Cyber Monday, making it the highest volume day in history for online sales. 1

Online sales are expected to be significant again this year. Find out how you

can protect yourself in the latest issue of the Cyber Security Newsletter.

CREATIVE SPACE TACOMA EVENT ON DEC. 4

Are you interested in learning more about creative vitality and its relationship

to space? Come to an event on Dec. 4, from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at Post Hall in the Tacoma Post Office Building to meet likeminded

people. This event is presented by the City of

Tacoma, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

and Artspace. 

Click here for more details and to join the event.

HOLIDAY PAYROLL GUIDANCEBe sure your time is entered, released and approved in SAP by Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, due to the New Year’s holiday. Pay advices will be distributed on Dec. 31, 2014, for payday on Jan. 2, 2015. Any direct deposit or deduction changes needs to be in the Payroll office by 5 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2014.  Timekeepers will send reminder notices to employees and supervisors.  Employees who use paper timesheets will be asked to turn them in as early as possible. 

Are you on a flex schedule (9/80 or 4/10)? Does Christmas or New Year’s Day fall on your scheduled day off? If so, you must revert to a five-day/eight-hour schedule for that pay period. For details on flex schedule rules, please refer to PMP320. Questions? Contact Christopher Piercey at cpiercey@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5824.

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20148

GET OUTOUT ON THE TOWN

SAVE ON ‘WALKING WITH DINOSAURS’ AT THE TACOMA DOMETickets to five “Walking with Dinosaurs” performances from Dec. 17 to Dec. 21 at the Tacoma Dome are discounted. Three ticket options are available: $77.50 (originally $87.50), $44.50 (originally $49.50) and $26.50 (originally $29.50). To buy tickets with the discount, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/0f3m24 and use the special offer code TDOME. The discounted price is for tickets bought on the Internet only. Online Ticketmaster fees do apply. Offer is not available for previously purchased tickets and expires at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 10.

For more information about other upcoming events at the Tacoma Dome, please visit tacomadome.org.

PERSONAL TOUCH

PERS

ONAL EMPLOYEES APPROVED

FOR DONATED LEAVEMellissa Andrews Environmental ServicesTerry Nord Environmental ServicesJohn Suveg Environmental ServicesVictor Workman Planning and Development ServicesRebecca Weeden Public Assembly FacilitiesLaminda Lawyer Tacoma Municipal CourtKelly Carter Tacoma Public UtilitiesAlan Roberts Tacoma Police DepartmentMichel Rene Volk Tacoma Police DepartmentDavid Anthony Tacoma Public UtilitiesRamona Goree Tacoma Public UtilitiesDavid LeeTacoma Public UtilitiesJana Nelson Tacoma Public UtilitiesKarel Wells Tacoma Public Utilities Nola Spice-Wise Tacoma Public UtilitiesCatherine Violette Tacoma Public UtilitiesWanda Walloe Tacoma Public UtilitiesLloyd Wood Tacoma Public Utilities

If you wish to donate leave, please contact your timekeeper or Human Resources, (253) 591-5400, for a Sick Leave/Paid Time Off Donation Form.

TAKE5 DECEMBER 20149

EXCHANGE

CITY There are no new items listed.

For full details about items available through City Exchange, please visit the Green Team site at gnet/greenteam, go to “Waste Reduction,” then “City Exchange.” Contact the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability at sustainability@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 502-2223 if you would like to add or remove items from the list.

WAY TO GO!KUDOS

RESIDENT GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTKudos to Public Works Street Operations, Parking Enforcement, and Traffic Engineering from a resident on South Wilkeson Street who was pleased with the work they had done to keep the neighborhood “reasonably normal” during the opening of a new, major retailer in the area.

GREATJOB!GREATJOB!

Would you like to see the great things your

department is doing highlighted in Take5? Have workplace tips, kudos, fun

stories and more that you’d like to share with your fellow employees? Submit content for the

January 2015 issue of Take5 by Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. to take5@cityoftacoma.org. If you have

general comments, questions or suggestions about Take5, contact Maria Lee in the Media

and Communications Office at maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org or

(253) 591-2054.

WE

WANT T

O HEAR FROM YOU!