your city. your news. november 2016 benefits open...
TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE
Y O U R C I T Y . Y O U R N E W S . N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6
TAKE5Page 2BUZZWORTHY
Page 6OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK
Page 7OUT ON THE TOWN KUDOS
Page 8PERSONAL TOUCH WELLNESS
ARCHIVES
CONTENTS
TABL
E OF
Page 6The 2016-2017 Flu Season
Page 82018 Incentive Period
Page 4TPD Releases First Data Sets
BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBERAt this time, benefits open enrollment is scheduled to take place Dec. 1 - 16.
With City Council scheduled to consider the Joint Labor Agreement regarding health care decisions in late November, employees are projected to receive infor-mation through their work email accounts and in their mailboxes at home at the end of November about:
• Any changes to the City of Tacoma’s benefits plans
• How to complete open enrollment
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20162
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...DECEMBER
TRAI
NING Required Training
12 New Employee Orientation TMB 1444 8 a.m. - Noon
Benefits Orientation for Permanent Employees TMB 1530 1 - 3:30 p.m.
13 Domestic Violence Policy Awareness also online TMB 1444 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention TMB 1444 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Cultural Awareness TMB 1444 1 - 4:30 p.m.
15 TPU New Employee Orientation TPU ABS B-1 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Records Management Basics Online Only
Computer Training1 SharePoint Proficiency
TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - Noon
SharePoint Proficiency TMB 1530 1 - 4:30 p.m.
6 Excel 2010 Level 1 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
8 Word 2010 Level 1 TPU Computer Training Room 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
14 Excel 2010 Level 2 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
15 SharePoint Proficiency TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - Noon
...continued on page 3
UPDATES ON OUR DEFERRED COMPENSATION CARRIERSThe City of Tacoma provides a voluntary deferred compensation program, which allows you to supplement your normal retirement income with a savings plan. We have two carriers that administer our plan (ICMA-RC and Nationwide) and the Human Resources Department wanted to make you aware of some new changes that have taken place with our carriers:
ICMA-RCICMA-RC recently went through a new website redesign, which they announced to current plan participants. If you haven’t had a chance to visit their new site, please do so at icmarc.org. When you log in to your account, you will instantly see some redesigned features such as the Overview, Access My Accounts, Learning & Tools, and Messages & Alerts. The enhancements include easy access with links to a variety of educational resources on its website. Also readily available are videos and articles to assist you in learning how to save for
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20163
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...DECEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE continued from page 2
Occasionally, training schedules are revised. For the latest information, please view the Human Resources Department’s intranet site.
SharePoint Proficiency TMB 1530 1 - 4:30 p.m.
General Training1 Conflict Management
TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
6 It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It − Essentials TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
7 Emotional Intelligence TPU ABS B-1 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
HR Process Training − Project Positions & Project Employees TPU Lt 1 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Management Training13 EDPR for Managers
TPU ABN G-1 8:30 a.m. - Noon
14 SMF 400 − Work Schedule/Leave/Compensation TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Safety Training1 Rigging and Signaling
Sewer Transmission Conference Room 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
2 Rigging and Signaling Cushman Dam 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
8 Basic First Aid/CPR TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
13 Basic First Aid/CPR TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
14 Flagging Initial/Refresher TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
the future, manage your investments and spending, and plan for retirement. To make sure you’re on track, there are interactive calculators available.
The City also has a new ICMA-RC representative, Scott Berry. You may contact him at (866) 838-2102 or [email protected]. He has been with ICMA-RC for more than 10 years, and he is looking forward to assisting you with your financial questions. Visit the Benefits webpage under the deferred compensation plan option for the schedule of ICMA-RC site visits.
NationwideAvailable to Local 31 employees, the City also offers Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Their website has an abundance of educational tools. Through their online Learning Center they provide you the interactive tools, calculators and information you need to feel confident about investing. Not sure where to begin? Follow the link to Find Your Path to Retirement.
To find out how much you’ll need in retirement, you can use the Interactive Retirement Planner, Health Care Estimator, Paycheck Impact Calculator, and many other great resources. Another excellent feature of the Nationwide website is a dictionary of Financial Definitions. You can check out the Nationwide site at nrsforu.com.
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20164
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...Many Local 31 employees have met the Nationwide representative Mike Ferguson. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, with 10 of those years at Nationwide. He was recently added back on the City’s account last spring, and can be contacted at (509) 385-7825 or [email protected] to answer your questions or schedule an appointment.
Are you signed up for the Deferred Compensation Program?If you are not currently signed up for the Deferred Compensation Program, and would like to enroll or have questions on this benefits program, please check out the information on our Benefits webpage. You also can contact the Benefits Office to speak with Diane Peterson or another staff member at (253) 573-2345 or [email protected].
TPD RELEASES FIRST DATA SETS IN SUPPORT OF WHITE HOUSE POLICE DATA INITIATIVEInformation Released Include Officer Involved Shootings Since 2012, Complaint Allegations with Findings Since 2015As part of the City of Tacoma’s efforts to increase levels of transparency and accountability across the board, the Tacoma Police Department has released its first sets of data in support of the White House Police Data Initiative. These data sets – on officer involved shootings since 2012 and complaint allegations with findings since 2015 – are available on TacomaData, the City of Tacoma’s open data portal. They have also been presented to the public at events following a successful series of Project PEACE conversations designed to build trust, relationships and understanding between community members and Tacoma Police Department officers.
Other data sets to be made available in the future include use of force and community engagement.
LATEST CYBER SECURITY NEWSLETTER DISCUSSES TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATIONTwo-factor authentication is an important layer of defense beyond your password. It decreases your risk of falling victim to a compromise because criminals need access to two separate items to compromise your account – for instance your password and your smartphone (to receive the PIN code). Learn more in the latest Cyber Security Newsletter.
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.
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20165
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...
Step 2: Once you have logged in, you’ll see the T-Ticket service portal landing page.
Step 3: Select the appropriate option to open new tickets, keep track of your existing tickets, send feedback, and even follow knowledge-based articles.
Need to speak to someone? Call the IT Service Desk at (253) 591-2057, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The IT Service Desk can also be reached at [email protected].
With T-Ticket – a new IT Department service
portal – submitting and tracking IT related
issues and service requests is as easy as
1-2-3.
You can even see which IT Service Desk
Representative has been assigned to assist
you.
Step 1: Go to https://tticket.
cityoftacoma.org and log in with your network username
and password.
CELEBRATIONST-TICKET – A NEW IT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PORTAL RETIREMENT
CELEBRATION FOR MIKE BROCK NOV. 17Mike Brock of Human
Resources is retiring after 10 years with the
City of Tacoma. Come help him celebrate from 3:30
to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 708). Please contact Kendra McCoy in Human Resources with questions at (253) 591-5563.
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20166
GIVINGOPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACKMENTORS NEEDEDWillie Stewart Academy on South 18th Street and Tacoma Avenue, an alternative school for 17 to 21-year-old students who are working on earning enough credits for graduation, is looking for volunteer mentors to serve as role models and assist students with direction. Contact Frank Manthou at [email protected] or (253) 571-3279 for more information.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SEWER TRANSMISSION 10TH ANNUAL SOUP FEED NOV. 17
Please join Environmental Services Sewer Transmission at 2201
Portland Ave. (Building A, Lunchroom) for delicious soups and help make Christmas happen for families in need. Contact Linda Stimer at
(253) 591-5585 with questions.
THE 35TH ANNUAL LOBSTER SHOP HOLIDAY MEAL FOR LIMITED-INCOME SENIORSMONDAY, NOV. 14Volunteers are needed to help serve meals, pour coffee, bus tables and assist with seating for both the 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. meal times. If you are interested in helping for one or both of the seatings, and have your supervisor’s approval, please contact Vicky McLaurin at (253) 591-5058 or [email protected] if you have questions and/or would like to volunteer.
We request volunteers arrive at 11 a.m. for orientation.
This is a very special event for limited income Tacoma-area seniors who are given a free tickets for a traditional holiday meal at The Lobster Shop Restaurant (4015 Ruston Way). Volunteers from the community and the City as well as The Lobster Shop staff provide meals with all the trimmings.
Many of you have volunteered for several years. We are grateful for your help, and hope you will be there again this year. For those who haven’t volunteered in the past we would appreciate your participation.
THE 2016-2017 FLU SEASONEach year, influenza causes thousands of deaths and hospitalizations. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine.
Information about Flu Illness• Flu and You (CDC brochure)• Flu Complications − Are you
at risk?• Flu and Children − Important
information for parentsVaccine Information and Resources• Tacoma-Pierce County Health
Department Influenza vaccine page• Tacoma-Pierce County Health
Department Resources for Adults and Kids Immunization Page
• Vaccine Information Statements for the flu shot.
• Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot (CDC Fact Sheet)
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20167
WAY TO GO!KUDOS
GREATJOB!GREATJOB!
PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERKudos to Matt Moore in Street Operations from a community member for the work they did on her alley. “The alley looks good,” she wrote. “I appreciated getting a phone call from Matt Moore. Everyone was pleasant and I'm now a happy citizen. Thanks again for the prompt help.”
PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES CONTINUES TO EARN PRAISE AND RECOGNITIONKudos to the Public Works' street maintenance crew from a community member who wrote in about the "excellent job" they do. This community member noted that they clearly take pride in their work.
PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES APPRECIATIVE OF SUPPORT FROM TACOMA POLICE DEPARTMENTKudos to Officers Erica Haberzettl, Aaron McNeely and Ken Bowers, and Lt. Dwayne Joseph, with the Tacoma Police Department for their support as construction work was being done at the intersection of South 48th Street and Tacoma Mall Boulevard.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES’ OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY GRATEFUL TO COMMUNITY GROUP FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO FREE EVENTKudos from Environmental Services’ Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability to Thunder Bikes, a neighborhood group of families passionate about cycling and healthy living, for making a significant and unexpected donation to the annual community event, Downtown to Defiance. Thunder Bikes gave a whopping $500 in support of this free event that took place along the Tacoma waterfront in early September. According to a Thunder Bikes representative, “We have participated every year with our family and friends. Best event of the year.” City event lead Emily Campbell and others are extremely grateful for this contribution, and love to see Tacoma community members taking to the streets and enjoying our great city through active, sustainable modes of transportation.
TACOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT ACADEMY RECRUITS RECENTLY SWORN INCongratulations to Officer Stephany Sullivan, Officer Brian She and Officer Matthew Arasim (who was top of his class). Welcome to the Tacoma Police Department.
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY SERVICES EMPLOYEE PRAISED FOR DOING A GOOD JOBA local pastor called in recently to praise Colin DeForrest in Neighborhood and Community Services for the passion and professionalism he has displayed, as he works to address the needs that exist surrounding people experiencing homelessness.
OUT ON THE TOWN
GET
OUT!
BOOK CLUB AT THE TACOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY Read, relax and discuss at the Tacoma Public Library’s Kobetich Branch (212 Browns Point Blvd. NE) on the last Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Nov. 30, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Book selections will be made available at the checkout desk the month prior.
This month's book is The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-time Indian.
For more information on this and other events, please visit tacomapubliclibrary.org.
Check out the special events calendar for more information on other upcoming events around Tacoma.
TAKE5 NOVEMBER 20168
BE WELLWELLNESS2018 INCENTIVE PERIOD IS OCT. 1, 2016 – SEPT. 30, 2017If you want to receive a Wellness Incentive in 2018 of $20 per month credit ($240 annual savings) toward your premium contribution for medical insurance coverage under the Regence and Group Health Regular Plans OR $40 per month credit ($480 annual savings) toward your premium contribution for coverage under the Regence and Group Health High Deductible/HSA Health Plan options available in 2016, you will need to meet certain requirements.
General Population Requirements
Local 6 (Police) Requirements
Contributions to HSA AccountsEmployees who select a High Deductible/ Health Savings Account (HSA) plan option will additionally receive contributions from the City on a monthly basis into a HSA. Employees participating in the Wellness program will receive a higher contribution.
PERSONAL TOUCH
PERS
ONAL
Kristina Kropelnicki City Attorney's Office
Jacqueline Morris Environmental Services
David Waller Environmental Services
Lisa Woods Public Assembly Facilities
John Lawrence Tacoma Fire Department
Tina Cline Tacoma Public Utilities
Louis Delicino Tacoma Public Utilities
Kelly Jack Tacoma Public Utilities
Sylvia Carr Tacoma Public Utilities
EMPLOYEES APPROVED FOR DONATED LEAVE
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.
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
December issue of Take5 by Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. to [email protected]. If you have
general comments, questions or suggestions about Take5, contact Maria Lee in the Media
and Communications Office at [email protected] or
(253) 591-2054.
WE
WANT T
O HEAR FROM YOU!
City Contribution to Employee’s HSA Account
Coverage With Wellness Without WellnessEmployee $1,250/year $500/yearFamily $2,500/year $1,000/year