City Manager Blog: The Weekly……….A lot going on and a lot of service..... ….March 25, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Weekly……….A lot going on and a lot of service..... ….March 25, 2011

Tempe creates outstanding value for those we serve through shared vision, superior service and sustainable practices.

Value for those we serve peaks this time of year. Let’s see, two weeks ago thousands of people enjoyed the Aloha Fest in Tempe Beach Park. A week ago thousands more enjoyed Arizona CityFest with Luis Palau in Tempe Beach Park. Today, as I write this, thousands more are flocking to Mill Avenue to enjoy the Tempe Festival of the Arts occurring today, tomorrow and Sunday. For Festival info: http://tempefestivalofthearts.com/

As many of you know the amount of preparation, planning, legwork to make each of these events a success is immense. The coordination between us, as the City of Tempe, and event organizers and promoters is critical to success. The cooperation among ourselves is equally critical to success. No question, like Aloha Fest and CityFest, the Festival for the Arts will be a success because we have prepared and planned well. Three weekends, three events, three partnerships, three successes yield a winning streak to be proud of.

Our collective efforts to create outstanding value for those we serve does not stop and start in downtown and Tempe Beach Park. A lot more goes on in Tempe on a March weekend:

At 10 AM tomorrow morning at Escalante Park, volunteers and residents will come together to help one Tempe neighborhood with some spring cleaning. Volunteers and residents will meet at the park to get organized for the day and find resources, including bins for trash, bulk items and landscaping debris. Neighbors will use city provided equipment to work on their own homes and yards. In addition, volunteers will be cleaning up and planting trees at Alegre Park, painting a fence at the new community garden in Escalante Park, painting a block wall along Price Road and more. Students from Arizona State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also will be on hand to help with the neighborhood cleanup as part of “Devils in Disguise,” an ASU community service program. Feel like lending a hand: show up tomorrow at 10 am or for more information; contact Neighborhood Services at 480-350-8234 or neighborhoods@tempe.gov.

Before you head over to Escalante Park to volunteer, stop by Kiwanis Park to do a little fishing, where the 18th Annual Anglers United “Just for Kids” Fishing Festival will be held. Head towards the lake where the fishing is much better than other areas of the park and I believe fishing is prohibited in the pool. This free event is sponsored by Anglers United, the city of Tempe and Arizona Game and Fish (AZG&F). For more information, check out:

http://www.tempe.gov/newsroom/Archive/201103/B02EB6F8-386B-4235-A9E0-384377FA25B9

After a little fishing and volunteering at Escalante, head over to the Tempe Town Lake Marina, where the 8th Annual Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday. For more information on this free event, check out: http://azdba.com/.

This weekend, Mill Avenue, Escalante, Alegre and Kiwanis parks, and Tempe Town Lake Marina are being used for community events. That’s pretty good use of public/city assets that we have invested in as a community.

Planning ahead? Another volunteer opportunity awaits: The City of Tempe Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Adopt-A-Mile Cleanup on Saturday, April 2. Meet at the Tempe Beach parking lot at 8:30 am, where vests, bags and retrieving tools will be provided to make the job safer and easier. Previous cleanups have only taken an hour or so to complete. Afterwards, we meet up for coffee and breakfast for those who are interested. For more information contact: Kent Kortsen at kent_kortsen@tempe.gov.

The month of March: a lot going on, a lot to enjoy and a lot of quality work done by many of you to make every event a success. A lot of reasons to say Thank You to each of you for creating outstanding value for those we serve.

Last Call:

The last Budget Forum is:
Monday, March 28, 1-3 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 31 E. 5th Street
All employees are invited to attend. Financial Services Director Ken Jones and Human Resources Director Renie Broderick will present information about the budget , hear your thoughts and answer your questions. The budget webpage (www.tempe.gov/budgetplan) has an online comment form where you can post your ideas.

Enjoy the weekend everybody,

Jeff Kulaga

Pinch hitting for Charlie Meyer

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BRAG BOARD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH
A letter of appreciation was received praising the Police Department for the speedy recovery of two bikes stolen while riders were attending a Mill Avenue event. “I want to commend Tempe and its police force,” he wrote, and also praised the city’s bike paths to the Western Canal via Mill and Baseline as a great amenity.

Resident expressed thanks to the Water Department relating to concerns regarding the first water bill at a property. He wrote of his appreciation for the time “…spent reviewing concerns and making recommendations on how to achieve the best possible resolution. The advice and follow up was very helpful in resolving the water meter issue.”

A development manager commended the Community Development Department for his “…very positive experience, and appreciated the kindness and thoughtfulness that always was extended.”

A note of compliments and thanks was received regarding an employee in Public Works. Writer was grateful for a quick resolution to parking issue regarding safety to neighborhood homes and a school. The employee was able to provide information needed to get the project on track.

Kudos were sent regarding two Public Works employees for guiding a resident through the professional preparation for a hearing. She was appreciative for the time taken by the staff to acquaint her with the drawings she needed to support her request and for the time spent explaining and assisting her in reviewing her efforts.

Community Development received an update on Court One with thanks for making it possible. “We have made hundreds of kids at different times very happy and Court One has become the place of choice in the volleyball world. We have received hundreds of compliments from people in state and out of state who have set foot in Court One at some point.”

A letter was received commending six outstanding members of the Fire Department. Gentleman passed out when he got out of his vehicle and responders not only took him to hospital for medical attention, but also notified his family, and made sure that the family was notified about his vehicle. He complimented the men on their efficiency, knowledge and compassion. “They are all a credit to the fire service and should be awarded appropriate department recognition for their lifesaving efforts.”

Additional items for Brag Board;
Thanks to Public Works for attending to ruts in alley and addressing dust control concerns.
Thanks for taking care of an alley problem so quickly.
Thanks for “good quality customer service from Water Department.”

A Good Samaritan from Public Works stopped to help a stranded motorist with a falt tire. The city employee quickly supplied the distraught driver with a lug wrench, helped remove the tire and put on a spare tire. Another great example of adding value to our community and perpetuating the city's service oriented reputation. The Public Works Director noted that acts such as these distinguish communities that care from communites that care less.

A local 28 year sales representative who has worked with various citites throughout his career obtaining permits, wrote to commend several employees for treating him with respect, expediatancy, and helpfulness. He wrote, "No other city in the valley is like this." Great job to all involved!

OCTOBER

A resident sent kudos via Facebook thanking staff for organizing the recycling project at Kiwanis Park recently. They wrote, "I had documents to shred, I noticed a lot of people in the electronics disposal line as well as the one for chemicals. Very well organized, well layed out, no delays, very helpful folks, just great."

September

A 20 year resident who experienced a watermain break emailed to thank the water department for repairing a watermain break that occured in the front of his residence and flooded the whole street. When he left for work at 10:30 a.m. there was a huge whole in front of his driveway. He expected to return home from work that evening finding no water service, a mess in his yard, and a hole in the street. Thanks to the quick work of our water crew, when he returned at 5 p.m., he found the broken water valve repaired, the hold backfilled, and a clean street! He would like to thank them for "outstanding" service.

Another resident emailed the Police Department commending a park ranger for his great on-view activity and arrest. The suspects entered an area with the intent to steal rebar. Thanks to the quick acting ranger, he called the police and the suspects were arrested.

August

Tempe Public Library staff was applauded by a resident who used the facilities at the library during a job search this summer. The process was lengthy, to say the least, but the patient and attentive. She noted that although during these tough economic times when employees hours have been cut, staff conducted themselves with professionalism and courtesy. facilities like the library, make her proud to represent Tempe.

A local developer sends his gratitude for Development Services front counter staff who consistently go out of their way to respond to phone calls, and set an example of helpfulness during the permitting process. He has worked with many organizations and associations and finds the staff of Development Services to be exemplary!

July

Planners in Development Services received commendations by a 30 year resident and design professional. He appreciated the quick and accurate services he received by employees who followed up without being asked and spent time on his behalf, researching zoning ordinances.

An outdoor advertiser wrote to compliment Development Services employees for their their assistance in problem solving a tenuous and potentially hazardous situation. The gentlemen he dealt with were efficient and courteous. He wrote, "I deal with many municipalities and it is always a pleasure to deal with the staff, top to bottom, in Tempe."

An executive director from Wickenburg had a positive experience with an HR employee who went the extra mile to be helpful. The employee exemplifies the "Tempe spirit" and the City is fortunate to have her as an employee."

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Weekly……….A lot going on and a lot of service..... ….March 25, 2011

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