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Street Department Receives “Special Achievement in GIS” Award
The City of El Paso Street Department’s innovative use of Geographic Information System technology earned it an award at the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference held earlier this month in San Diego, California.
The Street Department was recognized with the 2008 “Special Achievement in GIS Award.” The honor is presented annually by the Environmental Systems Research Institute, leading developer of GIS software and services, to organizations worldwide in recognition of their outstanding work in the GIS field.
The Street Department is the only government entity in El Paso County to receive the award. The Department was selected for the prize from more than 100,000 organizations worldwide.
“At ESRI, we are always deeply impressed by the innovation of our users,” Jack Dangermond, ESRI president, said. “We want to recognize the efforts of these individuals with our Special Achievement in GIS Award. This recognition is well deserved for how they've applied geospatial technology to address the needs of their industries and communities. They are defining GIS best practices.”
The Street Department uses GIS software, equipment and trained personnel to map and analyze information for day-to-day operations and long-term planning. The maps and data are used in a wide variety of ways, from scheduling pavement repairs to efficiently managing work crews and equipment.
The ability to incorporate enormous amounts of useful information with geographical mapping software helps the Street Department optimize its use of staff, equipment and funding. The Department’s improved efficiency and effectiveness has translated to better customer service. The Department’s GIS system makes it possible to promptly respond to questions from citizens and to share the data with other city departments.
To view a video show of the awards presentation, please click here
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New kiosks to assist employees with benefits services
Insurance & Benefits will be installing kiosks with direct connection to benefit vendors for use by City employees. A kiosk will be placed in the MSC on Doniphan and one at the MSC located at San Paulo, with a third at the El Paso Water Utilities that will allow employees to access selected benefit providers websites to maintain their accounts. The kiosks will allow employees who do not have home internet access the opportunity to self-manage many facets of their health benefits program. From the kiosks, the employees will be allowed to access the benefit provider website, establish accounts, make some changes, and gather information on services, claims, providers, reimbursements, and payments. The kiosks are currently being set up by the City’s IT department. Once the system has successfully been tested, the kiosks are estimated to be up and running by mid-September.
Employees who need to make changes to their address still need to make those changes with the HR Department. For more information or if you have further questions on the kiosks, please call 541-4208.
Addressing Mosquitoes in El Paso
Vector Control: Code Compliance Inspectors combating adult mosquito population
If you’re itching for relief from mosquitoes contact the Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department at 774-4500.
Code Compliance Inspectors assigned to vector have been taking the necessary steps to try to control the adult mosquito population throughout El Paso County. Before the summer rains, inspectors treated mosquito-breeding sites with pesticides and minnows.
In light of the recent rainstorms, inspectors have been aggressively treating locations where water from the recent rainstorms collect, such as the river, reservoir and culverts.
A common mosquito-control method is fogging, which has taken place countywide and is ongoing. The Code Compliance Division has seven trucks that are equipped with fogging machines.
The City’s mosquito control efforts include surveillance. So far this year, two groups of mosquitoes that were trapped outside the El Paso city limits have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Both were trapped near Tornillo in late July.
Employees can help prevent the spread of mosquitoes by getting rid of standing water from outside their homes. Remember, mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water.
Other prevention measures shared include: making sure your roof gutters drain properly, keeping the vegetation in your yard trim and keeping swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated even if they are not being used.
How to prevent mosquito breeding
To reduce mosquito populations around your home and neighborhood, get rid of any standing water available for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Here are some simple steps you can take:
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Look around the outside of your house and get rid of any tin cans, jars, plastic containers, plant pots, old tires and any other containers that can hold stagnant water. |
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Properly dispose of old tires. |
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Remove any standing water from culverts. |
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Store plastic wading pools, buckets, barrels and wheelbarrows upside down so that the water cannot accumulate in them. |
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Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least once a week. |
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Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish. |
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Weeds, tall grass and shrubbery provide an outdoor home for mosquitoes, so keep your yard trimmed. |
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Use landscape as a way to prevent accumulation of stagnant water. |
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Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater. |
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Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers. |
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Repair failed or discharging septic systems. Preferred breeding areas are waters contaminated by manure and septics. |
Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus in El Paso, Texas: Protecting you and your family from WNV
West Nile virus (WNV) is a serious illness that can affect people, horses, birds and other animals. It first appeared in the United States in 1999 on the East Coast. Since that time, it has spread rapidly across the country. In El Paso, Texas the first cases of people becoming ill from West Nile virus were reported in 2003.
Because the virus can survive the winter in hibernating mosquitoes or mosquito eggs, the risk of WNV cases will continue to be present each summer.
What are the symptoms?
No Symptom: Most people infected with West Nile virus will not develop symptoms, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop an illness or not.
Mild Symptoms: Some people may become ill 3-12 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches and sometimes a skin rash or swollen lymph glands.
Severe Symptoms: Infrequently, an infection may result in severe illness, marked by headache, high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, muscle tremors and / or weakness, and paralysis. A small number of cases have been fatal.
Severe illness and/or deaths are much more common in individuals over 50 years of age. Full recovery may be prolonged and some individuals may have permanent disabilities.
How is it spread?
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite.
General Steps You Can Take to Prevent West Nile Virus
The best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you and reduce mosquito-breeding areas since mosquitoes transmit the virus. There is no vaccine for West Nile virus.
Follow these steps every summer if you live in or visit an area with mosquitoes:
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Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET and follow the label directions. Do not use DEET on pregnant women or infants, but cover baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito netting when outdoors. Do not apply DEET to the hands of children or around their mouth or eyes. Do not use concentrations of DEET greater than 10% on children, and for most purposes, products with greater than 35% are not needed on adults. Always use just enough repellent to cover skin and clothing. Do not place on skin covered by clothing and do not spray on the face. |
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Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and shoes when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn. |
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Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows. |
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Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. |
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Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or camping. |
Public Health: Special Needs Survey
The Department of Public Health is currently conducting an assessment of our community’s medical special needs population. Individuals with medical special needs are those who, because of a physical or mental disability, would require special assistance with evacuation transportation and sheltering during a disaster.
If you know of a friend or family member who resides in El Paso County and fits this description, please take a few minutes to assist them in completing and submitting our online medical special needs assessment form which is located at http://www.elpasotexas.gov/health
The form is available in both English and Spanish, and the information obtained will be maintained strictly confidential and will be used only for emergency planning purposes. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call 832-3407.
STD Clinic Announces New Hours of Operation
The City of El Paso Department STD Clinic provides testing, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including confidential testing for HIV. In an effort to better serve the public, the STD Clinic will be open for testing for an additional four hours a week.
The address is 5115 El Paso Drive, Suite B, El Paso, Texas 79905 (The clinic is located next to the new Paul L. Foster Texas Tech Medical School).
As of July 21, 2008, the clinic hours are:
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday, closed Fridays.
Fees: The fee is affordable and is based on income and number of dependents. It also covers both testing and treatment. The adult HPV and tetanus vaccines are available for $10 each.
El Paso International Airport Passenger Traffic Update
June 2008 passenger traffic is down slightly from June 2007. This is a total of 309,033 passengers in June 2008 versus a total of 319,143 passengers in June 2007. Year-To-Date (YTD) June 2008 passenger traffic remains up at 1.2% above June 2007 YTD. The daily number of outbound seats for the month of June was 7,737 and daily flights numbered 67.
The airport is diligently monitoring the impact of the increases in fuel costs and how this commodity cost increase will impact our community and airline service at El Paso International Airport (EPIA). Headlines in trade journals and business publications continue to point to an industry with very significant economic problems.
It is believed that El Paso will be buffered from any immediate impact of these changes affecting the larger airport hubs at the national level. However, El Paso is sure to experience air travel cost increases and can expect to fly on aircraft with fewer or no empty seats. EPIA continues to work with its air carriers to do everything possible to insure that the El Paso Borderplex receives the best possible air service.
Boyd Aviation Analyst
On September 4, 2008, the City of El Paso and El Paso International Airport will host aviation industry analyst Michael J. Boyd. He will be discussing U.S. Air Transportation System and its relationship to El Paso. Michael Boyd is a nationally renowned aviation analyst and a frequent speaker at aviation conferences. Mr. Boyd has also presented testimony to Congress on a number of aviation issues, and is often called upon by the national media to provide input regarding events and trends affecting airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers.
El Paso Zoo Volunteer Training
The El Paso Zoo is holding Volunteer Training every month for people interested in volunteering on either weekdays or weekends. Volunteers can work in the garden areas (no training needed), assist with animal encounter programs at the Zoo and at local schools and assist Zoo visitors as roving Zoo hosts.
WHO: Anyone interested in volunteering for the Zoo – must be over 18 years old.
WHAT: El Paso Zoo Volunteer Training Classes (No Charge)
WHEN: Saturday, September 13th: 9:00am - Noon (See schedule below for more classes)
WHERE: Meet at Zoo's Front gate ticket office by 8:45am. Training ends at 12:00pm.
CONTACT: Anne Langenfeld: 351-5340 or come to Zoo Gate at 8:45am.
2008 Training Schedule
September 13 - Chihuahuan Desert Workshop, Instructor: Antonia Alvarado
October 18 - Animal Handling, Instructor: Valerie Hearn
November 8 - Birds of El Paso Workshop, Instructor: Antonia Alvarado
December 6 - Animals of Asia, Instructor: Rick LoBello
2009 Training Schedule
January 3 - Animal Handling, Instructor: Valerie Hearn
February 7 - Discovery Stations, Instructor: Rose Janice
March 7 - Animal Handling, Instructor: Valerie Hearn
ZOO INFO: El Paso Zoo 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, Texas 79905-4223 (915) 521-1850, Fax (915) 521-1857
Senior Art Exhibit on Display at City Hall
A City Hall Art exhibit titled “Scratch” will be on display in the Community Exhibit Space located on the first floor of City Hall from August 4 – August 29. The exhibit times are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
The art work on display is from the senior participants at the Eastside Senior Center, 3200 Fierro who are between 60-80 years of age.
For more information on this first-ever exhibit call Eastside Senior Center at 591--4292.
Paper, Plastic or Your own Bag?
The City of El Paso Environmental Services Department has organized a series of public meetings to get input and ideas regarding a possible citywide ban on plastic checkout bags.
City employees, who are unable to attend the public meetings but want to chime in on the issue, should e-mail their comments to Environmental Services Assistant Director Kurt Fenstermacher.
Environmental Services, at the direction of the City Council, is exploring the possibility of a ban on the plastic bags commonly used by grocery, discount and convenience stores.
The City is considering banning the bags to reduce litter, such as the blight of wind-blown plastic bags that hang in the shrubs and trees of our Chihuahuan Desert.
Other cities in the United States and around the globe have banned plastic bags and encouraged the use of reusable shopping bags made of canvas, cloth or recycled plastic. The bans have had varying degrees of success.
Among the alternatives Environmental Services is considering to address the problem is a plan to reduce the number of checkout bags used by all retailers.
The public’s input and ideas on a plastic bag ban will be incorporated into proposals to be presented to the City Council early next year.
The meetings are all scheduled for 6 p.m. The meeting dates and locations are:
• Aug. 25: Richard Burges Library, 9600 Dyer Street.
• Aug. 26: South El Paso Senior Center, 600 S. Ochoa Street.
• Aug. 27: Judge Edward S. Marquez Mission Valley Library, 610 N. Yarbrough Drive.
• Sept. 2: Carolina Recreation Center, 563 N. Carolina Drive.
• Sept. 3: Father Martinez Senior Center, 9311 Alameda Avenue.
• Sept. 9: Pebble Hills Regional Command Center, 10780 Pebble Hills Boulevard.
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El Paso Zoo Employee Robert Nava Honored for 40 Years of City Service
On August 5th, 2008, longtime El Paso Zoo employee, Robert Nava, was recognized at the Quarterly Employee Service Awards presentation by the City Manager and City Council for his service to the City of El Paso for the past forty years.
Nava works at the El Paso Zoo as El Paso Zoo Collections Supervisor & Enrichment Coordinator. Nava began his career with the City of El Paso in June of 1968, where he was hired to work in the City of El Paso’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“Armijo was barely opening and I was the watchman at night until it opened and cleaned once the center opened,” said Nava. He worked there for just under a year at the Armijo Recreation Center. Nava then joined the El Paso Zoo, where he has remained for thirty nine years. ”I started working at the El Paso Zoo as a keeper in 1969 and have been here since," says Nava.
Nava says the El Paso Zoo was only five acres at the time when he first joined, but had many animals. He recalls that zoo keepers worked with all the animals. In 1969, Nava started working in the Reptile house and stayed there until 1989 when he became foreman. Even though he was the reptile keeper for 20 years, he still helped with the other areas when they needed assistance. During his time as the reptile keeper, he went to welding school and became the welder for the Zoo. “They only had 3 maintenance workers, so keepers helped with everything including plumbing, digging holes, laying pipe, cutting grass and pruning trees,” said Nava. “We did not have electric carts, bobcats or booms, so everything was done manually,” said Nava.
Nava spent a week at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in the 1970's and learned fiberglass fabrication and was the first fiberglass exhibit tech at the Zoo. As his schedule grew busier, Nava then taught another keeper to do his fiberglass fabrications duties. Nava has been the Zoo Collections Supervisor & Enrichment Coordinator since 1989.
Steve Marshall, the El Paso Zoo Director said, “Robert Nava is not only a friend but a hard worker and epitomizes everything that we look for in a city employee and a leader. We are proud to be able to honor Robert for his dedication to his job and the City.”
Environmental Services Promotion
Cecilia Esparza of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department has been promoted to Code Compliance Supervisor. Esparza, a former associate code compliance inspector, began her new duties in mid-July.
In addition to her taking on new responsibilities, Esparza assisted with a PSA aimed at building public awareness about common code compliance violations.
The segment featuring Esparza is airing on City 15, the community’s government channel, which broadcasts on cable Channel 15. The channel spotlights city government services and meetings.
Environmental Services Volleyball Team Makes Playoffs
The Volleyball Team of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department has spiked its way into the playoffs.
The team’s roster includes: Jose Valdez, Patrick Ross, Eulalio Hernandez, Armando Martinez, Belia Payan, Jim Smith, Rafael Corona, Lorena Ross, Alex Rodriguez, Ellen Smyth, Olivia Saenz, Martha Corona, Colleen Johnson, Dora Hernandez, Carmen Sanchez and Susana Melano.
Environmental Services earned a spot in the playoffs after taking home second place in its division and fourth place overall in the league.
The team won its first game in the playoffs but wasn’t able to pull off a victory in the second round.
The team has won three out of four playoff games. The team has to win three more games to make it to the championship game.
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TAKE ADVANTAGE
Hang Out with Us during our BACK TO SCHOOL BLITZ!
50% OFF - El Paso Zoo Admission, August 23 & 24, 2008
Zoo visitors continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the El Paso Zoo’s status as Best Field Trip and Best Place to Go for Cheap! This August 23rd & 24th, Zoo guests are invited to enjoy our Back to School Blitz! You’ll receive 50% off regular admission in your last chance to see the Zoo’s most exciting exhibits before the kids head back to school.
Save a BUS LOAD and enjoy the World of the Sea Lion Encounter at 10:45am & 2:45pm and the Elephant Encounter at Noon. All presentations are daily! The El Paso Zoo is offering 50% off the regular admission for all visitors Saturday & Sunday,
August 23rd & 24th from 9:30am – 5:00pm. This is a special treat from our Zoo to you, as students get ready to head back to class!
ZOO INFO: El Paso Zoo 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, Texas 79905-4223 (915) 521-1850, Fax (915) 521-1857
“BACK TO SCHOOL BLITZ” Special Admission: $2.50 (Ages 13-61), $2 (62+/ Active Duty Military with ID), $1.50 (Ages 3-12), FREE: Ages 2 and under & El Paso Zoological Society Members
Parks and Recreation Events
Click on any of the links below to read more about upcoming events being offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Lunch Time Stories at the Park
Scenic Sundays
Gus and Goldie Learn to Swim Program
Parks @ Schools
Pachanga Concerts
Carolina Rec Center Classes
Museums and Cultural Affairs
El Paso Museum of History
Thursday, September 4th
Focus on Perspectives Lecture Series - Part III
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. with reception and tour of the new Butterfield Trail exhibit to follow
Historian Glen Sample Ely, Ph.D. history candidate at Texas Christian University, will lecture on the 150th Anniversary of the Butterfield Trail.
Free, R.S.V.P. required - seating is limited
510 N. Santa Fe St.
El Paso, TX 79901
915-351-3588
3rd Thursdays at EPMA
3rd Thursdays at the El Paso Museum of Art brings together an eclectic crowd for an evening of sophistication, socializing and art on the third Thursday of each month and has become one of El Paso’s hottest events! Each gathering features an ultra-heightened sense of entertainment unlike anything ever done in El Paso. YOCO’s (Young Cosmopolitans) are invited to become Museum Members and network and enjoy fabulous food and drink in a casual environment. Being a YOCO is a state of mind, not an age. Come see the Museum like you’ve never seen it before.
SALSA Y AZUCAR! – A Night with the Miners
Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
To RSVP please call 532.1707
Featuring a great party with fun, food, beverages, dancing and live music provided by the famous band AZUCAR, directed by Fernie Lechuga! A special invitation is extended to all UTEP students, alumni, faculty, and fans! Get ready for the NMSU game on the weekend! This event is sponsored in part by UTEP and the UTEP Students Association.
$5 donation at the door for UTEP student/alumni singles
$10 donation at the door for UTEP student /alumni pairs
$8 donation at the door for non member singles
$12 donation at the door for non member pairs
$5 donation at the door for Museum members
$10 donation at the door for Museum member pairs
If you choose to become a member of the Museum that evening, we will waive your entrance donation fee! Parking is available at the Camino Real Hotel and Convention Center Parking Garage for a nominal fee.
EPMA Exhibitions and Foreign Film Offerings
EXHIBITIONS:
Untitled and the Minimalist Aesthetic July 27-November 9, 2008 in the De Wetter Gallery
This exhibition considers the basic tenets of the movement that emerged in the late 1960s and was known for paintings or sculpture "made with an extreme economy of means." Artists included are Donald Judd, Andrea Rosenberg, Margo Sawyer, Joe Mancuso and Connie Goldman.
Karel Appel: Cats August 3 – March 8, 2009 in the Gateway Gallery
Karel Appel was a Dutch member of the avant-garde, European artist's group known as "CoBrA" in recognition of the cities where its members lived; Copehhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam. "Cats" is a portfolio of prints by Appel from 1978 that demonstrates his continued interest in exploring the line between abstraction and meaning.
Contemporary Prints from the Permanent Collection August 3 - March 12, 2009 in the C2 Gallery
Prints by American and Mexican contemporary artists from the permanent collection
A Portrait of the Artist 1525-1825: Prints from the Collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation September 7 –November 30, 2008 in the Contemporary Gallery
The exhibition includes more than 80 engravings, etchings, woodcuts, mezzotints, and lithographs from the Blaffer Foundation’s collection of Renaissance and Baroque art. A Portrait of the Artist features the work of Rembrandt van Rijn, Claude Lorrain, Adriaen van Ostade, Salvator Rosa, Francisco Goya, William Hogarth, and many other European masters.
FOREIGN FILMS:
SEPTEMBER 6 FRANCE
THE VALET (2007)
Director: Francis Veber
Language: French
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, 83 minutes.
In this hilarious comedy of intricate deceptions and misunderstandings, a valet and a top-model have to pretend to be a couple in order to salvage a CEO’s marriage.
SEPTEMBER 13 HONG KONG/CHINA
SHAOLIN SOCCER (2001)
Director: Stephen Chow
Language: Cantonese
Rated PG for martial arts action and some thematic elements, 87 minutes.
A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage. From the director of KUNG FU HUSTLE.
SEPTEMBER 20 FRANCE
AVENUE MONTAIGNE (2007)
Director: Daniele Thompson
Language: French
Rated PG-13 for some strong language and brief sexuality, 106 minutes.
A young provincial girl named Jessica becomes a waitress in Paris and finds her life interesting with the rich and famous, including a pianist, a famous actress and a great art collector. They are all at a crossroads in their lives and make her re-evaluate her own dreams of fame and success.
SEPTEMBER 27 UNITED KINGDOM
KINKY BOOTS (2006)
Director: Julian Jarrold
Language: English
Rated PG-13 for some mature content including language and sexual references, 107 minutes
Inspired by a true story, Charlie Price is a Londoner who is stuck with his dad’s failing shoe company when he passes away. He is inspired by a local drag queen named Lola and starts a sassy new line of “kinky boots” in an effort to save the company.
Alfresco! Fridays has been Extended!
“Fungi Mungle” and “Mariachi Los Arrieros” to Play!
Fungi Mungle - Recently cancelled from the Music Under the Stars World Music Festival due to inclement weather will play in a special extended season of Alfresco! Fridays on August 22, 2008. THE Original Disco Superstars straight from Studio 54 have been cruising since 1996 in and around the Southwestern area of the world. Playing all your favorite disco, funk, pop, rock & dance hits. 100% LIVE! Real Musicians.
Mariachi Los Arrieros – Recently celebrating a homecoming after representing El Paso at the “Smithsonian Folklife Festival” in Washington D.C. where they performed for over a million and a half people over the course of the festival, Mariachi Los Arrieros will perform an encore season closing performance for Alfresco! Fridays on August 29, 2008. Since the groups’ formation, Los Arrieros have won many awards, the most prestigious award was receiving first place in front of a crowd of 80,000 people in the Houston Astrodome at the Best Mariachi in Texas competition in 1997. In 2004, Los Arrieros became the premier mariachi group for the Chandler Mariachi Conference and will remain as the host mariachi group in the coming years.
For additional information call or visit the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department at (915) 541-4481, www.elpasoartsandculture.org or call El Paso Convention & Visitor’s Bureau at (915) 536-0600.
Take a Hike!
Enjoy a Nature Walk at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology
With the recent rains you may have noticed that the desert is much greener than usual. Why not get out and enjoy it, maybe even up close? August will be an excellent time for viewing butterflies, lizards, birds, and other wildlife that can be found on the Museum’s grounds. Several varieties of wildflowers and cactus are also currently in bloom. You might even see Buddy, a roadrunner who likes to run on the trails and sometimes even sit in your convertible and admire himself in the rear view mirror.
The museum's 15-acre grounds include one mile of nature trails, outdoor exhibits, and a desert garden with more than 250 varieties of native plants. There is also a gazebo for family picnics and small group activities.
The Museum has recently expanded its hours of operation to include Sunday afternoons so why not visit the museum while you are here. Drop off a business card and we will put you on our mailing list for upcoming events.
Walk around on your own or take a guided Zip Tour of the grounds Wednesdays at Noon during the Month of August.
Amaranth Zip Tours at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology
From Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays (August 20, and 27).
Take a guided tour of the Museum’s nature trails and learn about an important Precolumbian food source that continues to be a commercial crop today. Amaranth, which was domesticated earlier than corn, was revered as a sacred seed among the Mexica, Maya, and other Indians of México.
Info: (915) 755-4332
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In this issue of the employee newsletter, we have showcased a Monthly Safety Tip under our Special Feature Section. These focus areas, which will be making appearances in future Employee Newsletter issues, are meant to inform and educate employees on workplace safety and how to reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring in your work area by taking preventative steps. Take a look to see how you may be able to safeguard your work station with these informative tips!
The City has been hard at work hammering out the numbers and budgets associated with the 2009 Fiscal Year. It is exciting to see that for the first time in about 30 years, the City has cut its tax rate. What does this mean for the average homeowner? Our Office of Management and Budget staff answered this question recently during presentations made to the City Council. Take a look at what it means to your bottom line by clicking the following link: Budget / Tax Rate Presentation
The City’s Department Heads and OMB staff did a fantastic job of working to ensure services while tightening belts and budgets. The City Council officially adopted its tax rate on Tuesday, bringing to a close this year’s budget process. As September 1 approaches, I would like to commend City employees for their hard work and dedication during the present fiscal year and hope that we look to begin the new fiscal year with a renewed resolve to better serve the El Paso citizen efficiently, cost-effectively and with quality customer service.
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General Links
Benefits Services
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Contact Us
Do you have a question, comment or feedback on the Employee Newsletter?
Let us know!
Send us an email at:
elpasopio@elpasotexas.gov
We value your opinion! |
August Safety Tip:
Trip Hazards
Watch your step…to avoid trip hazards. Trips occur whenever your foot hits an object and you are moving with enough momentum that you may be thrown off balance. You can help avoid trips when you:
Make sure you can see where you are walking. Try not to carry loads that you cannot see over. Keep walking and working areas well lit and clearly identified, especially at night. Keep your workplace clean and tidy; store materials and supplies in their appropriate storage areas. Try to arrange furniture and office equipment so that it will not interfere with walkways or foot traffic. Properly maintain walking areas and alert appropriate authorities regarding maintenance or potential hazards. If you see a hazard, remove it. Pick up loose papers, secure cords, report problems, and warn others.
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