Disaster Aid Available to Workers In El Paso County
Self-employed workers also may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), workers in El Paso
County who were affected by flooding have until September 15, 2006, to
apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) under Presidential Disaster
Declaration FEMA-1658-DR. To be eligible for help under Presidential
Disaster Declaration FEMA-1658-DR, you must:
• Have worked or been scheduled to work in the disaster area,
but because of the disaster no longer have a job, a place to work in
the area, or you could not get to your place of work because of disaster
•
Have been prevented from working by an injury or illness as a direct
result of the disaster; or
•
Have become the head of the household and need employment because the
head of the household died as a result of the disaster.
Often, business owners who are self-employed are not aware of potential
benefits to which they may be entitled. If you are self-employed, but
have lost all or part of your livelihood as a result of this disaster,
you may be eligible for benefits. You must provide federal income tax
forms (Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F) to receive disaster
unemployment benefits. If in doubt, please call one of the toll-free
numbers listed below.
To receive DUA benefits, workers must provide documentation indicating
an employment record at the time of the disaster or verification of the
weeks the applicant was scheduled to work. TWC officials understand that
because of property losses, some individuals may not have necessary information
readily available. However, that information must be provided within
21 days of filing a DUA claim.
Each claim is considered individually, therefore if
you believe you may be eligible for assistance, please call the TWC Tele-Center
network
at one of the numbers listed below Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5
p.m., Mountain Standard Time, to talk with a representative or file a
claim.
El Paso local: (915) 832-6400
Others call toll free: (800) 939-6631
When calling to apply for benefits you should have available, when possible,
your:
•
Social Security number and
•
Name and address of your last employer or prospective employer.
The first possible week of compensation for DUA purposes is the week
ending August 12, 2006, and the last possible week of compensation is
the week ending February 3, 2007.
For local workforce services, job seekers and employers should contact
their local workforce centers in affected areas for revised office hours,
temporary closures, or alternate service locations serving local or evacuated
individuals. To locate the nearest Upper Rio Grande @ Work Texas Workforce
Center, call:
•
Lomaland: 1359 Lomaland Drive, El Paso; (915) 887-2500
•
Dyer: 9740 Dyer St., El Paso; (915) 887-2800
•
Brook Hollow: 5919 Brook Hollow, El Paso; (915) 887-2000
•
Project Endeavor, Army Community Center: 2494 Ricker Road, Fort Bliss;
(915) 566-8649
•
Doniphan: 5500 Doniphan Drive, Suite H, El Paso; (915) 887-2730
Job seekers may visit Texas Workforce centers for access to job-search
resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance
with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation,
career development and more. Customers also may connect with potential
employers through TWC’s online job-search engine, www.WorkInTexas.com.
Workforce center services for employers include job
posting and placement services, up-to-date information on the labor market
and emerging occupations,
and assistance with recruiting, retention, training, tax and hiring incentives.
Employers can recruit new staff through www.WorkInTexas.com.
Workforce centers also can offer employers the use of center office equipment
and space when they are opening a new building in their respective areas.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping
Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details
on TWC and the programs it offers in unison with its network of local
workforce development boards, call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
DOWNTOWN CONSTRUCTION: CBD III
Update
Despite some recent delays due to weather conditions, the CBD III City
initiative reconstructing major streets in the Downtown area still remains
on schedule for overall completion.
Effective Friday, July 28th, Mesa from Main
to Texas became the latest
project in this initiative to successfully complete and open to traffic.
The project included basement reconstructions and the removal and replacement
of existing asphalt pavement with concrete, sidewalks, and existing traffic
signals and street lighting. The improvement project also upgraded all
existing water and sanitary sewer lines.
Current projects underway with a projected construction
time of 4 months include:
- Santa Fe from Paisano to the extension onto
Border Highway
-to initiate August 28th
- Oregon from Franklin to Wyoming
-Initiated July 3rd
- Mills from Stanton to Campbell
-Initiated July 24th
Resources for Business Owners
El Paso Business First, a division of the City Economic Development Department,
is a centralized resource center extending specialized services to
existing business owners in the community. The program is ready to
assist businesses with finance, training and development tools by working
through a network of partners. Business owners are encouraged to call
541-4670 for more information on how El Paso Business First can provide
critical assistance for their specific needs.
Continual collaborated efforts with the contractor- JAR Concrete, Sun
Metro, the Central Business Association, the utility companies, the business
community and residents have enabled the Engineering Department to continue
the scheduling of work in this initiative expeditiously.
** Construction updates will provided as projects begin and end in
this initiative
Storm Property Damages: Public advised to utilize professionals
in repairs and refurbishing
As the reconstruction of homes and businesses is now in effect to address
the damages the Storm has left behind, The Development Services Department
reminds the public that professional results can be obtained when using
a contractor that is registered and bonded.
Contact DSD first
When initiating the reconstruction of property, it is important to remember
most construction work does require permits and the Building Permits
and Inspections Division is on-hand at 541-4558 to provide any information
regarding project building code requirements.
A great deal of the damage to properties has been with electrical systems,
both residential and commercial. Motors, switches, relays, receptacles
and wiring have been waterlogged and are failing, arcing or shorting
out, causing a loss of electrical service or fire hazard. Flood damaged
electrical service and devices require a registered and bonded electrician
to evaluate the extent of the damage and install replacement parts.
Many Natural gas systems in structures have been damaged causing the
piping to become contaminated. The result of this contamination is causing
regulators and meters to become inoperative and therefore need replacement.
This replacement requires a plumbing contractor or Gas company technician
to do the work.
Similarly water piping and sewer lines that were displaced or broken
require a plumbing contractor to replace them. The water line repairs
require inspection to assure proper connection to maintain a potable
water system. The sewer lines also require inspection to maintain proper
sanitation and disposal.
The City of El Paso will be field checking workmen or contractors for
City registration and bond status. This field check will apply to out
of town contractors or tradesmen as well as local tradesmen. Ask the
person doing your repair work if they are registered and bonded with
the city. Use those contractors who are. Although there is an urgency
to get repairs started, it should not be done at the risk of having
unprofessional work or non-compliant work performed.
Some of the storm damage repair work that would not require permits
is:
RESIDENTIAL work that involves:
•
accessory structures less than 200 SF in floor area
•
retaining walls not over 4’ in height measured from the bottom
of the footing
•
fences , other than rock wall fences, not over 6’ in height
•
sidewalks or driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
•
cabinets, painting, tiling, other similar finish work
COMMERICAL work that involves:
•
accessory structures less than 120 SF in floor area
•
retaining walls not over 4’ in height measured from the bottom
of the footing
•
fences , other than rock wall fences, not over 6’ in height
•
sidewalks or driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
•
Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 6’ high
•
Painting, tiling, other similar finish work.
By contacting DSD, any uncertainty about a tradesman’s registration
or bonding information can be clarified. Using contractors that are registered
or licensed will facilitate the repair and refurbishing of your home
or business.
• A contractor must be registered with the City for permit issuance
from the Building Permits and Inspections Division (BP& I)
•
To check if a contractor is registered contact DSD or click on the following
link, http://www.elpasotexas.gov/building_services/contractor2.asp
•
DSD will verify and clarify all building information needed
•
Most permits for storm damage repairs have minimum fees and are expatiated
allowing work to start quickly.
For more information please contact the DSD Business Center at
541-4600 or 541-4700
Tuition Assistance
Program: Expanding Horizons As part of the City’s effort to provide educational opportunities
for employees, the City of El Paso has partnered with the El Paso
Community College to bring the following college-credit courses
to City Hall. The classes will meet twice a week for 8 weeks in
the Human Resources Training Center. For additional information,
to check on course availability and to register, please contact
Ms. Linda Silva – 831-2248.
Courses currently available:
POFT 1301 – Business English
Monday & Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 8:20 pm
10/16/06 – 12/09/06 8 week course
Description: Provides introduction to a practical application of
basic language usage skills with emphasis on fundamentals of writing
and editing for business (3.0 hours)
Let’s Play Ball!
The 7th Annual Luis Baeza City Employees Co-ed Softball Tournament
will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Marty Robbins Park.
There will be a 20-player roster, which must consist of CITY EMPLOYEES.
There will be a minimum of 8 teams to a maximum of 12. Trophies
will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, with the Tournament
Champions receiving T-shirts!
There is a $115.00 entry fee for teams. The first tournament meeting
will take place on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Multipurpose Center (9031 Viscount). For more information on the upcoming
tournament, please call Larry Contreras (594-3067 or 309-9943) or
Bobby Contreras (383-8197 or 621-6721).
Ask a Librarian!
 While everyone knows that the Internet is full of important information,
no one can ever be 100% certain that the information being accessed
is accurate or updated. Accurate information is especially important
to students writing research papers, professionals seeking industry
specific knowledge, those seeking health or medical information and
many others. The El Paso Public Library answers this need by providing
an online Reference service with multiple options.
The first option allows patrons to send a specific question to a professional
at the El Paso Public Library who will research the query and respond
within a certain period of time. A second option provides a list of informational
resources available on the Internet. The Web sites listed have been researched
and categorized by the professional staff in the Library’s Reference
Department to give library patrons “quotable” resources for
just about any informational need. In most cases, the online Reference
section has multiple links in 44 categories that include Automobiles,
Government Documents, Investment and Healthcare as well as search engines
specifically for news articles. All the sites have been evaluated by
librarians and found to be legitimate sources of accurate information
in each category.
The next time you are looking for accurate and timely information on
the Web, logon to the El Paso Public Library’s online Reference
service. To access Reference online simply visit www.elpasolibrary.org and click on the Reference link.
Parks and Recreation News
Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The City Parks and Recreation Master Plan (First Draft) is currently
on the city Parks and Recreation web page at http://www.elpasotexas.gov/parks/master.asp.
The master plan focuses on all areas of the parks and recreation department
as a roadmap for the future and will go to city council on August 29
for their approval of the plan. Please contact the Parks and Recreation
Department main office at 541-4331 for more information.
Local photographer displays work at Lincoln Center Youth Art Gallery
The Lincoln Center Youth Art Gallery at 4001 Durazno will have their
next art exhibit with the fantastic art photography of Rudolfo Escobar.
The exhibit will be on display from September 6th through September 29th.
The gallery hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday.
The opening art reception for Mr. Escobar will be on Wednesday, September
6 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Gus and Goldie Learn to Swim Program
The first session of the Gus and Goldie Learn to Swim Program for the
fall will be on September 5th, with a schedule of twice per week for
four weeks. The classes will be on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays
and Thursdays. For more information and pricing for session, please
call 541-4594.
San Juan Senior Center offers activities for citizens of all ages!
San Juan Senior Center located at 700 N. Glenwood will have a dance for
seniors on September 9th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Musical entertainment
will be provided by the Galaxies. The cost for admission to the dance
is $4.50 in advance or $5.00 at the door. The public is invited. The
center also provides monthly aerobic classes on Mondays and Wednesday
from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The cost for monthly classes is $5.00,
and the instructor is Cuca Torres. For more information, call 779-2799.
San Juan Recreation Center is also gearing up for their fall after school
program. The program is free and will provide the opportunity for children
in the area to enjoy fun-filled activities in a safe environment. The
areas of fun will entail leisure socialization, table game activities,
arts and crafts, homework tutoring time, along with scheduled field trips.
The proposed times are 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Fridays.
The after school program is scheduled to start on September 11. For more
information contact Ricardo Armendariz at 779-2799.
Album Park
Album Park, one of the more historic parks in the city of El Paso also
has one of the more unique mechanisms in the city in regards to relieving
the area of pond water that accumulates after heavy rains.
Many people see the sprinklers on during the day when it is raining
and feel that the department has turned on the sprinklers. In actuality
the sprinklers are being used to recirculate the water from the ponding
area in the park that is being pumped out with an underground park.
The system, which allows for the water to be re-addressed
through out the entire park, for a safe answer to re-occurring
problem in the area.
Parks & Rec offers help with picking-up after your pooch at the
park
The City Parks and Recreation Department has started installing doggy
bag dispensers in various city parks located throughout the city. These
dispensers will allow the park users taking their pets to the parks to
have available doggy bags to pick up the waste and put in the proper
receptacle in the parks.
Over 60 parks have been highlighted for this the first
phase of allowing pet owners instant access to the dispensers to keep
the parks more sanitary
and safe for the youth and their families. |
The Road-E-O, a street and landfill skills competition, held in April,
lead employees from Solid Waste Management and Fleet Maintenance to Dallas
to compete at the State level. On a hot, humid Saturday morning in June,
our employees made us proud. 
