Executive Leadership Development Program Graduates Recognized

Graduates from the second group of the Executive Leadership Development Program were recently honored for completion of the rigorous program here at City Hall. This program, which is put on by the City of El Paso Human Resources Department in partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso, was put in place to help the next level of leaders in the organization develop their leadership focus and skills , connecting individuals in leadership capacities across the organization and furthering the realization of the City's strategic goal of being a high-performing, customer-oriented operation. The program's course work runs for 14 weeks and includes topic areas such as Organizational Change & High Performance Organizations, Leadership & Management Development, and Team Building & Conflict Resolution. Congratulations to each of these deserving grads!

Graduates

Jorge Acosta	Police Department
Rick LoBello	Zoo
Ted X. Marquez	Engineering
Leila Melendez	Economic Dev.
Angela Mora	MCAD
Irene Morales	Insurance & Benefits
Nicholas Munoz	MCAD
Michael Plum	Financial Services
James R. Przepasniak	Library
Carlos Ramirez.	Human Resources
Michelle D. Ryden	MCAD
William V. Stern	Dev. Services
Avelardo Talavera	Fire
Michael Tomor	MCAD
Gabriela Valle	Municipal Court
Armando Vargas	MCAD
Monica Vera	Airport
Richard Adams	Environmental Services
Jose B. Aguirre	IT
Orlando A. Arriola	Fire
Mark Austin	Police Department
Richard G. Garcia	Parks & Recreation
Michelle Gardner	Police Department
John D. Garza	Environmental Services
Scott Gilliland	Zoo
Lili Gutierrez	Airport
Irene Herrera.	MCAD
Ivonne Jimenez	Library
Valerie Joosten	Environmental Services
Mary Kozak	Police Department
Harold Kutz	Street

Click here to see the listing of the first round of participants/graduates of this program.

El Paso is #19

The City of El Paso has been ranked #19 by Recycling Today magazine for largest curbside recycling programs in the nation. In an article published August 13, 2007, the business magazine for recycling professionals ranked the largest curbside recycling programs in the country. While a few of the largest cities have abandoned their recycling programs, El Paso's recent start in curbside recycling catapulted the City from "unranked" to #19 in the nation. The ranking is based on the number of households served by the curbside recycling system and not by the amount of tons collected.

In 2006, the City collected a little less than 6,000 tons of recyclables. In the five months of the curbside recycling program, the City has collected over 13,500 tons and is well on its way to reaching 30,000 tons in the first year of the program. "This is a very encouraging sign," said Ellen Smyth, Environmental Services Director, referring to the community's response to the recycling program.

El Paso's curbside program is residential only. It is expected that private commercial haulers will establish recycling collections for schools, businesses and institutions early this fall.

Four other Texas cities ranked in the listing: San Antonio (7th), Dallas (12th), Houston (17th), Austin (18th).

City of El Paso 3rd Annual Neighborhood Summit a Success

The 3rd Annual Neighborhood Summit held on Saturday, August 29, 2007 was an opportunity to unite residents, community leaders, service providers and stakeholders of the community. Participants had an opportunity to attend a series of workshops discussing crime prevention and other City programs and services.

The purpose of the Neighborhood Summit was to provide registered neighborhood association leaders with comprehensive information related to City services aimed towards enhancing the character of El Paso's neighborhoods.

The scope of work for each segment of the project consisted of the complete overhaul of the street infrastructure and featured the replacement of existing asphalt pavement, sidewalks, driveways, existing traffic signals and street lighting. The improvement project also upgraded all existing water and sanitary sewer lines.

The Neighborhood Summit held breakout sessions to introduce programs from the following city services:

• Department of Community and Human Development,
• Neighborhood Improvement Program,
• Community Policing/Neighborhood Watch,
• Code Enforcement/Keep El Paso Beautiful
• Developing a Neighborhood Association/ Capacity Building

New Recycling Audit Says We Are Doing Well!

A recent two-day audit of materials collected through the curbside recycling program at El Paso homes revealed good news. The City's Environmental Services Department audited nearly 150 tons of recyclable material received at the Friedman Recycling Company's material recovery facility. Friedman maintains the City's contract for processing the single-stream recyclable materials collected by the City.

Over the course of the two-day audit, materials were separated by commodity and weighed after the materials were baled. "Nearly 75% of the materials collected in our residential blue bins is fiber," noted Kurt Fenstermacher, business manager for Environmental Services. "Of that, 53% is newspaper and 19% is cardboard," he said.

The Department also reports that 17% of the materials are residuals, or items not recoverable in the recycling program. This is made up of materials that can not be recycled like trash, garden hoses, plastic chairs and electrical cords. It is important to remember the materials that are acceptable in the City's curbside recycling program. Environmental Services reports that single-stream recycling programs average a residual rate of 12%-22%. The Department is pleased with its first audit, but recognizes that improvements can be made. To date, the program has earned nearly $385,000 in revenue share with the Friedman Recycling Company, and has saved 13,500 tons of material from going into the landfill.

Grant Award to Benefit Community

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreation Grants Branch has awarded a grant to the Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $77,966. The proposal, developed for the department by the Grants Services Division, will fund Phase I construction of the Riverbend Drive area located by the Sunland Park River Trail near Country Club Road. The project will provide a multi-use Bike and Pedestrian/Jogging trail 10 feet wide X 1/4 mile in length. Phase I will incorporate LifeTrail outdoor fitness equipment consisting of a series of outdoor ADA compliant Wellness Stations designed specifically to meet the exercise needs of older adults as well as benches, message kiosks, water fountains, picnic tables, 9-bike rack, litter receptacles and bollards, which will prevent vehicle traffic. Work on the project, fully supported by the Upper Valley Neighborhood Association, is scheduled to begin soon.

The El Paso Museum of Art Announces the Exhibition: The Creative World of Peter Max: A Retrospective
September 9 - November 18, 2007

With this major museum exhibition, the El Paso Museum of Art proudly presents the work of legendary American artist, Peter Max. The exhibition guides the viewer through Max's entire artistic oeuvre including his early figurative paintings, his explosive and psychedelic art from the '60s and '70s, his graphic design and fine art from the '80s and '90s, and his current work.

Max has painted portraits of world leaders including four U.S. presidents, the Dalai Lama, and Mikhail Gorbachev He was designated Official Artist for five Super Bowls and the Grammy Awards to name just a few. In the 1980s Max produced 235 U.S. Border murals, including one that flanked both sides of the border crossing of the El Paso Stanton Street Bridge.

Max's art has been shown in over 100 museums and galleries throughout the world including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Save the Dates
The exhibition opened to the public for viewing on September 9, 2007.

Join us on Saturday, September 29, 2007 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm for the public opening, Artist lecture in the Energy Auditorium (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm), and reception for The Creative World of Peter Max: A Retrospective. This public opening is a free event.

Join us on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 12:15 pm for a ZIP tour of The Creative World of Peter Max: A Retrospective led by Dr. Michael A Tomor. This is a free event.

Please RSVP - (915) 532-1707

Admission to The Creative World of Peter Max: A Retrospective is $5 per person ages 12 and up Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Children under 12 are free. Admission is free Sundays 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm and Thursday evenings 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Docent guided tours for schools and education programs are free. Admission for Museum Members is always free.

The Museum store will have books for sale including The Art of Peter Max (Abrams, October 2002), the first book to take an in depth look at his influence on culture in America and around the world, t-shirts, and a limited quantity of Artist signed silk-screens.

Click Here to see a brief biography of Peter Max

Call for Artists, Artisans, and Merchants

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department in partnership with several other organizations brings Dia de los Muertos celebration to downtown El Paso November 2nd. This four day event will provide El Pasoans with a fusion of art, culture, music and fun for all members of the family. Featuring funeral processions, Catrina contests, local performers and other events, this Dia de los Muertos promises to develop into an annual festival recognized at both regional and state wide levels.

This celebration will also feature a Mercado de los Huesos (Bones Market). For this reason MCAD makes an open call to all artists, artisans, vendors and merchants who can use this venue as a platform to exhibit and sell their work or merchandise that closely relates to Dia de los Muertos.

For more information on Dia de los Muertos or the Mercado de los Huesos visit www.elpasotexas.gov/mcad/dia or contact Victor Guerrero at (915) 541-4942

Build your own Dia De Los Muertos Display

As part of the November 2nd Dia De Los Muertos Celebration taking place at Union Plaza, 50 8x8 spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis to the general public. Altars are a traditional way honoring the dead. To view guidelines for Dia de los Muertos Displays, please click here.

Applicants failing to adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to participate. All displays must be approved by the City El Paso Empowerment Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) staff. Display content is subject to approval by review committee.

Applications must be turned in to the MCAD, Two Civic center Plaza, First Floor, no later than October 19, 2007. The number of displays is limited to 50 and spaces will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more information, please call Victor Guerrero at: (915) 541-4280 or e-mail at: guerrerov@elpasotexas.gov.

El Paso Zoo Volunteers & Zoo Society Volunteer Coordinator Assistant Needed

El Paso Zoo: Needs volunteers of all kinds.
You will be caring for zoo animals, traveling to schools & nursing homes for educational programs, participating in special events, birthday parties & private parties among other functions. Learn how to handle the chuckwalla, chinchilla, short tailed opossum and more El Paso Zoo animals. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

El Paso Zoological Society: Looking for a paid, part-time Assistant Volunteer Coordinator.
This person will work Friday, Saturday and Sunday and must have networking skills and many contacts in the El Paso and surrounding area. If you or someone you know is interested and would like to submit a resume, please speak to El Paso Zoological Society Volunteer Coordinator Anne Langenfeld for more details on this position: (915) 351-5340.

Super Gardeners: The El Paso Zoo Needs You!
Have a roaring good time gardening among the wild things! Become a "Super Horticulturist Helper" as part of the El Paso Zoo Garden Club and become one of the volunteers who help take care of all things green on the El Paso Zoo grounds. Gardening Experience Not Necessary!

Who: Anyone with a passion for gardening, the ability to lift 40 pound bags of sod with a single grunt, and a desire to get down in the dirt and annihilate weeds. 18 years old minimum. Seniors are welcome!

When: 9-11 Saturdays. Schedule may change.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Volunteer Coordinator: Anne Langenfeld (915) 351-5340 Education Curator: Rick LoBello (915) 521-1881

El Paso Zoo 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso TX 79905 521-1850 or www.elpasozoo.org

El Paso Zoo's "Boo at the Zoo 2007" needs volunteers!

The El Paso Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with one of our great children's events: Boo at the Zoo. Volunteers are needed for the treat station assistance, crowd greeting, costume wearing and any special exhibits or "merry not scary" activities during the two day Boo at the Zoo event: Saturday October 27, 9:30 to 5:00pm, and Sunday, October 28, 9:30-4:00pm.

You can sign up for one day or both days. Come by yourself or with someone else; groups are always welcome.

Requirements:

• Volunteers need to be available for the duration of the event, arriving at 8:30 a.m. and staying until approximately 5:00 (or until guests leave).
• Volunteers who sign up as costumes characters are required to wear a costume. Costumes can be as simple or as extravagant as you like. Nothing scary - the target audience is 2-11 years old.
• Volunteers must be 18 years old or older.

Park Dedicated in Memory of City Employee

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department dedicated Montalvo Park on May 9, 2007 in northeast El Paso. The Park, formerly called Shearman Park, is located at 6301 Tiger Eye Street. Montalvo Park will have a new full court basketball court and many other amenities that have been added.

Jorge Montalvo began working with the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department on June 6, 1986. Montalvo worked in different maintenance areas as an equipment operator, as well as a temporary position as a temporary welder in Facility Maintenance back in 1998. Between the years of 1999 and 2000, he found himself assisting in the repair of mowing equipment in the Maintenance Mechanic Shop before being transferred to Delta Sports in late 2000; now known as Acosta Sports.

At Acosta Sports, Montalvo maintained and renovated sports fields; to include baseball, softball, soccer and football fields. He got along well with all of his peers and the public in general while being a hard working and dedicated individual always striving to improve the conditions of the sports fields. We at Acosta Sports can honestly vouch that on October 12, 2001, the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department not only lost a hard working and dedicated individual, but a good and dear friend known by most of his acquaintances as "Hermano."

Spotlight on Stupendous Senior Office Assistant Deborah Burnett, Municipal Clerk's Department

A caring heart and a willingness to assist others characterize Senior Office Assistant Deborah Burnett of the Municipal Clerk's Department. Debbie not only serves the community 8 to 5 through her job, she devotes her personal time to important volunteer work to brighten the lives of El Pasoans. This summer Debbie's daughter, Chazz, alerted her mother that the children staying at the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter struggled to obtain the school supplies they need for their first day of school. Throughout July and early August, Debbie and Chazz lead the Municipal Clerk's staff-both Municipal Court and City Clerk Divisions-- in collecting school supplies for those children. Debbie organized the project with aplomb, rallying her coworkers to collect enough supplies to donate 56 filled backpacks to the Salvation Army. There were enough additional supplies to assist adults at the shelter who are trying to better their lives by attending educational classes at local colleges.

The staff members of the Salvation Army were thrilled with the donations. When Debbie and Chazz dropped off the back packs, they were given a tour of the clean and bright facility crowded with needy families, beyond the optimum capacity. This convinced Debbie and Chazz that they'd chosen a worthy project.

Municipal Clerk Richarda Momsen noted that Debbie's coworkers at Municipal Clerk's welcomed the opportunity she and Chazz provided to share with their fellow citizens. Wow! The staff responded to Debbie's call with their typically impressive generosity. They jump at the chance to assist the needy in our community. Debbie's project was a gift of good spirit that reverberated throughout the department. As the contributions rolled in, the growing array of colorful backpacks, for kindergarteners and for high school kids, for boy and for girls, was a morale booster for everyone.  Together Debbie and Chazz went the extra mile after the project ended by baking cookies and cake for the staff members who donated supplies, gifting others yet again.

Bravo and a warm thank you to Debbie Burnett for seeing a need in our community, for motivating her coworkers to fill that need and for allowing the Municipal Clerk's Department to feel great about the first day of school.

El Paso International Airport awarded 1st place by ACI-NA in the Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest -Press Kit Category

Every year Airports Council International (The World's Largest Airport Trade Association) - North America (ACI-NA) sponsors the Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest. This contest allows ACI-NA to recognize the quality of work, abundance of talent, and creativity within the marketing and communications field of the airport industry.

LEFT: Rosa Villa, Liz Bellegarde, Patrick Abeln, Lolita Fierro and Jerry Bettendorf El Paso International Airport received 1st Place in the Press Kit category, over Sacramento County Airport System and General Mitchell International Airport who came in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

The goal of the golf bag press kit was to produce a distinctive marketing tool, highlighting the economic development potential of the Airport and increasing tourism. The charming miniature golf bag contained Butterfield Trail's own bottled water, brass commemorative coin, Golf Club detailed information on CD, as well as a news coverage DVD. The press kit promotes the opening of the Butterfield Trail Golf Course, soon to be the site of El Paso's first resort hotel. El Paso International Airport is proud to receive this recognition from its peers in the aviation industry.

El Paso Fire Department: MDA Telethon

The El Paso Fire Department and Association of Fire fighters Local 51 participate in Muscular Dystrophy Association “Labor Day Telethon”. The Fire fighters from across the area helped answer phones and take pledges from callers to benefit MDA. The MDA telethon raised a total of $325,000 for MDA. The money will be used for the local kids stricken with the deadly disease. The El Paso Fire Fighters, with others, demonstrated community involvement for a national worthy cause to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.

Development & Infrastructure Services Team Recognizes Star Performers

As an opportunity to recognize distinguished performance, employees from the Development & Infrastructure Services Team were recently honored for their continual commitment of outstanding service to the organization and the citizens of El Paso. "These awards are a small way to recognize truly exceptional staff within the organization, and particularly within the Development & Infrastructure Services Team. They each epitomize the ideals that are needed to provide great public service to the community, and it is an honor to have them represent our Team through this recognition," stated Deputy City Manager Patricia Adauto. Our warmest congratulations are extended to the following recipients of this first-of-its-kind recognition:

Leadership Award Mike Neligh Development Services Department

A City employee for a combined 26 years, Mike is currently a Building Plans Examiner for the One-Stop-Shop on the fifth floor. He has promoted within the Department and is now responsible for the Custom Plan Review program among other activities. He is valued as a leader of this program by his peers and has made a significant impact on assuring that plan reviews are expedited accurately and timely.

Customer Service Award Javier Ortiz Environmental Services Department

Javier has been with the City for 7 years and is currently a Solid Waste Truck Driver in the Environmental Services Department. On April 13, 2007, Javier took his position to another critical level when he came upon an elderly woman who was lying unconscious on the street next to an overthrown garbage container. He immediately contacted 911 and stayed at her side until emergency personnel arrived. This certainly is an excellent example of outstanding customer service, and he is commended for his actions.

Outstanding Performance Award Kimberly Forsyth Development Services Department

With over 14 years of experience with the City and a recent promotion of Senior Planner with the Development Services Department, Kimberly has worked her way up the ladder in the organization because of her keen ability to get things handled. Recently, she assisted in the complete rewriting of the City's zoning regulations maintaining a high level of professionalism and effectiveness while continuing her day-to-day tasks of zoning administration and oversight. Kimberly is considered a go-to member of the organization and is well respected by all who know her.

Star of Excellence Award Martin Jacquez Street Department

Martin has been with the City for a combined 18 years and currently serves as the Lead Technician for the Street Department. Like other members of the Department, he has promoted within various positions and proven himself a valued professional in the organization. Most notable is his recent involvement in the activities related to Storm 2006 were he assumed a critical leadership role taking to the field efforts of debris removal, water pumping and all other measures necessary to protect lives and property. Following the Storm, Martin worked with FEMA teams to document and provided damage assessments of the City's infrastructure. The work to clean, repair and reconstruct the infrastructure continues today, and Martin maintains his diligence while crediting other employees for the job well done. He is a model employee and is deserving of the Team's highest recognition.

Parks and Recreation: Saluting Employees

Wright Stanton
Wright Stanton is the new recreation sports manager for the aquatics department. He was hired this past summer and will now be in charge of the aquatics section for the department. Stanton has worked previously for Fort Bliss as the aquatic director for 8 years. He has an extensive background in aquatics management and will be working with 9 indoor and 5 outdoor swimming pools along with the famous Gus and Goldie enterprise.

Esperanza Yee
Esperanza Yee did an excellent job coordinating and running the CDBG grants for Youth Outreach and Sun Country from Fiscal Year 05-07. She did her job and she managed her time to help others do their paperwork on these programs. Miss Yee is the current director of the Leona Ford Washington Community Center

SPECIALTY SECTIONS

TAKE ADVANTAGE

The El Paso Museum of Art Announces

New Perspectives: Hidden Masterpieces Visiting Scholar Lecture Series 2007:
Lavinia Fontana and the Passion of Private Devotion
Presented by Caroline P. Murphy

Join fellow members of the El Paso Museum of Art as we continue to explore the Museum's permanent collection. This fall, visiting scholars will participate in New Perspectives: Hidden Masterpieces, a lecture series that considers topics related to the Museum's late Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo art. In her lecture Caroline P. Murphy will discuss the work of Lavinia Fontana, Christ with the Symbols of the Passion, 1576, oil on canvas, which is on view in the Samuel H. Kress gallery.

Biography
Caroline P. Murphy, a biographer, historian, and specialist in the study of Renaissance women, will speak on "Lavinia Fontana and the Passion of Private Devotion," focusing on Lavinia Fontana's painting, Christ with the Symbols of the Passion. She has published two books, Lavinia Fontana; A Painter and Her Patrons in Sixteenth Century Bologna, 2003, and The Pope's Daughter; The Extraordinary Life of Felice della Rovere, 2005. Recently she was advisory to the National Museum of Women in the Arts exhibition, Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Baroque, and contributed to the catalogue with an essay called "The Economics of the Woman Artist."

Save the Date
Join us on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 2:00pm for the Scholar Lecture: Lavinia Fontana and the Passion of Private Devotion presented by Caroline P. Murphy. A reception will follow. To RSVP please call (915) 532-1707. This event is free to the public. This program was underwritten by the Jack V. and Barbara Price Curlin Fund El Paso Museum of Art Foundation.

Experience Salida Del Sol for Breakfast, Lunch or Happy Hour!

Salida Del Sol is now open for everyone's enjoyment at Butterfield Trail Golf Club. Featuring a full service restaurant and bar in a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere, Salida Del Sol offers panoramic views of the beautiful Tom Fazio designed layout. Enjoy Chef Lawrence's signature dishes and cocktails following your round of golf, or drop by during the week for a business luncheon. Conveniently located just a long iron shot away from the El Paso International Airport, breakfast is served daily from 6:00am to 11:00am. Lunch is served from 11:00am to 4:00pm daily. Happy Hour is served daily until 7:00pm. Evenings may be reserved for private parties and special catered events. For more information or to book a private party at Salida Del Sol, we invite you to visit: http://www.butterfieldtrailgolf.com.

HEALTH WELLNESS

Information from the Health District

Welcome to the new Fiscal Year. As FY 2008 begins, I want to take this opportunity to reflect back on an extraordinary year that speaks to the heart and character of this organization and its employees. We started FY 2007 with one of the most significant natural disasters in the City’s history. Yet city employees rose to the occasion along with our citizens and not only weathered the storm, but we overcame tremendous adversity, loss and costs to emerge even stronger. Major renovations are now underway that will provide a stronger infrastructure. The City Council and PSB jointly developed a Municipal Drainage Utility, so we now have a dedicated funding source for stormwater management.

Despite that tragedy, we continued to provide excellent services to our citizens and accomplished many if not most of the City Council’s strategic goals. We also successfully concluded a fairly substantial Charter Review Process that involved many key stakeholders, and had a great deal of consensus among the elected officials, members of the Civil Service Commission, and city employees. These changes were overwhelmingly approved by City voters.

These successes are tied to one of our major milestones for FY 2007, the adoption of a more responsive Customer Service Mission Statement for the City of El Paso organization. I am sure you have seen posters throughout City facilities that constantly remind us of our commitment to "outstanding customer service for a better community" through high-quality service, innovative solutions and realized success. We certainly demonstrated this mission and value statement repeatedly throughout the past year and I’m confident we will continue to excel and further reinforce our commitment in FY 2008.

I want to thank all City employees for your continued hard work and dedication to this organization and the citizens of our City. Let’s recommit ourselves to continue to meet and exceed the community's expectations and be the best we can be as the City of El Paso government this next year.

General Links

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  AD & D
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