December 24, 2008 Issue 51  
Feature Story
  2009 Spotlight: Development Services Initiatives

With the approaching New Year and as part on of an ongoing effort to maximize departmental efficiency and customer services, effective January 2009, the Development Services Department will be implementing and targeting the following critical initiatives:

New Residential & Commercial Permit Applications
Please note effective January 1, 2009 all new residential and commercial permit applications requiring a Certificate of Occupancy must include and identify any subcontractors involved in the project upon submission to the Department. For more information on this initiative, please call 541-4558 or 541-4788

New Irrigation Ordinance
According to House Bill 1656, municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more are now required to create and enforce a new irrigation ordinance that also serves as a mechanism to conserve water. An overview of major changes was recently shared with the public through a series of community meetings. The formal adoption of the new Irrigation Ordinance is anticipated next month.

The following are some key points:
•   A separate permit will be required for the installation of irrigation systems for residential and commercial work
•   The State requires an inspection to be conducted for every irrigation system for both commercial or residential property
•   The City of El Paso will now inspect the entire installation of an irrigation system including the backflow device (a device to protect the water supply from contamination)
•   Commercial properties will continue to require a full plan review
•   Residential properties must have a plan present at the project site at all times and the homeowner shall receive a warranty and a maintenance checklist
•   A licensed irrigator or technician shall be at every project site during all installation activities
For more information on this initiative, please call 541-4797

QuikTrac Inspection Hotline Update
The QuikTrac Inspection Hotline is an automated phone system providing streamlined commercial and residential inspection and building services available 24/7 to the public. In an effort to optimize the use and capabilities of this system, all inspection requests will now be processed by contacting the QuikTrac Inspection Hotline at 313-6100. QuikTrac is linked to the building permit system and allows callers to:

•   Schedule, cancel and reschedule inspections
•   Check inspections results
•   Check the status of permit applications and plan reviews
*Options are available in both English and Spanish

For more information on this initiative, please call 541-4808 or 541-4561

Electronic Plan Submittal
In keeping with the ongoing effort to increase paperless transactions and digital documenting capabilities, all applications requested from the department requiring a hardcopy plan submittal will now also need to include an electronic copy of the plan upon submission. This initiative will assist the department in digitally capturing information in a timely and efficient manner while ultimately saving an extensive amount of paper resources representing an additional environmental and cost incentive throughout its implementation.
For more information on this initiative, please call 541-4795
2006 International Codes Pursuant to the State Legislature, every municipality with over 50,000 people is required to adopt a series of technical codes. These codes are typically updated every three years by the International Code Council (ICC) with the latest version of most of these codes being released in 2006. Over the past several weeks the Building Permits and Inspections Division of the Department in conjunction with members of the private and public sector, ensued a thorough review process of the updated versions of the following codes:

•   International Property Maintenance Code
•   International Residential Code
•   International Plumbing Code
•   International Mechanical Code
•   International Gas Code
•   International Fire Code
•   National Electrical Code


Upon completing the review process, the updated codes will also be presented and discussed with the public through a formal adoption process with expected City Council action in the spring of 2009.

For more information on this initiative, please call 541-4588 or 541-4808

*For general information, the main number for the Development Services Department is 541-4622

City News
Sustainability Program
Twelve Sustainable Ideas for Happy, Healthy Holiday

A recent study by PNC Wealth Management says it would cost you $86,609 to buy everything in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song this year. As an alternative to mortgaging your home for the traditional 12 gifts, consider these 12 sustainable ideas for a happy, healthy holiday:

Giving a homemade gift, giving your 5 hours of your time, or green gadgets are some of the 12 sustainable ideas showcased in the December issue of Sustainability News, the City’s sustainability newsletter. To read more about these gift ideas check out the newsletter at http://www.elpasotexas.gov/_documents/sustainability_dec.pdf
El Paso International Airport (EPIA) Holiday Performances
El Paso International Airport invited public schools, UTEP, Community College, and Fort Bliss to perform at the terminal during the holiday season. This program has been in effect since 2001. There are 27 groups with over 1000 students that will participate this season. We believe this program is a benefit to our airport customers and visitors, which makes holiday travel at EPIA a more pleasant experience. Performances began December 1 and will go through December 19 (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. About 1,000 students from 25 local area schools will perform at the Airport during the holiday season in the meeter/greeter area.

EPIA would like to thank the following area schools for helping us spread holiday cheer to all our passengers and our community.
Foreign Trade Zone No. 68

The Dallas Business Journal recently announced Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 68 is in the Top 5 Foreign-Trade Zone Hub’s in the Country, according to the Foreign-Trade Zone Board’s annual report to Congress.

The Alliance Global Logistics Hub, which houses the Alliance Texas development, has been named the No. 1 general purpose foreign-trade zone in the U.S. in terms of the amount of foreign merchandise admitted into the zone, according to the Foreign-Trade Zone Board’s 68th annual report to Congress.

The Alliance hub is trailed by Port Hueneme in California; the Newark/Elizabeth hub in New Jersey; the Harris County hub in Texas; and the El Paso hub in Texas — all of which rank in the top five of the U.S. hubs with the most merchandise admitted into the zone.

Data from 2006, which is the most recent information available, shows more than $4 billion in foreign products admitted into the zone.

FTZ No. 68 is the leader of the foreign trade activity occurring in the El Paso Region. The FTZ No. 68 is under the direction of Joe Quiñonez, FTZ General Manager.
Environmental Services Department
Code Enforcement Division

The City of El Paso Environmental Services Department is making it easier for citizens to track and manage information related to code violations, such junked vehicles, overgrown weeds and zoning issues.

Anyone with access to a computer with an Internet connection can now access code enforcement and compliance history data by visiting www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental_services and clicking on the “Look up Your Code Enforcement Case” link.

Users can search by name, case number or address to obtain a summary of code enforcement activity. Summaries include: case number, complaint description, name of person/business the case is associated with, and enforcement activity milestones (date case was filed, inspected, closed, court dates, etc…).

The case status information is supplied by the department’s Code Compliance Division, which works to protect the safety, health and welfare of citizens throughout El Paso County by enforcing codes and other city ordinances. Case status is broken down into four phases: complaint received (REC), case assigned (CAS), in inspection (INS), and case closed (CLD).
Changes to Oregon Street Make Driving to City Hall More Convenient

The City of El Paso Street Department has converted a segment of Oregon Street into a two-way street.

The conversion of Oregon between Arizona Avenue and Main Street became effective on December 14. The project aims to provide the Oregon corridor with a more efficient traffic flow, particularly near the Rio Grande campus of El Paso Community College.

Oregon Traffic Direction Transition 
Employee Recognition
Holiday Decorations
It is an airport tradition for employees to design, create, and assemble holiday decorations. El Paso International Airport would like to thank the following employees for their efforts and creativity on the holiday decorations.

Tina Sandoval
Arturo Terrango
Leticia Silva
Ruben Moran
Ana Diaz
Rosa Martinez
Jana Martinez
Veronica Baca
Patricia Feria
Joe Gutierrez
Rene Avila
Jesus Ferrer
Mundo Anaya
Alfonso Gutierrez
David Carrillo
Luis Duran
Victor Muñiz
Blanca Martinez 		Martin Landereds
Hector Villaneva
Jose Cedeno
Rudy Soliz
Genaro Peña
Sara Gamboa
Tony Macheel
Josefina Mata
Timothy Gadson
Carlos Sanchez
Tony Lara
Dolores Diaz
Ruben Rincon
Felipe Sandoval
David Bustamante
Jesus Santos
Manny Ortiz
employee recogition 4
employee recogition 3
 employee recogition 1employee recogition 2
General Service Worker Retirement

Ruben Loera, General Service Worker, dedicated 28 years of service to the El Paso International Airport's (EPIA) Custodial Section. Mr. Loera retired on November 19, 2008. “The airport was fortunate to have Mr. Loera as a member of our team and we wish him the best on his retirement,” said Patrick T. Abeln, Aviation Director.
Environmental Services Department
Parade Fun

Environmental Services Parade 1 Environmental Services Parade 2
Environmental Services Parade 3 Environmental Services Parade 4
The City of El Paso Environmental Services Department this fall took part in two of the community’s most treasured events – the annual Sun Bowl parade and the Holiday Lights parade.

The Environmental Services Department entries helped foster awareness of the department’s services from trash and recycling collections to vector control. In addition, the entries spotlighted the City’s clean up campaign, Let’s Get to Work. The campaign aims to strengthen community pride, improve our neighborhoods, the environment and our public health by calling on everyone in our community to do their share to clean up El Paso.


SPECIAL FEATURES

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Department of Public Health
Program Profile: Tuberculosis Clinic

Manager Name: Marie Villa R.N.
Address: 5115 El Paso Drive, Suite B
Phone Number: (915) 771-1230
Days/Hours of Operation: 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Number of Employees: 19
Do you charge fees? Medicaid, Medicare and private insurances can be billed. A discount is offered to those that qualify. Necessary services are not denied because of inability to pay.
Do you require appointments? Appointments are preferred but not required
Who do you serve? All residents of El Paso County
What services does this program provide?
• Tuberculosis treatment and screening.
• Contact investigation and disease surveillance and investigation
• Community Education
How does this program protect the health of the El Paso community? By identifying active cases of TB and ensuring appropriate treatment and compliance with treatment to prevent the further spread of disease and by identifying and treating people infected with Latent TB who are at high risk of progression to active disease and preventing future cases of TB.
What is your mission? To promote, ensure, and improve the wellness of our community by controlling the spread of Tuberculosis in El Paso.
Goal: Control the spread of Tuberculosis in El Paso County by prompt identification and appropriate treatment of persons infected with TB and identification and treatment of persons or groups at highest risk of progressing from Latent TB to active disease and spreading disease.
Public Health Thank You Day Celebration

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health, University of Texas at El Paso and Del Sol Medical on Nov. 24 celebrated a day set aside just for public health professional.

On that special day, UTEP College of Health Sciences faculty, staff and students took the time to thank the City’s public health professionals for their service to our community.

The City’s public health professionals are devoted to improving access to health care, preventing and controlling infectious and communicable disease, monitoring public food establishments, providing animal control services, preparing communities for disasters/emergencies, keeping our children healthy, increasing immunization rates, and connecting people to health and community resources.

In recognition of Public Health Thank You Day the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is featuring several of its public health professions on its website and on City 15. The individuals recognized for their contributions to public health are: Oscar Hernandez of the Women, Infants and Children Program, Marie Villa of the Tuberculosis Program, Irene Rivas of the Public Health Preparedness Program, and Dora Flores, Margie Quijano, Maria Garza, Ana Olivares, Aurora Gamez, and Lorrain Rodriguez, the local 2-1-1 Texas Area Information Team. The profiles of these individuals are available at: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/health/Public_Health_Thank_You_Day.asp.
TAKE ADVANTAGE

Holiday Travel Tips – El Paso International Airport

travel tips 1

The holiday traveling season is around the corner. Here are some travel tips to prepare for your trip.

Each holiday travel season, the El Paso International Airport (EPIA) receives a substantial number of passengers.
The airport encourages passengers to arrive at least 2 hours before their flight in order to assist the airlines and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with processing.
The airport advises all passengers to review TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid policy for carry-on bags when going through airport security checkpoints. For passenger convenience, zip-lock bags are being distributed at the TSA table by the escalator, courtesy of EPIA.

travel tips 2 The following information is provided by the Transportation Security Administration. For additional information visit: www.tsa.gov

travel tips 3 Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.
Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.

Traveling with Food or Gifts for the Holidays?
travel tips 4 How to Pack Food and Gift Items
When it comes to bringing items through checkpoints, we've seen just about everything. Traveling for the holidays is an even bigger challenge. Everyone has favorite foods from home that they want to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, or items from their destination that they want to bring back home.

Not sure about what you can and can't bring through the checkpoint*? Here's a list of liquid, aerosol and gel items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home:
•   Gravy
•   Salad dressing
•   Oils and vinegars
•   Cranberry sauce
•   Salsa
•   Sauces •   Maple syrup
•   Creamy dips
•   Wine, liquor and beer
•   Other beverages
•   Jams
•   Jellies
•   Soup

Note: You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but be advised that they might be subject to additional screening.

Picking up a last-minute gift at the airport or taking holiday gifts from home on your flight? 3-1-1 applies to gifts purchased before the checkpoint* too:

•   Perfume
•   Cologne
•   After shave
•   Lotions
•   Wine, beer and liquor
•   Gift baskets with food items like salsa, jams and salad dressings

Remember! – do not wrap gifts you're taking on the plane. Security officers may have to unwrap gifts if they need to take a closer look. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until your destination to wrap them.

* Items purchased after the checkpoint have been pre-screened and can be taken on the plane.
 
Joyce's Corner


Joyce Wilson

I want to wish all City employees a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I want to thank you for your hard work and commitment to the City of El Paso in 2008. We had a lot of significant success and accomplishments in 2008, due in large part to the leadership, commitments and efforts of our employees. Have fun and be safe during this holiday season.
With election season upon us, it is important to point out the prohibitive activities for City employees under personnel policies and civil service rules. The items bolded in the listing below are the ones most frequently addressed during election cycles. Additionally, the rules below also include what is not prohibited – though these non-prohibited activities apply tonon-municipal elections. These rules affect all civil and non-civil service employees. It is important that these rules be strictly adhered to as they can affect an employee’s status if violated, as well as cause problems for affected elected officials since election activities are very public, sometimes hotly contested, and the public and media scrutinize the City organization very carefully. The City organization is working to avoid problems that could compromise an elected official or employee, so please adhere strictly to these policies and rules.

Rule 15-Suspension, Reduction, Discharge Section 1, l
l. After the date of the adoption of these Rules, engaging in the following political activity is prohibited and the employee will be subject to disciplinary action for the following conduct:
(1) actively engaging in the management or organizational committee of any municipal campaign;

(2) acting as a worker at the polls in a municipal election;

(3) participating in the solicitation of money in a municipal election;

(4) contributing money or other valuables for any political purpose in connection with municipal elections;

(5) while on duty, engaging in the distribution of any political material;

(6) while on duty, promoting or engaging in the candidacy of any candidate or political party during any election period, whether it be a partisan or municipal election;

(7) using city time or resources for any political purpose;

(8) while wearing a city uniform, engaging in any political activity;

(9) attempting to influence the vote or political action of any city employee whether superior or subordinate, while on duty;

(10) attempting to influence, through threat or coercion, the vote or political action of any city employee whether superior or subordinate, while on or off duty;

(11) recruiting or encouraging other city employees to support or participate in municipal elections;

(12) seeking political office without first resigning as provide in Rule 17;

(13) accepting political paraphernalia while on duty or on city property;

(14) using your city title or position in an endorsement for any political election.

Anything not prohibited above is permitted, to include the following (which relate to non-municipal elections):
(1) engaging in the organizational efforts of partisan elections;

(2) participating in partisan election steering committees;

(3) demonstrating their political preference in partisan or municipal elections by displaying political paraphernalia representative of their political preference, so long as the employee is off duty, not in uniform, and not in a city facility, and does not use his or her city position or title;

(4) participating in the dialogue of community forums in any election;

(5) endorsing the candidate of their choice in any elections so long as the employee is off duty, not in uniform, and not in a city facility, and does not use his or her city position or title;

(6) participating in all matters related to their candidate’s election in partisan elections;

(7) joining political clubs and organizations;

(8) participating in all partisan activities related to the election process.
(Amended 05/07/02)


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SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE:
MONTHLY SAFETY TIP

Holiday decorating

•  Do not block fire alarms or smoke detectors with decorations. Keep exits free and clear from combustibles and obstructions.
•  Decorations or furnishings must not prevent movement thru doors or hallways. Also, be sure they do not obstruct view of emergency exit signs.
•  Do not hang decorations so the bottom is lower than seven feet from the floor. Never hang decorations from the fire sprinklers.
•  Use stepladders when putting up any decorations. Do not substitute other office furniture, such as a swivel chair, for these tasks.
•  Use only lights, surge protectors, power strips or extension cords that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (UL or ETL/ITSNA).
•  Remember to turn off all lights and other decorations when you leave.