The next several weeks will be very busy for city employees as

deadlines are approaching regarding choices for health care and

benefits. Please take note of the following dates and don’t forget

to use the redesigned Human Resources Connection (HRC) web

site for complete information.

Oct. 16 - Nov. 3: Open enrollment dates. This is the time frame

you have to make changes to your current health care and

benefits selections for the 2018 year. Check out the schedule for

this year’s Open Enrollment Fairs. You will receive an Employee

Benefits Guide in the mail, but can also view it online.

Dec. 1: This is the EXTENDED deadline for employees and their

spouses or qualified domestic partner to complete the Health

Risk Assessment (HRA) and PCP office visit in order to receive a

wellness incentive of up to $45 per month. Download your

biometric form.

Dec. 1: This is the deadline for dependents to be verified with

the city for medical coverage. This applies to anyone enrolled in

family medical coverage on/before Aug. 31, 2017.

If you have any questions about any of these deadlines, please

contact Benefits at 262-4777 or email the Benefits office.

The Weekly Connection Newsletter for City of Phoenix Employees • October 11, 2017

HEALTHY CHANGES CITY ELECTION NEWS

Get ready for some anticipated changes to the city’s Mayor and Council seats. Mayor Stanton recently announced his intention to run for Congress in the Fall 2018 Election. State law requires that if an elected official runs for a different office, they must resign their current office if there is more than a year remaining in the term. Since there is more than a year remaining in the Mayor’s term, he would have to resign by May 30, 2018. If any councilmember chose to run for mayor, they would also have to resign as councilmember. The date when these resignations are required depends on when the mayor officially leaves office.

The date of the election depends on when the resignation/vacancy occurs. The special election for mayor could be in March, May, August or November of 2018. However, the special election for councilmember could be on a different date than the election for mayor.

When the mayoral vacancy occurs, the City Charter requires the City Council to select one of the remaining council members to serve as mayor until the special election. That councilmember also continues to serve as the council member for their district. If a council member resigns, the city council must appoint a qualified elector of that district to serve as the councilmember for the district until the special election.

MAKE THIS A NEW YEAR… A NEW YOU!

Have an idea for the next PHXConnect?

E-mail us: phxconnect@phoenix.gov

BETA TESTERS NEEDED

Phoenix Public Works is looking for people to beta test a new message alert program to remind residents about placing their trash and recycling bins out for pickup. The only requirement is to be a Phoenix resident with residential collection service. Use this link to get started.

Once you enter some quick details— you are on your way to getting the reminders. Have the whole family sign up because everyone’s feedback is needed! If you have any questions, email Public Works. For help with the Android App, see this instruction guide.

FREE HERBS & BASIL To get ready for Phoenix Food Day on Saturday, October 21, the Green Gardening Group is giving away fresh, free herbs and basil. To get yours, stop by Phoenix City Hall Atrium on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 17 & 18, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Interested in joining the Phoenix Police Department? An upcoming career fair will showcase some of the 80 job details and specialty assignments within the department. Candidates who pre-register will also be able to take the written exam that same afternoon. Details:

Friday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. - noon

Phoenix Convention Center, South Building

Visit the Police Department’s website

Here’s the link to all of the current open jobs in PHX.

POLICE CAREER FAIR

$100,000 COMPETITION

Stop! Look! Vote! Make your voice heard in the city of Phoenix Sustainable Home Design competition. There are five finalists and you have a chance to pick the winner. The winning entry will be available to download at no cost for anyone to use and build their own home, with permit fees & LEED certification included! Public voting until Oct. 15.

Vicki teaches readiness

programs, Kindergarten

Bootcamp and Preschool

Prep. for the Library.

In my spare time, I enjoy

doing escape rooms, playing

board games and reading

(of course).

Vicki started with the city in

June of 2015.

Vicki also instructs the

teachers of these programs,

observes them teaching and

provides feedback.

Fast Facts

Favorite book series:

Harry Potter

Favorite quote:

“All you need is love”

Best place for dessert:

Churn or Sweet Republic

Favorite Phoenix park:

My 4-year-old loves

going to Encanto Park

Special moment in your career:

“A parent who went through

Kindergarten Bootcamp came

back to say her son was doing

great because of our program.”

What makes Phoenix a great

place to work:

“There are such wonderful

people working for the city.”

Vicki Vela-Thai

Early Literacy Outreach Specialist

Phoenix Public Library

Check out all of the profiles on our amazing city employees by clicking on this link.

FitPHX is holding a free, family-oriented group workout series for all ages and experience levels. Professional instructors will lead calorie-burning classes such as MixxedFit, P90X, Turbo Kick, Insanity, Zumba & Country Heat. Details:

Tuesdays through Dec. 5

6 - 7 p.m.

West end of Hance Park

Visit the city’s calendar for the weekly schedule

FALL INTO FITNESS

PAINT PHOENIX PURPLE

Five years ago, the city of Phoenix started a campaign to raise awareness for domestic violence. This video looks back on the programs and practices that make Phoenix a national model on the topic.

And did you notice what happens when you log into the newly-remodeled eCHRIS system? The eCHRIS team is “all-in” on the Paint Phoenix Purple campaign by changing the background to match the theme for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Find out how to get involved in the Paint Phoenix Purple campaign.

GET YOUR SHIRTS

The city of Phoenix recently joined the Fast Track Cities Initiative to strengthen HIV programs and leverage resources to end AIDS by 2030. To show support for the Fast Track Cities Initiative, polos and button up t-shirts are available for purchase through Nov. 9. Orders will be available for pickup at City Hall on the 12th Floor on Nov. 27 and 28 between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Employees are encouraged to wear their shirts on Dec. 1 in celebration of World AIDS Day and the official kick-off of the initiative. For more information, please email Tamyra Spendley.

As the city continues to work hard at improving its customer service, changes have been made to help streamline resident inquiry responses. The city’s AdvancePHX team has been working on creating a regularly updated toolkit to aid in responding to all resident concerns, requests and inquiries.

This toolkit is composed of a liaison list as well as fact sheets for each department and is meant to be used by the offices of the Mayor, Council and City Manager as a quick reference tool for staff. The list will help staff respond to residents more efficiently by pointing them in the right direction to answer inquiries from residents.

To access the document, visit the insidePHX homepage; a link to the document is listed in one of the blue sliders entitled "City Departments 101." The document can also be found as a graphic link at the top of the “Departments” webpage. For questions, please contact the management intern in the City Manager's Office.

CITY DEPARTMENTS 101

The following employees are accepting leave donations. If you’d like to help; use eChris to make your donation:

Sonia Sotelo, secretary II, Housing

David Torres, trades helper*U2, Housing

LEAVE DONATIONS

This event will be held in the outdoor plaza east of City Hall and on Adams Street between 3rd and 2nd Avenues. The Hands & Hearts Faire is the highlight of the City’s Community Service Fund Drive, which raises funds to benefit health & human services agencies and environmental groups that serve our community.

Water-Works Burger / Cornhole / Gift Baskets – Water Nachos / Popcorn - Technology Indian Fry Bread / (2) Tuft & Needle Mattress w Pillow & Sheet Set - CED Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwich / Cole Slaw / Drink – Public Works Baked Goods - Retirement Street Tacos – Streets Hooters Wings - Parks Gift Basket Drawings - Aviation Drawing: Handmade Backyard Jenga – Human Resources T-Shirts / Mugs / Stickers - Police Snack Bar & APDA Items for sale - Public Defenders Office Cardinals vs Seahawks / Jenga Drawings – Phoenix Hispanic Network Gift Baskets – Fire Caricatures / Popcorn – Library Phoenix Portfolio’s / Lanyards – City Manager’s Office Gift Basket Drawings – Finance Root Beer Floats / Frozen Treats – City Clerk Drawings and Wall Calendar – Communications Drawings: Fishing / Camping / Tools / Live Pottery Making – Planning and

Development Faire Snacks / Ice Cream Bars / Pickles / Water – Human Services Drawings: Baskets / TV / Golfing for 4 / Custom Cornhole Set –

Neighborhood Services Street Corn (Elote) / Drawings – Equal Opportunity Pizza / Drink – Public Transit Networking / Drawings – National Forum for Black Public

Administrator Central Arizona Chapter Gift Card Baskets – Law “House of Cards” Gift Cards / ASU vs USC Football Drawing– Housing Brats / Polish Sausage Meals & Drawings – Phoenix Convention Center

Thursday, Oct. 19

10:15 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hands & Hearts

Street Faire

Food

Games

Items for Sale

Drawings

Employees can

park FREE at the

305 garage

during this event.

Please bring

your Employee ID

for verification.