We Keep the College Going

EPCC Physical Plant

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 27, 2011

Inside This Issue 1 Director’s Corner 1 Energy Savings 2 MdP Personnel 3 Retirement 3 Janitorial News 4 NW Library 5 TM Projects 6 Dame La Mano 7 Dame La Mano 8 Dame La Mano 9 Grounds News 9 Staff Birthdays 10 Projects

Director’s Corner

As a result of the energy saving program that EPCC is involved in with the El Paso Electric SCORE Program, EPCC saved over 913,240 kilowatt hours of electrical energy during 2010. This has resulted in paid incentives of $64,548.35. These savings were recorded in spite of the fact that electrical demand is up from where it has typically been. Total reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions is equal to 655.7 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent. This is the same as eliminating the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 125 passenger vehicles, 73,758 gallons of gasoline, and 79 homes. Jose Arteaga, HVAC Energy Management Specialist, says, “From May 2010 to December 2010 we realized a savings of $121,739 at Valle Verde Campus alone. This was because of the reduction in demand and electric consumption. We used between 25% and 30% less electrical energy in 2010 than we used in 2009, and if we continue as we are going, we can reduce that even further.”

2010 Energy Savings Report Shows Great Savings for EPCC

Happy New Year everyone! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back and hope that everyone had a very relaxing holiday season. It is hard to believe that we are facing another new year. This will prove to be a very busy and challenging new year, not only for the Physical Plant, but for all of the EPCC family. In this newsletter we have the opportunity to share some of the photos that were taken at the Dame La Mano gift presentation. I can tell you that the expressions on the children’s faces were enough to make the effort more than worthwhile. I want to express my gratitude for all the support from everyone and all the departments. Your support of this project allowed us to bring the joy of the season to these children. Thank you.

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Both Physical Plant Employees at Mission del Paso Campus to Leave Baldomero Casares has decided to retire at the end of January after working at EPCC for the last 18 years. He began working at Valle Verde Campus for a year in 1992, then at Northwest Campus for over 5 years, and finally at Mission del Paso for the last 12 years. Mr. Casares told us that when he began work at EPCC, it was only supposed to be a temporary job. This is not the first time Waldo retires, he retired from Rockwell International after 30 years as Facilities Manager. Waldo added, “I plan to dedicate my time to my wife of fifty-five years, Eleanor. I’ve enjoyed working here, getting the campus ready and keeping it ready for the students. They are the reason we are here. I am going to miss working at EPCC, I was there when we opened Northwest Campus and the Mission del Paso Campus.” Waldo takes with him our wishes for a happy, relaxing, and well earned retirement.

Sergio Espinoza, Maintenance Worker I, is the other Physical Plant employee at Mission del Paso Campus who has chosen to resign at the end of January. Mr. Espinoza has worked at Physical Plant since he began in April of 2000 as a part-time employee in construction. In January of 2003, Mr. Espinoza became a full-time employee and transferred to the Grounds crew at Valle Verde Campus. Raul Lucero, Grounds Foreman, tells us that Mr. Espinoza was responsible for mowing the lawn, pruning trees and bushes, general campus celan-up, and some set-ups. We hope that Sergio will be as successful as he considers his options for the future as he was in his work during his ten years at El Paso Community College.

Baldomero ‘Waldo’ Casares Mission del Paso

Campus Technician

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Melvin Patridge Retires After 30 Years of Service Valle Verde Campus Technician Melvin Patridge will retire at the end of January after 30 years of service at El Paso Community College. Mr. Patridge worked as campus technician at Rio Grande Campus for 11 years, at Transmountain Campus for 15 years, and finally, at Valle Verde Campus for the last 4 years. In an interview last year, Melvin told us, “The best part of my job is walking through the campus and knowing that my job plays a big part in having provided an effective learning atmosphere. “I have a great deal of respect for the college. Working here has afforded me the ability to raise my family, and now, I can give something back by passing on knowledge to other employees.”

Mel leaves many friends and acquaintances at all campuses of the college district, and we wish him well in whatever he chooses to fill his retirement days.

Melvin Patridge Valle Verde Campus Campus Technician

Janitorial News by Octavio Gonzalez The clean-up that was done during the Christmas was finished a little faster than last year thanks to a few adjustments to the work scheduling. The floor crew will now be working at the Valle Verde “B” building along with the Americana Village until January 25. The floor crew will then move to the Rio Grande Campus in early February, followed by the Northwest Campus. GCA Services Project Manager Octavio Gonzalez told us that they are currently interviewing to hire two replacements for janitors at the ASC “A” and “B” buildings as a result of recent turn-over of staff. Octavio added, “We are now working on the schedule for the break clean-up during the March 12th through 20th Spring Break. It is less time than during the Christmas break, so we have to make the schedule as effective as possible.”

The GCA Services day porters at Mission del Paso Campus include Norma Gutierrez (above) and Teresa Aveytia (not shown).

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Northwest Campus to Build Library Addition

Floor plan provided by Alvidrez Architecture Inc.

Plans have been completed for an addition to the Northwest Campus Library. The new building will add 5,300 square feet to the north side of the existing library. 90% of the drawings have been completed by Alvidrez Architecture Inc. and the project will go out to bid some time this semester. The new area will include a Children’s Area, Computer Area, Reading Area, Study Area, a Lounge, and a Multi-Purpose Room. There will also be two Group Study Rooms, Inter-Active Study Area, and two restrooms. The entire section will have a capacity of 360 people.

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Work Continues at Transmountain Campus Transmountain Campus has been a busy place for the Physical Plant Construction crew and other contractors lately. Work on the Forum has ended and it is being prepared for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, January 28. The comedy play Parallel Lives will begin on the same night and will continue on Saturday 1/29, Friday 2/4, and Saturday 2/5. New curtains were also installed on the stage, along with new carpeting on the floor and on the walls. The renovation will provide a much more comfortable viewing experience in the Forum on a larger number of seats than before.

The walls have been erected for the new Math Emporium on the west side of TM Campus.

Installation of 350 new seats at the TM Forum has been finished.

Work to correct rain water run-off on the north side of Transmountain Campus is almost

complete.

One of the two renovated dressing rooms backstage in the TM Forum with

improved make-up/dressing areas.

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Dame La Mano Project Becomes an EPCC Project The Dame La Mano Project began at the Physical Plant department and quickly became an EPCC project. It allowed us a to share our Christmas spirit with some children who did not have the opportunity to enjoy it. The shelter, which helps women with children in crisis, had 15 families with 28 children in residence. The EPCC family quickly embraced the project and donated countless toys, clothing and over $300. The money was used to make sure every child got new clothes as well as a toy. Last year, a few mothers told us they were very happy, not just for the badly needed clothes, but for the toys which helped the children enjoy a little more traditional holiday. “Some people think that the kids aren’t aware of how much in

crisis the family is, but they know. These gifts are more important than you think,” they added. GCA Services employee, Ruben Chavez, stood in for Santa Claus again this year, and the kids greeted and hugged him regardless of their level of belief. When the project members went to check on the sizes for the children’s clothes, they were made aware that the number of children had increased to 33 and that Dame La Mano had opened a second shelter on Rosa Avenue for entire families in crisis with 32 children.

The second shelter is in a warehouse building that has been converted with the use of tarps and tents to give the families a bit of privacy. Fortunately, the project had received so many gifts from the EPCC family that every one of the children at the second shelter received a gift. Mayra Cordero, Recycling Program Coordinator, who managed the project, said, “The kids loved the gifts, and they all would wait quietly as every single present was opened, then they shouted and laughed. We need to thank everybody at EPCC who helped us reach every child at both shelters, and especially, Ruben Chavez Octavio Gonzalez, and Thomas and Deidre Gifford of GCA Services for their very generous support and help. A smile from a child of a family in crisis is the real Christmas gift.”

Santa with a very happy recipient of some fast toys and some warm clothes.

A few of the parents shared in the unwrapping and happiness.

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Some of the more skeptical children check out Santa’s beard and girth.

(He passed inspection)

Santa is surrounded by the children of the first Dame La Mano shelter on Virginia Street near

downtown El Paso.

Santa poses with some of the children that are currently staying at the second Dame La Mano shelter on Rosa Avenue in central El Paso.

Santa says goodbye to some of the shelter residents in the parking lot of

the converted warehouse.

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The Children of Dame La Mano Show Us the Christmas Spirit

One of the youngest recipients smiles to welcome Mickey Mouse into his home.

This is what it looks like when Santa brings you exactly what you asked for.

Some presents had a bigger audience at opening than others.

The socks were not on his wish list, but the remote control car was.

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Grounds News by Raul Lucero People have asked me, “When is the best time to plant a tree?” I tell them, “Twenty years ago.” Their puzzled faces seem to ask, “What do you mean?” Then I tell them that the second best time to plant a tree is today. That is exactly what we are trying to accomplish throughout the college district. We have started to plant six 2” caliper, 15 gallon Live Oak trees at Mission del Paso Campus. At the same time, we added Ultimate Potting Mix to the soil with a tap of Root Stimulator to get the trees growing. The trees will provide the area with additional shade in the near future for the students to enjoy in front of the main building around the metal sculpture. We intend to provide shade at other campuses as well. Other types of trees that will be planted include the Arizona Ash and the Modesto Ash, to name a few. The Valle Verde Early College Campus will also be the focus of new, additional trees that will be planted soon, followed by the Northwest Campus and Transmountain Campus.

Physical Plant Staff Birthdays

Charles Dean Jan. 3 Pascual Martinez Jan. 9 Arturo Cordero Jan. 13 Javier Cisneros Jan. 14 Ernest Monteros Jan. 20 Terry Fierro Jan. 27 Jose Ortega Feb. 2 Andy Cordova Feb. 4 Gilbert Rivera Feb. 7 Arturo Elenes Feb. 14 Israel Bañuelas Feb. 24 Waldo Casares Feb. 27

This Live Oak, located between the Valle Verde “B” and “C” buildings, is the same kind of tree that was

chosen to be planted in the front circular lawn of the Mission del Paso Campus.

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Construction Projects and Renovations District-Wide Rick Torres, Construction Engineer, provided the following list of construction and renovation projects currently in progress throughout the district: ASC – A Bldg. – The President’s office renovations continue; Work has begun in the new Vice President Office area on the south side of the building across from the Purchasing offices. New Fort Bliss Campus – A Land Lease agreement is expected by June 2011. Mission del Paso – Rooms C119 and C120 converted into one room for Math Emporium. Northwest Campus – Phase 3 has begun at the Early College Campus with the addition of five portable buildings and a road extension. Rio Grande Campus – A wall was installed in B403 to create two rooms; Work on Oregon Street is on schedule; Bids will be opened this spring for the remodeling of the old Kahn Bakery building to be converted into a Math Emporium. Transmountain Campus – Renovation of the Forum is complete and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, January 28. Valle Verde Campus – Work on the new Student Service Center building will go out to bid this semester.

Drawing Provided by CFA

Pictured above is the eastern view of the new Student Services Center building to be built west of the existing Student Services building at Valle Verde Campus. The structure will provide around 40 offices for Vice President, Admissions, Registrar’s, Cashier, Veteran’s Affairs, Tuition/Accounting, and Counseling. The plan also includes two conference rooms, two restrooms, a family restroom, a mail station, and fourteen cashier stations. In the center of the one-story building will be a web area for students to log-on on one of the twenty-six computer stations in the area.