IN THIS ISSUE

Y O U R C I T Y . Y O U R N E W S . O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

TAKE5Page 2BUZZWORTHY

Page 4PERSONAL TOUCH

Page 6KUDOS

Page 8OUT ON THE TOWN

Page 9HEALTH + WELLNESS

Page 10CITY EXCHANGE CELEBRATIONS

CONTENTS

TABL

E OF

Page 4Project Peace

Page 9Flu Vaccination Schedule

Page 2Chinese President Visits Tacoma

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNEROpen Enrollment will take place from Monday, Nov. 9 - Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Instead of receiving information just a few days before Open Enrollment starts, we wanted to make sure you had plenty of advance notice about the major changes taking place with the benefit plans and knew about some upcoming events you might want to attend to learn more.

The major benefit changes taking place during Open Enrollment will be related to the health plans offered through the City. The Joint Labor agreement for 2015-2016 entails the City having four health plan offerings in 2016. Two of the plan choices will be the current Regence BlueShield PPO plan and the Group Health Options POS plan, with some plan design changes. The other two health plan choices are called a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA). The high-deductible health plans are very different from the current plans the City has offered to employees, and ...continued on page 10

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20152

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...NOVEMBER

TRAI

NING Required Training

16 New Employee Orientation TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

17 Domestic Violence Policy Awareness (or online) TMB 1444 9 - 9:30 a.m.

Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention TMB 1444 9:30 a.m. - Noon

Cultural Awareness TMB 1444 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Records Management Basics (online only)

Computer Training2 SharePoint Proficiency

TMB 1530 1 - 4:30 p.m.

3 Access 2010 Level 2 TMB 1530 (New Location) 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

5 Excel 2010 Level 1 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

16 SharePoint Proficiency TPU Computer Training Room 8:30 a.m. - Noon 1 - 4:30 p.m.

17 Excel 2010 Level 3 TPU Computer Training Room 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

18 SharePoint Content Owner TMBN 13 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

19 Word 2010 Level 1 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

General Training4 HR Process Training – Disciplinary

Process TPU Auditorium 1 - 2:30 p.m.

5 The Impact of Stereotypes and Unconscious Bias in Decision Making (GG) Fleet Ops #118 9 a.m. - Noon

18 The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity

...continued on page 3

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS TACOMA Twenty one years after he personally witnessed the establishment of Tacoma’s Sister Cities relationship with Fuzhou as Chairman of the Standing Committee of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Congress, Xi Jinping made his first visit to Tacoma as president of China late last month. His visit to Tacoma concluded with memorable exchanges at Lincoln High School.

“Since his first visit in 1993, Tacoma has evolved into an international port city that is a leader in education, the arts and environmental stewardship. We have strong ties to China and have hosted more than 30 delegations from our sister city, Fuzhou. Education is a civic priority for our city and we want to raise our profile. By hosting President Xi Jinping at Lincoln High School, we did both,” said a Mayor Marilyn Strickland.

During his visit to Lincoln High School, President Xi Jinping interacted closely with students both in the gym and in a classroom, and spoke before a crowd of 500 people in the auditorium about the value of education and hard work. He also presented the students with gifts of books and ping pong tables, and a surprise invitation for 100 Lincoln High School students to visit China as his guests sometime next year.

Lincoln High School and the Affiliated High School of Fuzhou Institute of Education had signed a memorandum of understanding in 2008 to promote faculty, student, cultural and sports exchanges. Several Lincoln High School teachers and Tacoma school district administrators have visited Fuzhou for professional exchanges and to teach during breaks. Lincoln High School also has an active Sister City Club.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20153

Occasionally, training schedules are revised. For the latest information, please view the Human Resources Department’s intranet site.

NOVEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE continued from page 2

TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

19 Myer’s Briggs Type Indicator TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Management Training 3- Situational Leadership4 TMB 1444

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.12 SMF 300 - Personnel Policies/ Labor Relations

TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Safety Training 3 Basic First Aid / CPR

TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

5 Fall Protection TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - Noon

17 Flagging Initial/Refresher TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

18 Basic First Aid / CPR TPU Auditorium 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

19 Forklift SWM #212 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

CITY OF TACOMA JOBSFor the latest City of Tacoma job postings, and to submit an application, visit cityoftacoma.org/jobs. Occasionally, closing dates are revised. For additional assistance, call (253) 591-5400, Ext. 1.

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

APPLY BY OCT. 9 TO BECOME A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ADVOCATE

Are you a problem solver or critical thinker?  Interested in developing more analytical skills and learning how to drive change within the City of Tacoma?

As a part of the Continuous Improvement Initiative, employees are invited to apply to become a Continuous Improvement Advocate. The training for Improvement Advocates is focused on problem identification, solution generation and change implementation skills. This training would culminate with participation in a cross-functional project to improve a service or process for the City. The training would occur weekly on Friday mornings from October 23 through early January (with breaks for the holidays).

This is a great opportunity to develop new skills, build a stronger network within the organization, and showcase your talent on a project with impact. If you are interested in becoming an Improvement Advocate, please submit an application with your resume to your department director. Director nominations for Improvement Advocates are due by Oct. 9. If you previously applied to the program, please send an email restating your interest and discuss your prospective participation with your supervisor. Selections will be made by mid-October 2015.

Please contact Ben Thurgood, bthurgood@cityoftacoma.org, or Katie Johnston, kjohnston2@cityoftacoma.org, with questions about the program.

Directors, please submit your nominations to improve@cityoftacoma.org by Oct. 9.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20154

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...PROJECT PEACE: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS OCT. 5, 21 AND 29The Tacoma Police Department launched Project PEACE (Partnering for Equity and Community Engagement) in September with two community conversations

attended by more than 100 participants each. The conversations continue in October. Everyone is welcome to participate in dialogue with the Tacoma Police Department, City Manager T.C. Broadnax and community members about building community empowerment and creating safe communities through positive relationships with the Tacoma Police Department.

The events are open to all. Light refreshments and supervised activities for children are provided.

The three remaining conversations will be:

For more information visit, cityoftacoma.org/projectpeace or call (253) 591-5000.

Oct. 5Lincoln High School Cafeteria701 S. 37th St.

Oct. 29Centre at NorpointCascade Hall4818 Nassau Ave. NE

Oct. 21University of Puget SoundWheelock Student Center1500 N. Warner St.

PERSONAL TOUCH

PERS

ONAL EMPLOYEES APPROVED

FOR DONATED LEAVETerry Davis Environmental Services

Michael Shawn Madison Environmental Services

Nina Oliver-Jones Information Technology

Jeffrey Gallagher Public Works

Louis Delicino Tacoma Public Utilities

Julie Dillard Tacoma Public Utilities

Anita James Tacoma Public Utilities

Earl Kahawaii Tacoma Public Utilities

Carol Matthews Tacoma Public Utilities

Kristina Reed Tacoma Public Utilities

Hollie Coates-Seamster Tacoma Public Utilities

Matt Spiker Tacoma Public Utilities

Patricia Taylor Tacoma Public Utlities

If you wish to donate leave, please contact your timekeeper or Human Resources, (253) 591-5400, for a Sick Leave/Paid Time Off Donation Form.

NEXT COMMUTER BIKE TRAIN IS OCT. 28Last month’s Commuter Bike Train with Council Members David Boe, Lauren Walker and Ryan Mello ended at Stadium High School after a tour of downtown’s existing and future bike infrastructure. The four-mile loop allowed participants to experience Pacific, the Prairie Line Trail through University of Washington Tacoma, a bike boulevard on Fawcett, a new green box on 25th and Tacoma, and more. The next Commuter Bike Train is Oct. 28. Go to downtownonthego.com for more information.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20155

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS DRILL TO TAKE PLACE IN OCTOBERDo you know what to do during and after an earthquake? 

If you are inside when the shaking starts:

• Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on.  Protect your head with a pillow.• Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.• Stay indoors until the shaking stops.  If you must leave the building after the shaking

stops, make sure it is safe to exit and use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.

• Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

If you are outside when the shaking starts:

• Find a clear spot and drop to the ground.• Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop.  Avoid bridges, overpasses

and power lines if possible.  Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.  Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks

and other debris.  Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

Just a friendly reminder that the annual Drop, Cover and Hold Drill will take place this October.  

For more information on earthquake preparedness please visit shakeout.org/washington.

SHOP SMART AND SAVE PUGET SOUNDFor a limited time, Tacoma Surface Water Management is sponsoring a free one-year subscription to the new Chinook Book

phone app in support of Puget Sound.  Pledge to perform one Puget Sound-friendly action by the end of 2015. Scoop your dog’s waste, or wash your car on the lawn or gravel or at a car wash. Or use few, if any, pesticides on your lawn or garden.  Take the pledge and receive an activation code to download the free phone

app with coupons and savings to more than 55 local and 500 regional sustainable businesses by visiting one of these three locations during regular business hours before Dec. 31, 2015:

TacomaFIRST Customer Support CenterTacoma Municipal Building, Second Floor 747 Market Street Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

EnviroHouse 3510 South Mullen StreetWednesday-Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM Saturday-Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM

Center for Urban Waters 326 East D Street Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM

Limit one per household. Must live within Tacoma City limits.  Learn more.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20156

GREATJOB!GREATJOB!KUDOS

WAY

TO

GO!

PAYROLL CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN HIGH CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDSKudos to John Ching and his staff in Payroll, for all of the hard work they do behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. Their professionalism is much appreciated.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED BY VISITOR TO ENVIROHOUSEJanda Volkmer and the EnviroHouse received recognition from a Tacoma resident who visited the EnviroHouse in September. The visit, which lasted over an hour, included a tour of both the interior and exterior of the green living model house and the landscape.

The resident in a letter to Environmental Services Director Mike Slevin said, “Your staff member Janda Volkmer spent over an hour with me and was very knowledgeable and patient with my questions. You are doing a great service for Tacoma.”

TIPS: AVOIDING PASSWORD REUSEAvoiding password reuse can be challenging because of the number of websites and accounts that require passwords, some of which require updating your password every 30 days. There are two ways to both avoid password reuse and to ensure any password meets the recommended password complexity requirements.

The first technique is to use a password manager to remember each unique password. NEVER use your work email address when signing up for and accessing

personal web sites. Enterprise Information Security Program Password managers are applications that can

be stored on a computer, smartphone, or in the cloud, and will securely track passwords and where they are

used. Most password managers can also generate complex random passwords for each account if you choose to do so. As long as the password to access the password manager

is sufficiently complex, this technique can be affective. However, if the company running the password manager is compromised (which does happen) it is possible that all your passwords will also be compromised. If you choose a password manager that is local to your computer or smartphone, that information may be compromised if malware gets on your computer or you lose your smartphone. When choosing a password manager, ensure it is from a known, trustworthy company.

The second technique is to choose a repeatable pattern for your password, such as choosing a sentence that incorporates something unique about the website or account, and then using the first letter of each word as your password. For example the sentence, “This is my August password for the Center for Internet Security website.” would become “TimAp4tCfISw”. Since a strong password is complex, and includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, and a symbol, this password keeps the capitalization within the sentence, translates the word “for” to the number “4,” and adds the period to include to add a symbol. The vulnerability in this technique is that if multiple passwords from the same user are exposed it may reveal the pattern. Regardless of how a unique password is chosen, it is critically important that every password is unique.

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20157

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO DO TOUGH MUDDER? Last month, a team of 20 City of Tacoma employees and friends (code name: the Muddy Bureaucrats) tackled the 2015 Tough Mudder challenge, completing 20 challenging obstacles over a 10.1-mile course. The grueling event challenged participants’ grit, determination and physical ability. The event was all about teamwork, awesomeness, and a whole lot of mud. Seriously, there was a lot of mud. The team climbed mountains of mud, carried each other down twisted paths, ran through electrified wire, slid into an ice bath, pulled each other over 10-foot walls, and leapt for glory as they rang a bell hanging 20 feet in the air! A few teammates even crossed monkey bars for the first time in decades. Congratulations to all of our City of Tacoma Tough Mudder finishers:

Jim Duggan (Fire), Tory Green (Fire), Faith Mueller (Fire), Barton Hayes (Police), Jeff Jenkins (PW), Elizabeth Pauli (CAO), Lisa Wojtanowicz (NCS), Pamela Duncan (NCS), Jamie Jackson (NCS), Debbie Bingham (CED), Jack Kelanic (IT), Danielle Larson (Finance), Johnny O’Loughlin (ES), Tim Allen (Retirement), Tadd Wille (OMB), Teresa Green (OMB), Kathryn Johnston (OMB), Ben Thurgood (OMB)

Some of the Muddy Bureaucrats have already signed up for next year. Will you join them? Contact Ben Thurgood at (253) 591-5816 for more information.

COURAGE TO BREAK THE SILENCE RALLY ON OCT. 2In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness in October, the City of Tacoma invites you to the COURAGE to Break the Silence Rally from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Tollefson Plaza.

This year, rally speakers will focus on the topic of building community through cultural awareness.

People also can participate by tuning in to TV Tacoma. Throughout the month, domestic violence service providers and services will be featured on Tacoma Report and CityLine, which is available on Click! and Comcast in Tacoma and Pierce County or online at cityoftacoma.org/TVTacoma.

To End Domestic Violence

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20158

GET OUTOUT ON THE TOWN2015 HEART AND STROKE WALK OCT. 3LeMay Car Museum 9 a.m.

The Heart & Stroke Walk celebrates those who have made lifestyle changes and encourages many more to make the pledge to live healthier lifestyles while raising the dollars needed to fund life-saving research and initiatives in our local community.

The City aimed to have a great showing with at least 150 walkers … and we recruited 148 walkers!  Our fundraising goal was set at $15,000 for the fight against heart disease and stroke … and we are currently at almost $9,000! We thank everyone who registered to demonstrate their commitment to health. 

Fun Fact:  The winning shirt design based on the city-wide vote is the Royal Blue shirt (66.5%). All registered walkers are getting a free shirt!

For specific event information visit the South Sound Heart Walk Website:

GET TICKETS ONLINE BY OCT. 23 TO SAVE ON ‘TRAVIS PASTRANA’S NITRO CIRCUS LIVE’ AT THE TACOMA DOME NOV. 3The world’s greatest live action sports event returns to North America this fall with an all-new show. Nitro Circus Live’s latest creation takes things to another level, as the best athletes in freestyle motocross (FMX), BMX and more will unite for an all-new production.  Starring 17-time X Games medalist Travis Pastrana, the tour will feature unbelievable tricks, insane stunts and the craziest contraptions ever, plus a whole new repertoire of daredevil fun.

Three discount ticket options are available: $71 (originally $81), $46 (originally $51) and $36 (originally $41). To buy tickets with the discount, go online here and use the special offer code TDOME. The discounted price is for tickets bought online only. Online Ticketmaster fees do apply. Discount is not available for previously purchased tickets.

This offer expires at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23.

For more information, please visit tacomadome.org.

Check out the special events calendar for more information on other upcoming events around Tacoma.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 20159

OPEN ENROLLMENT MEETINGS OCT. 27 AND NOV. 4The Benefits Division will host some employee benefit presentations closer to Open Enrollment to communicate the benefit plan changes taking place, Open Enrollment deadlines, and how to complete your enrollments through ESS, etc. They hope you can attend a session but, if you cannot, will also be providing a webinar recording so you can view this information at your leisure.

Oct. 27, 2015 Nov. 4, 2015Tacoma Public Utilities (Auditorium) Tacoma Municipal Building (Council Chambers)8 a.m. - 10 p.m. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 2 - 4 p.m.2 - 4 p.m.

BE WELLHEALTH + WELLNESSThe upcoming Health and Wellness Fairs are designed to offer fun and

engaging resources to help us live healthier, happier and safer lives. In addition to the educational materials that will be made available, there will be numerous fun giveaways –

including a Tacoma Employee Wellness Vortex Tumbler

(16 oz double-wall tumbler for both hot and cold beverages, personalized with the Tacoma Employee Wellness Logo).

There will also be door prize drawings (15+) at each event! To be entered into a door prize drawing, you will need to collect a Wellness Passport from the Wellness Program table. By

visiting a certain number of booths, you will be entered into

the drawing for ALL offered prizes! Learn more at the events themselves and in upcoming communications.

IS YOUR ADDRESS CURRENT IN SAP?As they did last year, the Benefits Division will mail out to all employees’ homes an Open Enrollment newsletter. This newsletter will contain a summary of everything you need to know about the benefit changes taking place in 2016 along with how to complete your Open Enrollment benefit elections for 2016. Please check your address listed in SAP to make sure it’s correct so you don’t miss this important mailing. In the meantime, if you need assistance with any of your benefits or have questions on the above information, please contact the Benefits Division at benefits@cityoftacoma.org or at (253) 573-2345.

WELLNESS EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN OCTOBERThe annual health fairs are scheduled during the month of October. All of the City of Tacoma’s benefit providers will be in attendance and have summary materials available. Group Health and Regence BlueShield will be available to talk about the new health plan designs for 2016. Additionally, the Benefits Division staff will be available at the fairs to assist employees so they are prepared to complete their online Open Enrollment elections in November using Employee Self-Service (ESS). Do you remember your password and how to login? Check out the new look and feel of ESS since the upgrade last spring so you know how much easier it is to navigate through the system and finalize your Open Enrollment elections.

FLU VACCINATION SCHEDULEEven healthy people can get the flu. This season, protect yourself – and those around you – by getting a flu vaccine.

Location Date TimeCowlitz Hydro Project 10/1/2015 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.Environmental Services-CTP 10/7/2015 7 - 9:30 a.m.Tacoma Public Utilities Auditorium 10/9/2015 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Health & Wellness FairGreen River Headworks 10/13/2015 8 - 9 a.m.Loveland 10/14/2015 3 - 4:30 p.m.Environmental Svc Solid Waste 10/14/2015 6 - 8 a.m.Public Works Streets & Grounds 10/15/2015 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.Tacoma Police Dept 10/16/2015 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. & 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tacoma Rail 10/21/2015 6 - 8 a.m. & 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.Tacoma Municipal Bldg, Room 708 10/22/2015 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Health & Wellness FairCenter for Urban Waters 10/27/2015 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.Tacoma Public Library 10/29/2015 9 - 10:30 a.m.

TAKE5 OCTOBER 201510

Would you like to see the great things your

department is doing highlighted in Take5? Have workplace tips, kudos, fun

stories and more that you’d like to share with your fellow employees? Submit content for the November 2015 issue of Take5 by Oct. 15 at

10 a.m. to take5@cityoftacoma.org. If you have general comments, questions or suggestions about Take5, contact Maria Lee in the Media

and Communications Office at maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org or

(253) 591-2054.

WE

WANT T

O HEAR FROM YOU!

EXCHANGE

CITY There are no new items listed.

For full details about items available through City Exchange, please visit the Green Team site at gnet/greenteam, go to “Waste Reduction,” then “City Exchange.” Contact the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability at sustainability@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 502-2223 if you would like to add or remove items from the list.

Management and Joint Labor wanted the Benefits Division to begin communications about these plans earlier in the year leading up to Open Enrollment. The Benefits Division began communications last June with a mid-year newsletter that was mailed to employees’ homes. After this kick-off communication, two new benefit videos were added to the Video Library related to HDHP/HSA plans, along with other communication materials like an in-depth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. Additionally, a series of special employee benefit presentation meetings were held specifically on the new high-deductible health plans and there is a webinar recording for those who could not attend a meeting to view at their leisure. All these communication materials can be found in one easy place on the Benefits Division webpage.

OPEN ENROLLMENT – continued from page 1

CONGRATS!CELEBRATIONSTACOMAFIRST 311 CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER CELEBRATES TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARYSince opening on Oct. 1, 2013, the TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center has served more than 90,000 residents.

The TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center serves as Tacoma’s “one-stop shop” for City services offering a concierge feel in the way of reception, face-to-face interaction, 311 telephone support, mobile app connectivity and online resources. 

Learn more at cityoftacoma.org/tacomafirst311 .