IN THIS ISSUE

Y O U R C I T Y . Y O U R N E W S . J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

TAKE5

Page 5Reporting to Work in Inclement Weather

Page 8MLK, Jr. Birthday Celebration Jan. 18

Page 3New Form for Income Tax Filing

NEW FACES ON THE CITY COUNCILCouncil Member Keith Blocker and Council Member Conor McCarthy took their seats on the dais on Jan. 5, 2016. Council Member Blocker has replaced Lauren Walker in District 3, and Council Member McCarthy has replaced David Boe in an At-Large seat. Both will serve on the City Council through Dec. 31, 2019, along with Council Member Anders Ibsen in District 1 and Council Member Ryan Mello, who serves in at At-Large capacity and is also the Deputy Mayor this year. The rest of the City Council, including Mayor Marilyn Strickland, are currently serving terms through Dec. 31, 2017. More information, including biographical information for each member of the City Council, is available at cityoftacoma.org/council.Page 2

BUZZWORTHY

Page 8PERSONAL TOUCH OUT ON THE TOWN

Page 9WELLNESS KUDOS CELEBRATIONS

ARCHIVES

CONTENTS

TABL

E OF

TAKE5 JANUARY 20162

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...FREE ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO CHINOOK BOOK For a limited time, get a free one-year subscription to the new Chinook Book phone app in support of Puget Sound. Visit the TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center (Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., 2nd Floor Lobby), EnviroHouse (3510 S. Mullen St.), or Center for Urban Waters (326 E. D St.) to fill out a pledge to do your part to protect Puget Sound and pick up your free app activation code for access to coupons and savings to more than 55 local and 500 regional sustainable businesses. To learn more, visit the City’s website.

FEBRUARY

TRAI

NING Required Training

1 Benefits Orientation TMB 1530 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. *Permanent Employees Only

22 New Employee Orientation TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Benefits Orientation TMB 1444 1 - 3:30 p.m.

23 Domestic Violence Policy Awareness TMB 1444 9 - 9:30 a.m. *Also online

Cultural Awareness TMB 1444 9:30 a.m. - Noon

Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention TMB 1444 1 - 3:30 p.m.

Records Management Basics *Online only

Computer Training9 SharePoint Proficiency

TMB 1530 8:30 a.m. - Noon 1 - 4:30 p.m.

10 Excel 2010 Level 2 TPU Computer Training Room 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

16 SharePoint Content Owner TMB 1530 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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

24 Outlook TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

General Training4 HR Process Training – Personnel Actions

TPU Auditorium 1 - 2:30 p.m.

25 Race: Power of an Illusion Fleet Ops 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Management Training10 SMF 100 – EEO/Legal Policies

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

...continued on page 3

NEW STREAMLINED PERMITTING PLATFORM LAUNCHING IN JANUARYPlanning and Development Services (PDS) department is announcing some big news! In an effort to streamline the permitting process and improve the customer experience, PDS is launching a new online Tacoma Permits system that utilizes Accela software. This launch is being realized through a collaborative effort by a number of City departments including: Information Technology, Fire, Environmental Services, Public Works, PDS and Tacoma Public Utilities.

Once launched, the new platform includes permit applications, payment processing, permit tracking throughout the entire process and the ability to request an inspection via website or phone. Access to the platform will be available through the TacomaPermits.org site.

To accommodate the installation of the new platform, permitting services will be offline from Monday, January 11, through Monday, January 18. During this time frame, no permit applications will be accepted with the exception of emergency applications. These dates are leading up to the launch date of the platform on Tuesday, January 19.

To view a list of frequently asked questions or for more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/TacomaPermits.

TAKE5 JANUARY 20163

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

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.

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

FEBRUARY TRAINING SCHEDULE continued from page 2

Safety Training2- 3-Day CDL Classroom4 SW Cascades

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.9 Hazwoper Refresher

Fleet Ops 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

11 Defensive Driving SW Olympics 8 a.m. - Noon

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

18 Forklift Operation TPU Auditorium 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

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

NEW FORM TO USE FOR 2015 INCOME TAX FILING

Regence BlueShield Health Plan ParticipantsAs you begin to prepare for your 2015 income tax filing, please be aware that you will be receiving a new form (1095-C) that you will need to use to complete your tax filing. Under the health reform law, most Americans are now required to have health insurance or pay a penalty on their income taxes. Full-time employees and employees enrolled in the Regence BlueShield medical plan will receive a Form 1095-C around the same time as your W-2 form. Here’s why you need Form 1095-C:

If you enrolled in City of Tacoma medical coverage in 2015, the form provides the information needed to report on your income tax return that you (and your spouse, domestic partner, and dependents, if applicable) had qualifying health coverage for some or all months during the year.

The City of Tacoma will send you the Form 1095-C prior to Feb. 1, 2016. You don’t need to attach it to your income tax return – just use it for reference.

Group Health Cooperative Health Plan ParticipantsAs you begin to prepare for your 2015 income tax filing, please be aware that you may receive two new forms (1095-C and 1095-B) that you will need to use to complete your tax filing. Under the health reform law, most Americans are now required to have health insurance or pay a penalty on their income taxes. Full-time employees and employees enrolled in the Group Health Cooperative medical plan may receive two new forms around the same time as your W-2 form. Here’s what they’re for:

• Form 1095-C: This form will be sent to full-time employees and includes information about the health insurance coverage, if any, City of Tacoma offered to you in 2015.

• Form 1095-B: This form will be sent to employees enrolled in the City of Tacoma medical plan in 2015. This form provides the information needed to report on your income tax return that you (and your spouse, domestic partner, and dependents, if applicable) had qualifying health coverage for some or all months during the year.

The City of Tacoma will send you the Form 1095-C and Group Health Cooperative will send you the Form 1095-B prior to Feb. 1, 2016. You don’t need to attach the forms to your tax return – just use them for reference.

...continued on next page

TAKE5 JANUARY 20164

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

CITY OF DESTINY AWARDS NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JAN. 22Nominations for the City of Tacoma’s 30th annual City of Destiny Awards, which spotlights exceptional volunteers who have worked to drive Tacoma forward, are being accepted now through Jan. 22, 2016.

Eligibility requirements for each of the award categories are available on the current nomination form, which is available in hard copy at the various Tacoma Public Library branches and the TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center (Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., 2nd Floor).

The current nomination form, and additional details about the City of Destiny Awards, is also available at cityoftacoma.org/destinyawards.

New Benefits Video on the 1095-C FormPlease visit the Benefit Division’s video library at cityoftacoma.org/benefits for a short informative video about the 1095-C form. It explains the new forms you are required to use in completing your 2015 income tax filing due to the health reform mandate. You can also go directly to the video using this link. If you have any questions, please contact Kari Louie at klouie@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5419.

TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF TACOMA RECYCLE CENTERBeginning Feb. 1, 2016, the Tacoma Recycle Center (3511 S. Mullen St.) will be temporarily relocated to a parking lot adjacent to the current facility to provide for public safety while the Recycle Center roof is being replaced.

The temporary relocation will not affect the Center’s hours of operation and signs will help direct customers to the new location, yet some services will be limited or unavailable during construction.

The map to the right shows the location of the temporary Recycling Center and the flow of traffic to the new location.

If customers have items that will not be accepted during the temporary move or large quantities of household hazardous waste materials, they are encouraged to bring them to the Recycle Center before Feb. 1.

Solid Waste Services anticipates reopening the Recycle Center’s permanent location by Aug. 2016.

PermanentRecycling Center(closed for renovation)

ToDisposal

TEMPORARYRECYCLING CENTER

Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.seven days a week

ENTER

TAKE5 JANUARY 20165

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...REPORTING TO WORK DURING INCLEMENT WEATHERThe winter season is upon us, bringing colder temperatures, snow and inclement weather. This information provides an overview of what is expected of you when reporting to work during inclement weather emergencies.

If a work location becomes non-operational (closed) due to inclement weather, non-emergency employees should be allowed to use Personal Time Off (PTO), vacation or compensatory time for the duration of the disruption to services. Only City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Tacoma Public Utilities Director/CEO Bill Gaines, or their designees, can make the decision about whether City offices or work locations are considered to be non-operational.

Employees who report to work during non-operational times will be paid their regular wages for their scheduled time worked.

If the work location is fully operational but the employee is unable to report to or remain at work due to inclement weather, or the employee needs or chooses to stay home, the employee must get approval from his or her supervisor to take vacation leave, personal time off (PTO) or earned compensatory time. If such leave is not available, then leave without pay may be authorized by the supervisor.

Employees who report to work, but are late may be allowed to adjust their work schedule for that week with supervisor approval, and if the adjustment aligns with the responsibilities of the job and does not require overtime pay.

Employees are expected to notify their supervisor of their inability to report for work as scheduled, in the same manner as any other occasion. Managers and supervisors must ensure adequate work area coverage for each circumstance to ensure that necessary City services continue.

...continued on next page

NOTE TO MANAGERS ON ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY EMPLOYEESAll departments in the City of Tacoma should have identified critical, essential services and functions that need to continue in the event of an extreme emergency. An “essential emergency employee” is a specific employee whose duties are of such a nature that they are required to report to work or remain at the work site to continue department operations during an emergency situation. Generally, essential emergency personnel are those individuals identified to answer phone calls and those who have the business knowledge to be responsive to critical department business services provided to both external and internal customers. Backup personnel for those individuals considered essential emergency personnel should also be identified in the department’s “Continuity of Operations” plans. Phone trees and processes for communicating with staff should be identified and established. This is a good time to practice the use of the phone communication process within your departments and divisions.

TAKE5 JANUARY 20166

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...

NEW COLD WEATHER YOUNG ADULT SHELTERThe City of Tacoma, in partnership with Pierce County Community Youth Services opened a Cold Weather Young Adult Shelter on Dec. 14.

The shelter will operate seven days a week from 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 31, 2016 at the Beacon Senior Center to provide young adult men and women who are experiencing homelessness a safer alternative to urban camping.

The young adult shelter, which will operate after the center closes and before it opens, will provide participants with meals prepared and delivered by the Tacoma Rescue Mission as well as provide access to resources, case managers and social services.

“The City met with its community homeless service providers to develop a Cold Weather Season Plan, and through those conversations it became evident that the community was missing resources to help young adults, ages 18-24,” said Assistant to the City Manager Nadia Chandler-Hardy, who also oversees the Neighborhood and Community Services Department as its director.

To open the temporary shelter, the City has set aside $150,000 for the shelter with the intent to provide up to 50 beds per night, Chandler-Hardy said.

The City is investing an additional $84,600 in cold weather homeless services, which will allow both the Salvation Army and the Tacoma Rescue Mission to expand shelter services to families with children and adult women and men from Dec. 1 through March 31 with the intent to not turn away anyone seeking shelter.

For more information about the cold weather young adult shelter, contact Pierce County Community Youth Services at (253) 256-3087.

On a case-by-case basis and depending on the nature of the job, managers can assign employees to work from home, as long as they ensure that legitimate, productive work is being accomplished and that the time worked is documented. Checking e-mail and voice mail alone does not constitute time worked. Permission to work at home should be documented with an understanding of what work will be accomplished, with follow-up on what was completed for the time period worked.

The General Government Media and Communications Office will notify the media if any City facilities will be closed or will start later than scheduled, and the Tacoma Public Utilities Community and Media Services staff will notify the media if Tacoma Public Utilities facilities will be closed or will start later than scheduled. Employees who are required to report to work during an authorized closure will be paid their regular rate of pay for all hours worked, pursuant to Personnel Management Policy 110.

Please check the City’s Web site at cityoftacoma.org for notification on the status of the City of Tacoma’s facilities and service delivery to the public. In addition to checking in with your manager or supervisor, you can listen to local news radio stations such as KIRO 710 AM, KOMO 1000 AM or check local TV news for notice of any closures. Also remember to call and check your voicemail for messages.

INCLEMENT WEATHER continued from page 5

TAKE5 JANUARY 20167

NEWSBUZZWORTHY...NOW OPEN: LINCOLN DISTRICT PROJECT OFFICE In 2015, the City of Tacoma launched a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization project in the Lincoln Business District and surrounding neighborhood. The project involves several coordinated initiatives around infrastructure improvements, economic development, public art, neighborhood beautification, human services and public safety.

In an effort to facilitate community engagement throughout the course of the project, the City has set up a project office in the heart of the Lincoln Business District (750 S. 38th St., Suite C). The office opened in November and includes work stations for City staff, meeting space, and a customer support station where residents can access City services on the web. The Community and Economic Development Department has hired a business outreach specialist, My Nguyen, to staff the office Monday through Friday and there are additional staff members working in the office during the week as well. Regular office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Lincoln District Project Office, please contact Debbie Bingham in Community and Economic Development at (253) 591-5117 or debbie.bingham@cityoftacoma.org.

The Lincoln Project Office can be used by City staff for meetings with the Lincoln community. It’s available to reserve as a room in Outlook.

To learn more about the Lincoln District Revitalization Project, visit cityoftacoma.org/LincolnProject.

TAKE5 JANUARY 20168

PERSONAL TOUCH

PERS

ONAL EMPLOYEES APPROVED

FOR DONATED LEAVETerry Davis Environmental ServicesPaul Lee Environmental ServicesMichael Shawn Madison Environmental ServicesAngelique Kerin-Tate FinanceNina Oliver-Jones Information TechnologyKelly Crouch Neighborhood and Community ServicesJeffrey Gallagher Public WorksDonald Carroll Tacoma Public UtilitiesFelicia Dawson Tacoma Public UtilitiesLouis Delicino Tacoma Public UtilitiesTaDarryl Hardy Tacoma Public UtilitiesHeather Huller Holt Tacoma Public UtilitiesAnita James Tacoma Public UtilitiesEarl Kahawaii Tacoma Public UtilitiesTeresa “Tracy” Larson Tacoma Public UtilitiesCarol Matthews Tacoma Public UtilitiesKristina Reed Tacoma Public UtilitiesJon Roberts Tacoma Public UtilitiesHollie Coates-Seamster Tacoma Public UtilitiesKirk Sides Tacoma Public Utilities Simon Torres Tacoma Public Utilities

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.

28TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ON JAN. 18

MLK

The 28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration will take place on Jan. 18, 2016 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (1500 Broadway). It aims to highlight young men of color as community assets with the theme “Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Change” and will feature keynote speaker Dr. William Bell. Dr. Bell is president and chief executive officer of Casey Family Programs. He is one of the founding partners of Cities United, a national movement focused on eliminating the violence in American cities related to African American men and boys.

The event will also include music, dance and poetry that highlight the strength, resiliency and creativity of young men of color. Performances will focus on Dr. King’s relationship with communities, how he challenged and changed our nation, and his message to honor the dignity and rights of every person. Go to cityoftacoma.org/MLK for more information.

OR

DIN

AR

Y M

EN

EX

TRA

OR

DIN

AR

Y C

HA

NG

E

GET OUTOUT ON THE TOWN

TAKE5 JANUARY 20169

CONGRATS!

GREATJOB!GREATJOB!

WAY TO GO!KUDOSBLOOD DRIVE DONORS: SILENT HEROESKudos to the 18 participants (and first time donors) at the Tacoma Municipal Building’s December blood drive: Tyler Aitken, Sam Benscoter, Ed Bolibol, Courtney Casady, Debbie Chilton, Pamela Duncan, Shanta Frantz, Larry Hohn, Keith Horner, Eric Huseby, Jason Miller, Kimberly Nakano, Alisa O’Hanlon, Jeff Paradee, Diane Peterson, Steven Schunzel, Katherine Tumale, and Ben Thurgood.

COMMUNITY APPRECIATIVE OF PUBLIC WORKS STREETS OPERATIONS Kudos to Rae Bailey, Matt Fengler, Joe Hagala and the Streets Operations staff from various community members for their hard work and continued professionalism in the many projects that they do.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES HELP EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY Kudos to Mark Schuler, Kristine Blue and Lyle Hauenstein in Environmental Services’ Solid Waste Division for working together to help educate the community on the importance of protecting our waterways. City employees are encouraged to call the Environmental Compliance Spills line at (253) 502-2222 for a 24-hour response if they witness pollutants going into the City’s municipal storm system.

CITY’S PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BE RECOGNIZED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERSKudos from community members to City Manager T.C. Broadnax, Police Chief Don Ramsdell, Officers Sam Lopez and Shelbie Boyd, and other officers on the East Side, for their quick responses to community concerns and for continuing to work hard to make them feel safe.

CELEBRATIONSWould 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

February issue of Take5 by Jan. 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!

THE 2017 INCENTIVE PERIOD IS UNDERWAY!It will run through Sept. 30, 2016. To learn more about the requirements and the incentive, please visit wellness.cityoftacoma.org.

HEALTH + WELLNESS

BE W

ELL

PUBLIC ASSEMBLY FACILITIES DIRECTOR KIM BEDIER NAMED ONE OF ‘10 BAD ASS BOOKING WOMEN’“Yes, she hosts world-class events, entertains thousands and works with some of the top artists on the planet, but that’s just one side of Kim Bedier, who runs the massive domed venue outside of Seattle. Bedier is an advocate for the North American facilities industry – the Canadian-born executive previously served as the head of the International Association of Venue Managers and frequently travels the world, representing venue professionals and challenging those around her to be their absolute best.” – The RealView the complete listing here.