Employee Newsletter 10-2017

CITY OF VERNON
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2017

Staff Recognizes Breast Above: Staff members gathered, in the spirit of Pink-
Cancer Awareness Month tober, to pose in their Fire and Police Department
Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign to in-
crease awareness of the disease. According to the Centers for Up-to-the-Minute News
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the most common
cancer affecting women regardless of race or ethinicity. Each Just a friendly reminder - the City
year in the United States, about 237,000 cases of breast can- of Vernon is now active on social
cer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men. “Pink- media! Follow us on our Face-
tober” is an opportunity to highlight the importance of educa- book, Instagram, and Twitter ac-
tion, early screening and detection, and overall awareness. counts for all of the latest City
related news and events! We will
The Police and Fire Departments be showcasing photos, news sto-
have developed a means to ries, and highlighting City activi-
raise awareness in the Month of ties, all the while demonstrating
October by designing and sell- how our employees make a dif-
ing customized t-shirts. In addi- ference in Vernon each day! We
tion, Vernon PD promotes the can be found on:
Pink Patch Project which has gar-
nered participation from Police @CityofVernonCA
Departments across the coun- @City_of_Vernon
try. It’s become a movement! @city_of_vernon

Thanks to all who have partici-
pated! And, to those who have
been affected by breast can-
cer in some way, we support
you. Let’s continue the fight!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Anniversaries

30 Years

Luz A. Martinez, Council Member; Adam A. Alvarez, Sr. Street Maintenance Worker; John A. Cusoli-
to, Fire Captain; William C. Nielsey, Fire Captain; Stephen G. Agon, Fire Captain; Andrew G. Thomp-
son, Sr. Stree Maintenance Worker; Christian N. Moscoso, Police Officer

20 Years

Fernando Flores, Utilities Dispatcher; Roberto C. Sousa, Police Captain

15 Years

Claudia Luna, Assistant Buyer; Edward Hernandez, Police Officer; Danita L. Robertson, Police Re-
cords Manager; Jonathan E. Flagler, Firefighter; Lissette Melendez, Associate Engineer; Roberto
Zepeda, Sr. Water Maintenance Worker (pictured below); Jerrick T. Torres, Sr. Environmental Health
Specialist

10 Years

Daniel Onopa, Police Officer; Veronica Avendano, Administrative Secretary; Eva Muro, Executive
Legal Secretary; Linda Johnson, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist; Christina Rivera, Utilities Cus-
tomer Service Representative; Daniel Lopez, Gas Systems Specialist; Juan F. Lozano, Gas Systems
Specialist

5 Years

Basem M. Andrawos, Electrical Engineer; Joanna Hurtado-Torres, Engineering Aide; Diana C.
Figueroa, Administrative Analyst; Daniel Cordova, Gas Systems Superintendent

New Hires and Promotions

New Hires

Anthony Miranda - Police Chief
Daniel Wall - Director of Public Works
Denise Chen - Environmental Health Intern

Promotions

Brandon Gray - Police Lieutenant
Gabriel Martinez - Police Sergeant
Armando Hinojos - Electric Operations Supervisor
Todd Dusenberry - Asst. GM of Public Utilities
Anthony Serrano - Business & Account Supervisor
Michael DeFrank - Water Superintendent

VEEP NOMINATIONS

Nominate a co-worker or team that does exceptional work! The Vernon Exceptional Em-
ployee Program is accepting nominations through November 6th! If selected as a winner,
great prizes await! For additional information, please contact Human Resources.

EVENTS Over the last several months, employees participated in a variety
of City hosted activities. From the summer BBQ through the Foot-
ball Season Kickoff, there were opportunities for staff to eat and
socialize (and maybe win a raffle prize or two).

Above and above left: Employees arriving and en-
joying In-n-Out at the Employee Appreciation BBQ
held on July 6th.
Left & below: On September 7th, employees gath-
ered to “kickoff” this year’s football season. Replays
from the 2016 Super Bowl played while staff enjoyed
wings, pizza, and nachos.

Upcoming Employee Appreciation Activities

Halloween Festivities

When: October 31, 2017
Where: City Hall
Details: Entire event runs from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (see HR flyer for more
information).

Employee Holiday Celebration

When: December 14, 2017
Where: Double Tree by Hilton in Commerce
Details: Employees + guest are invited. A hotel room block has been reserved for City employees at
a rate of $129 + tax (please make reservations by November 20th).

Department Highlights

Each day, employees are hard at work making a difference in their
respective departments. In this section, we will highlight a few of the
accomplishments, happenings, and newsworthy events that have taken
place over the last several months.

Above: Staff, legislative representatives, and Vernon businesses participated in a tour of the Vernon Power Plant on September 19th.
Below: Don Quiroz tours attendees.

Vernon Public Utilities hosts attend-
ees for annual Southern California
Public Power Authority (SCPPA)
State Staff Tour

As part of an annual tour of Publicly Owned Utilities (POUs), a
group of state reps made a stop at Vernon’s Station A Diesel Pow-
er Plant on September 19th. Hosted by SCPPA, the tour aims to
help introduce and familiarize legislative and regulatory staff on
the operations, advancements and achievements of Southern
California POUs. Over 30 representatives from Sacramento were
in attendance which included individuals from Assemblymem-
ber Santiago’s Office, the California Air Resources Board, and
the California Energy Commission. It was the City’s opportunity
to shine as staff spoke about the reliable and affordable services
offered by Vernon Public Utilities.
Vernon customers Mikawaya (the Mochi Ice Cream Co), Gaviña,
and Edris Plastics generously donated products for the event.
Longtime Vernon business, Kal Plastics, was in attendance to rep-
resent the perspective and concerns of Vernon based industries.
City Administrator Carlos Fandino, General Manager of Public Util-
ities Kelly Nguyen and Public Utilities Manager Don Quiroz guided
the tour through the historical facility.

Vernon Fire Battles
California Wildfires

Above: A dramatic scene at the Napa fire shows a home burning while a helicopter douses flames. All below: Firefighters at work - Ver-
non Fire has been dispatched to wildfires raging throughout the state, aiding other agencies when possible.

Vernon Fire Department personnel have

consistently provided aid during fire season in
California. 2017 has been particularly busy. En-
gines 76 and 79 responded to the La Tuna Can-
yon wildland fire that impacted Los Angeles in
early September. Engine 79 deployed to the Mis-
sion Fire in Mariposa. Vernon Fire crews respond-
ed to the Canyon Fire located in the Anaheim
Hills/Corona area and Engine 76 deployed to
the wildfires near Napa. Each fire has proven to
be fierce and dangerous but, thankfully, Vernon
Fire personnel have remained safe through it all.

VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT
HUMANIZING THE BADGE

Vernon Police Department, with their consistent

social media presence, their active participation within the
community, and their dedication to ensuring the safety of
Vernon workers and residents continues to #HumanizeThe-
Badge. In the month of October alone, VPD participated in
“National Walk to School Day” with Vernon Elementary stu-
dents, and organized “Coffee with A Cop” and “Chat with
the Chief” to engage the community.

The Pink Patch Project is yet another means to broadcast
Vernon PD’s support of matters dear to the heart of many.
On October 18th, VPD attended an LA Kings game to raise
awareness for the Pink Patch Project and Breast Cancer
Awareness.

In September, Detective Hernandez gained recognition for
his dance video which challenged other Police Departments
to a friendly “Dance Off”. Other agencies followed suit and
the popularity soared! The Dance Off was aired on KTLA, and
featured in local newpapers - Whittier Daily News and the
Daily Breeze. Check out the video on Vernon’s website or at
any of the City of Vernon’s social media outlets!

Top: PD staff join City Administrator Carlos Fandino and Chief Anthony Miranda for a photo at Coffee with a Cop event. Middle right: PD
staff join Vernon Village Park residents for a photo during the Chat with the Chief event. Bottom left: Officers with Chief Anthony Miranda
at LA Kings game for Pink Patch Project. Bottom right: Officer Todd Newton participates in Walk to School Day at Vernon Elementary.

City Clerk Spearheads Vernon’s
Records Retention Schedule
Project

Did you know that just about everything every employee works on generates some type of public record? Being
a full-service city means Vernon generates records that number in the hundreds in terms of categories. Equally
important to the quality of services provided to the public is how staff manages public records while they are
active. In what format they are maintained? And, how does one properly seek disposal of those records once
they have fulfilled their retention period? The City’s updated Records Retention Schedule will soon be present-
ed to City Council for adoption and implementation. The Office of the City Clerk will soon be holding work ses-
sions for the City’s Records Liaisons Group to cover topics such as: New Retention Schedule, Records Destruc-
tion Procedures, Records Purge Project, Laserfiche Training, Paper-to-Digital, and a number of other Records
Management related topics. We look forward to having these sessions offered throughout the year. Please feel
free to contact the City Clerk’s Office if you have any questions related to the Records Management Program.

Vernon Public Utilities (VPU)
Offers Interdepartmental
Training

Vernon Public Utilities is conducting a series of interde-
partmental training to foster a greater understanding
of the functions of each division within the department,
and to encourage increased communication and col-
laboration. The series kicked off with instruction for the
Electric System and Operations, RFP Training, followed
by Customer Service and Gas Operations. Among the
attendees were VPU employees as well as representa-
tives from various departments - Public Works, Health,
Fire, and Police. Future planned training topics include
the following:

• Water Operations
• Compliance
• Lucity Software Platform
• Fiber Optic Services
• Power Trading & Scheduling and
Settlements
• Integrated Resource Plan

Above top: Anthony Serrano instructs the attendees. Above bot- For further information about past or future training ses-
tom: Staff look on as Gas Specialists Dan Lopez and Frank Lozano sions, please contact Jessica Balandran at ext. 262.
present.

Employee Fitness We want to hear your
stories!
Center Now Open
Do you have news, events, and/or any
If interested in using the facility, suggestions for the employee newsletter?
please complete the required pa- Please submit inquiries, stories, or photos to
perwork and schedule your orien- Diana Figueroa.
tation with City Admin! This amenity
is available to all City employees.

Vernon Means Business

Business and industry is what we’re all about here in Vernon! This section is designed to
single out a business in Vernon and highlight their unique operation. Gaviña is our first fea-
tured story - they just celebrated their 50th anniversary!

F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc

Based in Vernon, California, F. Gaviña & Sons,
Inc., is one of the largest family-owned coffee
companies in America and the nation’s largest
privately held minority roaster. Spanning more
than 140 years, the Gaviña journey began in
Cuba in 1870, with the family eventually settling
in the United States in 1963. The family estab-
lished their roots in Los Angeles and later leased
an 1100 square foot building in Vernon. They pur-
chased a small roaster from Bob’s Big Boy restau-
rant and by June of 1967, the family was roast-
ing, packing and selling Café Gaviña espresso.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of coffee
roasting in Los Angeles by the Gaviña fami-
ly. In these fifty years, they saw the expansion
of their operation from 1100 sq. ft. to their cur-
rent 240,000 sq. ft. eco-friendly facility which
employs over 250 people. The company now
offers four leading US coffee brands: Gaviña
Gourmet Coffee, Don Francisco’s Coffee, Café
La Llave Espresso, and José’s Gourmet Coffee.

Fifty years have brought many changes to the Top: Gaviña with Mayor Melissa Ybarra, Council Member Bill Davis, and
original company, but one aspect remains City Administrator Carlos Fandino at their 50th anniversary celebration.
the same. Members of the Gaviña family still Middle: Gaviña product display. Bottom: Vernon staff at Gaviña event.
run the day-to-day operations of the compa-
ny. A new generation of Gaviñas remain com-
mitted to family tradition, and are passionate
about creating the perfect cup of coffee.

VERNON GIVES BACK

Above: The Vernon Mayor and VCF Grant Committee members present a check to the Boys & Girls Club kids.

Vernon CommUNITY
Fund Supports Local
Non-Profit
Organizations

The Vernon CommUNITY Fund (VCF) pro- Above: Chief Bruce English reads to kindergartners at Vernon Elementary. Below
vides grants to worthy non-profit organiza- left: Assistant Chief Andy Guth captivates his audience of 1st graders.
tions in the Southeast area. Established in
2014, the VCF Grant Committee reviews Vernon Fire Reads to Vernon
and awards grants. Recently, the Mayor Elementary Students
and members of the Grant Committee
(which is comprised of residents and busi- Vernon Fire has incorporated routine visits to Vernon Elementary
ness and legislative representatives in the into their schedule. One of their favorite ways in which to engage
Vernon area) visited a grantee, the Boys & the students is through reading! Staff are individually assigned to
Girls Clubs at Estrada Courts and Ramona various classrooms where they read aloud and “perform” for the
Gardens to see firsthand how Vernon has kids. Students are receptive and excited to see Vernon Fire staff
assisted with youth programs there. Since arrive and enjoy their storytelling! The Fire Chief intends to make
its inception, the VCF has aided nearly 50 this a monthly program.
organizations in their efforts to better the
community! The City should be proud of
this contribution.

Let’s make the next edition great! Offer your interesting
news and events for the employee newsletter. The next
publication is due to be released in January 2018.

CITY CALENDAR

October

October 30

Spooktacular Halloween Outreach Event for Vernon Residents @ City Hall
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Vernon Elementary Students Visit City Hall
Approximately 8:45 am - 1:00 pm

October 31

Employee Halloween Contests, Costume Parade, and Lunch
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Vernon Elementary Students Visit City Hall
Approximately 8:45 am - 11:30 am

November

November

Open Enrollment for benefits - exact dates TBD, so watch for announcements from HR

November 6

VEEP Nominations due to Human Resources

November 8

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Blood Drive @ Fire Station 77
7:00 am- 1:00 pm

November 14

Coffee with a Cop @ Gaviña Coffee
9:00 am - 11:00 am

November 23

City Hall Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!

December

December 14

Employee Holiday Celebration @ Double Tree Hotel in Commerce
Time TBD

December 25

City Hall Closed - Happy Holidays!

December 26

City Hall Closed - Employee Holiday

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year City of Vernon!