TheCityofOdessa’smonthlynewsletterisback.Wealwaysenjoy producingthispublicationforourhardworkingcolleaguesandare excitedtoshareanewsetofstoriesthatareworththeread.
Cityemployeesareknowntoshowastronginitiative.Thatwasdisplayed byalltheQualityServiceAwardsinMay,andthestrongteamworkofRisk Management’sstaffinwinningtheEarthDayRecyclingContest.
WealsorecommendyouconsumethecontentabouttheCity’snew AssociateMunicipalCourtJudge,twoSolidWasteemployeesreaching milestonesintheirCitycareers,andtherecognitionoftheCity Secretary’sOfficefromtheActivitiesCommittee.
Weappreciatethestellareffortofallofyouandlookforwardto highlightingthecontinuedsuccessthatmakesyouandtheCityof Odessastandout.
InsiderBoard
QSAAwards:Employees MakeADifferenceEveryDay
DEPARTMENT
NOMINATEDBY:MONICAMCDANIEL
“LeslieMuñizconsistentlygoesabove andbeyondinherrole, demonstratingexceptional dedication,teamwork,and commitmenttopublicservice She playedavitalroleduringtherecent snowstormbyworkingaroundthe clocktokeepcitizensinformed,while alsoexpandingtheCity’soutreach throughbilingualcommunication efforts,includingthelaunchof Spanish-languagesocialmedia accounts Herpositiveattitude, strongworkethic,andpassionfor inclusivecommunityengagement makeheraninvaluableassettoboth theorganizationandtheresidents sheserves.”-McDaniel
SGT.VIJITTAY,ODESSAPOLICEDEPARTMENT NOMINATEDBY:AMYARAUJO ANDLEAHHUFF-ALBERTSON
“SergeantVijittaY demonstratedoutstanding leadershipandinitiative whileassistingtheOdessa MunicipalCourtduringits firstjurytrials.She developedstructuredcourt procedures,operational plans,andadetailedtrialdaychecklistthat improvedofficer preparedness,streamlined operations,and contributedtothesuccess ofthetrialprocess.Her professionalism,integrity, andcollaborativeattitude consistentlymakehera valuableassettoboththe departmentandthecourt” -AraujoandHuff-Albertson
PoliceSergeantVijittaYreceivedherQSAawardinMay.
“NormaAguilarconciselydemonstrates exceptionalprofessionalism,efficiency, anddedicationinsupportingtheCity Councilandmaintainingtheintegrityof Cityoperations Sheexpertlymanages officialrecords,ensurescompliancewith publicmeetingrequirements,coordinates councilactivities,andprovidesreliable supporttoCouncilMembersandboard withaccuracyandcare.Hercommitment, organizationalskills,andabilitytoprovide continuitythroughleadershipchanges makeheraninvaluableassettotheCity ofOdessaanditscitizens”-Councilman Connell
“DaisySamaniegohasconsistently demonstratedexceptionaldedication, professionalismandapositiveattitudein servingtheorganizationandthepublic. Sheregularlyexceedsexpectationsina busyofficeenvironment,willinglystepping intomanagetheofficeindependently whenneededwhilemaintaining efficiency,knowledgeand professionalism.Herworkethic,teamwork, andwelcomingdemeanormakehera valuableassetandapositiveexampleto coworkersandthecommunityalike.”JaimeRodriguez,whonominatedDaisy Samaniego
“AlexValencia,SophiaMcVay,andCristina Washingtonquicklybecamevaluable membersoftheActivitiesCommitteeby takinginitiativeandplayingakeyrolein thesuccessoftherecentRecyling Contest.Theywentaboveandbeyondby personallycollecting,reporting,and deliveringmorethan165recyclingloads, ensuringmaterialswereprocessed efficientlyandontimedespitepast challenges.Theirdedication,teamwork, andcommitmenttosupportingthe communitymadeasignificantimpact andexemplifythequalitiesofoutstanding coworkers.”-Potter
SOLID WASTE DRIVER ESMERALDA PAYAN ISALREADY FINDING HER GROOVE AFTERA FEW MONTHS WITHTHE CITY.
FROMRESIDENT TOEMPLOYEE:
ADRIVER’S ROUTETO CITY
EsmeraldaPayanrecentlycelebratedher four-monthanniversaryasaSolidWaste Driverandhasenjoyedhertransitionfrom residenttoemployeeattheCityofOdessa
Payanhasbeena10-yearresidentofthe CityofOdessaandwasmotivatedtolanda jobopportunitywithitsSolidWasteDivision.
“I’mgladI’mhere,” saidPayan.“It’s myhome.Iwork formycityand takecareofit.”
LIVINGINCITYLIMITS,IWOULDSEE THESOLIDWASTETRUCKS.
-PAYANONWHATSPARKEDHER
INTERESTINHERCURRENTJOB.
SOLIDWASTEDRIVERESMERALDAPAYAN FOUNDAREWARDINGCAREERPATH WHENSHEJOINEDTHECITYOFODESSA.
“I’mamom,”saidPayan.“Ihaveagoodschedule,payandbenefitshere, andeverythingelseIwaslookingfor.”
PayanjumpedrightintoherdutieswhenshearrivedinJanuarybecause shealreadyhadthenecessaryCommercialDriver’sLicensecredentials andotherprofessionalexperienceintheSolidWastefieldfromhertime withaprivatecompany.
“Everymorning,Igethere,doourpre-tripresponsibilities,andstartthe truck,”saidPayan.“Ialreadyknowmyroute,andheadouttoit.Wealso helpbothourcommercialandresidentialcustomersthroughouttheweek.”
Payanisalwaysproductiveonthejob.Shealsomakesthemostofherfree timeawayfromwork.
“IlikereadingbooksandwatchingTV,”saidPayan.“That’smymetime.
MayorCalHendrickannouncedtheappointmentofJ. RoxaneBlountasAssociateMunicipalCourtJudgefor theremainderofatwo-yeartermthatbeganon January1,2026.
Amunicipalcourtjudge servesthecommunityby presidingovercases involvingcityordinance violations,traffic citations,andother misdemeanoroffenses withincitylimits.Inthis role,theyhelpensure locallawsareapplied fairly,upholddue process,andsupportthe overallsafetyofthe community.
Theannouncement cameattheMarch24 CityCouncilmeeting.
CongratulationstoJudge Blountonthis appointment.Weare happytohaveyou servingourcommunityin thisroleandwelcome youtotheteam.
RiskStaffSteps UpToLeadCity InRecycling
TheActivitiesCommitteeteamedupwithKeepOdessaBeautifultohost anEarthDayRecyclingContest,andchallengedallCityofOdessa departmentstofillmanycontainers. KeepOdessaBeautifulprovidedcontainersforeveryCitydepartment, andtheActivitiesCommitteeawardedthebestperformersinRisk Managementwithanofficepizzaparty.
“Itwasimportanttohostthiseventbecause wediditlastyear,”saidActivitiesCommittee memberLoraPotter.“Itreally,reallygarnered somemuchneededattentiontorecycling.”
RiskManagementenjoyedthelunchtime mealafteritrecycledaCity-best50 containers. CodeEnforcementfollowedbehindwitha notablesecond-place39containers.
Together,Cityemployeescollected220 containersofrecyclablematerials,helping reducewasteandsupportacleanerOdessa.
OnBrand:RouteSupport SupervisorDedicatesA DecadeToCity
y p
ROUTESUPPORTSUPERVISOR BYRONBRANDISCELEBRATINGHIS 10YEARANNIVERSARYWITHTHE CITY.
TheCityofOdessa'sSolidWasteDivisionis knownforitstenuredemployees,and currentRouteSupportSupervisorByron Brandisnodifferent.
Brandiscelebratinghis10year anniversarywithSolidWastein2026 He startedworkingasadriverin2016andhas servedthedivisionindifferentsupervisor rolessince2019.
ngshop,”saidBrand.“Werefurbishthe trashcansanddumpstersIcoordinateallthechangeoutsthatwedointhe field,andmakesuretheonesthatneedtoberefurbished,repaintedorwelded getdone”
BrandhasfoundahomeatSolidWasteandisgratefulforhisstaffof colleagues.
“IenjoythejobandthepeoplethatIworkwithmorethananything,”said Brand“TheguysinmycrewdoanexceptionaljobTherearealotofthings thatwe’reresponsibleforthathelpkeeptheCityofOdessalookinggood”
Brandstaysbusywithhisprofession,andremainsproductiveduringhistime off.
“Recently,I’vebeenfocusingonhealthandexercising,”saidBrand“Ido weights,resistancetraining,andcardioI’mreallyfeelinggood”
Ittakesateaminthe CitySecretary’sOffice.
Toberecognized,it’s notjustoneperson. It’sthewhole department.It’sall thecityemployees workingtogether, servingthecitizens. That’stheultimate recognition.
-CitySecretary NormaAguilar
TheCityofOdessa’sActivitiesCommittee tookamomenttocelebratethededicated employeeswhokeepourcityupand running.Thistime,theyrecognizedtheCity Secretary’sOfficewithaspecialvisitand appreciation.
ForCitySecretaryNormaAguilar,the recognitionmeantmorethanjusta momentinthespotlight.Sheemphasized thattheacknowledgementreflectsthe effortsofanentireteam.
TheCitySecretary’sOfficeplaysavitalrole inOdessa’sday-to-dayoperations.From preparingCityCouncilagendasand ensuringcompliancewithstateregulations tomaintainingofficialrecords.
Thestaffmembersalsoserveasstewards ofOdessa’spreservedhistorydatingback to1927.
“Wemaintainthehistory,records, ordinances,resolutions,andminutes,”said Aguilar.“Wekeepthatinasafelocation.I havethembackto1927,sowepreserveall theminutessincethecitywas incorporated.”
Aguilar’sservicetotheCityofOdessa spansdecades.ThisJulywillmarkher35th yearwiththeCity.InAugust,shewillalso celebrate28yearsservingasCity Secretary.
TakeabreakfromworkandenjoytheCityEmployeePicnicwith yourfriendsandcolleaguesatSherwoodParkonJune27.
City Employee Picinic
CityEmployeesareinvitedtotheCity EmployeePicniconSaturdayJune27. ItwilloccuratSherwoodPark between1:00p.m.and6:00p.m.
Foodwillbeprovided,including hamburgersandhotdogs.
TheCityiscurrentlytakingahead countforfoodandwristbands.The deadlinetosubmitheadcountsand requestwristbandsisFriday,June19.
PleasefilloutthelinkedCityPicnic Formtosubmitthenumberof attendeesneedingwristbandsand howmanyhamburgersandhotdogs thatarerequested.
Pleasedirectanyquestionsto activities@odessa-tx.gov.Thankyou!
EMPLOYEE RESOURCECORNER
PlanningforYourFuture StartsToday
JoinUsatCityEvents
June 5
Odessa Police Department Academy #29 Graduation
June 8
Charter Review Committee
June 9
Council Work Session/Meeting
June 11
Odessa Development Corporation Meeting
June 13
Keep Odessa Beautiful’s Planet Troopers Celebration
Neighborhood Bulk DropOff Daddy/Daughter Dance
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR DANCE THROUGH JUNE 10
June 16
Odessa Police Department Neighborhood Watch Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
June 18
Planning and Zoning Meeting
Citizens Golf Advisory Board Meeting
June 19
Sherwood Pool Party
City Offices Closed, Keep Odessa Beautiful, and Animal Shelter Closed (Juneteenth)
Odessa’sBudgetSurvey
TheCityofOdessawantstohearfrom youasweplanforthe2026–2027fiscal yearbudget.
WatchthevideofromMayorCal Hendricktolearnabouttheimportance ofresidentfeedback.
Visitthislinktocompletethebudget surveybyJune17forachancetowin CityofOdessamerchandise.Yourinput willhelpguidedecisionsonCity servicesandprojects,andhowtax dollarsareprioritizedinourcommunity.
WORKANNIVERSARIES
WORKANNIVERSARIES
SERVING ODESSA TOGETHER.
