HEARTS FOR HELPING: EMPLOYEES PREPARE BACKPACKS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES City employees once again stepped up for students in the Glendale Elementary School District for the 5th Annual Back-to-School Drive organized by the Glendale Employee Giving Committee. Committee members, as well as other employees and their children, joined State Farm Stadium workers and students on our Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC) to stuff backpacks with pencils, scissors, notebooks and other school supplies at the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center on July 29. Smiles were easy to spot as employees packed items donated by city employees in bins this summer. Nearly 600 backpacks were filled, and the value of the supplies and backpacks donated was $14,000. Thank you to everyone who donated, packed or lent a hand. Interested in joining the committee? Fill out the form found here.
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS ANSWER SURVEY TO HELP STEER CHANGES Your feedback about the city as an employer is important because it helps inform decisions and strategic initiatives that support Glendale’s vision of being the community of choice — not only for employees, but also for residents and businesses. That’s why all regular-status employees who have worked for our city for at least 30 days are being asked to answer the 2026 Employee Satisfaction Survey by 5 p.m. on Aug. 14. Quantum Workplace conducts this survey and the results are anonymous. It will likely take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The survey will arrive in your email inbox from bestplaces@quantumworkplace.com. Survey results will be shared with employees and will be used to guide initiatives that address chances for improvement. If you have any questions or concerns or need help with the survey, contact Stephen Gushue at sgushue@glendaleaz.com or 623-930-4139 or Jenny Durda at jdurda@glendaleaz.com or 623-930-2242. For more details, visit our Employee Portal. In the survey the words “City Manager’s Office” refer to our City Manager Patrick Banger and our assistant and deputy city managers. Also, check out the “sticky notes” below for more guidance on what words in the survey mean.
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Your paragraph text
PLUG IN TO CITY MANAGER‘S UPDATES Mark your calendar because the next Pop In with Patrick live Teams, all-employee meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 27. Your feedback in surveys prompted this exciting, new series that gives employees a direct line to city leadership with real-time Q&A. The first Pop In with Patrick, which aired in February, was a tremendous success, as many employees got questions answered on different hot topics of interest, and Patrick shared information about his recommended pay raises. It also gave employees a chance to get to know Patrick better, including hearing about his previous, extensive leadership experience and his priorities in this position in Glendale. Watch your email inbox for more details on how to view this next all-employee meeting over Teams.
NEWCOMERS TO JOIN CITY COUNCIL Employees and the public will see two new faces on our City Council later this year after voters elected them on July 21. Lisa Baker was elected to serve the Barrel District, after the current Councilmember for that district, Bart Turner, announced he would not seek reelection. Rory Goreé will be the new Councilmember for the Ocotillo District, after he defeated the current Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro in the election. Our City Council had unanimously appointed Baldenegro to represent the Ocotillo District on the Council in 2024 to serve the remainder of former Councilmember Jamie Aldama’s term through December of this year. Cholla District Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff was not opposed in her reelection bid last month so she will continue on the Council. Ms. Baker and Mr. Goreé will be sworn in and take office at the City Council’s first meeting in December.
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HOSTS BINGO EVENT FOR GOOD CAUSE Good cheer filled the air at our Police Department’s bingo event that raised money for a great cause. This spirited gathering for employees and the public at The Haven Church generated just over $3,000 for the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona. Prizes were given to each round’s winners and lucky participants also won raffle contest goodies. Our Police Department has supported Special Olympics Arizona for a long time. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!
DEDICATED PARKS AND REC EMPLOYEE PREPARES POOLS Ever wonder how our pools stay clean and enticing for residents and visitors? Edward Herrera, a Senior Service Worker in our Parks and Recreation Department, keeps our city’s pools and splash pads sparkling clean, allowing people to enjoy a great place to cool off during the summer. Learn more about Edward by watching the video to the left, created by videographer Shaun Mockoski.
MINGLING OVER MUSIC CITY EMPLOYEES BRING PATRIOTIC FUN TO LIBRARY Our Office of Arts and Culture, with suppport from employees in other departments, is on a roll with its popular America 250 Arts and Music Series. The employees orchestrated seven performances held at our Main Library and they are setting the stage for the final concert in the series - Citizen Tom Paine, a live historical reenactment, at 2 p.m. on Aug. 6. Turnout has been high at these shows, including when Secret Harbor performed U.S. Naval songs to a standing-room only crowd. Nearly 200 people attended the Sugar Thieves concert, where our Arts, Library and Audio/Visual teams worked hard, collaborating to bring a fun and patriotic event to the community. These free performances have featured iconic songs, as well as complimentary ice cream. They are some of the many ways city employees have helped residents and visitors celebrate the United States turning 250 years old this year.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR LEARN MORE ABOUT SAVING MONEY FOR RETIREMENT Get ready to gain more useful information related to retirement planning at several upcoming seminars. Expert speakers from the respective agencies will share valuable information. As follow-up presentations to January’s retirement workshop, these forums on various topics will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall: Aug. 19: Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Aug. 26 – Empower (Deferred Compensation) Sept. 2 – Social Security Administration (SSA) Sept. 9 – Medicare Sept. 16 – Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Employees must register for each session. Stay tuned for a registration link that will be posted in NEOGOV.
EXPAND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS IN LEAN ACADEMY Kick off the fall season with an investment in yourself through the Glendale Lean Academy. In this program, you will gain practical tools needed to solve problems, improve processes and make a lasting impact across the city. Classes are mostly delivered online and some courses are in person. Anyone who would like to pursue Green Belt certification should register by Aug. 21. The Green Belt classes will be offered next from Aug. 26 to Nov. 25. Employees who would like to study for Yellow Belt certification should register by Sept. 11 for the next classes. The Yellow Belt classes will be held from Sept. 16 to Nov. 18. To enroll in the classes, you must have approval from your supervisor and department director. Click here to register and learn more. If you have any questions, contact the Department of Organizational Performance at 623-930-2489.
HONING IN ON HEALTH MOBILE MAMMOGRAMS COMING TO CITY
Did you know that a 15-minute medical appointment could save a life? Our city is providing Mobile On-site Mammography at these city facilities this month: August 18, Main Police Station, 7 to 11 a.m. August 18, City Hall, 1 to 5 p.m. August 19, City Hall, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 20, Foothills Library, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 21, Main Library, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. When attending your scheduled appointment, please bring your health insurance card, doctor’s name and address and location of prior mammogram films. Schedule an appointment through the Employee Portal calendar here or by calling 480-967-3767.
DOUBLE YOUR POINTS, ENHANCE WELLNESS If you are looking for some extra motivation to get in shape and enhance your health, our WellStyles portal is a great place to do that! You may earn double points in the WellStyles portal by completing your Health Assessment before Sept. 30. Wellness incentives in the WellStyles portal offer you the chance to save up to $600 in premium discounts and take in $100 in Rewards Cash at Level 4. The earning period started July 1 and runs through June 15, 2027. Sign-up in the WellStyles portal here.
CONVENIENT CHECK-UPS OBTAIN SKIN CANCER PREVENTION TIPS, SCREENINGS Living in the desert with extremely sunny weather and high amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, obtaining skin cancer screenings and learning how to stay healthy is critical. Join your colleagues for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Webinar: Skin Cancer Awareness from noon to 1 p.m. on Aug. 26 over Zoom. Participants will learn about the most common types of skin cancer, key risk factors and the importance of early detection. Click here to register for this webinar. Also, our city has partnered with Skin IO to provide skin cancer screening from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 in the Field Operations, Make Ready Shop and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 2 at City Hall, in the first-floor multipurpose room. Make an appointment for a skin cancer screening here.
GET HEARING HEALTH CHECKED FREE OF CHARGE Can you hear me now? Hearing loss prevention screenings are available for employees through the end of September. Vertical Hearing is providing FREE screenings for all employees, retirees, volunteers and their loved ones who are at least 18 years old. You may pick a clinic location that is convenient for you. Screenings include an otoscopic evaluation, full hearing screening and audiogram results. Click here to make an appointment for a screening. Need to buy hearing aids? Check out your benefits on this website.
WAYS TO BOOST WELLNESS LEARN SKILLS TO HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS Mental illness is as common as the flu, and it impacts 1 in 5 people every year. Knowing the signs of mental illness can support a timely intervention and possibly even save lives. Our city will offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on Sept. 16. THIS CLASS IS FULL BUT STAY TUNED FOR MORE CLASSES. In this course, participants will learn how to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns, respond effectively to people who are in crisis and in non-crisis situations and where to turn for help. If you would like to take this course in the future, email wellness@glendaleaz.com.
CARPOOL, USE PUBLIC TRANSIT TO REDUCE POLLUTION Traffic and air pollution in Maricopa County are increasing as the population grows. Join the Maricopa County Travel Reduction Program (TRP) by carpooling, taking public transit, biking, driving a hybrid vehicle, teleworking, working a compressed schedule or walking to work. Some of the many benefits of the program include: Guaranteed Ride Home when you need it ShareTheRidePortal to connect with carpool partners and access dedicated parking Register as an Alternative Mode User (AMU) for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card Fuel After Dark: Win a $20 Amazon gift card when you refuel your vehicle after 7 p.m./before 6 a.m. (April through September) or after 6 p.m./before 7 a.m. (October through March) On High Pollution Advisory Days, one participant will obtain a $20 Amazon gift card Platinum Pass Bus Cards offer 100% subsidized transit. Apply through the Employee Portal Learn more about the program in the Employee Portal. Contact Kennedy Abril at 623-930-2040 or kabril@glendaleaz.com with any questions.
GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE CITY’S ROOTS IN GARDEN CELEBRATED IN RADIO STORY A community garden where our employees help a non-profit organization foster connections, nutrition and good health is once again in the spotlight. KTAR-News 92.3 FM hosted Greg Peterson of The Urban Farm as he interviewed Jenny Beasley, director of Heart for the City’s Community Garden, for a story through the Rosie on the House program posted last month here. Heart for the City’s Community Garden is a green oasis on 69th Avenue, just north of Bethany Home Road. Jenny talked about how people of all ages plant fruits and vegetables, take cooking classes and celebrate special events there. She praised our city for allowing the non-profit to use space behind Glendale Fire Department Station 152, providing infrastructure and recruiting volunteers to help plant fruits and vegetables. Previously, Fox-10 and ABC-15 interviewed our Deputy Director of Community Services Matt Hess and Community Services’ Community Programs Administrator Stephanie Fenderson-Gonzales about the garden. Way to go green!
REAP BENEFITS OF BANKING AND OTHER DEALS Looking for a convenient location to do your banking, with a special incentive? Bell Bank, a family and employee-owned company, provides exclusive benefits to employees of participating partner businesses, including our city. Any city employees who open a first-time, personal checking account with Bell Bank will receive $150, after their account has been active for 60 days and other conditions are met. Bell Bank provides free, nationwide ATM transactions, free identity theft recovery, free personalized debit cards and no minimum balance requirements. Learn more by visiting the Bell Bank website or contact Bell Bank vice-president/bank manager Taylor Iverson at 520-896-8252 or tiverson@bell.bank. This is just one of the many ways city employees may obtain discounts and great offerings from businesses. Discover more in the Employee Portal.
EMPLOYEE CELEBRATIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW EMPLOYEES
Luis Aguilar - Engineering Delfina Cooper - Police Kyle Davisson - Police Chandler Cool-Landon - Police Riczer Desvaristes - Economic Development Yadira Elizondo - Police
Vanessa Inzunza - Field Operations Kade Kreipel - Water Services Michael Lefevre - Police Elizabeth Nieto - Mayor and Council Office Steven Noblet - Development Services Sarah Platten - Community Services Rudy Rivera Izaguirre - Police Evan Robinson - Police Ryan Sealander - Police Adam Slucher - Field Operations Jerry Thompson - Police William Valencia Jr. - Water Services Elias Velasquez - Police
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY Your hard work, dedication and loyalty are appreciated! HAPPY 30 YEARS Pete Aguilera - Engineering Tammie Harris - Community Services HAPPY 25 YEARS Paula Stroup - Community Services HAPPY 20 YEARS Bryan Hoskin - Police Cheryl Scheckel - Police Darren Skousen - Parks and Recreation Scott Waite - Police HAPPY 15 YEARS David Mocko - Community Services Eric Nakpil - Water Services Christopher Setoki - Water Services
HAPPY 10 YEARS Cody Baxter - Police Javier Figueroa - Police Kristina Goodsell - Police Paul Lopez - Budget and Finance Moroni Mendez - Police Jessica Shank - Police Lindsay Wright - City Attorney’s Office HAPPY 5 YEARS James Aldama - Water Services Charles Beauchamp - Police Craig Croner - Field Operations Jesse Devins - Engineering Caitlin Freshwater - Police Edward Garcia - Engineering Alejandro Lara - Police Riley Miller - Police Esther Peneff - Community Services