CITY SHINES BRIGHTLY AS ONE OF BEST EMPLOYERS Our city is celebrating its recent honor as being among “The Phoenix Business Journal’s” Best Phoenix-Area Places to Work Extra-Large. Glendale was one of the five entities to earn this honor among institutions with more than 1,000 employees and the ONLY government organization to make the whole list of best workplaces of any size. Organizations were also named as Best Phoenix-Area Places to Work in the categories of small, micro, mid-size, extra-small and large. Our City Manager Kevin Phelps, along with our City Councilmembers Lupe Conchas, Dianna T. Guzman and Ray Malnar, along with several city employees, celebrated at the awards luncheon on Dec. 16 in Phoenix. Winners are chosen through an independent editorial review, with selections based entirely on their merits, achievements and contributions to their organizations and the local community. The criteria judged were based on each entity’s efforts to create a desirable working environment, where the organization goes above and beyond to attract and maintain talent. Learn more about the honorees here. Read the interview with our City Manager Kevin Phelps here.
CITY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EMPLOYEES BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS Our city’s employees showed their hearts for helping the community once again this winter holiday season. These are some of the ways they stepped up to support residents and their colleagues in need. Through our Community Services Department’s Adopt-a-Family program: 97 families and 37 isolated seniors were adopted this season $40,000 worth of gifts were donated by employees and community partners (State Farm Stadium, Molina Healthcare of Arizona, Sun City Elks, Valley of Phoenix Scottish Rite, Phoenix West Elks) Employees also generously provided nonperishable food to benefit the Hope for Hunger food bank by dropping off donations at city facilities and at our Mayor Jerry P. Weiers’ Hometown Christmas Parade. Through this food drive: 12,260 pounds of food were donated A total of $160.26 of cash was given Through the We Care Program, 44 individual and team sponsors who work for Glendale donated gifts for 30 children whose parents are city employees. Thank you to everyone making the holiday season a little merrier for residents and colleagues!
2
GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE
CITY EARNS TOP PAVING AWARD AT ASU CONFERENCE Glendale was recognized with the 2025 Best in Arizona Surface Treatment Award at the Arizona State University Pavement Materials Conference. The award goes to the most effective and high-quality pavement preservation programs in the state. It highlights the outstanding execution on an asphalt pavement project completed in 2024–2025. In partnership with Sunland Asphalt, our city conducted a comprehensive mix of crack sealing, slurry seal, Fractured Aggregate Surface Seal and hot-mix asphalt improvements. Thank you to our internal Transportation Department employees, engineering contract management and inspection teams, and our public involvement partner MakPro.
Congratulations to these recent Glendale Lean Academy graduates! The Yellow Belt graduates are: Christina Butler, City Court Sydney Cleavenger, Water Services Gilbert Garcia, Field Operations Riley Hulsey, City Council Office Maya Pazos, Transportation Anne Steinmetz, Police Chantell Vidaure, Transportation
The Green Belt graduates are: James Aldama, Water Services Connie Carmenbarrios, Budget and Finance Diane Cooksey, Field Operations Vladan Gluvacevic, Field Operations Mark Hannasch, Field Operations Nancy Rodriguez, Human Resources & Risk Management Matt Smith, Transportation Anne Sullivan, Human Resources & Risk Management Jeremiah Tosic, Police
The next Green Belt Course will start on Jan. 14 and the next Yellow Belt Course will begin on Feb. 4. Learn more here. Glendale Lean Academy’s purpose is to instill a culture of continuous process improvement throughout our organization.
3
UPCOMING EMPLOYEE EVENTS CITY COUNCIL TO BE BACK IN ACTION SOON Our City Council will hold its first meeting of this new year on Jan. 13 at the Civic Center. The workshop will start at 12:30 p.m. and the voting meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. You may watch Council meetings on our city’s Facebook page, YouTube channel or on Glendale 11 TV. Check out the agenda for Council meetings here.
LEARN TO BRIDGE GAPS AT MLK EVENT Gain inspiration to build strong relationships with diverse people at the Inclusion Network’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 in the Main Library’s auditorium. Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes, a professional speaker and consultant, will be the featured presenter. The owner of T.A.H. Performance Consultants, Holmes has more than 20 years’ experience educating thousands of people on building robust relationships in diverse settings. Register for this event no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 via NEOGOV.
VOLUNTEER FOR POINT-IN-TIME COUNT Would you like to help make a difference in addressing the issue of homelessness? Every January our city joins communities around the country for the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count—a single-day survey that helps us better understand homelessness in our region. The data collected informs funding decisions, shapes local programs and supports the goal of ensuring all residents have safe places to call home. Volunteers will receive training before the event and will work in teams engaging and surveying homeless residents around the city. They will meet at 5 a.m. at our Main Library on Jan. 27 and work until noon. Employees are eligible for civic duty leave when they participate in this outreach. Training will be provided on these dates: Jan. 12: Noon to 1 p.m. over Microsoft Teams Jan. 13: 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Main Library Jan. 20: 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Main Library Register to volunteer on this webpage. If you have any questions, contact Ryan Hendrix at RHendrix@GlendaleAZ.com
4
MORE WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH COLLEAGUES MOVE MORE TO WIN TROPHY The 8th Annual Move It Maricopa City vs. City Challenge is back! Our city will compete against the cities of Buckeye, Chandler, Goodyear and Surprise, as well as the Tempe Elementary School District and Gila River Casino from Jan. 20 to Feb. 22. There’s a Golden Shoe Trophy in Chandler and we want it back! Join Team Glendale and help us win the challenge, with the top prize going to the team that logs the highest group average number of steps taken. “Winter Sports Around the World” is the theme. With this challenge, participants get moving with exercises that take them virtually around the world for various winter wonderlands and snow activities. Meet the goal of taking 7,000 steps per day and earn 5,000 bonus points in WellStyles. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona sponsors this challenge, which is available on the Be Well (formerly WalkerTracker) platform. Register here starting today. Check out the Move it Maricopa Kickoff with Chris Powell that may be viewed online from 10 to 11 a.m. in the HR Training Room 104 at the Glendale Adult Center on Jan. 20. Powell, a fitness expert, TV personality and author, will be in Chandler live kicking off the challenge. Register in NEOGOV Learn to watch it at the Adult Center or livestream it from your work area. The winning organization will be crowned champion and receive the Move it Maricopa Golden Shoe Trophy, as well as bragging rights for a year.
GAIN TIPS, ASK QUESTIONS TO PLAN FOR RETIREMENT Are you planning for retirement? Join your colleagues for a retirement seminar from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 28 at the Main Library. Representatives from Empower Retirement, the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System and Arizona State Retirement System will present information and answer questions. Whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or getting close to your transition, this session offers valuable information all in one place. Register for this seminar through NEOGOV. If you have any questions ahead of time, email benefits@glendaleaz.com.
5
CHANCES FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS GAIN INSPIRATION FROM AUTHOR Our libraries’ employees are getting ready for the next season of the Writer in Residence program, which will kick off today. Suspense-thriller author Deborah J. Ledford will share her expertise with any budding or experienced writers in half-hour, one-on-one consultations that begin today at the Main Library. She will continue offering one-on-one consultations through late March at that library and teach workshops for groups of writers, including the first one on organizational skills, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Main Library. Registration is required for the oneon-one consultations but not for the workshops. To see the schedule of workshops and consultations with Ledford, visit this library webpage.
GRAB FURRY FRIENDS FOR FUN HIKE Grab your best, furry friend and any human companions and head to our Parks and Recreation Department’s Tails and Trails hike/walk from 9 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 at Thunderbird Conservation Park. It’s a great way to have fun, enjoy some exercise, bond with colleagues and residents and treat your beloved pets to an outdoor adventure. Meet at the 55th Trailhead at Pinnacle Peak Road. Parking is available in the parking lot off Pinnacle Peak Road. You may walk the Flatlander Loop, which is considered an easy hike, or Arrowhead Loop, which is described as moderately strenuous with elevation gains to the top of the mountain. Each trail is a little more than one mile round-trip. Any dog breeds are permitted, and the canine companions must be on leashes. There will be a photo frame area to pose for pictures with the mountain in the background. Dog owners who check in at the Parks and Recreation table will be able to obtain either a dog-print bandana or a portable dog water bowl, while supplies last.
6
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
ENJOY MUSIC, SONGWRITING AT EVENT Our Main Library will host the 29th Annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 31. Performers, writers and music lovers can enjoy this free event that will feature more than 120 live performances on four stages throughout the day. Participants may bring their instruments and voices for open song-sharing circles or learn from various workshops and lectures that nationally recognized experts will lead. Food trucks will be available at the event. Learn more here.
TREAT YOURSELF TO CHOCOLATE If you have a sweet tooth, you will want to visit the Glendale Chocolate Affaire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 15 at the Civic Center. Attendees may indulge in treats from chocolatiers and confectioners, see incredible chocolate art displays, participate in wine tastings and soak up live musical performances. Admission and parking are FREE. Click here to learn more.
7
EMPLOYEE CELEBRATIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW EMPLOYEES
Clare Atchley - Police Rolann Baney - Budget and Finance Holly Garner - Economic Development Jamie Hedlund - City Court Yolanda Kersch - Development Services
Katherine Kirsh - Police ReAnna McCrae - City Court Rachel McFall - Field Operations Daniel Michalegko - Economic Development John Nepa - Engineering Alejandro Padilla - Water Services Angelica Reyes Transportation Kailee Rizzo - Police Ronald Romero - Field Operations Jordan Weaver - Water Services
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY Your hard work, dedication and loyalty are appreciated! HAPPY 30 YEARS Barbara Garcia Police Dean Musil - Fire HAPPY 25 YEARS 2 Zachary Ching Police Justin Harris Police Kevin Janssen - Fire Janet Lopez - Police Matthew Nichols Fire
HAPPY 20 YEARS Cody Henderson - Police Timothy Ulery - Police HAPPY 10 YEARS Joseph Procopio - Police HAPPY 5 YEARS William Martin - Water Services Adalberto Olmos - Water Services Jeremiah Vigil - Water Services
8