EMPLOYEES UNITE TO CELEBRATE MAJOR CAMPUS MAKEOVER
It was standing room only in the new Council Chambers for an exciting City Hall ribbon-cutting event and 116th birthday bash on June 18. This event, planned by the Communincations Team, was for city leaders, present and past elected officials and a variety of community partners.
Adding to the fun were the Arizona Rattlers cheerleaders and mascot, Stryker and Megan Campbell, who serves as Miss Glendale. City Manager Patrick Banger and Mayor Jerry P. Weiers delivered speeches about the importance of our new civic campus to our employees, community, businesses and our overall downtown. Luke Air Force Base surprised attendees just before the ribbon was cut, with an F-35 flyover. The event also showcased the new items that went into a time capsule that has been buried under City Hall. Check out this video our videographer Alfredo Kaspar created for highlights of the event.
The fun continued at our America 250 Celebration in Murphy Park on June 20. Our Parks and Recreation Department’s Special Events Division orchestrated the gathering that featured an “America the Beautiful” art exhibition and live music from the Glendale Summer Band and Don’t Stop Believin: a Tribute to Journey band. Catch a glimpse of the magic in this video from our videographer Mike Harris.
COMING UP IN THE CITY
July is National Park and Recreation Month, a time to recognize our 95 full-time and 153 seasonal Parks and Recreation Department employees who bring programs, classes and events to residents year-round. Some upcoming events include:
Art at the Park: July 11, 10 a.m. to noon, Sahuaro Ranch Park (fruit-packing shed).
Make family-themed magnets with an instructor.
Family Play Date: July 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC), and the Glendale and Rose Lane community centers and O’Neil Recreation Center, there will be games, crafts, pizza and prizes.
Thank a Ranger Day: July 25, 6 to 8 p.m. Our park rangers will engage the public in games and offer giveaways and prizes at Heroes Regional and Sahuaro Ranch parks.
Glendale Adult Center Open House: July 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., those ages 18 and older may explore the programs and equipment. Register for these events and find out about other Parks and Recreation events here.
Other events this month will include Stars and Stripes Zumba on July 9 and America’s Birthday Bingo on July 24 at the Glendale Adult Center.
Parks and Recreation Department employees will be treated to goodies and lunches throughout this month to thank them for their work.
WORK OUT IN NEW WELLNESS CENTER
Looking for a convenient way to boost your health? Our new City Hall Wellness Center is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the lower level of the facility.
It features various cardiovascular and weight machines, as well as free weights and an area to stretch. Locker rooms and showers also are available. Before accessing it, employees must complete an orientation/training and sign a waiver.
Sign-up for the training in NEOGOV Learn using the keywords “City Hall Wellness Center Orientation and Safety Training.”
SHINING A LIGHT ON SAFETY
EMPLOYEES’ TEENS GAIN TOOLS FOR SAFE DRIVING
Cassandra Johnston and Tom Holzschuh from the Traffic Education Division of our Transportation Department recently gave young drivers a valuable, interactive learning experience, when they hosted two sessions of Alive at 25 at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC) for city employees’ teens.
Participants explored the dangers of risky driving behaviors, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and failing to wear a seatbelt. Through discussions and real-world scenarios, students learned collision-prevention techniques, defensive driving strategies and practical skills to help them recognize and manage their own decisions behind the wheel. One of the most memorable hands-on activities allowed students to wear DUI simulation goggles to see how impairment can affect perception, coordination and reaction time. These teens are empowered to make safer choices on the road.
HYDRATE TO BEAT THE HEAT WHEN WORKING OUTSIDE
To learn more about staying safe in the extreme heat, check out our city’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan here.
During these extremely hot months, it is important to take steps to try to stay safe when you are working outdoors to avoid developing heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Here are some safety tips and information from our Emergency Management, Field Operations, Police and Water Services departments:
Start your day with cool, fresh water, before you consume caffeine in the morning
The night before working outdoors, drink 20 to 32 ounces of water with electrolytes a couple hours before you go to bed
When working in the heat, drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes
Wear hats and light-colored clothes when outside
Take breaks in cool, shaded areas as needed
Report heat-related symptoms to leadership
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY
ASK GLENDALE CREW SHOWS HEART FOR HELPING RESIDENTS
Our city’s core Ask Glendale team exceled at its first official event - the America 250 Celebration on June 20 in Murphy Park. Ask Glendale is a citywide initiative designed to strengthen purposeful communication and enhance connections between our city and its residents.
The program features a welcoming, fully staffed booth at major city events where community members are encouraged to ask any questions they have about city services, programs and resources. It helps residents access accurate, up-to-date information from real city employees face-to-face, fostering meaningful engagement with city employees Our city’s “ambassadors” provide real-time assistance, answer questions and help residents submit service requests through GlendaleOne.
After more than a year of planning and collaboration, with support from Jenny Durda, Director of Organizational Performance, committee members Cassandra Johnston, Stephanie Fenderson-Gonzales, Angela Lara, Aaron Crow, Amanda Press, Greg Kinder, Ashley Christman and Doreen Anderson proudly launched the initiative at the America 250 Celebration. This friendly team talked to more than 800 people who stopped by the booth.
More city employees are invited to serve as the welcoming faces of Glendale. If you would like to participate, please click here, Ask Glendale Ambassadors
Here are the future events the volunteers will attend:
Granada Estates Halloween Festival – October 2026
Glendale Community Day – November 2026
Songwriters/Folk & Heritage Festival – January 2027
Dog Days of Glendale – February 2027
Participation requires supervisor approval and attending a 60-minute training.
EMPLOYEE CELEBRATIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW EMPLOYEES
Javier Arreola - City Manager’s Office
Madalyn Barton - Police
Javier Carreon Jr. - Parks and Recreation
Aimee Fields - Budget and Finance
Jennifer FrazierCommunity Services
Helen GarciaBudget and Finance
Daniel HendersonEconomic Development
Jack Julsing - Police
Peter KulikowskiDevelopment Services
Aimee Lopez - Police
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY
Your hard work, dedication and loyalty are appreciated!
HAPPY 25 YEARS
Alexander Rodriguez-LopezField Operations
HAPPY 20 YEARS
Byron Ely Jr. - Fire
Scott HaeffnerPolice
Brian HickmanDevelopment Services
Richard Lipps - Police
Andrew Padron - Fire
Thomas PocknellPolice
HAPPY 10 YEARS
Philip Burg - City Attorney’s Office
Sasha Carlo - Police
Alan Gurrola - Field Operations
Stetson Jackson - Police
Collin Ratliff - Police
Diego Roman - Police
Phillip Scott - Police
Joel Sing - Transportation
HAPPY 5 YEARS
Kimberly Mackert - Field Operations
Alteza Pena Riestra - City Court
Lilianna Pologa - Police