CITY MANAGER SHARES PASSION FOR SERVICE, PRIORITIES
If you missed our first all-employee virtual meeting, here's what went down:
City Manager Patrick Banger joined Senior Communications Strategist Lesley Miller for the debut of Pop In with Patrick, a live 30-minute Teams chat. Based on employee survey feedback, this new series gives staff a direct line to city leadership with real-time Q&A.
Patrick shared his career journey, his priorities in the new role, and some exciting news: he's recommended a 3% cost-of-living increase plus up to 2% performance-based pay for eligible employees (pending City Council approval). He also announced May 18 as the target date for employees to return to the renovated City Hall.
A big thank you to Amy Handlong, videographers Alfredo Kaspar, Shaun Mockoski and Luis Jacinto, and IT pros Javier Gonzales and Brian Malinski for making it all happen behind the scenes. You may watch the virtual meeting by clicking here.
Pop In with Patrick will be happening regularly, so keep an eye out for a meeting invite.
EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE
TWO FIELD OPERATIONS EMPLOYEES TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT
The hard work, professionalism and dedication to forging strong professional relationships and serving residents have paid off for two Field Operations Department employees.
Field Operations Deputy Director Craig Croner has been inducted into Government Fleet Magazine's Public Fleet Hall of Fame a prestigious honor requiring 20+ years in the fleet industry. Craig's data-driven approach has delivered real results for the city, including the implementation of Geotab telematics integrated with our FASTER fleet management system.
Eric Santa Maria, pictured to the left, has earned the American Public Works Association Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) credential. This nationally recognized certification validates an individual’s knowledge, experience and commitment to excellence in public fleet management and requires a rigorous examination that covers fleet analytics, asset procurement and budgeting and finance. Just over 100 professionals across North America currently have this certification.
Eric started working for Glendale as a Shop Coordinator five years ago, quickly establishing himself as a dependable, detail-oriented professional. In 2024 he was promoted to the role of Business Analyst and this month he will take on the new role of Business Operations Manager, which is a testament to his continued growth and leadership.
GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE
S HOST T VELING STATE MUSEUM
Patriotism was on display as employees hosted the Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum, presented by Banner Health, at our Main Library on Feb. 20. The museum, housed in a customretrofitted trailer, featured interactive exhibits that brought American history and Arizona’s story to life, including a replica of the Liberty Bell.
Glendale’s Main Library was the only West Valley location chosen to host the display, which is traveling around the state to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. Our Deputy Director of Library Services Dawn Ferro shared her enthusiasm for the exhibition in a heartfelt speech, as did Mayor Jerry Weiers. Library employees facilitated a scavenger hunt and our Parks and Recreation Department employees set up sports and games through the REC on Wheels vehicle. Water Services’ Water Conservation Specialist Emily Owen taught residents about “Victory Gardens.” Our videographers Mike Harris and Alfredo Kaspar created a great Facebook Live video on it. Check out the video here.
CELEBRATIONS IN THE CITY
PARKS AND RECREATION REVEALS BONSALL PARK UPGRADES
City leaders and employees, along with residents, celebrated more than 8 acres of renovated park space at Bonsall Park North recently.
The ribbon-cutting event revealed the $3.3 million project that includes eight pickleball courts, four basketball courts, a Mini-Pitch, two concrete volleyball courts, enhanced lighting and a shade structure covering the playground. Our Mayor Weiers, City Councilmember Dianna Guzman, Assistant City Manager Vicki Rios, Parks and Recreation Department Director John Kennedy and Assistant Parks and Recreation Department Director Michael Keane spoke at the event. Click the arrow on the photo below left to play the video captured by our videographer Shaun Mockoski.
PAST MEETS PRESENT AT BICENTENNIAL SOUTH
Forty years of history was unsealed by first-graders. A time capsule buried in 1985 was uncovered during our downtown campus renovations. The Mayor and Council opened it with the help of 24 first-graders from Bicentennial South Elementary School. A surprise was inside, a book made by Bicentennial South's 1985 first-grade class celebrating their love of Glendale. The current students carried on the tradition by snapping photos that will be included in the next time capsule.
HAVING A BALL IN GLENDALE
All eyes are on Glendale with the reigning world champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox back at Camelback Ranch for spring training.
This time-honored tradition of enjoying baseball in the warmer temperatures has generated much media coverage from TV and radio stations around the country, as well as newspapers. Our videographer Mike Harris produced a fun video about spring training featuring Dodgers outfielder Ryan Ward and a Glendale Little Leaguer hitting. Check out the video by clicking the play button on the image of the boy on the upper left.
TV stations produced great stories highlighting the ins and outs of spring training at Camelback Ranch, including the tremendous economic impact on Glendale and the rest of the Valley, as well as predictions of teams’ success, along with behindthe-scenes looks at squad workouts and tasty game-day food.
Check out the media coverage in the links for the various TV and radio stations and newspapers below the photos.
Learn more about Camelback Ranch by clicking here.
COMING UP IN THE CITY
POLISH CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS
Why is striving for excellence in customer service so important in Glendale?
To find out, please attend an engaging training, Achieving Excellence in Customer Service, from 8 a m to noon on March 4 at the Glendale Adult Center, Room 104. This training will focus on the following Success Factors: Commitment to Service Excellence
Effective Communication
Continuous Learning & Development
Personal Accountability & Integrity
Let’s make it happen! To register for the sessions, visit NEOGOV and search for Achieving Excellence in Customer Service and hit enroll. Please notify your supervisor if you have signed up for the class. Contact Grace Adams at GAdams@glendaleaz.com or Trish Wright at PWright@glendaleaz.com with any questions.
ESCAPE TO THE WILD, GET DEALS
Take a walk on the wild side at a discounted price! The Glendale Employee Engagement Committee (GEEC) invites you to visit the Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park at 16501 W. Northern Ave. in Litchfield Park for reduced prices all day on March 7.
Tickets for adults who are city employees will be $30 each (compared to the usual price of $48) and $15 for kids ages 3 to 12 (compared to the normal price of $27 each). Admission is FREE for children ages 2 and under. Each employee may bring up to six people for the lower prices.
You may obtain a FREE onion ring appetizer from Dillon’s at the park that day and enjoy discounts in the cafe and gift shop. Bring your employee ID to reap the benefits of these great deals.
Learn more about the Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park by clicking here.
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY
FAMILY CAREGIVER GROUP ADDED
Did you know our city has expanded the support it provides to people who are living with dementia, as well as their caregivers?
The Dementia Friendly Glendale Action team recently launched the first Los Amigos de la Memoria, part of the Memory Café program, for Spanish-speaking residents with dementia, along with their Spanish-speaking caregivers. A dozen people, including caregivers, those living with dementia, volunteers and local service providers that serve affected clients, participated in the group at the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center Attendees learned about the signs of dementia and resources available to help people with dementia and caregivers.
The Dementia Friendly Glendale Action team, made up of city employees and internal and external stakeholders, strives to build a dementia-friendly city. This action team launched its first Memory Café program, for English speakers, in 2023. During the Memory Café meetings, caregivers participate in an educational and/or support session while their loved ones with memory loss take part in cognitive engagement activities. The aim of the program is to connect people, help erase the stigma associated with dementia and give caregivers information about support and assistance.
The next meeting of Los Amigos de la Memoria will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 12 at the GESD System of Care Center at 7677 W. Bethany Home Road. Then the Memory Café for English speakers will next be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 17 at our Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center (FRAC).
Learn more about the ways our employees and volunteers, as well as area businesses, support those living with dementia and their caregivers by clicking here.
GETTING OUT IN GLENDALE
GROOVE
TO LATIN, POP MUSIC
Looking for something fun to do after work?
Our Economic Development Department will bring the Glendale LiVE! concert series featuring Latin and pop music artists from 5 to 9 p.m. on March 21 to The Courtyard at the northeast corner of 58th Avenue and Glenn Drive. There will be food, yard games, interactive art booths and more entertainment. Learn more by clicking here.
GRAB HELMETS AND GEAR UP FOR FAMILY BIKE RIDE
Spring is in the air and that means the Glendale Family Bike Ride is just around the corner.
Our Transportation Department, with support from other city departments, is gearing up for this fun event that is expected to draw hundreds of people of all ages to Sahuaro Ranch Park on April 12. Registration and check-in starts at 7 a.m. and the ride begins at 8 a.m. There are three routes that bicyclists can choose from:
Short (Nearly 7 miles)
Long (15 miles)
Extended (23 miles)
Riders will explore our city’s beautiful bike pathways, bridges, trails and parks and obtain valuable bicycle safety and educational information. It’s FREE to participate in and the first 500 people to register online will receive an event T-shirt. A keepsake medal will be given to everyone who completes their ride. There will be a bicycle raffle, as well as a chance to repurpose old bike helmets into planters. The event also will feature a coffee truck, children’s inflatable rides, along with health and wellness booths and bike check-up stations. To learn more, click here.
FOCUS ON FITNESS AND FUN
PLAY PICKLEBALL, WALK AND RUN AT HEROES PARK EVENT
Grab your family members and friends and head to Heroes Regional Park for the Family Fun Community Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 25. Our city has partnered with Shape Up Us, as well as the Glendale Elementary School District, Glendale Chamber of Commerce and Monster Athletes Juniors to host this gathering that will feature the “world’s largest pickleball lesson,” as well as a 1-mile walk and 5K fun run. There also will be skateboard instruction, an obstacle inflatable, a bounce house, basketball, football and baseball inflatables, along with hula hoop contests, a tug-of-war competition and 30 vendor booths with activities and giveaways.
Find out more about this event and other happenings in the city by clicking here.
PLAN A GETAWAY!
Hoping to plan a memorable, tropical vacation? You may stop dreaming and start planning!
The Glendale Employee Engagement Committee invites you to come aboard for the Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises July 10-15, 2027, leaving from Miami, Florida, with stops in Jamaica and The Bahamas.
This cruise is not city-sponsored but it is open to city employees and anyone in the public. Prices start at $1,678.84 for two adults in an interior stateroom.
To find out about group pricing, payment plans and anything else related to the cruise, call Global Expeditions at 610-905-4577 or email vacations@travelglobex.com or click here.
EMPLOYEE CELEBRATIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW EMPLOYEES
Raul Abril - City Court
Michael Anglin - Engineering
Patrick Banger - City Manager
Brent Baugh - Water Services
Jackson Bernal - Fire
William Bucklin - Water Services
Cesar Bugarin - Field Operations
Maira Camacho - Field Operations
Michael Cano - Fire
Brandyn Crosby - Water Services
Blake Gilmore - Police
Nolan Kelly - Fire
Aldin Hatic - Fire
Skyler Jayne - Fire
Jordyn Johnstone - Fire
Ashley Kingery - Community Services
Alec Knipp - Police
Colin Mannelly - Fire
Layn Mathews - Field Operations
Ashton Parent - Fire
Joseph Pena - Field Operations
Stone Phillips - Fire
Hayden Piazza - Fire
Valerie Quintero - Fire
Brandon Robbins - Fire
Jonathan Roth - Fire
Heri Sinawivi - Fire
Joseph Smith - Fire
Trevor Southwick - Community Services
Scott Trice - Field Operations
Ethan Versteeg - Water Services
Stacy Vilt - Community Services
Anthony Wight - Field Operations
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY
Your hard work, dedication and loyalty are appreciated!
