Janaury 2021

JANAURY 2021 DPS Newsletter January has certainly been a busy month for the DPS/Engineering teams.We’ve started the year with some mild weather and little snow but our team is ready for anything that Mother Nature brings us.The roads and water/sewer teams are prepared for winter weather as well as repairing numerous water leaks, picking up dead dear and cleaning and organizing their operational areas to make them more efficient. The Fleet department is working on scheduled maintenance and continue to renovate their office and maintenance areas. The DPS garage managers have also been working with Purchasing preparing the many specifications for the equipment and supplies going out for solicitations. The management staff completed 65 performance reviews by meeting with employees and updating NeoGOV info. Management worked with their direct reports in setting goals and objectives both individually and for the team.The garage managers are also reviewing applicants for the Laborer and seasonal positions and working with HR to get new employees on board soon to fill several vacancies. We will be welcoming a new employee to the team in February. Dana Jones will join the administrative staff at City Hall to provide support to the entire department. City Hall staff is cleaning and organizing their work spaces and updating all forms and files for the new year. The Master Transportation plan is wrapping up and being presented to the Planning Commission before going to City Council.The engineering staff has been busy working with purchasing to get the 2021 construction projects out to bid and approved by City Council. Upcoming projects include: • Concrete Program – Northwest side of the City • Concrete Program – Southeast side of the City • Asphalt Program – Butler Rd • Hamlin Road Reconstruction between Crooks and Adams • Avon/Dequindre Project Design • Water Main project – Tienken Manor/Grosse Pines • Adams Road crossing,Vactor disposal pad and updated wash bay Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius – Pietro Aretino

Appreciation I got home today after the city came through and they did an awesome job. The stuff that was on the driveway was definitely doable and I was actually able to clear up the snow from our main driveway to the sewer drain in the street. I think it looks like it is best for me to wait and then clear the section up after the city comes through. Then I am not trying to clear it up twice. Please thank them for me. I got no sleep last night worrying about how bad it would be and I had to get my mother-in-law to an appointment this morning. It all worked out and I greatly appreciate it. I hope you have a great week. Allan, Just wanted to update you and let you know they Dear DPS, have been doing an awesome job being careful. Someone just came by today and could I would like to thank you have put a ton of snow on our driveway since they for the job your team did go from north to the south side and left the stuff in replacing the post and overlap a little on the west side of our driveway. I the mailbox. They arrived have found that works out the best right now the same morning, they because we do not constantly get the pure ice in explained to me what they front of our house at least right now during winter were going to do and they when the snow melts. It just seems like a no win did an excellent job. situation but I think I finally found a solution that I Thank you again for am able to maintain. Once it stays warmer, I will addressing the issue in go out and clear that area. I unlike many others such a prompt and well take the snow on the street and throw it on our done way. I'm glad I live in grass. As you can tell if you drive by the this city! house. LOL!! Keep up the good job! It was perfect time the person who came today Davide Alessio (who did an AWESOME job!!). I went out last night and cleared away the section in front of our house since it was easy to remove and the person who came by today was careful. The stuff that I just cleared up today was much easier than in the past. I am also very thankful this winter has not been so bad. I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a great week! One kind word can warm three winter months – Japanese proverb

Fleet Department Al and his wife are expecting a baby at the end of March.The Fleet department celebrated with a cake made by Abbey and gifts from the team. The Fleet department continues to That’s a tough reach! revamp the office area in the garage. Part of this project included redoing the entire parts inventory area. In doing so, it was determined that some of the items were obsolete. The team was able to work out an arrangement to return the obsolete items to the vendor for an $800 credit to purchase new items. MIS installed 2 new computer work stations for the Fleet department to assist with social distancing.The expense was covered with COVID grant funds.This new set-up gives the mechanics direct access to work orders as well as diagnostic and research data.

Stuff a Plow Event We received many compliments regarding our participation in this event. I wanted to let you know how wonderful I’m sharing exciting news! Our “Stuff a Kyle was at our Stuff the Snowplow Snowplow” event was very successful! event. The minute we introduced ourselves Neighborhood House (“NH”) collected he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. We over 3,700 pounds of food (outside, in did not expect that nor did we ask. He saw 20 degree weather, who does that?) the need and jumped right in. We would not along with at least 5 car loads of have been nearly as efficient without him. I clothing items for the Clothes Closet. A can't tell you how inspiring it is to watch that shout out to The Village of Rochester \"do whatever it takes to get the job done\" Hills and Nothing Bundt Cakes for their attitude in action. Thanks again for support as well. The sweet treats were a partnering with us at this event. And welcome surprise for our neighbors! especially for sending Kyle!!! We appreciated the media coverage to Cyndi Pettit bring awareness of the NH mission and Client Services Manager the importance of neighbors helping Rochester Area Neighborhood House neighbors. Thank you for securing this. Cyndi and I want to also recognize Kyle, our snowplow guy, for all of his support during the event. He volunteered to load and unload the Neighborhood House van multiple times, secured the NH roll up banner, organized boxes of donations, unloaded cars as they drove up and did all of this WITHOUT GLOVES! The NH team is grateful for all he did to ensure a successful event. Simply put, He ROCKED! The success of this event was a collaborative effort, it literally took a village in The Village. . . . Good evening Allan, Wanted to share that during We look forward to working with The my phone call with the Village of Rochester Hills Village of Rochester Hills on future they had a million wonderful things to say about community events. Kyle. On Friday he went above and beyond to help Gratefully, them with set up, organizing the items, and cleaning up after. They are so appreciative of how Jeni Carino Chief Development Officer helpful he was. Have a great week! Neighborhood House From Maria willet

Expanding our Genius Trial Run – Bluebeam Review BS&A/PZE and Bluebeam software launches, implementations, and integrations are continuing with a Bluebeam go-live date later this spring. TRAINING UPDATES Chris Shepard has been arranging training programs for the team at the Garage using the NeoGov/Learn platform as well as organizing hands-on training for several equipment operators. NeoGOV/Learn This month employees have completed several online trainings including: • 26 employees - online hoisting and rigging training + quiz • 38 employees - online forklift training + quiz Hands-on Training • 8 new employees - hands-on forklift training / driving test • 7 new employees - onsite cranes and hoisting training HR Appreciation: Hi Chris, I just want to say thank you for working with me in regards to the safety training and following up with me. I know since you started I have been bombarded with Covid 19 issues and Open Enrollment start up. You were able to jump in with Learn and get the training started. Thank you, Helen (HR)

Other DPS News DPS is in the latest APWA Great Lakers Reporter with an article submitted by Chris Shepard. The article details our sign inventory upgrade. Jenny lead an effort, with support from Chris, Bud, Jeff S and Paul S., in migrating the entire traffic sign inventory from Lucity to Roadsoft. This user friendly application provides us with better efficiency and effectiveness in managing our traffic sign database. It also allows us to go paperless with work orders and database edits. Great job Team!!! GREEN INITIATIVE:The team at the Garage are in the process of cleaning up the yard.They recently recycled tons of scrap metal for a total of $12,700 RC2 Repair The Water/Sewer technicians made a difficult repair to a main Great Lakes Water Authority water line in very tight quarters 30 feet underground.