City Talk Newsletter link to City of Waco Intranet home page

December 13, 2007 Issue

Other Links: City Calendar l City News

New Airport Fire Station Complete

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Dec. 5 at Waco Regional Airport for the new $1.6 million Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) station.

A grant from the Federal Aviation Administration covered 95 percent of the construction costs, and the remaining 5 percent was funded by the City of Waco. The new ARFF building replaced the existing facility, which was more than 40 years old and was not designed as a 24-hour, live-in facility.

“The previous station was very cramped, “ said Fire Chief John Johnston. “As you can imagine, it was like living in a 19 foot travel trailer. You had no privacy. The firefighters are very happy to have a new facility that feels more like home. We are very grateful to City Management, the Airport Director, FAA and the City Council for supporting us on this project.”

The 6,294 sq. ft. facility is equipped with advanced fire fighting technologies as well as modern conveniences. It features two vehicle bays for fire fighting and rescue equipment, sleeping quarters for four firefighters, a kitchen, office space for a supervisor, a training room and numerous other amenities.

“The new facility will enhance the safety of air operations at Waco Regional Airport by providing a modern and up-to-date facility for our firefighters to live and work in,” said Richard Howell, Director of Aviation.

Waco Regional Airport Firefighters are highly trained professionals and airport specialists assigned by the Waco Fire Department.

Their training is the same as other fire personnel for fighting structural related and vehicle fires, but they are also trained and equipped to handle aircraft emergencies, hazardous materials and the particular characteristics of jet fuel fires.

The existing ARFF building will continue to serve the City of Waco for storage of airport grounds equipment, most of which is currently stored outside.

Join the Get Fit Club for the New Year

Make your New Year’s resolution a reality by staying active and improving your health at the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department’s fitness and wellness rooms.

The rooms provide an affordable, private workout and feature equipment such as cardio machines, free weights and weight stack machines. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $1 per session or $20 for 30 sessions.

The fitness and wellness rooms are located at Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center, 300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., at 750-8684; and Dewey Recreation Center, 925 N. 9th, at 750-8677.

Employee Assistance Program

“Treat Yourself This Holiday Season”

Under 80% Median Income
While funds are available: Now $25,000

Why pay rent when you may be able to own a home of your own?

Criteria:

  • Must be a regular, full time City of Waco employee for at least one year – 12 consecutive months, considered in good standing, (ie. without disciplinary actions such as probation, leave without or with pay.)
  • Employee must qualify for first lien financing.
  • New and existing homes located within the City of Waco limits.
  • Home to be built or purchased must not have any code violations and must meet all HUD rules and regulations.
  • Program is contingent on funds availability.

Loan Amount: Up to $25,000

Interest Rate: 0%

Term: Forgivable over 10 years - As long as property is occupied by City employee as his/her primary residence (homestead) and remains employed and in good standing with the City of Waco.

2007 GROSS Income Limit

Includes Alimony, Child Support, and all other monetary financial assistance.

Family of 1 $28,200
Family of 2 $32,250
Family of 3 $36,250
Family of 4 $40,300
Family of 5 $43,500
Family of 6 $46,750
Family of 7 $49,950
Family of 8 $53,200

For more information, call Housing & Community Development Services at 750-5650.

 

If you'd like to submit information for the City Talk Newsletter, you can send an email to: marlenen@ci.waco.tx.us
or call 750-5638.

 

 

Cottonwood Creek Gift Ideas

Cottonwood Creek is a great place to knock out some holiday shopping. The staff at Cottonwood Creek has restocked the pro shop in time for the holidays.

From now until the holiday, you can find great deals on golf equipment and apparel. Gift certificates are also available, and they can be redeemed for merchandise, club fittings, lessons or even a round a golf.

The holidays are also a great time to squeeze in a round of golf. The course, located at 5201 Bagby, will be open throughout the holiday season. To arrange a tee time, give the course a call at 745-6009.

City Staff Spotlight

New Employees

The Public Health District would like to welcome Melissa Johnson, caseworker.

Finance welcomes Cheryl Schulz, senior financial analyst.

Promotions/ Transfers

Dan Goggin, Cameron Park Zoo was promoted to animal care manager of fish and invertebrates.

Juliett Jones, Parks & Recreation, was recently promoted to the program coordinator position at Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center.

Donnell McLennan, Parks & Recreation, transferred to Dewey Recreation Center as a program coordinator.

Sheila Slater, Library Services, was promoted to full time librarian at the R.B. Hoover Library on Nov. 26.

Kelly Clines, Public Health District, has been promoted to Health Education Manager.

Moving On

Assistant Chief Joseph Molina, Fire Department, is leaving the City of Waco to accept the position of Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Vancouver, Wash. Molina has worked for the City of Waco for 15 years.

Congratulations

Marlene Neill, Municipal Information, will receive her Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri on Dec. 14.

Street Services named Ezequiel Santibanez, George Rivera, Saul Mendez and Roberto Hernandez as their employees of the month for September. Street Services later selected Howard McCreary as their employee of the month for October.

Dedri Hafer, Housing & Community Development Services, is now the Chair for the National Community Development Association Region VI Board, which serves Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Safe Ride Home

If you are planning on celebrating this New Year’s Eve and need a designated driver, let Waco Transit take you home.

Through the support of Allen Samuels Chevrolet, Waco Transit will be providing a safe ride home event for the third consecutive year. Even better this year, you can also call and schedule a ride to your New Year’s event.

The ride to your destination is based on limited space. In order to arrange a ride, you will need to call 750-1620 starting at 8 a.m. on Dec. 24 through 6 p.m. Dec. 28.

The goal is to provide transportation, so adults don’t have to even think about driving if they have had anything to drink.

Diabetes Class

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is sponsoring the “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” self-management course in partnership with the Texas Cooperative Extension.

The course will consist of 10 lessons covering topics such as diet planning, blood glucose monitoring, exercise, and managing complications.

The course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Jan. 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Preparedness Training Room at the Health District. Those who are interested should register in advance by calling 750-5631.

Ways to Stay Healthy this Winter

By Margaret Cowart, BSN, RN, Employee Health Services

As the weather gets colder and people stay inside in close contact with each other, the risk of picking up a cold or the flu increases.

There has also been concern about a “new” bacterial infection called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In fact, MRSA or “staph” has been around for decades.

What is new is that it has appeared in the community setting. The good news is that the same precautions that are taken to prevent cold and flu are also great precautions for MRSA.

It’s time to wash your hands! Use soap and water and count to 20 seconds before rinsing. One easy way to do this is to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. This is something that can be shared with children to keep them healthy as well.

If soap and water are not available, alcohol based hand sanitizer may be used as well

. If you have any questions, please call or come by Employee Health Services.

More on MRSA

  1. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
  2. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
  3. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

Table of Contents

Click on the Story Name
to go to the page
where the information is listed

 

 

To view previous issues
of City Talk, click here:

Click here to view: Page 2

 


City Services Common Questions & Answers Forms & Information News & Events City Job List
Policy Manual Employee Benefits
City Talk Online Health & Wellness Training - Team Waco program

City of Waco | PO Box 2570 | Waco, Texas 76702-2570 | Telephone: (254) 750-5638
New Site Design February 2004. Site Design by City of Waco Municipal Information Office
© 2004 City of Waco. All Rights Reserved.
Comments: marlenen@ci.waco.tx.us