JULY 2020

“Organizational Excellence Through Team Work”

In This Issue:

Page 2 Banners and Bright Spots

Pages 3-4 From the HR Department

Page 5 Volunteer Opportunity

with 4-H

Employees for Employees

Page 6 Safety Corner

Page 7 Resource Conservation Team

Page 8 E.A.T. Fishing Derby Results

Page 9 Innovation: cont. from page 1 Page 10 CSU Extension Page 11-12 HR and Birthday Calendars

Page 1

E M P L O Y E E N E W S L E T T E R

New Employees

Administration

Carly DeLong

General Services Chris Ulrey

Human Services Anja Davis

Brinda Jacques

Sandralynn Johnson

IT Ian Cowan

Cassie Robertson

County Offices will be closed Friday, July 3rd.

T he pandemic has forced us to think differently about so much of our day-to-day work. If each of us

looks at our job today compared to our job back in late January, it is astounding how much we have continuously improved our processes in order to continue to serve the citizens during these unprecedented times! Many innovations (changes that add value) are such a great

idea or new way of doing things that we will keep them post-pandemic. The innovation team would love to hear about your innovations! Please share them with us https://forms.laplata.co.us/Forms/InnovationStoryADD so we can celebrate!

Meet your Innovation Team members! Is there something in your job (process not people!) that drives you crazy?! Do you need some tools to help you innovate your process? Here are three of your Innovation Team members – feel free to contact them with for support in accomplishing your innovations! Your Innovation Team members include: Renae Dugan, Sarah Jacobson, Devin King, Bryan Meador, Erin O’Neil, Sarah Rome, Michael Sawyer, Julie Scales, Chuck Stevens, Morgan Stevens, Ashli Stuckman, Danielle Thurber, James Torres, Darren Wayman, and Jessica Wheeldon.

Sarah Jacobson, Administration Dept.

I’m a fourth generation native of La Plata County and my favorite thing to do is …

Darren Wayman, Risk Management

I was born and raised in southwest Colorado and have always considered…

Devin King, Planning Department

With an engineer for a dad, I was always taught that...

Read more about Sarah on page 9.

Read more about Devin on page 9.

Read more about Darren on page 9.

July Banners

EMPLOYEE BANNERS

Sarah Jacobson $20 Award

Thank you for always being willing to help with moderating and clerking meetings. You ROCK!

Cody Rieb $20 Award

Thanks very much for stepping up and handling an assigned call professionally and thoroughly.

Tom Cowing $20 Award

Thanks for getting the East Canyon Fire Checkpoints consistently staffed and providing them with water and meals to sustain their performance!!

GREEN BANNER

Devin King $20 Award

Thanks for thinking GREEN by bringing a glass cup and washable spoons to a rootbeer float party instead of using plastic.

INNOVATION BANNER

Amber Lamb $20 Award

Thanks to you, the County can now can add public comment to agenda packets without changing the page numbers in the final version of the packet.

WELLNESS BANNER

Charmaine Summers $20 Award

Thanks for the inspiration and support of healthy goals and habits!

Awards will be included in the paycheck released

07/10/2020.

Page 2

LPC Banners To give thanks to ANY LPC employee and a chance to win $20, give him or her a completed Employee Banner. The employee may then enter it into the “Banner Box” in the HR Office. Or go paperless and send a banner electronically via the staff site. The banner will be delivered to the employee and entered into the drawing!

Frank Van Scherpenseel worked hard to keep the SO team cool when an air conditioner condenser broke down and while waiting for the parts to arrive. Thank you!

Wilma Mueller dug and dug until she figured out call forwarding for a colleague who needed a little help.

Welcome to Carly De Long! You’ve already impressed your team mates in contributing to a better solution for the BoCC calendar.

Chloe Stack rides her bike to work everyday. Her teammates are impressed by her commitment to the environment!

Amber Fredricks added one more field on the Facilitated Placement Background CBI Request form so you don't have to go back to the person requesting the check to know where it needs to be filed. Nice work!

Christine Aldrich is a rock star when it comes to helping Admin with COVID forms. Her attention to detail is outstanding and she provides helpful suggestions to every single form they out together.

Do you have a Bright Spot or something you’re grateful for that

you’d like to share? Please email it to Sara Anderson.

Thanks to Mac Dudley for being proactive in notifying IT that the email going out to another entity was failing. Great communication and hard work helped solve the issue.

Greg Lee is always willing to help out when needed and brings a ton of knowledge. He researches issues and investigates until he finds the necessary information to get to a resolution.

Thanks to Terry Cartwright for helping Sarah Jacobson with COVID-19 tests!

Travis Furnari has great attention to detail and provides reports for Intentional Program Violation hearings that are clear, comprehensible and chronological.

Thanks to Liz Dufva for creating the best checklists and instructions for everything she works on!

Page 3

Profile EAP continues to offer Webinars and Support Groups Please go to www.ProfileEAP.org to register!

Click on “Profile EAP Monthly Webinar Series”

Managing Stress, Anxiety and Impatience

Wednesday, July 1st or July 15th 12:00-1:00 pm (MDT)

In this time of uncertainty and stress, we need effective ways to manage our anxiety and impatience. This webinar will discuss how we can think differently and act differently during unprecedented times.

Navigating Misunderstandings, Annoyances and Frustrations in the Workplace

Monday, July 6th 9:00 am-10:00 am (MDT)

In any workplace, there can be daily communication issues that arise, but how do we approach them and how do we think about them? In this seminar, we will discuss the concept of supporting a “fair and just culture” and how to approach others when there are misunderstandings, annoyances and frustrations.

Conflict Resolution: Can’t We Just All Get Along?

Wednesday, July 8th from 12:00-1:00 pm (MDT) or Monday, July 20th 9:00-10:00 am (MDT)

In this seminar, we will discuss different models of approaching conflict positively (SBI-I and CUS-R) and how we can address it more effectively.

Bull in a China Shop or Doormat? In Communication, Is There Something in Between? Friday, July 10th from 8:00 am-9:00 am (MDT)

When we use communication skills, we often use a default mode to express ourselves. Sometimes, people can default to being aggressive or passive. What if there is something in the middle? Positive assertiveness can be the balance.

Transitioning Employees Back to Work (FOR MANAGERS ONLY) Monday, July 13th from 12:00-1:00 pm (MDT)

Managing remotely has created many challenges with new challenges when employees return to the workplace. This webinar will help managers be proactive regarding what workforce problems to anticipate.

Transitioning Back Into the Workplace (For Employees) Thursday, July 16th from 12:00-1:00 pm (MDT)

Working remotely has created many challenges with new unexpected challenges arising when you return to the to the workplace. This webinar will help you anticipate workforce problems and provide solutions on how to anticipate anxiety, fear or worry as you return-to-work.

Developing Your Emotional/Behavioral Immune System Thursday, July 23rd from 9:00-10:00 am (MDT)

Just like the body develops immunity to the germs it encounters in our world, we can develop “immunities” to the stressors in our lives. We can utilize protective factors to “build up” our ability to withstand the pressures we face, and emerge even stronger.

Page 4

FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

Need a New ID Badge?

If you have a new job title or need a replacement badge for any reason, please reach out to Sara Anderson (x 6361) in HR. The BadgePass system recently shifted from Darren Wayman’s desk to Sara’s pandemic and Darren is no longer the contact for badge-related questions.

Did you know that La Plata County has an employee Volunteer Program that offers county staff four paid hours a year to volunteer for a community organization? All benefits-eligible employees can, with their supervisor’s approval, take up to four hours each year during work time – or on paid holidays when offices are closed – to put in work for a qualified charitable organization.

This program is brought to you by Human Resources and the Employee Action Team with the hopes that this benefit will help foster an organizational culture that encourages investment in the community while providing a venue for building relationships across departments and strengthening the internal La Plata County community.

The organizations listed at right are approved for volunteering – all activity must have support in Colorado statute as a county function – but if there is an organization you would like to volunteer for and don’t see it here, contact Human Resources to see if it qualifies.

Please fill out the volunteer program form available here. If your charitable organization is verified as an approved organization, a “volunteer pay” row will be added to your ESS Munis time entry.

Approved Charitable Organizations For Volunteer Program (Explained on Left)

4CORE

Alternative Horizons

American Red Cross

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Boys & Girls Club

Community Connections, Inc.

County Pest Inspector

County Weed Manager

CSU Extension Office

Durango Food Bank

Durango Nature Studies

Wildfire Adapted Partnership (formerly FireWise of Southwest Colorado)

Fort Lewis College – Small Business Development Center

Habitat for Humanity

Housing Solutions for the Southwest

La Plata County Economic Development Alliance

La Plata County Family Center Coalition

La Plata County Historical Society

La Plata County Humane Society

La Plata County Search and Rescue

La Plata Youth Services

Libraries

Living with Wildlife Advisory Board

Local First

Manna Soup Kitchen

Mountain Studies Institute

Museums

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior centers

San Juan Basin Public Health

San Juan Resource Conservation & Development Council

San Juan Mountains Association

Sexual Assault Services Organization

Southwest Center for Independence

Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado

Trails 2000

Violence Prevention Coalition

Volunteers of America

Women’s Resource Center

Page 5

Volunteer to Interview 4-H Students for this Year’s Fair!

Did you know that La Plata County 4-H is an approved non-profit where you can use your La Plata County volunteer hours? See the previous page for a full explanation of our volunteer program! Our La Plata County Fair is a wonderful celebration of our 4-H members and all they have learned and accomplished throughout the year. We are so happy to be able to have our La Plata County Fair this year! It will not be open to the public but we are excited our kids will get to show off their hard work. All of our 275 4-H members are required to complete an interview in order to complete their projects. Normally, we all get together and do face to face interviews. This year, that is not possible. So, we are looking for people to help us do zoom interviews. I am in need of 30 adults to interview our members

over zoom. It will be very simple, all you have to do is talk to the kids for about 5 minutes each about their year in 4-H. Your interview will help them get used to talking to people in an interview setting. We will be conducting interviews on Monday, August 3rd

and can schedule them based on your availability. Each

judge must be able to commit to 1-4 hours of

interviews.

If you’d like to help with 4-H Interviews,

please contact Angela Fountain at 382-6460

or angela.fountain@co.laplata.co.us.

Employees For Employees

Please submit your text and up to two photos by the 22nd of each month. Email to sara.anderson@co.laplata.co.us Ads will only run in one issue unless a request is made by the 22nd of the month to run it one more time (two times max). Only non-commercial ads will be accepted. We reserve the right to edit text and photos.

FOR SALE PAT DOWNS 970-759-5552

Wurlitzer Upright Piano

Good condition

$250.00 or best offer.

You must pick up.

W e are in the midst of wildfire season. The East Canyon Fire, the Six Shooter Fire, and the Sand Creek Fire are all stark reminders that wildfires can start anytime and anywhere. Warmer and dryer conditions, more people living in a wildland urban interface (WUI), and more people enjoying the outdoors are all contributing factors to wildland fires being a greater and greater concern for our community. Let’s review what we can do to be proactive about wildfire mitigation. Developing Defensible Space Three factors affect wildfire behavior: fuels, weather, and topography. While we have little control over weather and topography, we can control fuels to a degree. If you live in a WUI environment, developing and maintaining a defensible space around your home is important. A defensible space is a natural or human-made space or barrier around a property that contains limited or modified fuels (vegetation) to help slow the rate of spread and intensity of a wildfire. Natural barriers can include rock outcroppings and water sources (streams, lakes, ponds), while human-made barriers can include roads, driveways, pathways, xeriscape lawns, and rock beds. Consider your most serious wildfire hazards and the direction from which a wildfire may approach and emphasize defensible space between that location and the property being protected. Most professionals recommend having 75 feet of defensible space around your home. Homes located on slopes should increase that distance based on the degree of slope, as fire behavior can be more active on sloped terrain (the topography factor). Other considerations for your defensible space include:

Remove all flammable vegetation within 15 feet of a home.

Clean gutters and roofs bi-annually of dead limbs and debris.

Mow dry grasses and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less if they are within 30 feet of a structure.

Do not leave slash piles or full burn barrels near a structure.

Stack firewood away from the home.

Maintain a distance of 10-12 feet between tree crowns. Being a Responsible Outdoors Person Research shows that roughly 80-90% of wildfires are caused by some form of human involvement, a staggering figure. Unattended or mismanaged campfires contribute to a large

portion of that percentage. Surround the campfire with rocks or stones and always have someone monitoring it. If you need to seek more firewood, have someone on campfire watch duty and someone else on firewood duty. If you’re by yourself, ensure you have sufficient firewood before starting the campfire. Always have a shovel and a source of water nearby in case the fire gets out of hand or jumps outside of its barrier. Ensure at least 10 feet of space between the campfire and combustibles. Only use firewood for the campfire. Never use gasoline to start a fire or pour gasoline on an existing fire. Always ensure the campfire is fully extinguished and/or properly doused; simply checking for visible flames is not enough as hot embers or ashes can easily ignite combustible material. Other human contributions to wildfires include mismanaged fireworks, controlled burns that get out of hand, improperly discarded cigarettes, and hot embers from vehicles or mechanical equipment. Most importantly, follow local laws and regulations. Be aware of any fire restrictions in place. At the time of this writing, La Plata County is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which prohibit open burning, the use of campfires in any undeveloped area, fireworks, the use of explosive material, and other activities. You can review the entire restrictions here: https://www.co.laplata.co.us/news_detail_T18_R7.php.

Being Prepared to Evacuate While some of us may not live in WUI environments, we may be part of a wildfire-initiated evacuation regardless of where we live. If a wildfire presents a significant enough threat and creates other consequences beyond the fire itself (dangerous air quality) an evacuation may be initiated. If there is any indication that you may need to evacuate, have the correct supplies readily available (food, water, money, important documents, medications, clothes) and have your escape plan ready (escape route, destination, vehicles facing the road and fully loaded, horse trailers hitched and tack rooms fully stocked).

Remember that a CodeRED alert will be sent to your

neighborhood if you are subject to an evacuation. Ensure

that you are registered for CodeRED ahead of time and

that you’re not trying to register during an emergency.

Take the time now to visit the webpage for our Office of

Emergency Management using the following link, and

then look for the “Click to register” link near the bottom

of the page: http://www.co.laplata.co.us/emergency

Page 6

SAFETY CORNER

Wildland Fire Preparation and Mitigation Darren Wayman, Risk Manager

Page 7

N ow that the weather is beautiful and the mountains are opening up, it’s a

good time to remember proper trail etiquette. Trail etiquette helps

everyone stay safe and continue to enjoy the beautiful outdoors we all love.

Remember, it’s the cumulative impact of us all that can have devastating effects on the landscape. Think of

it this way: if one person walks across your new grass, it stays green and beautiful, but if a 100 people walk

across that grass, it’s going to turn to dirt.

Stay on the trail, especially when on switchbacks. Creating new trails or cutting trails on switchbacks

leads to erosion, which ruins the trail and destroys vegetation.

Be mindful of your canine friend. If the trail requires dogs to be on leash, which many do, keep them

on leash out of respect for others and wildlife. Always carry doggy bags to pick up after your dog and

pack it out.

If you need to listen to music, use headphones instead of playing it on your speakers. Many people

seek peace and quiet on trails and the noise can have negative impacts on wildlife.

Pack out any trash including tissues, toilet paper and food waste (apple cores, banana peels, orange

peels and egg shells). These items won’t biodegrade quickly like you may think and attract animals,

which can lead to habituation and dependence on humans.

Respect wildlife. Refrain from feeding them, even chipmunks. Don’t approach animals and enjoy them

from a distance. Proper distances are 25 yards from moose, elk and deer, and a 100 yards from bears.

A wildlife encounter is a special experience, so enjoy it respectfully.

Properly yield to other trail users. Downhill hikers yield to uphill hikers, bikers yield to hikers and

horses, and all hikers yield to horses. Make sure to take a step off the trail in a safe spot and step back

onto the trail.

Touch and feel the trees and rocks, but keep them whole and don’t carve or write on them. Nobody

wants to see your graffiti or Joanie Loves Chachi everywhere.

Take photos of flowers instead of

picking them. Leave the beauty for

everyone to enjoy.

Wait a day if there’s been a big

rainstorm and trails are really muddy.

This helps keep trails in good shape.

Most trails are maintained by

volunteers and often not every year.

Most importantly, be kind to others and

smile!

TRAIL ETIQUETTE by Devin King, Planning Dept., RCT Chairman

Page 8

Brandon Silva, 2nd Place Largest Fish

The E.A.T. Team Welcome Table!

Karsynn Stiegelmeyer & Randal Stiegelmeyer, 2nd Place

Largest Fish

Laura McKelvey, 1stPlace Largest Fish and 1st Fish

Karsynn Stiegelmeyer 1st Fish Winner Raychel Stiegelmeyer

1st Fish Winner

Page 9

“Empowering employees to make change that matters.”

Innovation Team News: Bios continued from front page....

Devin King, Planning Department With an engineer for a dad, I was always taught that everything can be improved, nothing is perfect. In life and at work, I view everything with a lens that it could be more efficient. There is a great satisfaction when you innovate something and make it more efficient. I would relate it to that deep breath and exhale at the end of the day when you finally sit to relax. When innovation isn't mandatory, it's easy to let hiccups or hurdles stop progress, but the pandemic has shown that those aren't reasons to stop innovating.

Sarah Jacobson, Administration Department I’m a fourth generation native of La Plata County and my favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. I have been lucky enough to be a county employee for nearly 20 years! I love the people we work with and love that what we do every single day matters. Innovation inspires me! It’s exciting to me to see when people think differently to make a process easier or better and I like to celebrate the change right along with them! When I was first asked to participate on our Innovation Team, I was intimidated! I couldn’t imagine having to come up with three innovations in my job every year; however, once you get going, you can’t stop! It’s so much fun for me to see fellow employees embracing the philosophy that there’s always something we can adapt to work better– small steps really add up!

Darren Wayman, Risk Management I was born and raised in southwest Colorado and have always considered this area home. When I’m not spending time with my wife and son, I’m usually working with my hands or exercising. An innovative environment gives people the freedom to highlight their strengths and empowers them to do their best work.

From Left to Right: Erin O’Neill, Sarah Rome, Megan Graham and James Torres participate in an innovation exercise.

From Left to Right: Chuck Stevens, Morgan Stevens and Daniel Murray collaborate on an activity.

Page 10

July Health Tip of the Month

Nicole Clark, R.D.

Family and Consumer Science Agent

The Scoop on Sports Drinks

It’s 90 degrees F, and you’re sweating. Lick your parched lips and you realize just how much salt (sodium) you’ve lost. Is water enough to keep you hydrated, or should you be drinking beverages to replace electrolytes, such as sports drinks? Good question. First, what are electrolytes? They include the minerals sodium, potassium and chloride. Three major functions include fluid regulation, nerve function and muscle contraction. Seems pretty straight forward. If we need electrolytes for fluid regulation, then sports drinks would be appropriate when it’s hot, right? With a few exceptions, the answer is no, we do not need to replace electrolytes through beverages, and here’s why. Sodium, the main electrolyte lost in sweat, is adequately provided through food. In fact, way more than adequate. What we need to stay hydrated is water, and more of it when it’s hot outside. For adults, sports drinks are best considered during long periods of intense outdoor activity, like running a marathon. They may help replace water and electrolytes during this time, but so will food and water. Furthermore, evidence does not show sports drinks provide a competitive edge, despite the marketing claims. Aside from electrolytes, sports drinks provide glucose (sugar). For the athlete, glucose will be put to immediate use by moving muscles. For the average adult, avoiding movement because it’s hot, that glucose becomes stored energy, such as fat. If flavor encourages you to drink more, great! But look for options without unnecessary calories. Suggestions include fruit infused water, tea, no-calorie flavoring, or even coconut water (not calorie free, but lower in calories).

Upcoming (Online!) Workshop

Food Safety Training for Cottage Foods Producers Monday, July 20th 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Cost: $40 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colorado-cottage-foods-registration-83210006369

Page 11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1 David Cox Donna Concannon Hannah Buck

2 Matt Lytle

3

County Office Closure for

Independence Day

Mitchell Higgins

4 Oscar Gillespie

5 Tammie Barnes

6 Allison Aichele Dillon Irwin

7 Zachary Rogers

8 Luanne Hubertus Jessica Wheeldon

9 Ken McLaughlin Travis Furnari

10 Renae Dugan Emily Harris

11

12 Tonya Golbricht

13 14 15 Catherine Burns

16 Shawn Draughon Tracy Roach

17 Adam Trenholm Margaret Foltz

18 Brandon Daniel Mike Sawyer

19 Pat Downs Rodger Poore Mark Andre

20 Lisa Talley

21 Jeffrey Norton Maddie Smith Christine Aldrich

22 23 Michelle King

24 Jacob Harris Billy Beal

25 Brenda TeBrink Aaron McKelvey Dean Brown Cory Lawson

26 Kenneth Briar

27

28 Priscilla Lucero William Anderson

29 Carol Murga William Baird

30 31

Tiffany Parker Julie Westendorff Alison Layman

July

New Moon

Full moon

Toastmasters 12pm ~ 1pm

Zoom Contact: Dave Bygel

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 Matthew Cascia Bradley Neagos

5 David Griggs

6 Stephanie Tone Austin Anderson

7 8 Tom Cowing

9 Rich Wirey Sarah Jacobson

10

11 Liz Dufva Tyler Simpson Justin Wynne

12 13 14 Jon Gullion Devin King

15 Patrick Mohney

16

Sean Smith

17

Justin Tyler

Mona Kurlander

18 Tyler Hoyt

19 Jerome Bernard Randle Clark Emily Spencer

20

Victoria Coe

Rob Bosick

21

Emma Perault

22

Leigh Cohen

23 24 Frank Van Scherpenseel

25 26 Brandon Tisher Adrian O’Haver

27 28

Emma Martin

29

Landon Belveal

30 Patti Aric

31

Full moon

New Moon

Page 12

Toastmasters 12pm ~ 1pm

Zoom Contact: Dave Bygel

Toastmasters 12pm ~ 1pm

Zoom Contact: Dave Bygel