Centerpiece Contest Showcases County Employees Creativity
by Julie Simon

Each year for the State of the County luncheon, county employees are invited to showcase their creativity by designing a centerpiece that fits the theme. This year’s theme was “People, Programs and Progress.” The 4th Annual State of the County luncheon was April 18, 2008, at the Tucson Convention Center.

The centerpieces are judged and displayed on the tables during the luncheon. Several Pima County departments participated in this annual contest. Superior Court provided a gold balance of justice centerpiece.

The Main Library had four entries, one of which was called “Circle of Books.” The department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation submitted eight centerpieces; one of these included a beautiful ceramic agave.

A total of 28 centerpieces were registered and the judges scored each showpiece on its creativity, originality, and presentation, to determine which would take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

This year’s competition was by far the most challenging one. There was an abundance of creativity and talent that went into each centerpiece.

Thank you to all participants without whose time and inspiration this wouldn’t have been possible. As always, we hope to see you next year with your inspirational centerpiece in hand.

Get in on the Buzz
by Mary Jo Furphy, Procurement

There is a new buzzword in Procurement—VRAMP. VRAMP stands for Vendor Registration and Messaging Portal and it’s the new online system that allows Internet access directly between businesses and Procurement. This system was an in-house collaboration between Information Technology and Procurement. The system went “live” in the middle of April.

When vendors log in, they will be authenticated and allowed to proceed to the Vendor Registration system. The vendor registration module allows businesses to register as a vendor with Pima County and to view and update their vendor data that is already on file with us. Once they are finished entering their information into VRAMP, the Procurement staff will verify the information and, if accepted, will be part of their record in Synergen.

Why did Procurement implement this system? We are constantly looking for ways to improve processes and efficiencies, not to mention the whole “green” movement. This system allows for instantaneous sharing of information with the public. In the past, a new business or the user department would fill out a new vendor form, submit it to Procurement, and then Procurement staff would manually enter the information. This will be a tremendous time saver for all parties. Likewise, if a vendor wanted to update their information on file, user departments would complete the form and Procurement staff would then have to manually enter any changes.

It’s to your advantage to encourage your vendors to use the new VRAMP online system!

We have expanded on what information we are now collecting. Until now, we have collected minimal data for the types of work or the commodities that vendors offer. As this new data is collected, we can perform more specific searches to exactly match the County’s needs to those vendors who provide that service or commodity. Also as part of making sure Pima County continues to serve minority and woman based enterprises, we can now more efficiently identify these enterprises.

What is the advantage to Pima County departments?

• As an end-user department, you no longer need to complete new vendor forms. Direct the vendor to the website to register: www.pima.gov/procure
  
• Vendors data can be updated at their convenience so records are more current.
  
• Essentially this takes you out of the vendor registration/update process.

What is the advantage to the business community?

• As a potential vendor to Pima County, they will have 24/7 access to their information that is on file with us.
  
• The data can be updated at their convenience and they can verify their own data.
  
• They can receive electronic notification of central Procurement solicitations.

They may ask, “Do I really have to register in VRAMP to do business with Pima County?” No, they do not have to, but we strongly encourage them to do so as this is a benefit for them. Everyone who wants to utilize this system must log in, even if you are in our current system. If you do not register in VRAMP, you may not receive notification of upcoming solicitations or information that may be of interest to you.

Very important note: We will not continue our practice of sending faxes out to notify potential vendors about upcoming solicitations. We will continue to place public notice advertisements and post the solicitations on our Internet site: www.pima.gov/procure

Procurement is in the process of sending notification to about 9,000 businesses. In order to utilize this system, they will be REQUIRED to take action. If you are speaking to a vendor, invite them to visit our website and register. Our staff is waiting to answer any questions that you or our vendors may have about VRAMP. Contact Procurement at 520-740-3807 or 520-740-8161. So what are you waiting for? Get in on the buzz and invite vendors to get registered!

Pipeline Newsletter Wins an Award
by Laura Hagen Fairbanks, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department

The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (PCRWRD) employee newsletter, the Pipeline, won a Certificate of Merit award at this year’s PRimus awards ceremony, held April 8. Lorraine Simon, Community Relations Specialist for PCRWRD, submitted the entry under Tactics: Newsletters/Magazines.

The PRimus Awards recognize public relations and communications professionals in Southern Arizona for their accomplishments. Entries for this year’s PRimus awards were campaigns or tactics that took place between August 2006 and December 2007.

Entries were graded by a panel of independent judges from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The criteria used for the judging incorporated: Planning, Implementation, Results, and Summary and Packaging.

The Pipeline is a monthly publication that is distributed with employee paychecks. Employees throughout RWRD are encouraged to submit articles and photos.

KUDOS to the award-winning team including Pipeline Editor, Lorraine Simon and Pima County Graphic Services Department, Graphic Design Specialists, Everett Acosta and Edie Price (now with Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation). Kudos are also in order for Graphic Services Key Operator, Carlos Leyva for print production.

Pima County Public Works Departments Celebrate Earth Day
by Lorraine Simon, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department

The Pima County Public Works Departments celebrated Earth Day on Saturday, April 19. The 14th Annual Tucson Earth Day Festival and Parade paired with the Clean Air Fair to host this year’s celebration in a new location at Reid Park.

The festival was a huge success, with 84 exhibitors and approximately 3,500 attendees. The theme for this year’s event was All Species Need Clean Air. The Earth Day celebration included a variety of environmental activities, displays, music, food, and fun.

Community Relations staff from Pima County Public Works departments was there to distribute information and give away free merchandise to event spectators.

left to right: Mike Lafferty (RWRD), Nanette Reynolds (RFCD), Joy Mehulka (NRPR), and Karen Wilhelmsen (DEQ) during the construction phase.

The event kicked off with an All Species Procession Parade. A planning committee of public works employees: Dewey Cooper (Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department), Louis Gonzales (Department of Transportation), Cynthia Henry (Department of Transportation), Joy Mehulka (Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation), Steve Melendez (Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department), Nanette Reynolds (Regional Flood Control District), Lorraine Simon—Chair (Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department), Carol Tepper (Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation), and Karen Wilhelmsen (Department of Environmental Quality) brainstormed to create one parade entry that represented this year’s theme, All Species Need Clean Air.

Pulled by an electric golf cart, the Earth Day Parade Float (pictured above) represented the Pima County Public Works departments working together to promote clean air.

The Earth Day Parade Float represented the Pima County Public Works departments working together to promote clean air. It was constructed in part of reused scrap wood; leftover paint; used cardboard boxes, milk jugs, egg cartons; donated leftover art supplies, plants from the Silverbell Nursery, and borrowed solar panels and wind generator. The parade entry included walkers carrying environmentally-themed signs, two wooden handcrafted school buses and a hybrid vehicle.

left to right: Lorraine Simon (RWRD), Nanette Reynolds (RFCD), and Mike Lafferty (RWRD) accept First Place Award for Earth Day Parade Float.

The great news is that again for the third year in a row, the Public Works Parade Float won first place. Our many thanks to the artist, Mike Lafferty and his design team from the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department Ina Wastewater Reclamation Facility: Ishamal Gomez, Joe Gonzales, Roger Hilliard, Henry Perez, Brad Smith, Mike Uralowich, and William Moore (Outlying Facilities) for a job well done!

Pima County Benefits Open Enrollment—
May 1-May 20, 2008

Current coverage will carry forward UNLESS you submit paperwork.
(Exception—if you want to continue with Flexible Spending Account and/or Travel Reimbursement Arrangements, you must re-enroll.)

All other plans—If you want to make changes to your plan type or level of coverage, you must complete paperwork (available on the Pima County Benefits website).

Forms are due to your Departmental Benefits Representative by May 23, 2008.

UnitedHealthcare/PacifiCare will be the medical carrier for the new plan year and will offer the following three plans:
•   HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
•   PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
•   HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan)—Health Savings Account (HSA) qualified 

Employee medical rates will remain the same.

UnitedHealthcare/PacifiCare has set up a pre-enrollment hot-line and website (effective May 1) to answer your medical plan questions.

HMO: 1-800-347-8600 — when prompted say “Open Enrollment”
PPO and HDHP: 1-866-316-9776 — when prompted say “Prospective Member”
www.pacificareandyou.com/pima

Open Enrollment is the time to review all your employee benefits and make changes if needed: 

• Life Insurance—Minnesota Life Insurance Company

• Flexible Spending Accounts—(FSA) (administered by ASI)

- Medical and Dependent Care
- A Limited Purpose FSA (dental and vision expenses only) is available to employees with an HSA.

Travel Reimbursement Arrangement (TRA) (administered by ASI)

• Parking and Transit

• Pre-Paid Legal Services—ARAG Group

• AFLAC

- Personal Accident Indemnity
- Personal Cancer Indemnity
- Hospital Protector
- Vision Now
- Personal Income Protector (Short Term Disability)

Open Enrollment Fair Schedule link to: www.pima.gov/hr/EmployeeBenefits/pdfs/Benefits_Fair_Schedule_2008.pdf

Pima County Benefits website link to:
www.pima.gov/hr/EmployeeBenefits/index.htm

Dependent Child Eligibility Requirements:
A dependent child is insurable up to the age of twenty-five (25). To qualify the dependent child must be unmarried and listed on the employee’s Federal Form 1040 as a qualified dependent or is a full-time student for at least six months during the year of coverage and is primarily reliant upon his or her parent(s) for financial support. A dependent child will continue to be eligible beyond age twenty-five (25) provided he/she is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental retardation or physical disability and is chiefly dependent upon the employee or enrolled domestic partner for support and maintenance. Restrictions may be placed on dependent coverage by an insurance carrier if the dependent is not living within the carrier’s defined service area. At any time, an employee may be requested to document dependent status.

Note: Audits will be conducted to validate that employees are insuring only qualified dependents.

State of the County 2008
People, Programs and Progress

People
The entire body of persons who
constitute a community, tribe, or nation.

Programs
A system of services, opportunities,
or projects, usually designed to meet a
social need.

Progress
The development of an individual
or society in a direction considered
more beneficial than and superior to the
previous level.

The State of the County Luncheon and Expo April 18, 2008, at the Tucson Convention Center featured local organic foods and a composting station—think sustainability!

Robin Johnson, dark blue shirt, represents Pima County Department of
Environmentatl Quality at the composting station.

Pima County Expo exhibits ranged from Monsoon Safety to Graffitti Abatement to the beauty of our natural resources.

Edie Price, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation.

Following the welcome by Lea Marquez-Peterson, Executive Director of Greater Tucson Leadership, Pastor Larry Munguia of the S.O.B.E.R. Project led the prayer. The Honor Guard led by Pima County Sheriff Sgt. Dennis Chavarria presented the colors.

Pastor Larry Munguia and Lea Marquez-Peterson (left) and Pima County Sheriff
Sgt. Dennis Chavarria (far right).

Accompanying Sgt. Chavarria were Sgt. Elton Begay, Tohono O’odham Nation; Alex Alvarez, Pascua Yaqui Tribe; Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Carlos Flores, Pima County; Council Member Rodney Glassman, City of Tucson; Council Woman Mary Soltero, City of South Tucson; Vice Mayor Al Kunisch, Town of Oro Valley; Officer Tim Brunenkant, Town of Marana; Sahuarita Police Explorer Ryan Karnas, Town of Sahuarita; and Vice President, University Outreach, Mike Proctor, University of Arizona.

Pledge of Allegiance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rick Lingel and William J. Elseer, Adopt-A-Roadway; Pam Jameson, Karen O'Brien and Liz Almi, Breast Cancer Bootcamp; and Karen Lawrence, Bonnie Hartnett and Shirley Culliney, Animal Care Center. National Anthem was by Mike Enis & Alicia Childs, Tohono O’odham Nation.

National Anthem.

Partners in Community Commitment Awards were presented by the members of the Pima County Board of Supervisors following lunch. After the State of the County Video Address and closing remarks by Board Chairman Richard Elías, the meeting ended with the singing of America the Beautiful.

The event was hosted by Greater Tucson Leadership.

Detective Patricia Willson,
Pima County Sheriff's Department,
sings "America the Beautiful."

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