06/30/2009

THIS MONTH’S MEMO

Update on New Initiatives and Programs:

New hire – As of June 22, Emily Keyser became the newest member of MTAS. She was selected to fill the Administrative support position with our Codes unit. Emily has been filling that position through a private temp service and the UT temp service and has been doing a super job. We are proud that she is now a permanent employee. Please take some time during the week to welcome Emily to MTAS.

Promotion – I am pleased to announce that Josh Jones has been promoted from a Legal Consultant II to a Legal Consultant III. Josh joined us three years ago and has been doing a super job in general legal questions and issues, legislative bill review and drafting legislation, conducting training sessions and writing publications. For example, his work on developing an identity theft policy drew interest from UT administration and across the nation. Please join me in congratulating Josh on his promotion.

Website – Again I would encourage you to visit our website. If there are items that should be on the website, please contact Frances with your suggestions. Encourage cities to use the website.

Newsletter – The latest edition of the MTAS Municipal E-Newsletter is ready to go. We have added a new feature. It is called the Innovation Corner. We are hoping it will give us a way of touting innovative efforts we see going on across the state. We are encouraging cities to send in their innovative ideas, but the success of this new offering depends on each of you. So be on the lookout for innovations and report them to Frances. It may be a small item or something huge, in either case it can be very beneficial to other cities, but they have to know about it and that is our job. As always, as you interact with your customers, ask them if they are getting the newsletter and if so are they reading it. If they are not getting it, let us know and we will add them to the list. If they are not reading it, encourage them to do so.

Job Postings – As noted in the last update, we are advertising to fill the positions of management consultant and training consultant. Both positions will be based in Knoxville. We have also submitted paperwork requesting to advertise to fill the position of Legal Consultant II (see promotion above). This position will be based in Knoxville and will work primarily on our codes production. Please check our website. I would appreciate you encouraging people, that you would recommend, to apply .

Events Calendar in Outlook – We have an events calendar in Outlook that is a “shared” calendar and has been set up for everyone, that means you, to enter important dates i.e. conferences, association meetings, etc. Dates on this calendar will be added to the MTAS Newsletter. Please take a look at it and use it. The more we share information, the better job we can do for our customers. See the attachment.

Payroll goes green – You are aware that effective August 1, 2009, pay stubs will be on line and you will need to print it if you want a hard copy. They will no longer be distributed by mail. Justin and Lisa have put together a full explanation of the issue, especially as it pertains to your NETID and password to access your information. A copy is in the policy and procedures database. Please contact Justin if you have questions.

Teamwork:

Examples of teamwork. If I missed an example you think should be noted, please let me know.

1. Compliments to Izetta, Kurt, Sandy and Pat for the inaugural EOA Alumni session. Pat did the Lincoln on Leadership session which was well received. We hope to make this an annual event.

2. Thanks to Armintha and Sandy for managing the MTAS booth at the TML conference. They do a great job each year.

Mark Your Calendars:

1. As noted in the last update, save September 9, Knoxville and September 10 Nashville for the IPS Annual Event .

2. Reminder that July 6 is the deadline for the IPS Awards nominations. Don’t forget.

3. Please save the following dates for an Open House to celebrate MTAS’s 60 ^th Anniversary. They are:
Friday, October 2, Knoxville
Wednesday, October 8, Jackson
Thursday, October 9 Nashville area , we may do it in Brentwood.
We will let you know the time and location on each of these as we get closer to the day. Consultants from the respective regions should plan to attend the Open House in your region.

Staff Birthdays for June:

June 8 – Melissa Ashburn
June 10 - Ray Crouch
June 11 – Rex Barton
June 12 – Doug Brown
June 13 – Gary Petree
June 17 – Sally Thierbach
June 21 – Gary Jaeckel
June 26 – Dennis Huffer
June 26 – Gary West

Staff Birthdays for July :

July 14 – Kurt Frederick
July 28 – Linda Winstead

Kudos:


- A belated Kudos to John Chlarson, Karen Beyke, Sid Hemsley, Becky Smeltzer, Brett Ward, Sally Thierbach and Armintha Loveday for their work on developing and in some instances “starring” in the course on Administrative Hearings. It was well received all across the state.

Please email me Kudos suggestions and I will make an effort to include them in future staff updates.

As always, thanks for all you do for MTAS and Tennessee cities.

Mike