MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
On behalf of the Human Resources Division, I am pleased to share with you the results of the recently conducted Employer of Choice survey. This survey provided the District with valuable insights into our work environment and employee satisfaction. Your honest feedback is crucial in ensuring that we continue to be a workplace that empowers and supports our personnel. Please find the detailed survey results linked here.
The majority of the responses indicate a high level of employee satisfaction with the Employer of Choice program. Additionally, your feedback highlighted the strengths of this program and identified areas where we can strive for improvement. District management is committed to evaluating improvements that will continue to make the District a great place to work.
Once again, I want to thank you for your participation and valuable input. As we move forward, your feedback will remain a key focus of our efforts.
If you have any questions or suggestions related to the survey results, please feel free to contact Human Resources or myself.
August 2023
PARKS AND RECREATION QUARTERLY MEETING
The Parks & Recreation Department, its full-time staff, board members, and senior leadership met at the Pavilion in late July to celebrate Parks & Recreation Month during their Quarterly Meeting.
The Parks & Recreation Month theme was “Where Community Grows”, and to start things off Steve Sims, Traci Farris, and Mike Dopson made short remarks based on that idea. Board members Gil Albiani, Jim Luttrell, Peter Sakaris, and Angela Spease presented the Parks & Recreation Month proclamation confirming the District’s commitment to parks and recreation's health and wellness benefits and acknowledging July as Parks & Recreation Month.
New employees were introduced, and the welldeserved Parks & Recreation Employee of the Quarter was awarded to Eileen Alcanices. She continues to set an example of what a model district employee looks like, professional, engaging, and supremely competent. In the past few months, her work has supported the transition to a new 24-hour answering service, the addition of GIS components to the Cityworks maintenance management program, and the ongoing development of a centralized Parks & Recreation budget and purchasing team.
Parks & Recreation Department managers then reported on the many things we do that support growing our community. Some of the highlights, but by no means all of them, included: a busy and successful summer camp season with a record number of participants; the hiring of 192 lifeguards, 111 of whom were returnees; groundbreaking on the CORE at Morse Park; major renovations to Herd Field and Cardinal Field at Morse Park; the development of an online picnic rental program; a restructuring of our field user system leading to an additional $181K in revenue;
implementation of Cityworks maintenance management software; installation of nine park benches throughout the Camden Greenbelt; and the Ranger-led implementation of a districtwide 400 MHz radio system.
The day was capped off with a scavenger hunt in Elk Grove Park for eleven diverse Parks & Recreation teams who were tasked with taking
One of the scavenger hunt tasks was to find a stick longer than your forearm. Here’s the one James Lutz found.
Your Cosumnes Parks & Recreation Department
MISSION LIFELINE AWARD
Cosumnes Fire Department was recently awarded the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver achievement award for providing rapid and researched based care to patients experiencing ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarctions. The Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement award focuses on agencies’ on-scene care, bringing the best possible care and chances for survival.
This is the first year the department has applied for the Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement award. The Silver achievement is awarded to agencies with 12 consecutive months of compliance with guidelines. The highest award, the Gold achievement, is awarded for 24 consecutive months of compliance with the patient care guidelines.
COSUMNES CELEBRATES DEI
On July 20th, members of the Senior Leadership Team and the IDEA Committee, joined Board Present Albiani at the 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum & Awards hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal. The event included an inspirational presentation by keynote speaker Laura Hallberg and a panel discussion focusing on stamina and sustainability for DEI work. Awards were presented to a variety of individuals and organizations who are leading local DEI initiatives. It was a great opportunity to get inspired about the importance of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
On July 17, 2023, at a heartfelt event, over 250 incredible community members and first responders were recognized, including field personnel and dispatchers from Cosumnes Fire Department, Elk Grove Police Department, Galt Police Department, and Sacramento Regional Fire/EMS Communications Center. Since January 2021, personnel have assisted 29 patients who recovered from cardiac arrest.
One remarkable incident occurred on May 1, 2022, when a resident applied his skills to save his daughter's life. Schenell R. suddenly collapsed while playing with her two young children at her family’s home. Schenell’s father Leo immediately dialed 911 when he realized the seriousness of the situation. Leo, guided by the instructions of Dispatcher Megan Wright, performed life-saving CPR until the arrival of Cosumnes Fire Engine 46 and Medic 46.
Cosumnes Fire paramedics provided advanced life support medical care, which resulted in the return of spontaneous circulation. They transported Schenell to the hospital, where she was later discharged and able to return to a normal life with family and friends. His daughter's life was saved thanks to Leo’s 911 call, immediate CPR, and the actions of first responders and hospital staff.
Through the "Chain of Survival," our fire service-based EMS system is vital in transporting cardiac arrest patients from their location to the hospital. The chain involves recognizing the emergency, activating the 911 System, performing CPR, providing advanced life support medical care and transport, and ensuring cutting-edge medical treatment at local emergency departments. Each step in this chain is crucial in saving lives.
If a friend or family member experiences a medical emergency, you may be required to become the first link in the Chain of Survival for someone who needs CPR. For resources and CPR classes, visit the Cosumnes Fire Department CPR webpage at: https://bit.ly/3XU0wlT.
SAFETY TOWN
On Tuesday, July 25th, Aquatics presented a section on Water Safety at the Elk Grove Police Department‘s Safety Town. This nationally certified and accredited program introduces children ages 4-5 to safety awareness topics in preparation for entering school. Recreation Coordinators Kendra Barlly and Rachel Schramm introduced the kids to basic water safety rules, including proper lifejacket fitting.
COMEDY UNDER THE STARS
Comedy Under the Stars held its second and third shows of the summer series at Laguna Town Hall on July 7 and July 28. This event gave the adult community a chance to have a laugh and enjoy a fun summer night with a approximately 200 of their neighbors each night.
CPRS DISTRICT 2 YTRS PRESCHOOL REC CONNECT
Albiani Recreation Center hosted CPRS District 2’s Youth and Teens Recreation Services (YTRS) Preschool Rec
Connect on July 20. Over 50 preschool professionals from Park and Recreation agencies throughout Sacramento County came together for a Self-Care and Self Compassion training and a workshop allowing them to share ideas and tips.
OASIS RECREATION CENTER/PARK GRAND OPENING
On July 27th, over 400 people attended the Oasis Recreation Center/Park Grand Opening Celebration. The evening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with opening remarks from District leadership and the City of Elk Grove, tours of the Recreation Center, booths and activities facilitated by the Parks & Recreation Department and Fire Department, music from New Songs School of Music, and refreshments provided by the District.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Story time in the Park
Thursdays in Elk Grove Park 10am-11am
Fridays in Kunsting Family Park 10am-11am
Movies in the Park
Sept. 16, Morse Community Park – Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Comedy Under the Stars
September 9 & 22 at Elk Grove Park
Hot Summer Nights Free Concert Series
Fridays in August from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Laguna Town Hall
Zoppe An Italian Family Circus
September 15 – September 25 with varying times at Elk Grove Park
Healthy Kids Extravaganza
Saturday, Sept. 9 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Wackford Aquatic Complex
Free Event for children to swim into shape!
FIRE STATION 71 DORM REMODEL
The dormitory at Fire Station 71 is the oldest within the District. The dorm was an open plan within a single large room needing a desperate upgrade. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Facility and Development Building Maintenance team set about a remodel to create a better functioning space with improved privacy and comfort for our Fire personnel. Now completed it will be more in line with other district facilities.
The remodel included the construction of new partition walls, bunks with storage, lockers, paint, windows, and flooring.
Most of the work was performed in-house by our Building Maintenance team. Special thanks to the team and the personnel at Station #71, and the Chiefs who were involved in the project for their input and flexibility during the construction period!
GET FIT THIS FALL
Ready for the “new you?”
COREFit Strength & Conditioning, COREFit HITT, and Xtreme Hip-Hop start August 23. Take a class and see how good you feel.
Register now to boost your mental and physical well-being: www.cosumnescsd.gov/fitness
LOOKING FOR NEW FITNESS INSTRUCTORS
Are you, or someone you know, certified to teach yoga, Zumba, or another program? CCSD is hiring instructors. Want to be an instructor? This fall, Les Mills instructor training is available. Become a BodyPUMP or BodyCOMBAT instructor. Come to our Les Mills Demo days on September 27th and 30th. Contact LizRodriguez@cosumnescsd.gov for more details.
HEALTH HACKS FOR LIFE
Is snacking really that bad for you? It depends on these two factors.
https://bit.ly/Snacls-facts
Intermittent Fasting vs. Calorie Counting: Which is More Effective for Weight Loss?
https://bit.ly/fastingcounting
This is How Long You Should Nap for an Optimal Brain Boost
https://bit.ly/napbrainboost
CORE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
CORE Recreation Center construction started with removing 6,700 cubic yards of dirt. This required 30 trucks hauling away 500 truckloads of dirt. Last month excavation took place for the building footings. This month 450 cubic yards of concrete will fill the footings.
ROCKY’S RETIREMENT GABE GONZALEZ
Meet Gabe Gonzalez: a rising junior in high school, a lifeguard at Cosumnes Parks & Recreation, and a true hero.
Two weeks ago, while on his way to the movies with his family, Gabe’s quick thinking and American Red Cross Lifeguard training came to the rescue when he noticed a distressed woman desperately trying to help an unconscious man on the ground.
Gabe sprang into action without hesitation, performing high-quality chest compressions and guiding the woman to provide rescue breaths. He continued this life-saving CPR for eight cycles until firefighters arrived. Gabe's quick action and bravery saved the man’s life.
We are incredibly proud to have Gabe as part of our dedicated Cosumnes Parks & Recreation staff serving the community. Thank you, Gabe, for making Cosumnes CSD a place where heroes like you shine!
We wish a happy retirement to an honorary staff member who has become a special part of the Cosumnes Parks & Recreation family! Rocky is a 14-year-old border collie and beloved Emerald Lakes Golf Course community member who has worked tirelessly alongside his caretaker Gilbert for over 14 years to keep the 9-hole golf course beautiful and clean. Since he was a puppy, Rocky was trained to deter ducks and geese from inhabiting and nesting on the course. He has saved the golf course tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance costs–all without hurting any birds! In addition to his patrolling duties, Rocky assisted the junior golfers who played on the course and loved comforting children with disabilities.
Although Rocky's days chasing geese are over, he will still enjoy occasional visits to the course with Gilbert. Rocky’s sister, Sofia, will take over as the new wildlife encroachment manager.
Join us in wishing Rocky a pawsome retirement!
PROMOTIONS:
Kennett Glendinning – Interim Park & Golf Operations Manager
Scott Nicolos – Interim Recreation Supervisor - Sports
SEPARATIONS:
Frank Diaz – Firefighter
Katy Ward – Recreation Coordinator
Natascha Roach – Preschool Teacher
Calvin Peebles – Network Administrator
Rachel Schramm Recreation Coordinator
Susie Patterson Recreation Coordinator
Steve Dalton Construction Inspector
Andre Pichly and his wife Jen welcomed their new baby girl, Hayden Makena Pichly, on June 9, 2023.
STAFF HIGHLIGHT
Our Staff Highlight today will feature Anthony Bailey who works in the Park and Recreation Facilities Division.
Anthony enjoys spending his free time outdoors and in touch with nature. He spends time with his family and friends golfing, fishing, camping, and hiking. The photo depicts Anthony with his nieces and “hiking crew” after recently completing a 9.2 mile hike in Hayward.
J Long and fiancé Danielle welcomed their new baby boy, Carson Hayes Long, on July 11, 2023.
