Cosumnes Connect Newsletter - December 2023

December 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Another year is coming to an end, and what a year it has been! It is no surprise that our District personnel have risen to the occasion and delivered nothing short of excellent services to our community in 2023.

A few of the highlights of what the District has accomplished this year include the Fire Department completing its Standards of Cover, a major milestone in its accreditation journey; breaking ground on the CORE Recreation Center, this 54,000 square foot facility is the fulfillment of a 20-year promise to the residents and is on track to open in 2025; Parks and Recreation received its accreditation, making it one of four Parks and Recreation Departments in the State

and one in 205 accredited park and recreation agencies in the Country; we opened the Oasis Recreation Center and can now offer an additional preschool site and rentable space to the families in our community, we opened Arnold Adreani Park and rededicated Jack Hill Park.

I am reminded that it takes all of us to move this agency forward and keep delivering services to the standard that our community has come to expect. I want to once again thank all of you for your efforts and commitment, for your flexibility and outstanding contributions as we work through the growth pains of this flourishing agency, as we position ourselves to many more successful years serving the communities of Elk Grove and Galt.

As 2023 ends and another year begins, I want to thank you for all your efforts and wish you and your families a Wonderful Holiday Season and the Happiest New Year.

WEBSITE GOVERNANCE GROUP Meet your Cosumnes CSD Web Governance Group (WGG) : • • • • •

Office of the General Manager – Sandhya Sami Administrative Services – Jenna Brinkman, Farnam Shadmani, Carol Reyes, and Becky Herz Facility and Development – Christine Manitta and Melissa Mutz Parks and Recreation – Angela Newman, Brian Chavez, Mitzi Kies, Tippi Veerkamp, and Drew Golbin Fire Department – Brita Geiger, Pam Dawson, Marisela Suarez, and Lizy Silva

This Team is responsible for ensuring our website looks professional and consistent across all departments. The WGG is the contact point for all Web Content Contributors for help, training, guidance, and input.

To help them help you, here are a few tips: 1.

2.

3.

Know the pages you are responsible for and keep your content updated.

Bring ideas, questions, and concerns to your WGG. Stay up to date with your training.

The WGG will be starting a website “refresh” in December.

This is a 6-month project that will include reviewing the structure, layout, and usability of the website. Stay connected with their Department’s WGG representatives to share your web priorities so that they can be included in the project.

PAPERLESS W2 As we approach the tax season, Finance wants to remind everyone about the option to receive your W2 and 1095-C forms electronically. This convenient and environmentally friendly choice ensures faster access to your tax documents.

Signing up is simple. Here’s how: 1. Log in to eSuites.

2. Under MY HR, click on Print W-2 Forms and click on Paperless W-2 3. Repeat the same process for Print 1095-C Forms.

Once you opt for electronic delivery, you will receive an email notification when your forms are available for download.

Signing up for electronic delivery simplifies the process and contributes to our District's sustainability efforts.

Unsure if you’ve already opted for W2 and 1095-C electronically? You can access eSuites and follow the same process as listed above in Steps 1 & 2 to verify.

Please don't hesitate to contact Terry Parsons at TerryParsons@cosumnescsd.gov if you have any questions or need help with the process.

AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE Finance is excited to announce that Automated Clearing House (ACH) enrollment is now available to new and existing vendors starting in December 2023. ACH is a form of Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) that allows funds to transfer between banking institutions.

Rather than receiving payment via paper check, vendors can opt to receive payment directly to their bank account.

This is a significant step in our commitment to streamlining our payment process and enhancing efficiencies.

Why enroll in EFT? •

•

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Receive payment faster: EFT payments are usually received in the vendor’s bank account within 1-3 business days and reduce hold times for a paper check to clear their bank account.

Safer and more secure: Paper checks can be lost in the mail, stolen, or mailed to the wrong address. Check fraud with counterfeited checks is on the rise.

Diminishing the use of paper checks will reduce the incidents of these types of fraudulent activities.

Environmentally friendly: Reduces the need for checks, contributing to the District’s sustainability efforts.

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Convenience: Payments are directly deposited in the vendor’s bank account.

Whenever you are conducting business on behalf of the District please share and encourage our current and potential vendors to sign up for EFT. It’s a straightforward process that can be completed quickly and offers immediate benefits.

To ensure a seamless and secure experience, we encourage vendors to sign up for EFT through this link https://portal.laserfiche.com/j4468/forms/ ACH-ENROLLMENT-CHANGE . If you or your vendors have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Accounts Payable at ap@cosumnescsd.gov.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOGNITION EVENT

From left to right: Doug McElroy, Jim Luttrell, Rich Lozano, Angela Spease, Orlando Fuentes, Pete Sakaris, Keith Grueneberg, Guy Rutter, Hal Bartholomew, Rod Brewer, Timothy O’Hara, Pat Perez, and Gil Albiani.

The District hosted a reception on December 12 to honor past Board Members and District leaders. The event focused on recognizing those who served since the District’s creation in 1985. The informal event offered attendees the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce. Attendees observed a moment of silence in honor of Past Fire Chief, General Manager, and Board Member Gerald Derr.

GERALD DERR The District is mourning the passing of Former Fire Chief, General Manager, and Board Member Gerald Derr. Gerald lived in Elk Grove and has been involved in the community for years.

A pivotal figure in our community, Gerald Derr began volunteering with Elk Grove Fire in 1949 when he was 15 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also an Elk Grove firefighter. He advanced through the ranks, promoted to Assistant Fire Chief in 1957 and Fire Chief in 1969. He also jointly served as the District’s General Manager from 1985 to 1992, finishing his service to the District as a Board Member for eight years.

In 1999, Fire Station 75 was named in his honor, commemorating over five decades of service.

Gerald’s legacy is immeasurable, and his impact will be remembered fondly.

LEADERSHIP ELK GROVE CLASS OF 2023 On November 17th, Traci Farris, Kelly Croisdale, and Scott Nicolos graduated from the 2023 Leadership Elk Grove Program. At the graduation luncheon, program participants gave an overview of the 9-month program as well as in-depth information on the selection, progression and completion of their class project: A Sensory Trail for Project Ride. Congratulations to our Cosumnes CSD graduates!

KUBOTA WESTERN NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS GRAND OPENING On Tuesday, December 12th, the Board of Directors, General Manager Phil Lewis, Fire Chief Felipe Rodríguez, and the Station 73 crew attended the grand opening of the Kubota Western National Headquarters located at Grantline and Waterman. During the ceremony, Kubota's Director of Operations, Kyle Hagen, presented a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) to Board President Gil Albiani and Fire Chief Felipe Rodríguez. The UTV is an X1140 model, and it will be used for a variety of tasks, including special events, training, and out-ofcounty assignments. The Cosumnes Fire Department is grateful for the thoughtful and generous donation.

COSUMNES CSD AT CPRS FALL FORUM District Personnel presented at the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) Region 1 Fall Forum.

The CPRS Region 1 Fall Forum is a regional training for Park and Recreation professionals featuring educational sessions and networking opportunities.

The 2023 Fall Forum was held on November 2, 2023.

Six members of the IDEA Committee, Lantz Rey, Becky Herz, Shae Clark, Patrick Bitcon, Tiffany Piper, and Simone Nazzal presented a panel-style session titled “Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access Committee Panel Discussion.”

The session provided insight on being part of a district-wide DEI committee and included the topics of applying a DEI lens, engaging with the community, creating belonging in workplace culture, and steps to making positive equitable change. Public Education Specialist Simone Nazzal served as the panel moderator.

She kept the discussion on track, encouraged audience dialogue, and brought some extra flair with her magic wand to the Harry Potterthemed event.

Administrative Manager Becky Herz also co-presented a second session titled “Boards, Councils, and Committees – Oh My!” which gave an overview of information, rules, and tools to incorporate while working with the community through advisory boards, governing bodies, and public meetings.

Recreation Coordinator Riva Ballis and Recreation Supervisor J Long, who currently serve on the CPRS District 2 Board, assisted with event logistics including room hosting and event check-in. Several other personnel from the Parks and Recreation Department attended the event.

CALIFORNIA AQUATIC MANAGEMENT SCHOOL

Mike Dopson, Teri deRosier, and Colin Smith attended the 22nd annual CAMS Conference that was held in early November. This three-day conference had over 120 attendees and was the largest CPRS conference that isn’t the state conference, and it was the second largest aquatics-based conference in the US. This year’s program offered networking opportunities and educational presentations held by nationally recognized speakers. Session topics included drowning prevention, JEDI, staff training, advocacy, staff performance, professional growth, and customer service, amongst others.

Mike Dopson was on the faculty and presented at two sessions and sat on an expert panel for pool space maximization. Teri deRosier was on the planning committee, helping coordinate with CPRS for CEU’s for many attendees and Colin Smith assisted on the planning committee with the socials and sponsorships.

PARKS AND RECREATION ON CPRS MAGAZINE The Parks and Recreation Department was featured in three articles in the latest edition of the CPRS Magazine: CAPRA Accreditation, CPRS District 2 recruiting efforts at CSU Sacramento, and the 2023 Giant Pumpkin Regatta TikTok post going viral with millions of views. https://www.cprs.org/resources/publicatio ns/magazine/2023magazines

PRESCHOOL FOOD DRIVE Tiny Tot Preschool collected over 680 lbs. of food for the Elk Grove Food Bank this year.

Every year, the Tiny Tot Preschool program encourages the importance of giving back to the community by collecting canned food and nonperishable items from the seven school locations to give to the Elk Grove Food Bank.

THANKSGIVING POTLUCK Over 125 personnel attended the annual Thanksgiving Potluck on November 15th at the Wackford Valley Oak Ballroom.

Our personnel prepared and served turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes, and guests contributed delicious side dishes and desserts. This is a joyous District tradition where personnel enjoy a great meal, play games, and receive raffle prizes. Those in attendance also donated non-perishable food items for the Elk Grove Food Bank.

ADAPTIVE RECREATION TRAINING On November 20, CPRS’s Youth & Teens Recreation Services committee hosted an Adaptive Recreation training at Albiani Recreation Center. Cosumnes CSD’s Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor Ciera Dulgar led the training session. Over 20 participants from agencies in the Sacramento Region learned how to cater programming to individuals, including the use of appropriate language when referring to people with disabilities.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE In Partnership with the Sisters of Nia, the District hosted their annual Youth Leadership Conference at Wackford Community & Aquatic Complex on November 18th. Three workshops were offered to youth in our community from ages 11 to 14 years old. The conferences included: Self Defense Workshop, CPR Workshop, and HandsOn Basic Robotics Skills

UPCOMING EVENTS MLK Walk Monday, January 15 – 8:00 a.m.

Sacramento City College

WREATHS OF HOPE The Cosumnes Firefighters Community Support Foundation is excited to participate in Sky River Resort's Wreaths of Hope event. Ten non-profits participated in decorating giant holiday wreaths that will be on display at Sky River Casino through the end of December.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DAY Elk Grove Police Department Chief Bobby Davis and Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez had a great time at the Visions in Motion holiday party on December 3rd.

The Cosumnes Community Services District celebrated People with Disabilities Day to promote disability awareness, inclusion, and selfdetermination for all.

OH NO! SANTA IS STUCK ON THE ROOF! The Dickens Street Faire in Old Town Elk Grove was held on Saturday, November 25. The tradition continued this year, and community members watched the Cosumnes Fire Department rescue Santa from the rooftop of the Lock and Safe building! It was a successful rescue, and Santa went on his way back to the North Pole while patrons stayed to enjoy holiday music and arts and crafts vendors.

OASIS RECREATION CENTER PLAY YARD The Oasis Recreation Center at 8013 Poppy Ridge Road. The District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the facility in July 2023. This is a modern facility that includes a kitchen and several activity rooms.

The Oasis Recreation Center Play Yard, which is located right behind the rec center, was not yet completed at the time of the opening.

The play yard is the third and final phase of the Oasis Community Park project. It is designed to provide a secure and age-appropriate play area for the preschool program participants of the Oasis Recreation Center.

The design features a tricycle racetrack, sand diggables, a sensory garden, and a nature play area. The project also boasts several raised garden beds where children will learn to grow their own food as well as an outdoor classroom with shade structure. This project is expected to be completed in early Spring.

The play yard will improve a revenue-generating program which benefits the District.

STAFF HIGHLIGHT Vincent Pompei, Recreation Coordinator

Agnessa Markova is our Staff Highlight for the month!

She is a Preschool Instructor and has been with the District for 5 years.

Future Cosumnes Firefighter Charlie Lebed Born to Molly and Nate Lebed on November 9, 2023 9.3 lbs. - 21.5 inches Congratulations Nate and Molly!

SEPARATIONS: Ed Inderbitzin – Park Maintenance Worker (Retirement) Jenna Angus – Fire Inspector I Joshua Fender – Firefighter

Agnessa’s favorite hobbies are hanging out with any and all cute pups she can find, seeing how many beach trips and concerts she can fit into one year, and spending all her extra time being an auntie to her first niece.