The Traffic Signs & Markings Team recently completed a crosswalk project in the vicinity of Desert Spirit Elementary School, at the school’s request. A new north/south crosswalk on 73 Avenue at the W. Myrtle Avenue intersection was installed. The team also refreshed the striping at the east/west crosswalk on W Myrtle Avenue. Thank you to the school and Glendale Traffic Mitigation Group for prioritizing students’ safety by drawing more attention to the intersection.
Division Highlights
Streetlight Program
Citywide
The Glendale Streetlight program has over 21,700 streetlight luminaires. Typically, the luminaires are attached metal, wood, fiberglass poles. The metal poles, which are used most frequently by the city, can rust over time Rust is commonly most severe at ground level due to moisture from irrigation or standing water around the poles The moisture will eventually decay the metal to the point where the pole becomes at risk of toppling over.
Pole replacement is the primary method of preventing rusted poles from toppling Newer pole placement standards not only require that the pole be installed with a protective coating of tape, but the poles are also made with galvanized steel Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to the steel to help prevent rusting
The Transportation Department identified 45 rusted streetlight poles in FY 24-25 at various locations that needed to be replaced The pole replacement was completed at the end of June, 2025 By taking this proactive approach, the staff ensures that these poles will remain standing for many years to come and reduce the risk to the public by preventing the poles from toppling over
Joint ITE International and Florida, Puerto Rico District Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Orlando, Florida
City Traffic Engineer, Tony Abbo, attended the 2025 Joint ITE International and Florida, Puerto Rico District Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The meeting was held on August 10–13, 2025 in Orlando Fl The conference was a great opportunity to meet nationwide transportation practitioners and transportation vendors This year, there was a heavy emphasis on addressing safety with the goal of getting to zero deaths on our nationwide transportation system There were also several topics on improving operations through the deployment of technology and incorporating the assistance of AI This is the 2nd time I attended the conference in my 35-year career (with the previous one dating back to 2004). As this is an international conference, in addition to the US speakers, we had speakers from Canada and Australia which allowed the attendees to experience what other countries are doing to enhance safety on their transportation system The problems we face in our region, in terms of speeding and driver behavior, are no different than the ones other agencies face nationwide This conference provides a national and international prospective on how other agencies address safety and operations I am very thankful to our transportation management for providing the opportunity to attend this conference
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
Mountain Ridge High School
In response to the recent tragic collision between a teen bicyclist and a truck at 67 and Hillcrest, the City of Glendale Transportation Department, Traffic Education Division, in conjunction with Glendale PD, initiated a bicycle and pedestrian safety presentation at Mountain Ridge High School on Tuesday, August 19 , and Thursday, August 21 Glendale PD, along with Traffic Engineers, Tony Abbo and Rebecca Fastje, created a 30-minute presentation for pedestrian and bike safety, which included e-bike advice Traffic Education Program Manager, Cassandra Johnston, co-presented alongside Glendale Police Officer Schlingman, who specializes in traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety The presentation was delivered to the entire freshman student body. Cassandra Johnston initiated and coordinated this event with the intent to present the safety information at all nine high schools in the city of Glendale
Touch-a-Truck Division Highlights
Tanger Outlets
A fan-favorite, the “Touch-A-Truck” event returned to Tanger Outlets on August 2, 2025 Fire, Police, and Transportation were onsite with vehicles for kids to check out and explore! Children were able to climb on, sit in, and honk the horns of these vehicles This family-friendly community event also included opportunities to interact with the people who operate and maintain these vehicles and learn more about community safety. Thank you to the dedicated Transportation staff that volunteered their time to help make this event a success!
Division Highlights
ROW Seminar
Cottonwood, Arizona
On August 7 , 2025, the Transportation Right of Way division attended the 811 Damage Prevention & Safety Seminar in Cottonwood, AZ This seminar is aimed to enhance safety and reduce risks associated with underground utilities.
The event provided valuable information on several key areas, including:
- Strategies to prevent life-threatening injuries and avoid financial repercussions for companies and agencies.
- Importance of preventing damage to essential underground utilities that provide vital services
Topics covered during the seminar included:
- Navigating the Arizona 811 process to secure timely markings for underground utilities before any excavation.
- Overview of the Arizona Corporation Commission's enforcement policies related to the Underground Facilities Protection law
- Best practices for recognizing and working safely around both overhead and underground utilities, including electric, natural gas, and liquid fuels.
It was an informative experience that emphasized the importance of safety and due diligence when working near underground utilities.
To You By Tony Abbo
When riding a bike on a roadway (bike lane or sidewalk), riders should always bike with traffic and not facing traffic Doing so will greatly reduce you chances of getting into a crash Research has shown if you ride facing traffic that you will be at a 5.3 Times Greater Risk than if you rode with the flow of traffic
When riding on your bike and you are about to pass a pedestrian or another bicyclist, indicate in a loud voice” Passing on your left” so that you do not startle the person you are passing.
Employee Recognition Kudos
Susan Angotti, David Soto, Sarai Mediano, Eliseo Aranda, Jose Reyes
Maya Pazos, Tom Holzschuh, Javier Gurrola, Matt Smith, Abel Zubia, Julie Patterson Kudos to Susan, David, Sarai, Eliseo, and Jose for volunteering to work the Touch-a-Truck event on a Saturday and with such short notice. Even though it was HOT, HOT, HOT outside, we represented the Transportation Department so well! The kiddos absolutely LOVED the Patch Truck, Bucket Truck, and Gus Bus. You truly are community servants, and you are appreciated more than you know!
- Cassandra Johnston -
I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to our new website team for going above and beyond the call of duty, spending hours reviewing content, updating and editing content, and ensuring the new site was current and up-to-date in time for the launch! Your hard work and dedication are appreciated!
- Cassandra Johnston -
Airport Operations Team
I would like to recognize the Airport Operations team as they manage to cover the operations duties while short staffed. Thank you for picking up the slack caused by our missing colleagues.
- Julie Patterson-
David Winters & Victor Garcia
A BIG Kudos to David Winters and Victor Garcia for answering my inquiries and requests! Your efficiency and promptness are on point every time!!! Thank you!
- Susan Angotti -
Abel Zubia, Julie Opperman, & Michelle Susuras
A special thank you to these three for working through issues and keeping the Transit Division running smoothly while I was out for an extended amount of time.
- Jeff Henry -
- Transit ManagementSarai Mediano
Thank you for volunteering to work the Touch-a-Truck event on a Saturday and with such short notice.
Employee Recognition
Employee of the Quarter
How to vote for the next quarter!
When voting for Employee of the Quarter, you ’ re recognizing staff who have made significant contributions. Please follow these guidelines:
Who: Briefly describe the staff member you are nominating.
What: Explain how they demonstrated excellence or went above and beyond, including any challenges they may have faced
Outcome: Highlight the results of their efforts and how they benefited the City, with any measurable data if possible.
Anniversaries
Reflective of Most Recent Hire Date
Michelle Susuras - Transit Coordinator - 19 years
Eliseo Aranda - Sr. Service Worker - 10 years
Roman Valdez - Sr. Traffic Signal Tech. - 10 years
Daniel Alonzo - Transit Operator - 10 years
Ricardo Perez - Transit Operator - 4 years
Michael Angle - Lead Transit Operator - 4 years
Jessie Morales - Service Worker, Streets - 2 years
Leticia Reyes - Transit Operator - 2 years
Jose Gutierrez Superintendent, ITS Promotions Congratulations! Jose Borquez Service Worker, Streets
David Granata Temp. GIS Technician
Sr. Traffic Signal Technician
Employee Recognition All-Staff Meeting Highlights
Thank you to all who attended!
The event was an opportunity for the Transportation Department staff to come together to recognize our new director, Purab Adabala. The staff were provided background information and experience during an introduction by Jamsheed Mehta. There was a presentation for the Employee Engagement Survey awards recognizing outstanding employee work, and a included department highlights Winners reciev delicious BBQ lunch while connecting with other f
Events & Information
Glendale Events
Click on a Box Below to Access the Links
Labor Day, September 1: Labor Day emerged from the late 19th-century labor movement, which fought for better working conditions, fair wages, and the 8-hour workday.
Events & Information September Safety Tips
Child Passenger Safety Week
Child Passenger Safety Week is recognized each year in September and brings heightened awareness to how parents and caregivers can keep children safe in vehicles. Child Passenger Safety Week 2025 will be held from September 21-27. Use NHTSA’s Car Seat Finder to make sure your child is in The Right Seat.
As part of Child Passenger Safety week, National Seat Check Saturday, on September 27 , is a day for you to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for your children. Use NHTSA’s Car Seat Inspection locator to find a location near you. th
National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month takes place every September across the United States It's a campaign led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to encourage individuals, families, communities and businesses to prepare for emergencies and disasters. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for a variety of hazards, including natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and human-made emergencies.
Some tips include, making a family emergency plan, building, or updating emergency supply kits, learning about local hazards, and emergency alerts.
Stay Prepared: What to Do in Case of an Accident or Incident
As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of being prepared in the event of an accident or incident while using department vehicles. Each vehicle in our fleet is equipped with a manila envelope labeled IMPORTANT: ACCIDENT INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE, located in the glove box, that contains essential information and resources that you may need. Inside this envelope, you’ll find the "WHAT TO DO" document, which outlines the necessary steps to follow if you find yourself in an accident or incident. This document includes important information such as the City of Glendale's certificate of insurance, a self-insurance memo, and contact details for the Risk Management division
We strongly encourage all employees to take a moment to familiarize themselves with the contents of this packet. Knowing what to do in advance can help you stay calm and collected in a stressful situation. If you happen to discover a vehicle without a packet, please report it to your Supervisor immediately so that we can ensure every vehicle is properly equipped Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and let’s continue to prioritize safety while on the road!
Events & Information September Safety Tips
Airport Updates: Decals for Operation Vehicles
Title
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve airfield safety, communication, and operational clarity, we have implemented reflective decals on all airport operations vehicles and designated support equipment. This initiative plays a critical role in enhancing safety across multiple fronts and supports quick identification during both routine and emergency situations
The reflective decals are designed to provide high visibility during day and night operations By clearly displaying vehicle identifiers, gate access codes, employee codes, and associated bank numbers, these decals allow for:
1. Faster Recognition by First Responders:
In emergency situations, response time is crucial The decals make it easier for first responders to identify official airport units and personnel, which reduces confusion and supports faster coordination during incidents or accidents on the airfield or within secured areas.
2. Improved Tenant Communication:
Tenants and contractors operating within the airport environment can quickly recognize official airport support vehicles This helps streamline coordination during escort operations, maintenance requests, or when reporting suspicious or abnormal activity
3. Staff Accountability and Operational Awareness:
Our own personnel benefit from knowing which unit is assigned to a specific task or location. The decals help with vehicle tracking, log entries, shift assignments, and compliance with operational protocols especially during night shifts or low-visibility conditions
4. Enhanced Safety in Low-Light and High-Activity Zones:
Reflective surfaces significantly reduce the risk of accidents on the airfield by improving vehicle visibility at night or during poor weather. This is essential not only for the safety of operations personnel but also for protecting aircraft movement and passenger services.
This decal system reinforces our commitment to maintaining a safe, professional, and wellorganized airport environment. It’s a small detail with a big impact protecting people, ensuring accountability, and supporting first responders and partners in identifying the right contacts at the right time.
or suggestions regarding the decal program, we encourage you to rt O ti
SAVE THE DATES
September 18 – Good Life Club Celebration
If you earned 80,000 points or more in the WellStyles portal by June 30 , you will be receiving an invitation to the Good Life Club Celebration lunch The celebration will include prizes and giveaways! The WellStyles portal is open to all employees who are benefits eligible, you can start earning points now and join us next year
October 2 – November 6 “Know Your Numbers” Health Screenings & Flu Shots Onsite
The Health Screenings provide valuable insight into your current health and well-being and are available to all benefit eligible employees. Earn 10,000 points for participating! Onsite flu shots are for employees and family members on the City BCBSAZ medical plan Earn 2,500 points for a flu shot or other preventive vaccine Watch for details coming soon
Good Life Calendar
Good Life 10 at 10 - Sept. 9 10:05-10:15AM
Managing Blood Pressure - Sept. 24 12-1PM
Health & Wellness Transit Events & Information
at 4PM
Click on the link, scan the QR code, or find us on the Employee Portal for directions about how to register on the ShareTheRide site and then track trips and enter contests.
You will be receiving the Annual Maricopa County Travel Reduction Program Survey in your email. This is a one-page survey with a 5 minute maximum to fill out. Let’s get 100% participation! Go Team!!
For questions, please contact your Transportation Coordinator Susan Angotti at x3508.
Nathan Whyte and Susan Angotti recently visited the City of Phoenix South Transit Facility. They enjoyed networking with one of their largest stakeholders, as collaborating and knowledge sharing is beneficial to both cities.
