September 2024 Newslink

IN THIS EDITION Page 2

Leadership Academy

Page 3

Rock Blasting

Page 4

NextRequest

Page 5

Jon Lane

Page 6

Smoke Testing Multi-Factor Authentication

Page 7

Hires, Promotions, Retirements Photo Recap

Page 8

Flu Schedule

Page 9

Main Street Days

Page 10 OKTA Instructions

Do you have an idea for an item that should be included in future editions of Newslink? We are always looking for department news, personal accomplishments and people to feature.

Send your suggestions to cojcnews@johnsoncitytn.org.

September 2024

Employees honored at 9/11 ceremony

At the American Legion Post 24 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, two outstanding City first responders were recognized for their dedication and service.

Lt. Ben Blevins of the Fire Department was awarded Firefighter of the Year and Justin Jenkins of the Police Department was named Police Officer of the Year by the American Legion Post 24 of Northeast Tennessee, acknowledging their exceptional commitment to

public safety, service and leadership.

We extend our congratulations to Ben and Justin for these well-deserved honors and thank them for their unwavering dedication to keeping Johnson City safe.

NEWSLINK September 2024 13 selected for inaugural Leadership Academy Administration is pleased to announce the participants selected for the inaugural employee Johnson City Leadership Academy.

Once a week for six months, these 13 employees will hone their leadership skills and learn what it takes to guide teams and departments to serve the community, ensuring that

public services are delivered efficiently and exceed expectations. This cohort will develop a deep understanding of City operations, strong communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

meaningful impact in your community.

Congratulations. We look forward to watching each of you prepare to make a

Anna Baker Public Works

Lt. Ben Blevins Fire

David Cullop Public Works

Rex Fink Planning and Development Services

David Harrell Information Technology

Inv. Timothy Hensley Police

Jeramy Isbel Water and Sewer Services

Lindsey Jones Communications and Marketing

Lt. Brandon Jordan Fire

Michael Rocker Water and Sewer Services

Lawren Smith Parks and Recreation

Garett Townsend Fleet Management

C

s n o i t a l u t a r g n o Kim Shepard Risk Management

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NEWSLINK September 2024 Rock blasting on West Oakland to begin soon manageable rock fragments.

Traffic and Safety Measures: • Roads near the blast site will be temporarily closed five minutes before each blast.

• A warning siren will sound five minutes before detonation, followed by a second siren one minute prior.

• Roads will reopen approximately 30 minutes after debris is cleared.

Blasts will generate noise levels of up to 120 decibels and may cause noticeable ground vibrations. Residents near the blast zone are advised to keep pets indoors during blasting to minimize stress on animals.

As part of an ongoing Public Works project, Baker’s Construction Services will begin controlled rock blasting near West Oakland Avenue and Denny Mill Road. The first blast is scheduled for Sept. 18.

Blasting operations are expected to continue through October.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to improve our city’s infrastructure!

Blasting Schedule: • Blasting will occur around 1 p.m., two to three times per week.

• Blasts are scheduled every other day, depending on project needs. This will not be a daily event.

Why Rock Blasting: • Blasting is a controlled process used to break and excavate rock for removal.

Drilling is performed, followed by the use of explosives to create smaller, 3

NEWSLINK September 2024 NextRequest launches: Public access made easier of documents as they apply to each department.

These staff members have completed a training course in NextRequest, which will ensure a smooth transition.

The Legal Department is happy to announce that NextRequest is live. NextRequest is a management platform that facilitates public access to public records. Tennessee residents will be able to request and receive a public record through this modern portal. This platform has several key features that provide automatic reminders and set custom notifications to ensure accuracy; automatically detects sensitive information with ease; customizes

recurring and ad-hoc reports and leverages visual dashboards to identify trends; coordinates across departments to route requests; and maintains a clear audit trail to provide proof of compliance.

Additionally, this platform will improve communication between the City and the requestor and increase transparency with the community.

Department staff members have been designated who will help in the collection

Tennessee residents will be directed to the City’s website to submit their records request through NextRequest. The steps to “make a request” are outlined on the Legal Department’s landing page.

A requestor will create an account with NextRequest in order to receive notifications and accept the records through a link. Those unable to create an account may still obtain a paper version which will be uploaded by the Legal Department.

Contact Tausha Coleman at 423.434.5801 or tcoleman@ johnsoncitytn.org with questions.

Note: Any citizen of the state of Tennessee can request access to any records that are deemed to be records of public bodies. Residency is required to make a successful record request.

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NEWSLINK September 2024 WSS’s Jon Lane selected for prestigious water industry leadership program across Kentucky and Tennessee, and one of just eight from Tennessee.

This highly competitive program is designed to foster leadership and professional development within the water and sewer service industry. Participants will benefit from unique networking opportunities and access to resources from leading individuals and organizations involved in the field.

Jon’s acceptance into this program is a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field.

Water and Sewer Services is pleased to announce that Jon Lane, assistant director, has been selected for a prestigious leadership program sponsored by the KYTN American Water Works Association and KY-TN Clean Water Professionals. Jon is one of only 16 individuals chosen from

“We are thrilled for Jon and proud of his accomplishment,” said Director Tom Witherspoon. “This program will provide him with invaluable networking and reference points that will not only benefit him but also enhance our services to the community.”

Get Excited and GO. ALL. OUT. EXCELLENCE • CUSTOMER SERVICE • INTEGRITY • TEAMWORK • ENGAGEMENT • DEDICATION

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NEWSLINK September 2024 WSS crews protect integrity of infrastructure As part of the Water and Sewer Services Department’s commitment to keeping Johnson City’s infrastructure running smoothly, hardworking crews are smoke testing sanitary sewer lines in the Knob Creek and Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant collection systems.

This important maintenance project helps identify points where excess water can enter the system during rain events.

During the test, City crews will send white smoke designed for this type of testing into the sanitary sewer system by blowing it into a manhole. It is then forced out through lines and cracks, openings, or plumbing vents on or near roof tops.

The smoke is safe, odorless, non-toxic and nonstaining.

If home plumbing systems are correctly installed and well vented with working water traps, smoke should not enter the home. If smoke enters your home, there are deficiencies in your plumbing system.

Call 423.461.1645 for information.

City crews efforts will have a lasting impact on improving the community’s water and sewer services, helping to prevent future issues and ensuring the system operates efficiently.

Multi-factor authentication key to protection ensure a smooth transition, IT asks that you install the Okta Verify app on your mobile device. The Okta Verify app is free, and it plays an essential role in securing your login to Oracle Cloud.

The City’s IT Department is implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users of Oracle Cloud to enhance the City’s system’s security. Without this additional layer of protection, the enterprise software is at significant risk of unauthorized access.

Your assistance is important to this critical process. To

What You Need to Know: 1. Okta Verify is a free app that works by sending push notifications or generating verification codes to further authenticate your login attempts.

2. The installation instructions for Okta Verify are located at the end of this newsletter

3. You will not be able to access Oracle Cloud without Okta Verify starting Oct. 15, so please ensure the app is installed and ready for use before this date.

Protecting the City’s sensitive data from potential threats helps safeguard operations and ensures a more secure digital environment for everyone.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. IT appreciates your cooperation in keeping City systems secure.

OKTA instructions are on page 10.

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NEWSLINK September 2024 Congratulations new hires, promotions, retirements New Hires - August

Retirees - August

Owen Adams - Water and Sewer Services

Ray Combs (20) - Public Works

Joseph Piazza - Water and Sewer Services

James Brown (38) - Police

Justin Hughes - Water and Sewer Services

Steven Cravens (26) - Fleet Management

Sarah Norton - Finance Joshua Daniel - Public Works

Promotions - August

Timothy Williams - Fire

John Sams - Parks and Recreation

Fulton Leonard - Fire

Marques Nave - Parks and Recreation

Lisa Slone - Finance

Lisa Kotrob - Facilities Management

Michael Voyten - Transit

Doug Tittle - Facilities Management

Daniel Stewart - Public Works

Ginger Whitson - Juvenile Court

Megan Bell - Legal

Stanford Achi - Administration

Alexa Peterson - Purchasing

Brandon Huskins - Public Works

Christopher Freeman - Water and Sewer Services

David Williams - Public Works

Korena Thornton - Transit

Photo Recap: 9/11 stair climb at Bristol speedway

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NEWSLINK September 2024 Flu shot: Simple effective way to protect coworkers As we head into flu season, protecting your health and well-being is more important than ever. The annual flu shot is a simple, yet effective way to reduce the spread of illness and keep the workplace safe and healthy.

Take a moment to get your flu shot this season — it’s a small step that makes a big difference.

Flu Shot Schedule It is that time of year. Get your FREE seasonal flu shot. This service is provided to ALL employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) and their spouses. No appointment is necessary. Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 6:30–9 a.m.

Risk Management Conference Room

Friday, Oct. 18 2–3 p.m.

Water and Sewer Complex (Drive-Thru Clinic)

Monday, Oct. 21 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Street Department

Monday, Nov. 11 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Transit (Training Room)

To learn more, contact Human Resources at hr@johnsoncitytn.org or call 423.434.6006.

The City cannot extend this offer to other dependents, family members or retirees. The City’s health plan through BlueCross/BlueShield usually covers flu shots. Most physicians’ offices are providing “clinics” to administer the vaccine without an office visit co-pay. Check with your physician’s office for details and verification of coverage. Flu vaccines are also available at the Employee Health Clinic.

There will be no make-up dates so please try to attend one of the clinic dates.

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NEWSLINK September 2024 New festival aims to support downtown businesses On Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Johnson City’s downtown district will host Main Street Days, a new street festival celebrating and promoting local small businesses.

Main Street Days aims to strengthen the downtown community while showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of the area.

With over 30 restaurants, 15 pubs, and numerous antique and clothing retailers, Johnson City offers a wealth of unique experiences and products. This festival will be a day to celebrate these businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them, whose passion and determination bring life to our community.

s y a D t e e r Main St

Visitors can expect a full day of excitement with live music, a variety of food and beverage vendors, and local artists, retailers, and makers. Streets will be closed to create a lively, safe space for all to enjoy the festival.

CELEBRATING AND PROMOTING OUR LOCAL DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES

“We’re thrilled to host this new street festival in the heart of our city,” said Main Street Director Lindsey Jones. “It’s a chance for everyone to come out, enjoy the day, and support the local economy.”

Sign up for the Main Street newsletter to receive the latest updates on all the events and activities happening downtown.

For more information, visit downtownjctn. com/mainstdays or click Learn More.

Music

Entertainment

Beer

FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.DOWNTOWNJCTN.COM/MAINSTDAYS

Learn More

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NEWSLINK September 2024 Multi-factor authentication key to protection Step One

Step Two

Step Three

Login to the Johnson City Okta portal on your desktop at https://login.johnsoncitytn.org or click on the Okta icon on your desktop.

Login to the portal with your normal City username and password. If you are logged into your office PC, the browser will automatically log you in with your Windows login.

Step Four

Step Five

Step Six

Follow the instructions to download and install Okta Verify on your phone and then open the app and scan the QR code that is displayed on your screen.

If your phone asks you to setup the biometric authentication with your fingerprint or Face ID, please complete

After successfully authenticating and setting up your Okta MFA, you will be taken to the Okta Dashboard where you will find links for organizational apps that have been connected to Okta.

Once you have successfully authenticated, you will be asked to setup your Okta Verify app on your phone.

Select the option to Setup Okta verify.

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