City of Memphis NewsMagazine Vol. 2

Fire Public Works Law Parks & Neighborhoods Libraries Human Resources Housing & Community Development General Services Police Business Diversity Community Affairs Animal Services Executive Information Systems Engineering

901 view from the

I WORK FOR MEMPHIS Division Chief Hope Lloyd

WELCOME

CONTENTS 2017 4

4 5 5 6-7 8-9 11 12 13 14 15

Editor in Chief Allison J. Fouche’ Managing Editor Marcey Wright Graphic Artist James “ Mathis” Ryan Contributors Alexis Pugh Amanda Fryer Joann Massey Kyle Veazey Matoiri Spencer Toni Holmon-Turner

Bike Walk Memphis TRPA comes to Memphis Sub Meets Prime Brown Bag Read for the Record PANDEMONIUM @ COSSITT Inside the 901: Divison Chief Lloyd Go, Recyclers, Go Fourth Bluff Ice Rink Stray Sweep a Success How 2 Series 3-1-1 Call Agents Beyond Phone Lines

A view from the Mayor’s Desk

On MLK Day, Mayor Strickland presented Legacy Awards to Donna Sue Shannon, Walter Bailey, Johnnie Turner, and others at the annual “Be the Dream” Commemorative Celebration at the Historic Mason Temple.

When we took office last New Year’s Day, we started acting on a clear priority -- doing all we can to make things better for our employees.

You’ve seen some of that, from pay increases to the various initiatives that have been spearheaded by our Chief Human Resources Officer, Alex Smith. One item got a handful of headlines a few weeks ago: the $6.1 million grant we received from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission to improve our recruiting and retention efforts for police officers. This includes up to a $7,000 bonus for some officers, and that’s on top of pay increases and bonuses we’re proposing apart from the grant. And, as you know, we currently have 20 percent fewer officers than we had five years ago.

It’s a big deal on its own, but it’s an even bigger deal when taken in context of the whole -- our overarching, and far from complete, desire to make the City of Memphis the best choice for you to continue your career.

There is so much good work going on by our City of Memphis employees. It’s easy to see when we review the data of our performance every month. And everywhere I go, I see this even more. In recent weeks, I’ve been able to visit our dispatchers in the Memphis Fire and Memphis Police 911 call centers, to see first-hand how stressful and important their jobs are. I’ve dropped by Memphis Animal Services, and I’ve visited libraries and community centers. And of course, I see your work day in and day out at City Hall.

All this is to show you what I mean when I say this: Thank you. Thank you for your service not just to the City of Memphis government, but to your friends and neighbors in our city. Together, we truly will make progress on our mission to make life better for every single Memphian, every single day.

Yours,

Mayor Jim Strickland

City of Memphis Engineering and Bike Walk Memphis offer Bike Racks for Special Events In an effort to encourage more people to reach special events by bike, the City of Memphis Division of Engineering now offers 10 event bike racks that can be borrowed for public or private special events. The racks are lightweight and can be assembled or disassembled in less than minute.

With each rack capable of holding at least seven bicycles, the City’s collection allows an event to provide proper parking for 70 or more bikes.

Upon request, Bike Walk Memphis will even provide a bike valet team that staffs the parking station throughout an event’s duration, and handles all of the pre and post-event logistics.

“Rather than circling the block or slowly cruising the aisles of a parking lot in their car, event attendees could ride straight up to an event’s main entrance on their bike, hand it over to a Bike Walk Memphis volunteer, and continue on their way into the event,” said Nicholas Oyler, City of Memphis Bikeway and Pedestrian Program Manager, on the benefit of an event using the racks.

Other benefits include an overall reduced demand for car parking at an event and a reduced number of bicycles locks to utility poles, trees, or other pieces of property at an event’s entrance.

The City’s racks were first tested, though, at MEMFix: Film Row in September.

To request the bike racks, visit bikewalkmem-bikewalktn.nationbuilder.com

Angela Hill elected TRPA President The 65th Annual Tennessee Recreation Parks Association (TRPA) conference was hosted in Memphis, November 13 -16 2016.

There were over 500 participants from around the state at the conference which consisted of speakers, exhibitors, attendees and volunteers.

Raleigh Community Center won the Donald Stanton Award for programming Kudos to Evelyn Young, Director and Rasheed Oladunjoye, Assistant Director for your outstanding efforts.

Marcus Robinson, Director of the Raymond Skinner Center was elected TRPA West District Chair, and Adrianna Moore, Director of Cunningham Community Center was elected TRPA Ethnic Minority Section West District Chair. Angela Hill, Recreation Program Manager was elected President Elect and will serve a 3 year term, starting in 2018.

TRPA is a leader in support of professionals in the Parks and Recreation field, and continues to strengthen and unite those who are committed to the benefits of parks and recreation.

Angela Hil will serve a 3 year term, starting in 2018.

Congrats to the staff of Parks and Neighborhoods for their hard work and ensuring that the conference was a success.

Sub Meets Prime Brown Bag with Director Joann Massey In September, the Office of Business Diversity and Compliance hosted a Sub Meets Prime Brown Bag with Director Joann Massey. This featured one of the leading prime contracting companies in Memphis, Montgomery Martin Contractors which came to speak to vendors to offer businesses scaling tips and provided insight on how the vendors could subcontract with their company. Certified and registered vendors had the platform to pitch their business and services to Montgomery Martin and ask direct questions.

Renee Malone from KQ Communications asks questions regarding Communications and PR services.

This new initiative is one of many incentives offered to City of Memphis certified and registered businesses. To find out how you can participate in the City of Memphis diversity programs, visit us www.memphistn.gov/bdc or contact our office at 901. 636. 6210.

City Employees Encourage Early Literacy at Local Elementary School Some Shelby County School students got a jumpstart in reading thanks to the help of several City of Memphis employees who volunteered to read to kids at Bethel Grove Elementary School. Jumpstart Read for the Record is a national effort to promote high-quality early learning, literacy and key language skills to help young minds grow.

The initiative, now in its 11th year, featured the book The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Tunecia Johnson-Nelson, an educational assistant at the elementary school, helped students to create their art projects alongside City of Memphis workers. “Special days like this help to bring books to life with activities planned to accompany the book, like making bear hats and eating bear snacks. It reminds us that reading is the foundation of education. Thank you for coming to Bethel Grove� stated Johnson-Nelson.

For more information about Jumpstart Read for the Record, visit www.jstart.org/read-for-the-record/.

‘Pandemonium’ at Cossitt Library Has Customers Talking, Wanting More By: Marcey Wright

Action, emotion, and drama emerged from the big screen into the audience during the Pandemonium Cinema Showcase held August – November 2016 at Cossitt Library in Downtown Memphis. Customers of all ages had the unique experience of watching movies and live theatrical performances at the same time. Award-winning producer, director and screenwriter Craig Brewer, Black Lodge Video, and Memphis Public Libraries teamed up to create the showcase, which welcomed hundreds of customers for each event.

In August, gamers gathered at the city’s oldest library for an all-night game-a-thon, lasting more than five hours and featuring popular films like Wreck It Ralph, The Wizard (1989), Tron, King of Kong and Super Mario Bros: The

Movie (1993). Whether old school or new school gamers, customers also found their favorite video games in mini-playrooms, ranging from Super Mario Kart, Donkey Kong and Pokémon to Call of Duty and the latest X-Box names.

“We think Pandemonium is awesome!” said Melody Austin, mother of two.

“Anytime our family can get out and do something that is family friendly and affordable, it’s just incredible, and we are excited.”

In September, the newly-refurbished second floor of Cossitt Library doubled as a movie theatre and roller derby flat track, as customers watched The Unholy Rollers (1972), Rollerball (1975) and Hell on Wheels (2007)

EDITORIALFEATURE

INSIDE THE 901:

DIVISION CHIEF HOPE LLOYD Firefighting is often considered a non-traditional career for women and Division Chief Hope Lloyd sees no glass ceiling. A 27-year veteran, she has worked her way through the ranks and has inspired many that women can excel in male-dominated professions. Using her passion for her career, she has worked with Shelby County Schools and Girl Scouts to develop a pathway program (HERo) to introduce girls to careers in firefighting.

What inspired you to become a firefighter?

When I was four years old, my dad woke me up in the middle of the night about a fire in our neighborhood. I thought it was a dream and I was amazed at the firefighters saving my neighbor’s house. I watched them until they left. I was fascinated by it. I also believe that the excitement and challenges firefighters face drew me to this career, as well as knowing I could help others.

Describe a time in your career when you were your best self?

I believe I’m at my best when I’m serving or helping others, whether it is on an emergency scene, helping co-workers or mentoring young people.

Deputy Chief Lloyd joined the Memphis Fire Department on October 9, 1989. She was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1996, Fire Battalion Chief in 2001 and Division Chief in 2015.

She has an associate’s degree in Fire Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership.

Lloyd is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program.

EDITORIALFEATURE

You put your life on the line to save others. How has being a member of MFD shaped your life both personally and professionally?

I think doing what we do and seeing the things we see teaches most of us to appreciate life and not to take things for granted.

Firefighters serve the public and one another. We are family. In my experience when one of our fellow firefighters is in need we are there to help both on and off the job.

What is the HERo program and why was it important to create this program?

HERo day is a partnership between the Memphis Fire Department and Girl Scouts Heart of the South.

This partnership gives young women an opportunity to learn about fire and emergency service careers and to interact with firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers. This exposure to new ideas and activities gives young women the opportunity to consider non-traditional occupations and to give girls hands on experience in firefighting, EMS and emergency dispatching skills. This also provides positive female role models in a male dominated profession. It was important to create HERo Day because less than 4% of career firefighters are female. The Girl Scouts believe that, “if she can see it, she can be it”.

HERo days give girls an opportunity to not only see it, but to try it and to challenge themselves.

Please share your most memorable experience as a member of the MFD Several things come to mind: saving lives, our HERo days and heroics I have witnessed. In my career I’ve been on several fire grounds in which a life was saved. On these scenes I’ve experienced fear, excitement, sorrow and that “oh yeah” moment when you know everyone is safe. The bravery, teamwork and effort our personnel display on these scenes make me proud to be a firefighter.

Our HERo days are also memorable.

During one of the stations, the girls were repelling off the roof of a five story tower. Some girls would have tears in their eyes, but would not give up. Watching the girls overcome their fears was inspiring.

The 2016 Ovation Awards Ceremony was the best ever for the City of Memphis!

Thirty-six of the very best of our City employees were recognized in November for several areas of performance, and the winners are: Accountability: Derek McElroy Collaboration: Jennifer Hornby, Sandra Willis, Josh Didawick, Bren Nair, Shirley Ford, Sam Johnson, Yolanda Alexander, J.R. Reddy, Terrie Lamica, and Michael Burose Customer Service Excellence: Patricia Tucker Ellis, Helen Anderson, Tracey Goodman, Valentina Henao, Angela Humphrey, LaTasha Johnson, Miracle Kincy, Carolyn Malone, Nataly Martinez, Alisha Payne, Nadine Smith, and Whitney Sykes Effective & Efficient: Scott Morgan, Major Charles Gentry, Lt. Betty Carter, Lt. Anthony Davis, Lt. Walter Davidson, Lt. Jeffery Dunn, Lt. Dale Hensley, Lt. Sherry Glass, and Lt. William Woodward Management Excellence: Sgt. Israel Taylor, Heather Holtz, and Tasha King Diversity: Wang Ying Glasgow Equally significant, more than 240 people were recognized for their extraordinary years of service with the City.

• 151 employees have been with the City for 25 years • 77 have been with us for 30 years • 9 have achieved 35 years of service with the City • 9 more have been City employees for 40 years • ... and amazingly, 4 have been with us for 45 years!

Mayor Strickland is proud to work alongside such dedicated and engaged employees like these who work every day to make the city a better place by doing what they do best: provide outstanding service, always.

On the first and third Mondays of November and December Fire Services hosted GET FIT WITH FIRE to help members of the department and citizens stay healthy.

Below - Director Sweat and administration staff enjoy line dancing to help improve cardiovascular health at the Union Ave. Station.

Go, Recyclers, Go! initiative,” said Walker. The Memphis Grizzlies will not only provide a way to recycle at local games, but they will participate in educating children on how to recycle as well.

Standing in the Grand Lobby of FedEx Forum, Public Works Director Robert Knecht introduced the City’s recycling team roster. Mayor Strickland (point guard), Keefe Harrison, The Recycling Partnership (forward), Bridget Croke, The Closed Loop Fund (guard) and John Walker, Memphis Grizzlies (center) “As a City, we are strongly committed to recycling and that’s why we are powering forward to roll out additional 96-gallon carts. This allows the city to to increase its recycling tonnage – as we work to promote recycling with our citizens,” Knecht said.

Mayor Strickland believes this new venture would benefit the citizens most of all. “We’ve had an active program for many years. But, we think we can do better. With the new no-sort recycling carts, it’s now easier than ever to recycle, and these carts also hold a lot more,” Strickland said. Starting in December, 100 new bottle-shaped bins were positioned around FedEx Forum for recycling. “We couldn’t think of a better way to be a part of this

Director Knecht said “There was still a fifth player that we needed to include - our citizens. Our residents will dominate the recycling court and ensure a successful season so that Memphis will be the world champions of recycling at the end of this initiative,” said Knecht.

As more recycling carts are delivered, the goal is to use this program to decrease the amount we dump at the landfill each day. Right now, Memphis Solid Waste crews collect over 920 tons of garbage a day. With 40,000 more Memphis households receiving recycling carts in the next few months that number will decrease.

City’s First Riverfront Ice Rink Opened Memphis families created fabulous frozen memories this winter at the city’s new Fourth Bluff Ice Rink at Mississippi River Park (located on Riverside Drive, next to the Tennessee Welcome Center).

A part of the Reimagining the Civic Commons national initiative, this winter wonderland united Memphians through a shared experience in a family fun setting.

“I’m excited by what the Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative meant for the future of our riverfront,” Mayor Jim Strickland said. “Everyone enjoyed the ice rink this winter and experienced this great public space.

“One of our primary goals for the Fourth Bluff project is to bring Memphians back to the riverfront,” said Benny Lendermon, president of the Riverfront Development Corporation. “An ice rink on the riverfront was so unique for Memphis and a new experience downtown. It was befitting for us to share this new experience together as a city.”

While gliding along the ice, citizens enjoyed live musical performances, frozen sing-along nights, deejay skate nights, themed weeks, and even ice skating lessons. Food trucks and free Wi-Fi were also available. The rink was located on the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) trolley route for easy access. Admission was $10 and included skate rental.

Reimagining the Civic Commons is a national effort to reverse growing economic and social fragmentation in cities across the nation. It is the result of a partnership between four national charitable organizations: The JPB Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.

Stray Swep Pilot Project a Success MAS partners with Highland Heights to pick-up strays

In response to concerns from residents in the Highland Heights community about stray dogs roaming their neighborhood, Memphis Animal Services (MAS) teamed up with community leaders to pick up loose dogs and provide outreach to pet owners. The partnership was initiated by the Heights CDC neighborhood association after a young boy was bitten by a dog. Association leaders asked Councilman Worth Morgan and MAS leadership to help find a creative solution to the stray dog problem in their neighborhood. What was born was the idea of a partnership, where the neighborhood is actively involved in spreading the word about animal ordinances, and is welcoming to the idea of animal control officers helping in their community.

On Saturday, November 19, a group of approximately 20 neighborhood volunteer distributed door hangers and copies of City of Memphis animal ordinances to about 1,000 residents in a targeted section of the Heights. Residents also received postcards from the City letting them know that MAS would be in the neighborhood.

On Tuesday, November 22, MAS dispatched a total of eight Animal Services Officers to the area, where those officers not only picked up loose animals, but also helped fix fences, and distributed leashes, collars, spay/neuter vouchers and dog food. The officers were also asked to take animals from owners who could no longer care for them, allowing these pets to have a second chance at finding the right home.

In total, 13 animals were brought in. MAS planned ahead to make sure there was space to accommodate the pets at the shelter, and offered discounted adoptions on all pets that were aquired.

This pilot program fits directly into Mayor Jim Strickland’s vision of the importance of MAS as a public safety agency, and the idea of community engagement and collaboration as the solution to many of our city’s challenges. Similar collaborations with other communities are being created to help address the pet overpopulation problem in Memphis.

Housing & Community Development Office of Communications & Civic Engagement Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111 Sessions begin at 6:00pm

January 11, 2017 Topic: How 2 Brand Your Neighborhood Speaker: Allison Fouche’, City of Memphis

June 14, 2017 Topic: WE: The Most Important Word Speaker: Nicole Gates, Shelby County Government

February 15, 2017 Topic: How 2 Become a Tax Exempt Organization Speaker: T. Kevin Bruce, Attorney at Law

July 19, 2017 Topic: How the Arts Can Build a Community Speakers: Elizabeth Rouse, ArtsMemphis Deborah Frazier, Blues City Cultural Center August 16, 2017 Topic: How 2 Work Together to Combat Blight Speaker: Tanja Mitchell, Uptown Neighborhood Coordinator

March 15, 2017 Topic: How 2 Begin the Critical Path Speaker: Joyce Cox, Office of Communications & Civic Engagement

September 13, 2017 Topic: How 2 have a Safe Community Speakers: Harold Collins, Shelby Crime Commission

April 7, 2017 Taste of Memphis at Tiger Lane 2017 Tiger Lane Adjacent to Liberty Bowl 5pm-10pm

October 11, 2017 Topic: How 2 Entreat Youth Speaker: Howard Eddins, Red Zone Ministries

May 10, 2017 Topic: How 2 Receive Funding for Your Neighborhood Speakers: Mel & Pearl Shaw, Saad & Shaw Comprehensive Fund Development Services

November 15, 2017 Topic: How 2 Create Partnership through Police and Neighbors Speaker: TBD

December 13, 2017 Topic: How 2 Tap into the Wisdom of Elders Speaker: TBD To register, please contact us at (901) 576-6980 Housing & Community Development Office of Communications & Civic Engagement 1

3-1-1 Call Agents Reaching Beyond Phone Lines A stranger never calls the City of Memphis 3-1-1 Call Center - only customers and friends. When citizens of Memphis dial these three simple digits, they are connected to helpful service agents who are committed to providing superior customer service and a positive caller experience. The Call Center – a one-stop shop for information about non-emergency City services – is a place where customers can express their concerns about vehicle violations, blighted properties, potholes, overgrown yards and more, all while getting the help they need.

With an average of 700 to 900 calls answered daily, the Memphis 3-1-1 Call Center is known for its responsiveness and was recently recognized during the 2016 City of Memphis Ovation Awards for outstanding hard work, professionalism, and service to the city. Their overwhelming success is no coincidence, however.

Carolyn Malone is supervisor of the Call Center and has nearly 20 years of experience with customer service in City Government. She says her team’s recipe for success is a combination of superior listening skills, empathy, patience, cross training, adaptability, consistency in information, teamwork, self-control and a positive attitude.

“Simply put, one happy customer is my definition of success because every one counts. To us, our customers are more than just callers,” said Malone, who trained more than 250 City employees in Customer Service Relations last year.

In addition to 3-1-1 calls, agents receive citizens’ complaints and feedback in a variety of other ways. An online support center available through the City of Memphis website (www.memphistn.gov) and a Smart Government App for iPhone users also make contacting 3-1-1 call agents easy and convenient. Customers are welcomed to stop by the Call Center during hours of operation for assistance as well. Inside the Memphis 3-1-1 Call Center, the finely-tuned operation runs swiftly like a well-oiled machine, as agents follow through on requests from inception to completion in what appears to be effortless motion. But Malone said the department thrives because of what happens before the phones ever ring.

Malone and her team of agents also reach beyond the walls of the Call Center to establish deeper connections with customers, instead of merely over the phone. “We attend five local neighborhood association meetings each month to listen and share information about 3-1-1,” Malone said about her team’s commitment to relationship building. “We like to stay plugged in and show citizens that we care about their concerns.”

FINDING HELP IS EASY WHEN YOU

MAKE RIGHT CALL the

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3-1-1

Memphis residents can call 3-1-1 for non-emergency assistance for City Services. Requests are assigned to the appropriate City Division or supporting agency for resolution. Common requests include: debris in yard, vehicle violation, overgrown weeds, potholes, trash cart and recycle bin replacement, trash collection, sewer backup, drain flooding, traffic sign maintenance, and loose/stray dogs.

Hours: Mondays – Fridays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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2-1-1

Residents can call 2-1-1 for information on community, social and health services, as well as services like housing, employment, food banks mental health and addiction agencies. Common calls to 2-1-1 include: senior services, emergency shelters for homeless, services for domestic violence victims, public health, crisis services, housing help, youth programs, and family counseling.

Hours: Mondays –Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fridays – Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

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9-1-1 Emergency

Residents should always call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies or crimes in progress. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or paramedics. Examples include: a fire, a car crash (especially if someone is injured), a medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

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