Kudos to David Miniscalco, Matthew Jakob, and Jason Wicha for being the first three people to read the last edition of What's Happening!
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Our goal is with "What's Happening" is to provide valuable information to employees and adapt its content to meet evolving needs. In an effort to avoid redundancy with other emails, we haven't been including details about new employees in this email. However, moving forward, you may find information about new team members as we celebrate and welcome them in various formats.
On a similar note, we're revisiting the frequency of this email. Please take the poll below to share your preference.
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How often would you like to receive this email?
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If you have suggestions for ways to improve this email or content you'd like to see included, please let us know! |
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If you only have a few minutes, scan this section for key takeaways. |
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Human Resources
Submitted By: Human Resources Generalist, Brina Diaz
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Save the Date - The Chili Cook Off is Saturday, April 27 at Northcroft Park. Show off your skills and gain bragging rights! Contact Matt Goodman to enter.
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Shape the future of recreation in this exceptional community as Parks and Recreation Director! If you're an experienced and innovative leader looking for something new, look no further than your very own Parks and Recreation Department. Check out the job posting to learn more and apply today. If you know someone who may be interested, please forward the posting along!
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Office of the City Manager
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Strategic Plan - The City’s Strategic Planning process will be kicking off this Spring starting with a City Council workshop on Monday, April 29 at 6 pm at City Hall. Residents can also look to contribute and take an active part in the process of by joining a public workshop on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 pm at Gorton Community Center. Or, by joining an online session on Tuesday, April 30 at 3 pm or Wednesday, May 15 at 7 pm. Please stay tuned for more information on these and additional updates on the City's website.
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These submissions are still important, but they’re not as critical if you’re scanning for the key information. |
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Community Development
- On February 19, Luis Prada will join the Community Development Department as an Assistant Planner. Luis will be heavily involved in supporting the Boards and Commissions, reviewing site and building plans, conducting on site inspections, and meeting and talking daily with residents and architects. Luis is returning home to the Chicago area from Colorado where he worked in a similar role for the City of Aspen.
- On February 26, Abigail Vollmers will join the department as a Senior Planner. Abigail is an experienced project manager with expertise in design and construction. In addition to being involved in all of the activities listed above with Luis and other City staff, Abigail will also take on some supervisory responsibilities and will play a key role in special projects including planning for enhancements to Bank Lane from Vine to Wisconsin Avenues, updating the City’s Affordable Housing Plan, and ongoing longer term planning initiatives.
- Thank you to Building Maintenance and Innovation and Technology staff for preparing spaces for Luis and Abigail and getting them set up and connected.
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Office of the City Manager
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The Spring Dialogue Newsletter has been shared for internal review - please review your content, by the end of the day Thursday, Feb. 15.
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Don't forget to visit Lake Forest Love and let us know if you have ideas for new stories!
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CROYA
- Registration for CROYA’s High School Spring Retreat begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 10am.
- CROYA’s Middle School Ski Trip to Wilmot Mountain is Friday, February 16.
- CROYA Staff is teaching Peer Training classes this semester at LFHS and Woodlands Academy.
- CROYA is one of the sponsors for the LFHS Talent Show, which is February 22-24 at LFHS.
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CROYA’s Top 10 Newsletter Link.
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Dickinson Hall
Submitted By: Administrative Assistant/Transportation Coordinator, Tara Purtell
- Food for Thought on Feb 27 will have Chef Susan Maddox demonstrating and offering healthy takes on comfort food
- Our final (and very popular) Souper Bingo of the season will be March 1, where bingo and two types of soup are served
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Finance
Submitted By: Assistant Finance Director, Diane Hall
- The FY2025 budget process continues. Department meetings have been completed. Preparations for the March 11th Operating Budget meeting with the Finance Committee are underway.
- Vehicle License and Parking Permit applications will be sent out the third week of March.
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Fire
- Battalion Chief Cory Kazimour is retiring! Please join us February 22 for his walkout ceremony.
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Innovation and Technology
Tips to avoid email phishing scams! It's crucial for all of us to remain alert for phishing scam emails that pose a significant threat to our security. Phishing attempts continue to evolve, becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
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Be cautious of unexpected emails: If you receive an email from an unfamiliar sender or containing unexpected attachments or links, exercise caution. Verify the sender's email address and the legitimacy of the content before taking any action.
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Check for spelling and grammar errors: Phishing emails often contain spelling and grammar mistakes. If an email appears unprofessional or contains language errors, it may be a phishing attempt.
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Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Hover your mouse over links in emails to see the actual URL before clicking on them. If the link doesn't match the destination or seems suspicious, refrain from clicking on it.
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Verify requests for sensitive information: If you receive an email requesting sensitive information such as passwords, account credentials, or financial details, verify the request through a separate communication channel (ex, phone call or in-person conversation) with the sender before sharing any information.
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Parks & Recreation
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March Madness Fitness Challenge Fitness Center members had a blast during our Cardio Challenge last December, so we are doing it again! Join the Lake Forest Fitness Center now (just $15/month for city employees) and be ready for their March Madness Fitness Challenge. Friendly competition, bragging rights, and prizes will be awarded. Visit our website and follow our social media for all the details - coming soon. Lake Forest Fitness Center.
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Summer Jobs! Spread the word - we have several part-time summer job openings, including Camp Counselor, Beach Guard, and Lifeguard. BONUS! All summer jobs include a three-month membership at Lake Forest Fitness Center and free rentals of paddle boards and kayaks at the beach during the summer. Apply here!
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Building Maintenance
Submitted By: Building Maintenance Supervisor, Erik Huston
- Station 2 lighting upgrades to interior office lights and ceiling tile.
- Repaint Booking lockup area and replace counters.
- Replace gates on Stirling Hall and Senior Center.
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Engineering
Submitted By: Superintendent of Engineering, Byron Kutz
- The Bluff Slope stabilization project along Forest Park beach continues with minor restoration remaining. Construction of a new boardwalk just north of the original location is anticipated to start late March.
- The Elawa parking lot resurfacing and expansion project is anticipated to begin last week of March or the first week of April.
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Fleet
Submitted By: Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Gramer
- Recently placed into service a replacement Sanitation truck and Building Maintenance van. Continued maintenance and repairs to all city vehicles.
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Forestry
- Parkway Tree Pruning and stump removal.
- Spring projects tree and shrub nursery tagging and tree re-inventory Parks.
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Parks
- Continue bike path pruning.
- Litter clean up in Parks.
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Sanitation
- Interviewing for a vacant apprentice position.
- Catching up on litter collection since the snow has melted.
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Streets
- Electrical updates throughout the City.
- Gas Lamp and Parkway repairs.
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Water Plant
- Rebuilt chemical feed lines for Booster Station Chlorine pump.
- Replacing failed valves as needed.
- Rebuilding Sulfuric Acid Feed Pump Panel.
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Water & Sewer
Submitted By: Water and Sewer Supervisor, Rich Volpe
- Lead service lines are being inspected. We will be verifying the material as appointments are scheduled.
- Maintenance work on barricades, train depot benches and small equipment.
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