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Department Managers Thank Elia Bamburger
HR manager will be retiring soon
 5/18
Safety Items
The group discussed a recent incident where an employee’s hand was injured while trying to loosen a stuck valve. There was no time lost.
Staff Recognition
Elia Bamberger thanked the group for their help and support throughout her years here at CCWD. She will miss everyone. The managers also expressed their appreciation and gratitude for all her help.
On behalf of the Watershed and Lands Department, Cary Richardson Merkle would like to extend her thanks to Doug Anderson for his assistance with the recent Biological Monitoring Services RFP and procurement of replacement vehicles and boats. Cary would also like to extend her thanks to Rick Drury for his assistance in processing a fire damage claim to Chubb Insurance for Jess Ranch and his on-going help with the special use permits.
Peter Colby thanked:
• Elia Bamberger and Margaret Ramirez for their continuing help in coaching and training to improve communications and the work environment at Los Vaqueros.
• Celia Cheung for all her help on the budget. She made the whole process incredibly easy.
Jimmie Abbott thanked Rachel Martin and Dan Jones for all their coordination with O&M on the Los Vaqueros Energy Project electrical tie-in to Pumping Plant 4.
On behalf of Jon Marshall, Rachel Murphy thanked:
• Shawn Kelly, Bill Bakker, and Tim Kirby for their assistance with underground utility location prior to the geotechnical investigations at District Center.
• Butch Martinez, Bill Kough, and Ken Swenson for their assistance with the soffit survey and utility location at District Center, and Tracie Keith for her assistance with the District Center investigations.
The Construction Department thanked:
• Andrew Lee and David Cao in the Engineering Department for their excellent and quick work in developing displays for the Kelly Stormaster case.
• Dino Angelosante for his work on the various land rights issues associated with the Kelly Stormaster case.
The Public Affairs Department would like to thank Clayton Funk and Marco Siragusa for their help in setting up the pop ups at CCWD’s “Comfort Station” outside the North Entrance to Los Vaqueros for the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race on May 15. In addition, thanks to Mark Swisher for arranging the delivery of a portable restroom at the site. More than 80 people showed up at the station to watch the cyclists go by.
Marianne Hook thanked Matt Moses, Chris Hentz, and Mark Seedall for holding the recent bike maintenance workshop for CCWD employees
Marguerite Naillon thanked Peter Stabb, Allison Batteate, Greg Dixon, Clayton Funk, Marco Siragusa, Cary Richardson-Merkle, Peter Colby, Jennifer Allen, Mehria Albert, Leah Orloff, Matt Moses, Lucinda Shih, and Wendy Chriss for their assistance with recent tours at Los Vaqueros and the Los Vaqueros mitigation properties. Their assistance was most appreciated and feedback on the tours from both EBMUD and Save Mount Diablo has been very positive.
Greg Gartrell thanked everyone for helping out while he was out in April with special thanks to Peter Colby, Marguerite Naillon, Jeff Quimby, Leah Orloff, Rossana Riggs, and Wendy Chriss for their help in making sure everything got done smoothly.
Matthew Novak thanked Jonathan Marshall for his help clarifying some language with a roofing contract.
Both Safety Clocks Set Back After Handle Strikes Employee
'Lost Time' clock set back after 93 days.
5/18
Yesterday, a District employee was injured when he was struck in the mouth by a crank handle that was under tension. The handle was being used to unload canal debris from a vehicle. He received a laceration to his mouth and a bruised jaw, and was put off work for one day.
A streak of 93 lost workdays ended yesterday. The District will be reviewing the incident and looking into possible improvements to prevent injury recurrence.
As we continue to learn from safety incidents, let’s think about safety at all times during our daily tasks to achieve our goal of an injury-free workplace.
There have now been seven recordable injuries in 2012.
Los Vaqueros Watershed's North Side To Reopen July 14
Free parking, updated John Muir Interpretive Center to Reopen As Well
5/16
The North Side of the Los Vaqueros Watershed near Brentwood will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 14.
There will be free parking for the public on both sides of the reservoir that day, and many programs are being planned at the updated John Muir Interpretive Center.
Most of the trails will be open, and visitors will be able to hike up to the top of the taller dam.
The north side was closed to the public on March 7, 2011 at the start of the expansion of the reservoir.
Here's more information.
Help Us Test Our New LV Web App
Have a smart phone? Install our new web app and let us know what you think
 5/16
The Public Affairs Department has developed an "app" for smart phones for Los Vaqueros, and we're asking employees to take a look and give us their comments before we reveal it to the public.
It's called a "Web App" and is easily installed on your I Phone. You don't go through the App Store but can install it directly from the web on your phone.
The app is designed to keep visitors up-to-date on what's going on at the watershed.
If you don't like the app, it's easy to remove. The instructions are on the home page of the app, at the bottom.
Please send your comments to: Jim Freschi, or call him at Ext. 8175.
These instructions are for I Phones. If you have an Android phone, let us know if you know how to install it on those phones!
Amgen Bike Race Speeds By Los Vaqueros
Racers gone in a flash, more than 80 watch from CCWD 'Comfort Station'
 5/15
The Amgen Tour of California bicycle racers sped by Los Vaqueros this afternoon, cheered by more than 80 people at the CCWD "Comfort Station" at the corner of Walnut Blvd. and Camino Diablo.
The racers were slightly behind schedule, and sped down Camino Diablo in two groups. The first racers by was the two-person breakaway of Jeremy Vennell and Wilsom Marentes, followed by the full peloton a few minutes later.
The riders were greeted by a strong ringing of the "Los Vaqueros" cowbells.
Special thanks to Clayton Funk and Marco Siragusa for stopping by to help set up our comfort station, and Mark Swisher for arranging a portable restroom at the comfort station.
The 115-mile third stage included a trip up part of Mt. Diablo, and ended in Livermore with Peter Sagan winning his third straight stage.
The seven-day race now proceeds to Sonora.
In the top photo, the two leaders race by the CCWD comfort station, followed by the peloton in the bottom photo.
Jake Wallin, Tracie Keith Top Innovation Fair
Ideas: having staff -- not contractors -- perform reservoir cleaning & saving energy at District Center
5/11
Jake Wallin and Tracie Keith took the top honors in the District's first Innovation Fair, it was announced today in General Manager Jerry Brown's office.
Jake and Tracie will each receive a new iPad as prizes.
Here is a brief synopsis of Jake’s and Tracie’s ideas:
Jake submitted a proposal where District staff, instead of contractors, would perform annual reservoir cleaning. This idea requires no upfront cost to implement, can reduce outside services, and the concept can be applied to other work activities.
Tracie’s idea was to make immediate changes at District Center that will lower electrical costs associated with building lighting. Minor lighting and wiring changes can save several thousands of dollars each year in electrical utility costs.
Employees submitted 77 entries in the fair, and they were judged by a panel of five employees from throughout the District who selected the winners.
General Manager Jerry Brown said he hopes the fair "spurs more thinking about more innovations that can be applied to our business...the new ideas will feed upon thenselves.
The team of Diane Rybicki and Monica Castro, submitted two of the five finalist entries, as well as Fred Simon. The runners up will select a prize of either an e-Reader, embroidered District jacket or gift card.
Jerry said the dictionary defines innovation as introducing something new or different.
"Sometimes the innovation comes not in the idea, but in how the idea can be applied to our business.
"What I found most beneficial in this contest is how creative we can be when given the opportunity and how we can have fun at the same time.
"The next step is to translate your creativity into value for our customers. I am optimistic that we will be able to make some of these innovations real, and I look forward to your continued cooperation in that regard."
In the top photo, Jake Wallin and Tracie Keith with General Manager Jerry Brown and their new I Pads. Below to the left is Diane Rybicki (Monica Castro was not available for a photo) and to the right is Fred Simon.
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