HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 12 12 Awards/Presentations 100 - Recognition of City Staff for Work Performed Related to Hurricane Ian • AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS ITEM 100
,n m=ared CITY COMMISSION AGENDA I DECEMBER 12, 2022 REGULAR MEETING
1959
TITLE
Recognition of City Staff for Work Performed Related to Hurricane Ian
SUMMARY
Hurricane Ian brought unprecedented and historical levels of rainfall and
damage to Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs. Before, during,
and after the storm, many of the City's employees went above their regularly
assigned duties to ensure the safety of our residents and to expedite recovery
efforts of our City. Many of these employees spent day and night restoring
the City; it is because of the heroic efforts of these employees that our
residents were able to get begin getting back to their normal routines as
quickly as possible.
Andrew Cortes- Andrew works for the utilities department and has been with
the City for 1 year. Andy assisted the utilities department with repairs during
and after the storm.
Earl Williams-Earl has been with The City for 1 year and works in the utilities
department. Prior to working for Winter Springs Earl worked for a pipe fitting
company and his familiarity water utility installation and repairs greatly
benefited the City post storm.
Mike Downing-Mike has worked for the utilities department for 4 years.
During and after the storm Mike assisted in moving key pieces of equipment
to areas of critical need.
Troy Cooper-Troy is the City's sign technician and has worked for the City for 5
years. In the immediate aftermath of the storm the City has numerous
bridges and roads that required detour and advance warning signs to be
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made and installed. Troy is also responsible for all of the repairs to street
signs that were damaged in the storm.
Kendrick Miller-Ken has been with the City for 6 years and works in the Parks
department as a heavy equipment operator. Ken was responsible for
mobilizing and operating key pieces of equipment during and after the
storm.
Al Britos-AI has been with the City for 4 years and works for the Parks
department. Al assisted both the Public works and Utilities departments
during and after the storm in various capacities. Following the storm Al and
Ken Miller both invested significant time in the removal of construction debris
from homes damaged in the storm.
Troy King-Troy has been with the City for 20 years and currently is the
foreman for the meter services division of the utilities department. Troy's
comprehensive knowledge of various components of the City's utility played a
critical role in the restoration of utility services.
Jason Simpkins Jason has worked for the City for 25 years and is currently a
foreman for the Utilities department.Jason's experience from previous
hurricanes combined with his knowledge of the City's infrastructure were
invaluable in the aftermath of the storm.
Brian Dunigan-Brian serves as the Parks Manager and has been with the City
for 17 years. Brian provided operational support during and after the storm
to the Public Works and Utilities department. Brian assisted with tree
removals, closures of damaged bridges/roads and utilities restoration post
storm.
Kevin Maddox-Kevin is the City's Landscape Manager and has been with the
City for 4 years. His expertise in the operation of heavy equipment ensured
trees were cleared safely from roads during and after the storm. Kevin also
assisted in the installation of closures of damaged roads and bridges
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following the storm. Kevin brings a high level of technical knowledge in
evaluating trees in City parks and facilities that may need to be removed due
to the storm.
Clifton Mullis-Clifton has been with the City for 22 year and currently serves
as the Public Works Superintendent. Clifton oversaw and managed the full
restoration of the City's utility. His expertise ensured repairs were completed
diligently and to the highest standard.
Philip Bower - Since the first day of debris hauling in the aftermath of
Hurricane Ian until the last day, over 3 weeks later, Phil has worked 12 hour
days including Saturdays to process the haulers at the debris site. When
asked, Phil has never hesitated volunteering for this critical role in
documenting debris quantities in order for the City to be reimbursed by
FEMA.
Scott Johnson - Scott is the City's procurement manager and served as the
Debris Management Site manager in the four weeks following Hurricane Ian.
Scott led the City's effort to register debris hauler trucks, coordinate staff to
serve as debris field monitors, and manage the debris site in accordance with
FEMA guidelines. Scott essentially spent the month of October at the debris
site dedicating numerous extra hours to the effort, all the while maintaining
his normal duties as procurement manager.
Melanie Stallard and the Customer Service Team- Utility Services Manager
Melanie Stallard and the Customer Services Team Supervisor Kimberly Curtis,
and the CSR team served the City in ways above and beyond their typical
responsibilities. On the day immediately following Hurricane Ian, the CSR
team managed 560 calls and 151 work orders from residents seeking
information and assistance. In addition, the CSR team went beyond their core
duties by providing important work serving as debris monitors in the field,
which will assist the City's reimbursement efforts with FEMA.
Captain Kevin Presley, Captain Doug Seely, and Lieutenant Brad Heath- These
officers maintained 24/7 overall command and control operations pre, during,
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and post-Hurricane Ian. These members provided essential directions and
communication to field members to provide real-time intelligence and
direction for assisting our community with safe and immediate rescue
operations. Additionally, they were critical to ascertaining the proper
equipment and vehicles to conduct life-saving measures and keeping a direct
communication link between the city and county emergency operations
personnel.
Lieutenant Keith Whitmore and Lieutenant Bill Mayhugh- These officers
coordinated and assisted in the day-to-day operations of Hurricane Ian with
boots on the ground, directing, managing, and assisting the ground officers
with high water rescues, debris clearing, and barrier management. In
addition, they provided the eyes and ears throughout the city with the most
up-to-date storm assessments and critical needs to protect the infrastructure
citywide. Additionally, these officers coordinated rescues, waded in flooded
waters, and operated in boats and high-water rescue vehicles in some of the
most hard-hit areas of the city.
Captain Nick Romano and Lieutenant Aaron Wilkins- These officers
coordinated pre-storm evacuations of our most valuable homes and
population. Before the storm's arrival, these members coordinated their
team of officers to go door to door, assisting residents with evacuations.
Post-storm arrival, these same members took their team back into these
neighborhoods, evaulted, and contacted all residents who refused to
evacuate. This was done by foot and airboat as flooding waters took over a
significant portion of this community. Additionally, these officers wadded
through waist-deep water, disregarding their own safety to check on our
residents. These efforts continued even using personally owned vehicles to
navigate high waters to check the welfare of our community.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends commission to receive the below information and to join
management in thanking these employees for the efforts during and after
Hurricane Ian.
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