2013 Medical/Dental Insurance & Flex Spending Enrollment

All City employees MUST complete their medical, dental, and flex spending election for 2013 online. Please click here to begin your selection process. You will have the ability to make changes to your election as many times as necessary between now and December 4th at 4:30 PM. If you have any questions about the medical/dental insurance or the flex spending program, please contact Melody Rank at 832-6455.


Appleton Public Library employees please click here to begin your selection process.

This system will only work if you are signed into the computer as yourself. Please verify that your own username appears in the upper right hand of the computer screen. This ensures that the election is being made on your login account. If you are on someone else's computer, you must log them off and sign in under your own account in order for the election process to work for you.

Click here for instructions on logging into the intranet.

New Employee

Please welcome our new Clerk (sub).

Thank you from the Haiti Program

Ashley received this wonderful e-mail about the Haiti program she coordinated earlier this year.  Thanks to everyone who helped with this program and especially to Ashley who made it possible.  We'll miss seeing you every day when you are at Kaukauna, but we are excited to see you do more great things there!

Hi Miss Ashley and everyone at the APL,

I just wanted to take the time to personally thank all of you for your generous donations to Haiti!

We were able to provide clothing and food for over 150 orphans who would normally be hungry and in the same t-shirt for many days at a time. 

So thank you, thank you, thank you for your generosity! 

Since you didn't get to see the kids faces when they opened up the goodies, I thought I would share a few pictures!  They were so excited!  I have to send them in 2 separate emails because yahoo is giving me some troubles.

Thank you again, everyone!

Mary Erickson

October 1-5 is Customer Service Week!

Customer Service Week is an international event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and to honoring the people who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism. In 1992 the U.S. Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event, celebrated annually during the first full week in October.

"Especially during this week, we want to say 'thank you' for everything you do to serve our external and internal customers, and to help achieve our ultimate mission of meeting community needs and enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and visitors. Your ongoing dedication to providing high-quality, selfless service to our community and our organization is appreciated. Thank you!" --Mayor Hanna

We hope you'll take this opportunity to thank other City staff or outside representatives who provide valuable customer service to you, or to recognize a fellow teammate for their excellent customer service. Click here for an easy-to-use e-mail postcard to share your appreciation!

New Employee

Please welcome our new Hmong Outreach Specialist.

2012 EMPLOYEE FLU CLINIC SCHEDULE

For information about upcoming employee flu clinics click here.

ARE YOU THINKING OF RETIRING IN THE NEXT YEAR?

The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds is offering retirement Group Appointment sessions in the Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac areas. The next available appointment is on Friday, October 5 at 10:00AM. Future dates and locations are found here: http://www.etf.wi.gov/members/eastcentral.htm
To attend one of the sessions, a Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) participant is required to have both an appointment and their retirement packet in hand upon arrival to the session. To sign up for an appointment or request a retirement estimate, one can do so by calling the ETF call center at 1-877-533-5020. (IMPORTANT: Getting a retirement packet from ETF does NOT obligate one to retire in the WRS. The participant simply has their application and packet in case they do decide to retire sometime over the coming year.
Any participants who are within one year of their minimum retirement age in the WRS (age 50 for protectives, age 55 for non-protectives) are welcome to contact our Department at 1-877-533-5020 to request a retirement packet.

ETF has tailored Group Appointments for members planning (or considering) to retirement. Topics covered include the retirement annuity (pension), health insurance, life insurance, return-to-work rules, etc. The Group Appointments offer a participant the opportunity to ask questions of knowledgeable, experienced ETF staff.

New Employees

Please welcome our new Library Assistant and Pages.

WEIGHT WATCHERS AT WORK IS COMING TO CITY CENTER!!!!!

The Weight Watchers at Work meetings are coming to a location near you on a new day and at a new time. MEETINGS ARE FRIDAYS AT 12:15 – 12:45 PM at the CITY CENTER – 1ST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM CH-1A. Weigh-in any time between 11:45 – 12:15. THE POWER OF GROUP SUPPORT AND THE CONVENIENCE AT WORK! FRIENDS AND FAMILY WELCOME TOO! Don’t miss your opportunity to join a fun, energetic group of peers to refocus on your healthy lifestyle and/or weight loss goals. Contact Leanne Wilson to learn more about the group’s success and how you can get started! Click here for more information.

*This opportunity is brought to you by your Health Smart Team.
**Weigh-ins and personal discussions in meetings are held in confidence.

AASD and Valley Transit continue partnership to offer rides to middle and high school students

From September 4 through June 6, AASD public and parochial, middle and high school students can ride any Valley Transit bus route by showing their school ID. The program is paid for by AASD and is good any time we are operating, Monday through Saturday. Kids can ride to and from school, the mall, work... anywhere Valley Transit goes. Last year, Valley Transit provided more than 179,000 rides to Appleton Area School District middle and high school students. Valley Transit hopes to see your kids on the bus soon!

City of Appleton Blood Drive - Thursday, September 13

Click here for more information.

APL Dishes Inventory

Attached is an inventory of APL dishes that can be used by staff.  The majority of the items are kept in the staff lounge and smaller quantities are kept in meeting room D, OWLS and Administration.

City Telephone Servers

On Wednesday, August 29th at approximately 5:00 p.m.the telephone system servers will be replaced. For a period of 30 minutes there will be no telephone service to any of the City buildings. If you have any questions please contact the help desk at 5893.

Leap around the Fox Cities with Valley Transit!

Purchase a DayPass good for unlimited rides all day from your driver for only $4.00. The DayPass sale runs from August 20 through September 28. With gas prices on the rise, a DayPass is a great way to save money. For more information and a list of current promotions, please click here.
Google your bus trip by visiting www.myvalleytransit.com.

Lunchtime Live Concerts

NEW! Lunchtime Live Concerts sponsored by West Business Services - Thursdays 11:30am-1:00pm
Enjoy live music over your lunch hour in Houdini Plaza in Downtown Appleton (the corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street)! Bring a bag lunch, enjoy take-out from one of the many Downtown restaurants or purchase lunch from one of the on-site vendors. Plus West Careers Info Table on-site weekly!

The remaining 2012 Lunchtime Live artists include:

Aug 16 Russ Reiser

Aug 23 Dr. Dobbe

Aug 30 Sly

Bike Storage Area

Calling all bicyclists! Your City of Appleton HealthSmart Team is proud to offer a free and secure bike storage area for current City of Appleton employees. The storage area is located on the first floor of the City Center ramp.  For more information, please click here.

Appleton Community Bike Ride

The City of Appleton Trail Advisory Committee in cooperation with Appleton Downtown, Inc. and Fox Cities Cycling Association is coordinating a free, family-friendly 4 mile bike ride to celebrate Appleton's new bike lanes and bike routes.

Click here for additional information

Brand Identity Research Proposal

Attached is the Brand Identity Research from the employee survey and focus groups.  According to the research completed, the results show that we are in need of a full brand identity update.

Prescription Drug changes from UHC effective 7/1/12

Please see attached document that reflects all the prescription drug tier changes being put into place by United Health effective 7/1/12. These updates represent a small percentage of all prescriptions so few employees should be affected. You should receive a notification from UHC if the drug you are taking will be going up a tier or if it will be excluded. If your drug is going down a tier, you will not receive any notification but will pay the lower copay the next time you fill the prescription.

From Your Health Smart Team

On Tuesday, July 10, Lawrence University will be hosting “Fit with Food”, a program which is open to all City employees. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to benefit from reading nutrition labels from nutrition and fitness expert, and “author” of “Getting Fit With Food”, Shana Conradt. Following her presentation, Shana will offer a book signing ($20/book) from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. This program is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Lawrence University Warch Campus Center, Kraemer Room.

2012 Butterfly Festival

The 2012 Butterfly Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at City Park. $10 per family includes face painting, crafts, kids’ games, food & beverages as well as one live butterfly. A group butterfly release will take place at 10:45 AM. (Additional butterflies can be purchased as well.) Appleton Health Department proudly supports this event, as all proceeds from this day benefit Parent Connection, a child abuse prevention program serving the Fox Valley area. Come join the fun and support a worthy cause. For more information, visit http://www.familyservicesnew.org/

New Employee

Please welcome our new Library Assistant.

2012 Summer Wellness Newsletter

The 2012 Summer Wellness Newsletter from the Health Smart Team is now available.  Check it out. 

Do You Want To Be INSPIRED?

You’ve probably heard time and again about people who are much like yourself, yet they’ve overcome their own personal obstacles to achieve something GREAT.  And you may have asked yourself “How did they do it?”  If you’re ready for an inspirational, feel good story that will help motivate you to try again to achieve SUCCESS, we have a story for you!  Please read on as Lt. Kelly Gady of the Appleton Police Department shares her story of personal triumph and ACHIEVEMENT

Xerox Work Centre 7500 Series User Guide

Click here to find the new Xerox Work Centre 7500 Series User Guide that is in Administration. It can also be found on the intranet under Appleton Public Library Procedures under Administrative Office Procedures. 

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

May is National Bike Month which is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. Whether you bike to work; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore our community or get to your destination, get involved in Bike Month and join the National Bike Challenge if you have not already done so! Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18th so plan for your department to bike to work and maybe have a bike to work day breakfast! Below are some resources from the Bike Federation.

If you need help registering for the National Bike Challenge or have any questions about the challenge, please contact Niki Wendt at 832-3925 or email her at niki.wendt@appleton.org.

http://www.focol.org/greenways/biketowork/2012BikeWeekPoster.pdf
http://www.focol.org/greenways/biketowork/Why_Commute.pdf
http://www.focol.org/greenways/biketowork/BikeCommutersHandbook.pdf

Classification and Compensation Study Q&A

Do you still have questions about the City Compensation Study? If so, click here for the first issue of the City of Appleton Compensation Study Frequently Asked Questions.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Video

The EAP video from the April 20, 2012 staff meeting is now on the intranet under Training Videos and PowerPoint Presentations. 

Classification & Compensation Study

If you were unable to attend one of the informational sessions, please click to view the video presentation.

Click here to find the Job Questionnaire Form. Your completed form is due back to your supervisor/department head by May 4.

Click here for an example of a completed form.

The Questionnaires are due from the supervisor/department head to Human Resources by May 18. JDQ's are due to Carlson Dettmann Consulting by May 31.

Get Up & Ride National Bike Challenge!

We are pleased to announce that the City of Appleton has signed up for the 2012 Get Up & Ride National Bike Challenge! The Walk-to-Win program is no longer going to be taking place this year so we are encouraging staff to bike for transportation or bike for leisure/exercise. The Challenge starts May 1st and runs through August 31st, 2012. Prize winners will be selected monthly through the national program and through the Health Smart Team!

Please see the flyer for more information. Talk to your team captain (listed below) for details on how to join the challenge. Questions? Contact Niki Wendt at niki.wendt@appleton.org.

Parks and Recreation - Niki Wendt
Assessor's Office - Matt Tooke
Attorney's Office - Jamie Sova
City Clerk - Wendy Helgeson
Community Development - Jeff Towne
Dept. Public Works - Paula Vandehey
Facilities Management - Peter Freund
Finance - Stephanie Rogers
Fire - Brenda Broeske
Health - Jon Lee
Human Resources - Jay Ratchman
Library - Tina Babler
Police - Kate Hoffmann
Technology Services - Deb Jepson
Utilities - Kristy Veldman
Valley Transit - Salvatore LaPuma

Vote for the Appleton Flag Day Parade!

Do you think the Appleton Flag Day Parade is America’s Most Interesting Town Parade? If you answered “yes”, the Appleton Parade Committee would like your vote.

Reader’s Digest is conducting the “America’s Most Interesting Town” contest and the Appleton Parade Committee is encouraging you to vote for Appleton in the Most Interesting Town Parade category. You can vote early and often and the Parade Committee has made this possible with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Information and a link to the Reader’s Digest Contest, “America’s Most Interesting Town” can be found on the City’s homepage (www.appleton.org) Quick Links section (Flag Day Parade link or Reader’s Digest Vote Appleton link) or by clicking here. People are invited to submit their stories and photos between March 2 and May 31, 2012, so keep those votes coming!

Compensation Study Informational Sessions

To help you better understand the process for the compensation study, we will be holding six informational sessions for all non-represented employees to attend. Click here to view the available dates and times. Please coordinate scheduling with your supervisor and then e-mail lindsey.hotchkiss@appleton.org to register. If you don't have access to e-mail, please call 832-6458.

Appleton Police Department Blood Drive - April 13, 2012

The Appleton Police Department will be holding a blood drive for The Community Blood Center Inc. on Friday, April 13, 2012. The drive will start at 8 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m (last donation time 11:00 a.m.). The mobile blood unit will be set up at the Appleton Police Department (location to be determined).

If you are interested in donating on Friday, April 13, 2012, contact Sgt. Dave Lund by e-mail or leave a voicemail (832-5929 ext. 9180) to schedule an appointment. Anyone that donated before on or before 02/17/12 is eligible to attempt donation at this drive.

Please assist us in meeting our goal of 20 donors for this drive. Friends, family, neighbors and co-workers are welcome.

Deferred Compensation

Our deferred comp representative, Tom Jones, will be visiting various City locations the week of April 16th. Click here for a schedule of times and locations.

Circulation Refund Procedure

Starting April 1st, we will be implementing a new refund procedure at the circ desk (procedure attached).

Refunds will only be given for found items that are returned in good condition and within 90 days of payment of billed item. (previously we didn’t have a cutoff and would give refunds for any billed item found at any time)

For any bills paid before April 1st, patrons will have a one year grace period to find and return the item for a refund.

PayPal Spam

There's been a recent rash of PayPal email coming in to just about everyone. Please DO NOT click on the link. It's coming from a multitude of foreign domains and IP addresses and is spam. We'll block what we can but things will still get through. Please delete the email when it shows up

Employee Benefit Books

Nonunion employees can now find all their insurance benefit books on the APL intranet. They can be found on the Library Administration page under employee benefits - http://intra.apl.org/admin/index.html. PLEASE do not print the books since they will be available here for you to view at any time.

Household Hazardous Waste

The 2012 Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep is coming in April. Click here for more information.

New Employee

Please welcome our new Operations Clerk.

2012 APL Public Survey

The Appleton Public Library 2012 Public Survey results are now listed under "Other Links".

2012 Training Classes

The 2012 required training classes have now been scheduled . This year, as we did last year, we are asking all staff to work with their supervisors on scheduling. Supervisors will register you for training based on your schedules and section needs. Click here for the schedule.

ADI Leap Local, Leap Day Specials - Free Classes!

As a participant with the Appleton Downtown Inc., Leap Local! event on Leap Day, 2012, Parks and Recreation is offering the following classes at no cost on Wed., February 29. Get a punch for Appleton Downtown's Inc. Leap Local shopping event! Get a second punch at another participating downtown shop and be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate! Enjoy shopping discounts all day in Downtown Appleton.

Zumba, ages 15-adult, 6:15-7:15 p.m. Studio 2, second floor City Center (class may move to the third floor at the top of the escalators).

Tappercise, ages 45+, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Studio 1, second floor City Center.

Come and join us!

Attached is the Leap Local shoppers guide for Leap day specials!

Annual Employee Health Screening

Once again, the Health Smart Team is sponsoring the annual City of Appleton Employee Health Screening. If you are a City employee and are eligible for the City health insurance program, you and your spouse can participate in this FREE screening and counseling session.* The enrollment deadline date is March 9, 2012 by 4:30 p.m.

As in past years, this confidential screening will consist of:
· A complete cholesterol panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
· A test for diabetes (blood sugar)
· A test for liver and kidney disease
· A health questionnaire and body composition assessment
· Biometric assessments (height, weight, blood pressure)
· Free results counseling & summary report

For addition information click for summary or to enroll click here to get to the enrollment screen.

*Fire personnel who receive an NFPA physical are ineligible this free screening& incentive; however, they remain eligible for the free coaching session & incentive. Spouses remain eligible for the free screening.

Valley Transit is celebrating Leap Year with a DayPass sale

Purchase a DayPass good for unlimited rides all day from your driver for only $4.00. The DayPass sale runs from February 27 - March 3. With gas prices on the rise, a DayPass is a great way to save money. Google your bus trip by visiting http://www.myvalleytransit.com/. For additional information click here.

2011 Walk to Win Winners

And the winner is… From September through November, 82 city employees began and completed the 2011 Walk to Win Program, focusing on daily activity of 30 minutes or more. In addition to improving their overall health, participants were also eligible for random drawings to win prizes for their efforts. 11 city employees won prizes from this community event! Check out this attachment to see the names of winners along with their corresponding prizes. Thank you all for participating in the 2011 Walk to Win Program

Internal-Only Promotion Opportunity - Library Clerk

This is a non-exempt position responsible for providing customer service at public service desks, checking out library materials, registering patrons, answering questions, handling cash accurately, computer data entry and database maintenance. Evening and weekend work is required. Work is supervised by a section assistant supervisor and the section supervisor.

City of Appleton employees who are interested in this position may apply at www.appleton.org no later than Wednesday, February 29, 2012 (this position will be listed under promotional opportunities).

Parks and Recreation Morale Booster

Friday, February 10th, between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. the Parks and Recreation will be holding a special event for all City Employees. Stop by the Parks and Recreation office on the 6th floor to have your Valentine photo taken with George Clooney. This event is free of charge! Pictures will take place from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

2012 January/February Healthsmart is Now Available

The 2012 January/February Healthsmart newsletter is now available. Check it out.

Free Million Dollar Quartet Concert - Tuesday, February 7

The City Center is hosting a free concert featuring the Million Dollar Quartet, who will be performing at the PAC in February. The date of the concert is Tuesday, February 7, during the lunch hour. Click here for additional details.

WeightWatchers At Work

Have you stuck to your 2011 healthy lifestyle resolutions? Did you reinvent them for 2012? If you are looking for a little motivation, a little inspiration, and a ton of support and fun along the way, join WeightWatchers At Work today!

THE POWER OF GROUP SUPPORT AND THE CONVENIENCE AT WORK! FRIENDS AND FAMILY WELCOME TOO!

Now for only $42.95 a month (that’s an average of $9.92/week), you can join a fun, energetic group of peers to refocus on your healthy lifestyle and/or weight loss goals. Contact Leanne Wilson to learn more about the group’s success and how you can get started!

Weigh-Ins and Personal discussions in meetings are held in confidence.

Work Rules/Departmental Policy

Work Rules / Departmental Policy has been added to the intranet under APL Procedures - Personnel Procedures.

W-2 Error

It has come to our attention that there was an error in the printing of the W-2’s that were distributed earlier this week. The error does not effect the amount of taxable wages or the amounts withheld for federal or State tax. It relates to the information reporting of the pre-tax employee paid Wisconsin Retirement contributions. This amount was included in box 12 with a code G. The amount should have been shown in box 14. Due to the error, W-2’s will be reprinted and redistributed as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for the error. If anyone has questions on this matter, feel free to contact Michelle at 832-6438.

Employee Update: Paid Time Off/WRS Rate Details

Click here to see the new Employee Update which provides details on Paid Time Off and the 2012 WRS rates.

APL 2012 Public Survey

Our annual public survey will be put on our website and paper copies are located throughout the Library. Please encourage patrons to fill one out.

New Employee

Please welcome our new Page.

Leave Record Code Changes For All Non Union Employees for 2012

Please use the following new codes when entering time when using PTO:
When taking time off using PTO use the code – PO
When off sick using PTO use the code – PS
When taking FMLA time off using PTO use the code – FP

Worker’s Compensation code change
Employees off on work comp will receive no pay from the City but will receive their payroll from the work comp carrier separately. In order to accommodate this, all employees (except Police, Fire & VT unions) will have to use the new “RW” code. This stands for report work comp no pay. Therefore, your employee with this code will have their regular hours for that pay period reduced by the RW code hours and only should receive pay for their actual hours worked. The WC code has been deactivated and you will not be able to use it by accident. If you have any WC questions, please contact Jay or Kim directly.