Page 164 - SAC - DPW - AMB 10 07 19

getting funding. We were funded into a program that evaluated all of the different intersections within the
City. We rank all of the different intersections - I have all of my different action plans to get funding to
reduce congestion and reduce accidents.

The State of California has passed laws requiring increased recycling of Organic Waste, with the
goal of reducing disposal of organic waste by 50 percent compared to 2014 levels, by 2020.
Please provide your experience with recycling and solid waste in addressing this issue.

SB 1383 - we work closely with our haulers - we have an open permit system within the City. It puts a lot
of oversight on my department with the City. We have already met with seven of the permitted haulers in
the State. We have done that for our community and for our businesses. We sent letters to a number of
the impacted businesses that fall under this mandate. Now the City is expected to enforce this new
mandate. So I need to come up with a game plan in terms of staffing and funding to enforce this
mandate.

What experience do you have in supervising a diverse group of employees, mentoring and growing
them, and what employment issues and challenges have you faced in embracing diversity?

Within my own department ­ personnel problems are the toughest because they don't get resolved
quickly ­ they get resolved overtime. I competed with an applicant ­ it was very tense between both of
us ­ it was pretty tense. What I had done ­ is you have to build that trust ­ over time you have to build
that trust ­ you have to take on management functions ­ I have allowed him to sit in meetings with me
so he can see what it takes to do the job correctly. I have mentored him to take on that role and he
became my closest ally and my right hand. And now he has applied to other cities and became a
manager himself. He was a lot older than me ­ which couldn't have been easy either. I am a female
running to a male dominated department­ I just need to prove myself as a leader and it takes time. I
have earned my respect overtime.

The DPW will manage seven divisions and a staff of over 700. What do you see as the challenges
and what is your experience in managing multiple divisions?
I'm currently managing multiple diviions - I think hiring is key. My supervisors know the streets and the
operations better than I do - so I rely on good staff and good people and let them do my job. I empower
them - we meet weekly or as frequently as we need to. I make sure that I communicate with them every
week to find out how their workload is doing - it is constant communication between me and my staff. I
depend on good staff - I teach them how to do it.

Anything else you would like to add? If out of area? Are you willing to relocate to the Bay Area
( )

I believe in giving my staff incentives for extra training. I motivate them. That's how I operate my
department right now - I make sure they are trained well, that they're operating safely, that they're happy
with their pay and position, and that they're proud, that they're proud of working for the City of Bell
Gardens.

Overall Comments: