Date:

January 12, 2004

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Mayor Coleen J. Seng today presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for December to James Anderson, a Systems Software Integrator in the Information Services Division of the Finance Department. The monthly award recognizes City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to the City. The award was presented at the beginning of today’s City Council meeting.

Anderson was nominated in the categories of productivity, loss prevention and customer relations by Kent Morgan, Assistant Director of the City-County Planning Department; Mike Merwick, Director of the City Building and Safety Department; and Erik Hubl, Computer and Geographical Information System (GIS) Records Supervisor for the County Assessor/Register of Deeds office. Since joining the City in 1997, Anderson has primarily worked on the growth and development of the City and County GIS.

Anderson was praised for:

• setting up the ORACLE database on a common networked system which will serve as the GIS main source of data storage and retrieval long into the future.
• creating a system for the easy distribution of parcel-related information to both the public and to other City and County departments.
• developing a system to give contractors on-line access to their plan review, permit and inspection information 24 hours a day, saving time and money for both the contractors and the City.
• initiating the Internet Map Service which provides a simple and affordable way for all residents to access geographic-based information maintained by the City and County.

“While the temptation is to stress the technical accomplishments and broad-based information technology expertise of Jim, what really makes him special is how he is able to work with other staff to effectively apply his skills,” wrote Morgan. Merwick wrote Anderson is able “to communicate with other people in layman terms instead of overly technical computer lingo.” Hubl wrote that Anderson “has tackled every issue and challenge with calm demeanor, consistency and just the right amount of humor.”

The other categories in which employees can be nominated are safety and valor. All City employees are eligible for the Mayor’s Award of Excellence except for elected officials and some managers. Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates and the general public.

Nomination forms are available from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Personnel Department, which oversees the awards program. All nominations are reviewed by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 U.S. savings bond, a day off with pay and a plaque. Monthly winners are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 U.S. savings bond, two days off with pay and a plaque.