County Buildings – What’s New for 2017 and Beyond

Where will County employees find themselves in 2017?

The workspaces are about to change for hundreds, even thousands, of County workers – maybe even you!

General Services has been working hard on a master list to improve and modernize our facilities. They’ll be more functional and efficient, which means we can provide better customer service.

Here are some highlights:   

Openings

Imperial Beach Library

Scheduled Opening: Spring, 2017
Project: The existing library branch was knocked down to make way for a new 14,000-square-foot, zero net energy facility that is almost three times the size of the old building. The project replaces a community room with a larger, 2,000-square-foot community room built on adjoining land donated by the City of Imperial Beach.

State Courthouse

Scheduled Opening: Spring, 2017
Project: The courthouse is a state project but it’s included here because it will affect hundreds of County workers ranging from the Sheriff’s Department to the District Attorney’s Office (or any of us who get jury duty downtown). The new facility will have 71 courtrooms handling criminal, civil and family court matters. The project consolidates the Downtown Courthouse, the Madge Bradley Court facility and Family Court, also located downtown. The current sites are being assessed for potential private development. A remodel is underway in the Hall of Justice to move County staff with Revenue and Recovery, Child Support, and HHSA from the current courthouse. A remodel of the Madge Bradley building will accommodate Sheriff Court Services staff members who are staying and not moving to the new Courthouse. Remaining Child Support employees will move to leased space in Kearny Mesa in the spring.

Housing and Community Development Services

Rendering of new Housing and Community Development Services office.Scheduled Completion: May 2017
Project: The old 29,000-square-foot building in Kearny Mesa was taken down to the studs and completely renovated. Staff members moved to a temporary location last April. When they move back in, they’ll see a fully renovated and reconfigured building with new efficient mechanical and electrical systems.

Child Welfare Services

Scheduled Completion: Early Summer 2017
Project: Last March, the Board of Supervisors approved a new seven-year lease for a 69,000-square-foot building for Child Welfare Services in Kearny Mesa, consolidating operations currently in a County-owned building in Linda Vista and a lease space in Kearny Mesa. Improvements will be completed in time for employees to move in this summer.

New Beginnings

Sheriff’s Crime Lab 

Scheduled Completion: Late summer 2018
Project: Construction is underway on a new 151,000-square-foot facility at the County Operations Center to house a new crime lab, space for Sheriff’s property and evidence materials, and administrative offices. The new project will move the crime lab closer to the Medical Examiner’s office.

Construction on the new Crime Lab.

North Coastal Regional Center:

Scheduled Completion: Summer 2018
Project: Demolition is expected this summer on the existing buildings at the Oceanside site so construction can begin on a new 36,000-square-foot facility this fall. The building will go up on the existing Regional Center/Public Health Center site and it will consolidate behavioral health, public health and administration in one place. In the meantime, the County has leased 17,522-square-feet of temporary space at 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd. in Oceanside to house HHSA staff during the demolition and construction of the new facility. Employees are expected to move into the temporary space in February. A site search is underway for a larger north coastal Family Resource Center as well.

Santa Ysabel Nature Center:

Scheduled Completion: Late 2018
Project: Construction could begin in late 2017 on a 6,500-square-foot nature center for the Santa Ysabel Preserves off Highway 79 in Santa Ysabel. The building will include space for interpretive and educational exhibits, a room for weddings and other events for up to 100 people, Wi-Fi, restrooms, offices, an information area and more.

Pine Valley Fire Station:

Scheduled Completion: Summer 2018
Project: Plans are in the works to replace the Pine Valley Fire Station with a new 13,000- square-foot station that will feature sleeping quarters and four bays for emergency vehicles. Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2017.

Borrego Springs Library and Community Park:

Scheduled Completion: Fall/Winter 2018
Project: Construction will begin in fall 2017 on a new 13,500-square-foot library branch that will be six times the size of the current leased facility. The project includes a sheriff substation and a 16-acre community park on adjoining land. Plans for the park include play structures, court sports and picnic areas. 

Major Renovations and Remodeling

East Mesa Rock Mountain Detention Facility Complex: Starting in spring 2017, the former Corrections Corporation of America detention facility will be retrofitted and renovated to bring it into the County detention system. Changes will include a new integrated electronic security system.  

Mills Building: Five floors will be remodeled and reconfigured to varying degrees for improved operations for HHSA staff. Completion is expected in March.

Solana Beach Library: The branch is a shared facility with the Earl Warren Middle School. General Services is working with the San Dieguito Union High School to provide a new meeting room in addition to expanding and updating the branch. Completion is expected in summer 2017.

El Cajon Family Resource Center:  The third phase of renovations to update the facility is underway. Current renovations include office and open office spaces, conference and a staff break room as well as upgrades to the major mechanical systems. Renovations could be completed in summer 2017.  

Hillcrest Mid-City Crisis Stabilization Facility: Construction could begin in February for a major renovation and remodeling project at the Hillcrest Mid-City Stabilization Facility located in San Diego. The improvements will expand crisis stabilization services for children and youth. This project is comprehensive for the approximately 8,059-square-foot building and includes replacing all windows, doors and floor coverings. A new central nurse’s station, restrooms and kitchen will also be created. The facility will get a new roof and the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression and fire alarm systems will be upgraded.

Planning Stages    

South County Animal Shelter in Bonita, Phase 1: The current one-story 10,000 square-foot kennel building will be torn down and replaced with a new two-story structure as phase one of a three-phase replacement of the shelter. The project will include the new kennels, a medical facility and holding area. 

Rendering of Animal Care Facility in BonitaLakeside Library: The County is in negotiations to buy a site for a new 15,000-square-foot library which would triple the size of the current branch built in 1962. The new facility will include children and teen spaces, plus a community room.  

Casa de Oro Library: A site search is underway for a place to build a new 15,000 square-foot library to replace the current branch located at a strip mall. The new facility will include for the first time a community room as well as specific areas for teens and children.  

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk East County Operations and Archive: Construction is expected to start in 2018 on a new 23,900-square foot facility in Santee. The current El Cajon facility is located inside a converted bank that was built in 1957. The new structure will include modern archival storage and maintenance of significant historical documents. Completion is scheduled for mid-2019.  

Kettner/Beech Property: Proposals for development are being sought for the vacant land adjoining the Cedar/Kettner parking structure site for a private residential and commercial project. Construction could possibly start in 2018.  

For more information on planned and proposed constructions projects, see General Services’ Current Capital Projects List.

County Joins Parade Honoring Dr. King

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department marches past the iconic County Administration Center.

San Diego County Sheriff's and Probation departments marched in the 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Sunday. The parade down Harbor Drive honors the legacy of the late civil rights leader. Participants included bands, colleges, churches, and peace and youth organizations.

Sheriff Bill Gore waves to the crowds.

A Sheriff's Department vehicle was also in the parade.

San Diego County Probation participated in the celebration.

Get Fit 4 Life

Just in time to help you keep your resolution to get healthier in the New Year, registration is underway for Employee Wellness’ Fit 4 Life program.

“This new and exciting challenge is designed to help you improve your fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Employee Wellness Coordinator William Erese. “It can easily be tailored to all fitness levels from beginner to fitness fanatics and can accommodate everyone.”

The eight-week program runs from Jan. 23 to March 19. Plus, Erese says, this program is the perfect way to train for the Amazing Race this spring. You can even invite a co-worker to the challenge and help keep each other motivated.

Log Your Progress: In this challenge, participants can choose from one of four activities: walking / running, cycling, swimming, or weight training. If you are unable to complete any of these activities – don’t worry. The Fit 4 Life program is able to convert almost any physical activity to calculate points.  Each day, participants log their exercise and intensity level—light, moderate or vigorous.

Level Up: There are three levels to go for! If you exercise for 20 minutes three times a week, you can achieve Level 1 with ease. If you exercise for 20 minutes, four times a week, you can reach Level 2 with no trouble. And if you exercise for 20 minutes, five days a week, you can attain Level 3 with confidence.

Sign up Now: Registration begins Jan. 17 to Feb. 3. Sign up online.

Employees requiring accommodation can email DHRWellness.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

More Volunteers Needed to Count the Homeless

550.

That’s how many employees the County would like to have volunteer to count the region’s homeless.

To date, about 400 County employees have signed up for this year’s Point-In-Time Count, so 150 more people are needed to give their time Friday, Jan. 27 from 3:45 a.m. to 7 a.m.

If you’re interested in volunteering, the deadline to register is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13.

Before you register, review the registration guidelines and FAQs and then obtain approval from your supervisor via the supervisor approval form.

Once you complete your supervisor approval form, you can register on the WeALLCount campaign website. After you register, you will complete a short LMS training.

The homeless count is so important, the Board has authorized employees to participate on paid County time.

The results of the homeless count are used to apply for federal funding to help the homeless and find solutions on how to best serve this at-risk population.

Last year, there were 8,692 homeless men, women and children in the San Diego region, the fourth largest homeless population in the nation behind New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Volunteers work in teams in specific locations and simply tally how many homeless people they see.

Last year, the 497 County employees who participated accounted for about a third of all volunteers.

Time is short, so if you are interested in participating, register for the count as soon as possible.  

PerkSpot Alert: Get Started at the Gym for Less

It’s easier than ever to keep your New Year’s resolution to get fit! Several gyms, including 24 Hour Fitness, Curves and Gold’s Gym, offer discounts to County employees. Visit PerkSpot and search for deals in the “Health & Wellness” category for further details.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts to County employees through hundreds of service providers and retailers, from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Using PerkSpot is both easy and free. Simply go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.

Note: The YMCA waives registration fees for County employees year round!

Resolution Accomplished

She had this New Year’s resolution for decades.

Not for 2017.

That’s because Crecencia Garibo-Soto, a licensed vocational nurse with the Health and Human Services Agency Central Region, learned to ride a bike at the age of…62.

Garibo-Soto’s desire to ride a bike started when she saw her brothers ride theirs while growing up in Acapulco, Mexico. But her parents could not afford to buy her one.  

When she moved to the United States, Garibo-Soto finally got a bike, but she could not balance it. She stopped trying, thinking she would never be able to learn.

But her dream never went away. At the age of 40, her son, Mario, bought her a bike and she tried again. She fell–twice.

Worried she would injure herself, Garibo-Soto’s son convinced her to stop.

Her desire to learn never went away.

Last year, she was talking to her co-workers at the County’s Public Health Center in City Heights and expressed her desire to learn how to ride.

Her co-workers advised her to take classes. One of them went even further. In April of last year, Jorge Lopez surprised her with a bike he got at a Goodwill store.  She learned that the San Diego Bike Coalition offers classes, so Garibo-Soto decided to enroll.

“After about five lessons, I was able to pedal the bike for a short distance,” said Garibo-Soto, adding that she can now cross riding a bike off her bucket list. “I got very emotional. It was a wonderful feeling. Since I learned, I feel stronger, lighter and happier.”

Garibo-Soto continued to practice and even went on her first group ride, but felt her riding was not at the same level as the other cyclists. She continued to improve her control and skills. Garibo-Soto carries her bike in her vehicle wherever she goes. At lunch she rides her bike, while her supervisor, Public Health Nurse Manager Jackie Kersey-Hardrick, walks beside her

“So far, my longest ride has been five miles,” Garibo-Soto said, who has lost 14 pounds since she started cycling and will be sending a photo to her son overseas.

Garibo-Soto still has trouble riding up and down hills so she stays on streets with little traffic. She is also getting better at letting go of the handlebars to use hand signals.

Today, Garibo-Soto rides with Walk+Bike Chula Vista. You can also find her riding around her neighborhood and on a bike path on J Street close to the Chula Vista Marina.

What are her resolutions for 2017? Buy a new bike and ride the 14 miles to and from work.

Will she accomplish them?

“Hopefully,” said Garibo-Soto, who also aspires to learn to kayak. “I will try my best.”

Employee Wellness Program Celebrates 5 Years

With the new year, comes new opportunities to get and stay healthy. See what's in store for the 2017 Employee Wellness Program as it celebrates five years of existence!  

InTouch - New Year, New Changes!

Happy New Year, everyone.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season. As much as I enjoy that time of year, I also love the clean-slate feeling you get when turning the calendar.  

Much will be new about this year besides changing the date.

We will soon have a new president and administration in Washington. Until the transition takes place, we won’t know what that will mean in terms of actual new policies. With the presidency and majorities in Congress under one party, the federal government may attempt to make sweeping changes very quickly. Changes could affect us in any number of ways at the local level. At this point, about all we can say is we’ll be watching developments carefully.

Closer to home, we have a new supervisor. We welcome Kristin Gaspar to our County family and look forward to working with her as our new District 3 supervisor. She was the first elected mayor of the City of Encinitas, where she was also on the city council. She has served on the Encinitas Educational Foundation and is a former president of the Encinitas Rotary Club. She has three young children and previously worked as the chief financial officer of Gaspar Physical Therapy.

Besides what she brings to her new job personally, her arrival is noteworthy for a couple reasons.

One is that this marks the start of regular change on our board. In two years, we’ll have two more new supervisors, as the term limits voters approved a few years back begin to affect our board seats. Then two years after that, two more board members will be termed out so we’ll see another two new faces. By the time Supervisor Gaspar finishes her first term, she will be the senior member of the Board of Supervisors!

We’ve been enjoying a run of nearly a quarter century of stability on our board. As an organization, we’ve gotten to know their expectations, and they’ve gotten to know how we operate.  We have developed trusting relationships and understand how to work collectively to achieve common goals.  Now the age of turnover is dawning, and the new era will take a little adjustment. We must push to solidify this Board’s legacy by carrying out their final term initiatives while also preparing for continuous shifts in future policy and priorities due to term-limit turnover.

A built-in state of flux has been a fact of life for many governments, and now it is for us as well. We’ll adapt.

Another major change Supervisor Gaspar represents is generational. She’s barely beyond the cutoff for classification as a millennial! Her colleagues on the board – like myself – are boomers. And we all know there is a big difference in the way different generations think and act. I’m certain exciting policy and procedural discussions are ahead.

It’s not just generational change on the Board of Supervisors you need to consider. Generational transition is happening throughout the County. It wasn’t long ago that we were talking about the coming millennial generation. Well, they’re here. A full third of our County workforce is now millennials. And, over the next decade, millennials will account for approximately 50 percent of our employee population. Don’t be fooled by stereotypical jokes about millennials. In fact, millennials are, hard-working, committed public servants, whose contributions in the workplace are growing. They are already stepping into leadership roles across our organization.

Government will probably never have the employee churn of private industry, but we’re also not as static as you may think. Nearly 32 percent of our employees have been with the County four years or less. That’s a lot of fresh members in our ranks, all needing to learn the ropes and understand what it means to work for the County. At the same time, they bring new ideas, curiosity and enthusiasm to what we do.

So, yes, of course, we’ve always had change. Now we’re going to experience even more of it. It’s important to realize that and be prepared. Get limbered up mentally, because we’ll likely need to be more flexible than we’ve ever been.

With that, get ready – change is exciting. Let’s go 2017!  

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Happy New Year, However You Say It!

We boast many different cultures, here at the County. Many of us speak various languages, but we all have one common wish for our colleagues: a happy New Year!

Sidewalk Survey App Walks Away with IT Innovation Award

Gary Ross (left) and Mikel Haas (right)

Our 2016 IT Innovator of the Year is helping to make the County more pedestrian-friendly.

Gary Ross, a senior GIS analyst, was recognized earlier this month for creating an app that greatly streamlined an evaluation of the walkability of more than 800 miles in the County’s unincorporated area.

In July 2015, the Department of Public Works was tasked with evaluating existing sidewalks and pathways around areas such as parks, schools, libraries, shopping centers and community centers. It required surveyors walk all those miles to examine and record the conditions. But rather than have them log observations in the field then re-enter the info back at the office, DPW teamed up with Ross in Land Use & Envirnoment Group's GIS unit to customize an existing software application to capture survey data in the field. So now there’s an app for that!

“I listened to what DPW needed and modified the app to collect the data we truly needed,” said Ross. “Surveyors could easily gather information on sidewalk materials, widths, grades, obstacles, driveway cuts and ramps along County-maintained roadways.”

A prototype of the app was developed over six weeks and tested by staff in Alpine over the summer. During testing, staff identified missing field entry options and coordinated with the LUEG GIS team to further enhance the app.

With the final app version completed and in hand, literally, four contract surveyors walked the routes with tablets and entered data into the app. The exact geolocation was determined with the use of a high power GPS unit connected to the tablet. Surveyors shared data collected daily with DPW through Wi-Fi and in just seven months all 800+ miles were covered.

In addition, the app helped increase accuracy of the recorded data and cut the labor costs for processing it.

Chief Information Officer Mikel Haas said the survey seemed overwhelming in scope—but with this application went from a “slog to a sprint.”

“Obviously a couple of field workers with clipboards wasn’t going to cut it,” said Haas.

Haas said that by sharing ideas, collaborating between departments, thinking innovatively, and using knowledge and skill, Ross came up with a solution and that makes him the IT Innovator of the Year.

The survey results were just the first step for DPW. The department has used the data to create a priority project master list and sidewalk improvements started last month. Crews began patch work on existing sidewalks throughout the County.

In addition, DPW has used the analysis results to apply for grant funding. It recently received notice that it was awarded a $7 million Caltrans grant for pedestrian and bicycle lane improvements in Lakeside.