Gerry Koziol: A County 'Rock Star' - Pima County
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MARCH • 2021
Gerry Koziol: A County ‘Rock Star’
by Lilian von Rago
Gerry Koziol, Civil Engineering
Assistant for the Development
Services Department, has been with
Pima County for 35 years. He left
his home in western New York after
the collapse of the steel industry in
1985, moved to Tucson, and became
an employee of RWRD.
In 2017, during a County
consolidation, he was absorbed
into the Development Services
Department (DSD), where he
processes Wastewater Utility Fee
permits for unincorporated Pima
County. That entails providing sewer
information such as the location of
House Connection Sewers (HCS’s),
the location of sewer cleanouts,
investigating all sewer-related
questions and recommending
solutions that are equally fair to
Pima County and to its wastewater Gerry Koziol works from home processing Wastewater Utility Fee permits for
customers. All options are based on unincorporated Pima County.
Pima County Building Codes and advance the mission of Pima County. remotely now for DSD, we still hear
Pima County Ordinances. Gerry is universally loved and from him almost daily in his efforts
Gerry said: “I am happy to help respected by those who know to provide excellent customer
customers take care of their sewer and work with him. RWRD Deputy service. If there were an award for
issues and sewer informational Director Eric Wieduwilt said: Customer Service Employee of the
needs.” Asked where he sees himself “Gerry’s dedication to supporting Decade, Gerry would be the clear
in five years, he says he hopes to still the customers of RWRD through winner.”
be working for Pima County. Gerry his roles with both RWRD and DSD Development Services
genuinely enjoys working with goes beyond amazing. He gives Department Project Manager Mark
RWRD staff and with Pima County every customer his full attention and Masek said: “Gerry has no bias. He
Building Codes. He says there are works with them tirelessly to answer takes equally good care of Pima
many unsung heroes at Pima County a question or resolve a complex County (by making sure that County
who work hard, long, and smart to problem. While Gerry is working See “GERRY” Page 4
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD UPDATE ON VACCINE SHOTS FOR
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETINGS COUNTY EMPLOYEES
PAGE • 3 PAGE • 5DIRECTOR’S VIEW by Jackson Jenkins
Hard as it is to we have only been using about 20 On a different note, we are still
believe, spring percent of that biogas; now, we’ll working to keep the number of
is almost here! be able to treat the rest of it, so that COVID-19 cases down in Pima
Traditionally, spring it can be sold as natural gas. We’re County, so I’d like to remind you to
is thought of as a partnering with Southwest Gas to stay diligent about wearing your
time of fresh starts and new growth deliver the gas to our end users. mask, social distancing, and washing
(not to mention more comfortable This project has been more than your hands frequently. Remember
weather). That’s appropriate, three years in the making, and it’s that even small steps like this can
because we have some exciting fantastic that we’re finally ready to help save lives.
developments in the works here at take it to the next level. Not only As the old saying goes, “The only
RWRD. is this project going to benefit the constant in life is change.” At a time
One of those developments is the environment, but it will also provide of change, it’s good to take stock
long-awaited Biogas Cleaning and us with a new, ongoing revenue of your successes, and I’d say we
Utilization Project, which is finally source for RWRD—which means have a lot to be proud of here in our
on the verge of completion. This that we will not have to rely on rate department. I’m confident that the
will allow us to begin maximizing increases. This is something else we months ahead will continue to be
the use we make of the biogas that can be proud of: for the fifth straight successful ones for our utility. I wish
is generated at the Tres Ríos Water year, we will not have to raise sewer you all a happy March. Stay safe,
Reclamation Facility. In the past, user fees and wastewater utility fees. everybody!
SUSTAINABILITY CORNER by Justyn Dillingham
Sonoran Institute Highlights Changes in Santa Cruz
As relatively rare as flowing rivers meeting of the Pima County Regional environment for fish, along with
are in Arizona, more than 80 percent Wastewater Reclamation Advisory aquatic invertebrates such as
of the state’s wild plants and animals Committee. dragonflies.
depend on river habitats at some Pima County has been discharging The Sonoran Institute leads an
point in their life cycle. In our part of treated wastewater into the Santa annual fish survey to identify the
the state, that role is played by the Cruz River since the 1970s. However, different types of fish that live in the
Santa Cruz River. Winding its way the quality of that water has Santa Cruz River. In 2013, only one
back and forth across the border and greatly improved since 2013, when species—the Western mosquitofish—
then up through the heart of Pima major upgrades were made to the was found in the river. Since then, five
County, the river provides a haven for wastewater treatment process. The others have been found, including
numerous desert plants and animals. Sonoran Institute has been tracking the endangered Gila topminnow.
“We have a vision of the Santa the changes in the river since. “This little native fish came back
Cruz as a living, flowing river that In particular, the upgrades have to the river in 2017, presumably on
continues to be the foundation of our resulted in significantly lower levels its own,” Zugmeyer said. “We don’t
community’s health and prosperity,” of ammonia, a pollutant that is highly know how it got back into the river,
said Claire Zugmeyer, an ecologist at toxic to fish and other aquatic wildlife. but it was found downstream of the
the Sonoran Institute, a Tucson-based As the river enjoys cleaner water, Agua Nueva facility, and it’s persisting,
nonprofit group, at the most recent it has become a more hospitable which is really exciting.”
The Pipeline, an Award-Winning Publication
CONTRIBUTORS: MISSION STATEMENT BE A CONTRIBUTOR
Ken Coultas Jenette Lee Our mission is to protect the public health, Is there something happening in your Division?
safety, and the environment by providing On your team? In your office? We want to read
Jenelle Chraft Patsy Padilla quality service, environmental stewardship, about it! Share it with us by emailing
Justyn Dillingham Lilian von Rago and renewable resources. pipeline@pima.gov or call 724-6543.
Jackson Jenkins SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Please submit your stories for the April issue to
EDITOR pipeline@pima.gov by Friday, March 26. If you will
Justyn Dillingham be submitting a photo, please send as a separate
high-res JPEG attachment.
2 THE PIPELINE • March 2021HEALTH & SAFETY CORNER by Ken Coultas
Characteristics of Good Safety
Committee Meetings
According to the National Safety Council, organizations
with a higher percentage of their workforce on safety
committees have lower injury and illness rates. In
addition, safety committees are more likely to make
a meaningful impact on workplace safety when the
committees have strong and visible upper management
support. RWRD has a strong commitment to each of
these. Safety committee meetings are conducted in
each of our divisions. Additionally, safety meetings are
conducted with our safety coordinators and with the
Safety Training Committee that develops and presents
Annual Safety Training and In-Service Training.
What are some of the good characteristics of a safety
committee? The following are some characteristics that
safety committees should model:
• Safety committees are conducted in each division
and should focus on their specific area. location
• A centralized source to look for a potential overlap of • FEAP/COOP including updating coordinator lists
information with the division safety committees. • Review and update coordinator lists such as the Spill
• An effective committee leader that facilitates the Plan and SDS
meeting without being dominating or allowing • Review and update other authorized lists such as
someone to do so. First Aid, BBP, and Fall Protection Competent Person
• It follows a clear agenda. • General safety topics such as LOTO, PPE, Confined
• Works hard to keep enthusiasm and bring in new Space Entry, HazCom, etc.
members when the committee becomes stale. • Safety-related training topics and presentations
• Rotating the committee’s focus among a variety of Meeting minutes summaries should be memorialized
topics. on the Safety SharePoint site, and meetings should be
• Management participation to make realistic limited to 1 hour. Finally, meetings should be held at
decisions and recommendations. least monthly in the most critical areas where injuries are
• Employee participation to ensure their voice is most likely to occur.
heard. Safety committees at RWRD have been shown to be
• Requesting topics from employees prior to the informative, fun, and critical to the overall success of our
meeting. Safety Program. The above information provides basic
These are some great characteristics, with the safety committee fundamentals which vary from division
most important aspect being communication. Clear to division. By sharing safety information and identifying
communication from all levels of the department allows hazards, RWRD is a safer workplace and is trending
likely sources of injury to be identified and discussed, toward becoming an injury-free workplace.
causal factors to be identified, and the implementation
of measures that should be taken to eliminate similar SAFETY SHARE
future incidents. What are the topics that should be It’s rattlesnake season!
discussed in a safety committee meeting? You’re most likely to
Below are some of the topics that should be discussed encounter a rattlesnake
during a safety meeting: outdoors from mid-March
• Safety Share through October. Watch
• Recordable injuries and First Aid/Near Miss reports where you step, stay on
with recommended preventive actions the trail when hiking, and
• Safety procedures, including any updates never approach snakes.
• Safety issues pertinent to their specific division/
THE PIPELINE • March 2021 3CRAO Laboratory Undergoes Biannual Audit
by Jenelle Chraft
On January 12-14, 2021, the This year, however, due to the
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs pandemic, the audit involved four
Office (CRAO) Laboratory underwent auditors for three days and was
its biannual audit by the Arizona conducted as a “desk” or virtual
Department of Health Services. This audit. This meant that, in addition
audit usually involves three auditors to locating all the paperwork,
on site for three days. documents and raw data files
The auditors usually spend a day requested by the auditors, all of that
and a half going over laboratory paperwork also had to be scanned
documents, such as our 217-page and uploaded as electronic files and
Laboratory Quality Manual, our submitted to the auditors in a format
152-page Chemical Hygiene Plan, they could view.
106 different Method SOPs, Safety We chose to use a Dropbox to
documents, Quality Assurance upload all this virtual data into and
Documentation, and Laboratory gave the auditors access so that they
Personnel Training Records. These could review all of it. Getting all of
documents are all thoroughly this documentation ready took the
reviewed during the audit. In Laboratory Manager, Unit Supervisors,
addition, the auditors select at least Jack Van Riper Jr., Wastewater Laboratory staff from DMU and some additional
one sample from each method that Chemist, does lab work at the CRAO staff more than a week to prepare,
the Laboratory is licensed by the state Laboratory. while performing normal laboratory/
to perform. To prepare for this, the Laboratory job duties at the same time.
During the review process, the Unit Supervisors must locate the After all the preparation and
auditors may request additional paper raw data packets and copies of anticipation, the audit went
documents—such as instrument all the electronic data files from the very smoothly. The Lab received
maintenance manuals or Certificate instruments as well as files used to three emails and two phone calls
of Analysis records for chemicals merge the data with our Laboratory requesting additional information
used—if they have questions about Information Management System that which were fielded by the Unit
what they are reviewing. During keeps track of the data. In addition, Supervisors. No chemists or
the remaining day and a half, the the Data Management Unit (DMU) technicians were requested for
auditors would spend time in the must locate or produce the final interview. In all, the Lab received
lab areas watching and interviewing laboratory reports that are reviewed four minor findings and three
the chemists and technicians who and signed by the Laboratory recommendations which will be
perform the analyses. Manager. reviewed for correction.
“GERRY” FROM PAGE 1
about building Codes and Pima enjoy photography, yard work and
ordinances are adhered to) and the County Wastewater. He takes his weekend birthday trips to La Jolla. I
customer, by going over and above time explaining things to customers once worked at Pima County part-
to help them solve their problem. to ensure that they thoroughly time on weekends for 17 years. I
Every manager should have an understand County requirements.” enjoyed that as well.”
employee like Gerry.” Civil Engineering Manager Gerry’s sunny disposition is
DSD Chief Building Official Dan Lorenzo Hernandez said: evident by his answer to this
Ice said: “Gerry is the hardest- “Wastewater has a rock star in Gerry question: “What is your motto in
working and most dedicated Koziol.” Hernandez shares that life?” He said: “I enjoy today. The
individual I have ever known. It is sentiment with a constituent who now. Some people cannot wait until
an honor to be working with him at praised Gerry for calling him back at the weekend. I’m happy seven days
DSD. Engineering Plans Technician 6 p.m. when most employees have a week. I enjoy each and every day.”
Olivia Canez said: “Gerry loves already gone home for the day. Congratulations, Gerry. You are
his job. He LOVES his job. I wish I When asked about what he enjoys an exceptional employee of Pima
knew a fraction of what he knows doing in his free time, Gerry said: “I County!
4 THE PIPELINE • March 2021EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS by Jenette Lee
Safeguarding RWRD and Yourself: 5
Tips for Physical and Digital Security
Many people think enough, but it is easy to overlook such company information to outsiders
that security refers details and accidentally lose private or sources that seem the slightest bit
to the software and or confidential information. Loss of suspicious. Be cautious of opening
hardware that Pima data is not just dangerous; it is also emails that look strange and if you
County implements extremely inconvenient. Make sure have doubts, check with the person
in order to ensure you lock your things up safely before who has sent the mail personally. If it
the safety of the leaving for the day. is an unknown mail address, it may be
employees and assets of RWRD. While 2. Remain alert at all times. better not to click on it as it could be a
much of the responsibility to create Report any suspicious instances virus or scam. Similarly, don’t be liberal
a safe space for employees and to to higher authorities and security with confidential information over the
protect assets is on RWRD, employees personnel, such as unknown people phone.
can contribute significantly to ensure trying to gain entry into the office 5. Always ensure that your
that existing security measures premises, unannounced repair work devices are protected by a strong
are successful. RWRD put certain being done suddenly, and so on. Make password. Password protection is
provisions in place, but it also sure you report if security systems another important security measure
depends on the staff to follow them don’t appear to be working correctly. you must take when you are at work.
accordingly and proceed carefully to If you yourself are in a security Be sure never to leave your phone,
protect both RWRD and themselves. position, do not let unauthorized laptop or desktop unlocked, as
As an employee, it is up to you persons enter the premises. anyone may access these devices and
to safeguard yourself and RWRD’s 3. Notify your supervisor gain hold of your private information
information and assets as well. Below immediately if you notice that any or RWRD’s data. Be sure to lock your
are 5 simple tips: of your office equipment, such as computer if you leave your desk for
1. Take care of your belongings, hardware, drives, etc., are missing. any length of time. If you have a habit
such as your purse or wallet and Even if to your knowledge there was of forgetting passwords, keep them
your employee badge, as well as no important information on the relatable and don’t leave them written
RWRD hardware and/or documents missing device, report the loss to your down anywhere near the desk space.
containing important or sensitive supervisor immediately. For more information, see the
information. This sounds simple 4. Be very careful about divulging Recognize the Signs poster.
Update on Vaccine Shots for County Employees
by Justyn Dillingham
Since the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered effects are temporarily and will
vaccine was administered to an in Pima County, but low vaccine usually not last longer than 48 hours.
Arizonan in December, more than supplies led to the postponement of In order to ensure that people who
1 million people in Arizona have many appointments in late February. are at the highest risk of infection
received at least one dose of the Huckelberry also said that the get the vaccine as soon as possible,
vaccine. When will the vaccine be County has amended its Pandemic Arizona is following the CDC’s
available to Pima County employees? Leave policy to reflect the fact that recommendation to offer the vaccine
The tentative answer is: soon. some employees may need to in successive phases. Pima County
“At the current rate, employees may recuperate at home after receiving employees fall into Phase 1, which is
be able to start getting vaccinated the vaccine. currently in progress.
as soon as the end of March,” said Many people have reported fever, The priority groups are:
Pima County Administrator Chuck fatigue, and other mild effects • Phase 1A. Healthcare workers
Huckelberry on February 19, 2021. after getting their vaccine shot, and healthcare support
The schedule will depend on the particularly after the second dose. occupations, emergency medical
availability of vaccine doses, he said. According to the Centers for Disease services workers, and long-term
More than 200,000 doses of the Control and Prevention, the side See “VACCINE” Page 6
THE PIPELINE • March 2021 5RWRAC MEETING UPDATE by Justyn Dillingham
The Pima County Regional development at Canoa Ranch, and not met recently, but said that
Wastewater Reclamation Advisory talked about meeting with each of they would meet soon to elect a
Committee (RWRAC) held its monthly the three newest members of the new chair. Capital Improvement
meeting virtually on February 25, Pima County Board of Supervisors: Project (CIP) Subcommittee Chair
2021. Matt Heinz, Adelita Grijalva, and Matt Matthewson said that the CIP
Claire Zugmeyer, an ecologist at Rex Scott. subcommittee would not be meeting
the Sonoran Institute, presented data Division Manager Michele until June.
from the institute’s most recent Living Milensky, of the Pima County FRMD Administration Support
River Report. She discussed the role Finance and Risk Management Services Manager Mandy Armenta
that the Santa Cruz River plays in our Department (FRMD), reviewed the provided an expense and revenue
local ecosystem and the increased 2021 Rate Workbook. She said that summary for Period 7 of the 2020-
fish diversity that has happened since there is no need for a rate change any 21 fiscal year. Finally, Mark Taylor
upgrades were made to the water time in the near-future, based on the provided a report from the Citizens’
reclamation facilities that discharge current numbers. Water Advisory Committee.
effluent into the river. RWRAC Financial Subcommittee The RWRAC will hold its next
RWRD Director Jackson Vice-Chair Mark Taylor said that meeting virtually on Thursday,
Jenkins gave a brief update about the financial subcommittee has March 25, 2021.
COMINGS AND GOINGS “VACCINE” FROM PAGE 5 time. All other county employees will
by Patsy Padilla care facility staff and residents. be vaccinated in Phase 1B or Phase
• Phase 1B (priority). Education 1C.
NEW HIRES – Welcome! and childcare workers, protective There is no cost for county
Andrew Higgins
services occupations, and adults employees to be vaccinated.
Industrial Electrician
Treatment Division
65 and older. The CDC advises that even after
Joshua Murray • Phase 1B. Essential services and you have received both doses of the
WW O&M Technician critical industry workers, adults vaccine, it is important to continue
Treatment Division with high-risk conditions in wearing a mask, social distancing,
Gabriel Triste congregate settings. and taking other precautions to
WW Heavy Duty Maintenance Technician • Phase 1C. Adults 65 and older, prevent transmission of the virus.
Treatment Division adults living in congregate
PROMOTIONS – Congratulations! settings, and adults of any HAPPY
Gilbert Aguirre
WW Conveyance System Monitor
age with high-risk medical
conditions.
BIRTHDAY
to all those celebrating in
Conveyance Division County employees who fall into the
Armando Cordova
Administrative Services Manager
Phase 1A or priority Phase 1B groups
may sign up for the vaccine at any
MARCH!
Treatment Division
Dion Kalastro A Note to Our Readers
WW Heavy Duty Maintenance Technician We’re moving, folks! RWRD’s Community
Treatment Division
Relations team has merged with the Pima County
Ian Sentz
Communications Office.
WW Conveyance System Monitor
Conveyance Division Program Coordinator Justyn Dillingham and
William Welchert Special Staff Assistant, Sr. Lilian von Rago have
WW Heavy Duty Maintenance Technician moved to the third floor of the Public Works
Treatment Division building, where they will join the new Public Works
RETIREMENTS – Farewell! Communications team. Program Coordinator Jennifer Tate has joined the
Esther Deschamps Graphic Design team at the Pima County Print Shop.
Administrative Specialist, Senior In their new roles, Justyn, Lilian, and Jennifer will continue to support
Administrative Division RWRD while branching out to serve the rest of Public Works.
W. Marc Brunson Please email publicworkscommunications@pima.gov for all
Equipment Operator - Landfill Communications requests, including website updates, in the future.
Treatment Division
6 THE PIPELINE • March 2021You can also read
