Winner in IDC Government Insights' 7th Annual Smart Cities North America Awards!
The city of Las Vegas has won the IDC Government Insights’ 7th Annual Smart Cities North America Award in the Data-Driven Policy category. This accomplishment was attained through public voting, where we competed against such distinguished cities as Austin, Texas, and New York, New York. The award will be presented May 9 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The awards were designed to recognize the progress North American states and municipalities have made in executing Smart Cities projects, as well as provide a forum for sharing best practices to help accelerate Smart City adoption.
This was truly a team effort by the Innovation & Technologies staff. Special recognition goes to Rebekah Holder and Anthony Vogel, who compiled and submitted the application, as well as Advanced Technologies project team members Craig Andrews, Rana Marri, Scott Stevens, Ray Christensen and Allen Tyson.
Ryan Smith Funeral Services
Funeral services for Economic & Urban Development Director Ryan Smith will be held April 5 in Ada, Michigan. See details in his obituary here. Ryan's family is contemplating a celebration of life for him here in Las Vegas during the first week of May. Updates will be passed along when arrangements are finalized.
"The Road To Helldorado Days" Documentary Now On KCLV-TV 2
The annual Helldorado Days Parade is approaching May 11, and The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial is celebrating the season with a new documentary, “The Road to Helldorado Days.” The hour-long film will be broadcast on KCLV-TV Channel 2 at the following times:
- 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, and
- 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, with additional replay times at KCLV.tv.
Funded by a grant from the Commission, the new film by Heather Caputo Productions documents the history of Helldorado Days, from its beginnings as a tourist attraction in 1935 to fund a new Elks Lodge, until today.
The Helldorado Days Parade, an annual event celebrating our diverse city and its history, is accepting applications from the community to participate in the 2024 parade, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. The application deadline is April 26, 2024, and application may be made online in English or Spanish at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Helldorado. There is no fee to enter the parade, which will take place on Fourth Street downtown between Gass and Stewart avenues. May 15 is the 119th anniversary of the land auction in 1905, which marks the beginning of Las Vegas. For more information on the Helldorado Days Parade, call 702.229.4859.
Department Spotlight: Community Development
Need a business permit? Have a neighbor with a green pool? Have a plan for a future site? Who should you call? The Community Development Department! Check out this fun video explaining what they do and who they help.
New Citywide Custodial Contracts Begin April 1
Beginning Monday, April 1, Lady Luck Cleaning will be providing custodial cleaning services at City Hall as well as the Municipal Courthouse, and ABM Industry Group will be servicing all other city facilities. We would like to ask everyone to be patient during this change and to email the Facilities Management Service Center at FOService@LasVegasNevada.GOV with any requests, questions or concerns during this time. The service desk email is also the best way to submit a request or ask a question of Facilities Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Executive Spotlight
We are continuing our new feature -- the Executive Spotlight -- in the Weekly Update. As a way for employees to get better acquainted with the city’s leadership team, an executive will be highlighted each week. All of them will answer the same five questions. We continue with our City Attorney Jeff Dorocak!
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What is the weirdest job you’ve ever had? During law school, I served as a research assistant for a professor who had been teaching for a thousand years! I would say it is the most interesting job I have had, as it required me to attend dinner at his regular restaurant, where I had the privilege of hearing his captivating stories.
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Tell us something about yourself that may surprise us. I still love a good childhood candy that’s not chocolate: SweeTARTS, Sprees, and Skittles.
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What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing your current one?
My father was a firefighter paramedic, and my mother was a nurse. With a family rooted in the medical field, I would have likely chosen a career in healthcare. Additionally, I would have aspired to join the Foreign Service, contributing my skills to the U.S. Department of State.
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What is your favorite movie or line from a movie? My top two favorite movies would have to be “Darkest Hour” (2017) and “Ghostbusters” (1984). A few of my preferred lines are “Tell me this isn’t a government operation” from the iconic “Apollo 13,” the classic “Strong men also cry” from “The Big Lebowski,” and “Always be closing” from “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
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What do you love best about living in Southern Nevada?
Southern Nevada provides an endless entertainment scene, from Cirque du Soleil to Barry Manilow to sporting events. It is also known for great restaurants, like Esther’s Kitchen, and bars like The Phoenix (on Sahara Avenue). In addition to the city’s diverse characteristics, the outdoor spaces for dogs are a benefit of living in wonderful Southern Nevada.
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Left: Jeff's dogs Jax and Cookie. Center: Jeff and his partner Harry Avery. Right: Harry with Jax and their first dog Biscuit.
Left: Jeff at work. Next: Mayor Goodman with Harry and Jeff August 2023 as Jeff is sworn in as City Attorney. Next: Ryan Smith, Jeff and Seth Floyd figuring out the city's parking meter. Right: Jeff after a long day of legal work, with his dogs Cookie and Jax.
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Join The 2024 Corporate Challenge
Team Vegas!
Corporate Challenge is in full swing! We are currently in fourth place overall. Become part of this fantastic team and help boost Team Vegas to first place!
We still need a captain for badminton! If you are interested in participating in any event, please contact the team captain (see list) or call Jennifer Winder at 702.229.5177 or Jordyne Duncan at 702.229.5182.
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Make sure to check out the schedule on the Corporate Challenge webpage to see the posted calendar of events.
Congratulations to the Table Tennis team! They took sixth place overall and Michelle Thung and Lia Grimaldi won the silver medal in Women's Doubles.
Come support Team Vegas at upcoming events this week:
- Bpong at Joe's Bar, 2851 N. Rancho Drive, Saturday, March 30, at noon.
- Flag Football at All-American Park Wednesday, April 3, at 6 p.m.
Not sure where to sign up? See the opportunities below.
5K – Men and women are needed in all age brackets. See the list below. The competition is scheduled Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 a.m. at Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex. Contact Amy Veras at 702.229.0323 or averas@lasvegasnevada.gov to join the team.
Outdoor Sand Volleyball – One woman is needed for the team. Contact Michelle Thung at 702.229.6625 or at mthung@lasvegasnevada.gov. The competition is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
Swimming – We are in need of a male and female swimmer in every age category for the following races: 200-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard individual medley, 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke. There are also the 200-yard coed medley relay and 200-yard coed freestyle relay, both with no age brackets. The competitions are Sunday, April 14, at noon. Contact Danny Malloy at dmalloy@lasvegasnevada.gov or at 702.229.1493.
Trap/Skeet shooting – Contact Jeffery Galliher at 702.229.4864 if you want to participate. He is willing to train you! The competition will be held Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clark County Shooting Complex.
Pickleball - Female players needed! If you want to play, please contact Barry Hicks at 702.229.2160. The competition will be Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. at the Durango Hills Park courts.
Walk Race - Not interested in running a 5K? Well how about walking a 4K instead? We are looking for men and women of all ages to participate. The 2.4-mile event of fast walking will be at the Kellogg Zaher Soccer Complex at 7901 W. Washington Ave. Thursday, April 25, 15 5:30 p.m. Contestants will need to report no later than 4:45 p.m. This is an individual event and each walker has the ability to score points for Team City; you do not need to be an extreme athlete to participate. It's more important that we compete in every age bracket, both men and women. Contact Christine Wittwer at cwittwer@lasvegasnevada.gov. See the updated age brackets needed below:
Tennis – Still looking for one woman for the team. Please contact Brian Carroll at 702.229.3234 or at bcarroll@lasvegasnevada.gov for more information. The competition is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Darling Tennis Center.
Horseshoes – Still need one male to participate in a co-ed team. Contact Marcus Diaz at 702.332.9062 for more information. The competition is 8 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Justice Myron E. Leavitt and Jaycee Community Park.
Charity Challenge – If you volunteer at church, coach a sports team, lead a youth group, give your time to a nonprofit, or otherwise help out in the community, you can earn bonus Corporate Challenge points for Team Las Vegas by completing a form and sending it in. Every 10 hours of volunteering for a local charity earns the team one point. We combine all the employee volunteer hours together, so whether you complete one hour or 100, you help the team. Email Linda Lagoy at llagoy@lasvegasnevada.gov for the Charity Challenge Community Service Tracking Sheet form, follow the instructions and return the completed form by email or inter-office to the Stupak Community Center no later than May 1.
Donate Blood - We get extra points for anyone who donates blood. If you are interested in donating and having it count for Team Vegas, contact Sandy Henley at 702-229-2362.
If you are interested in participating in any event, please contact the team captain or Jennifer Winder at 702.229-5177 or Jordyne Duncan at 702.229.5182. Make sure to check out the schedule on the Corporate Challenge web page to see the posted calendar of events.
Upcoming Events
Tina Hayes Retirement Gathering Today At 10 A.M.
Special Events Business Specialist Tina Hayes is retiring from the city team after 24+ years. Tina worked in the Public Works Film Office for many years and served on the Employee Recognition Committee. With your supervisor's approval, come say goodbye Wednesday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall in first-floor Training Room 3. Tina was honored at the last City Council Meeting as the March Employee of the Month!
Food Truck Thursday March 28
In the mood for something different for lunch this week? Food Truck Thursday offers up some delicious options from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28, on Clark Avenue across from Municipal Court. Food trucks rotate every other Thursday to add variety for lunch options. This week's Food Truck Thursday will feature Pizza Stoned and Le Faim. Expected food trucks are subject to change without notice.
City Hall Fire Alarm Testing Friday, March 29
From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 29, Facilities will be testing fire elevator recall and related devices on all floors of City Hall. Elevators will be in and out of service throughout the day. This will be a silent test. Call James Wulff at ext. 4826 with questions or concerns.
Free Flag Football Team Tickets To April 27 Game
The Las Vegas Lucky 7s, a new professional flag football team playing at Cashman Field, has offered the public one free ticket per person to its opening game at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Click the button below for more information and to reserve your ticket to the opening game.
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