Item B2C/3
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
C ounty of M onroe
Mayor Heather Carruthers, District 3
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron, District 2
TheFloridaKeys
Craig Cates, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
County Commission Meeting
February 19, 2020
Agenda Item Number: B.2
Agenda Item Summary #6556
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: County Administrator
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Lindsey Ballard (305) 292-4443
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Presentation of "Employee of the Year" to James Steffen, Veterans
Transportation Driver.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
James Steffen Employee of the Quarter Nomination&Support
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
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Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Kathy Peters Completed 01/29/2020 6:17 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 02/19/2020 9:00 AM
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MCAA Instruction 4000.12
Enclosure (1)
The mission of Monroe County is to provide outstanding public service responsive to the needs of
our citizens, our unique community, and our environment
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NAME OF NOMINEE: James Steffen
POSITION: VeteransTransportation DriverDEPARTMENT:Veterans Affairs
SUBMITTED BY:Decoltius DickersonTITLE: Administratorof Veterans Affairs
JUSTIFICATION:
AsaheroanddedicatedMonroe CountyemployeeIam submittingJimmyforthe employee ofthe quarter
award,honestlythisrecommendationislongoverdueashedeservestobe recognizedforhis
excellentworkethicinadditiontohisheroicactsperformedon October 23, 2019:
These aresome of the instancesthat make him a greatreflectionofandanassettothe County:
Jimmydrivesveteranstoandfrom the Miami VAHospitalthree daysaweekwhich isover 162miles eachway
andare typically12-hourdays. He handles the longdrive,challenging traffic, unpredictableweather,unforeseen
vehicle issuesandourveteranclientsin needoftransportationexemplarily.
Veteransmake a pointtocontact me orsomeonein ouroffice toraveabouthow much
theylove Jimmybecause he isalwayswilling togoaboveand beyondfor eachofthemmakingtheirdayeasier.
Also,there isaMiami VAemployeethatwasborn and raisedintheKeysand Jimmymakes it a prioritytograb
a Keysnewspapereverydayandbring it uptohim.Jimmydoesthissimplybecause heknowstheformer Keys
residentlikestostaycurrent on thingsthatarehappeninglocally.
Jimmy is a team player, he is always flexible and willing to do whatever he can to accommodate, with a
attitude.Recently the Veterans Transportation Program (VTP) schedule changed, and it affected Jimmy, he had
apositive attitude and was willing to do what was best for the office and his coworkers.
WhenJimmyisat theMiami VA,heis veryproactiveinkeepingthevehiclescleanandensuringtheyare
maintained properly,notonlyinthebestinterestofsafetybutbecausehetrulycares.
RecentlyJimmywasinhishome relaxing,when he heard screamingfrom outside.He
wentto seewhatitwasand quicklyrealizedsomeonehad fallen into thecanal andwas drowning. Jimmy
quicklyreactedandpulled thewomanto theedge ofthe canal,held herup,andkept her fromdrowninguntil
Monroe CountyFire Rescue/EMSwasonscene. Jimmyperformedthisheroicactionwithout regard for hisown
life.MonroeCountyFireRescue/EMSevaluated themandtransported bothtotheLowerKeysMedical Center,
whereJimmywasthenairliftedvia Trauma StartoMiamidue toadditionalhealthconcerns. He ultimatelysaved
welland safe; thewomanhassince sent hima
letter of appreciation.
Division Director Comments:
I stronglysupporttherecommendationasIfeelit
selectedasanominee for employeeof thequarter.I havefirsthandknowledge ofJimmyselflessserviceinhis
rolewithinthedepartment andasacommunitymember.Anotherrecentexample ofa complexsituationhandled
byJimmyinacalmand collectivemannerwaswheretheVTPvehiclestire blewoutatthe peakofthe7-mile
bridgebefore sunrise.Jimmytookproperprecautionsensuring the safetyofthe passengersto quickly
coordinatewithMonroeCountySheriffsOffice to move thevehicle andpassengerstoasafe location.Manyof
thepassengersthatdayapplaudedto act underpressurewithconfidenceandprofessionalism.
Inmyopinion Jimmymeetsthenomination criteriaineverycategoryand isagreat reflection uponhimself, the
Monroe CountyVeteransAffairsDepartment,andtheMonroe CountyBoardofCountyCommissioners.
Division Director Signature:
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