By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The annual presentation of service awards to employees of the city of Hays looked different this year.
"Typically, we're standing room only with employees and their families, and all the way down the hallway is full," said Human Resources Director Erin Giebler at Thursday's city commission meeting. "A lot of our employees are watching this at home."
The coronavirus pandemic forced a change in the 2020 presentation, which was included in the regular livestream of the meeting.
Of the 28 awards noted, only two longtime employees accepted their recognition plaques in person, and there were no handshakes.
Finance Director Kim Rupp introduced Brenda Kitchen, city clerk, and Lori Hertel, accounting specialist.
Kitchen has worked 40 years for the city of Hays while Hertel has been with the city for 45 years.
The pair posed with city commissioners for a picture, all standing slightly apart and everyone wearing a face mask.
"We have a great working environment," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor, "and it starts at the top. I want to thank Toby for that. I think we have real leadership in our department heads."
Toby Dougherty, city manager, and Giebler were both recognized for 15 years of working for the city.
City of Hays 2020
Employee Service Awards
5-Year Awards
Shanna Koster –
Shanna was hired into her current role as an Account Clerk in 2015.
Lisa Beilman – Lisa joined the City
as the Administrative Assistant for the Fire Department five years ago. Grady Keith - Grady began with the Hays
Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter in 2015. He became a full-time
Firefighter in 2018 and two years later was promoted to Senior Firefighter.
Shirley McDonald – Shirley started
with the City in 2015 as the Part-time Receptionist for Public Works. She was
promoted to Public Works Administrative Assistant in 2019.
Joe Billinger – Joe joined the City
in 2015 as an Inspector and two years later was promoted to Lead Inspector.
This year Joe took on his latest role as the City’s Stormwater Superintendent.
Jake Erickson – Jake was hired as a
Maintenance Worker I in 2014 for the Service Division and has worked his way up
to the Senior Maintenance Worker position.
Mike Bliss – Mike currently holds
the position of Senior Maintenance Worker after starting with the City five
years ago as a Maintenance Worker I for the Service Division.
Chris Smith – Chris is currently the
Superintendent for the Parks Department. Dan Bucher – Dan was hired in 2015 for
the Sports Complex and has been a Maintenance Worker I, Maintenance Worker II,
and is now a Park Technician.
Dakota Reese – Dakota joined the
City as a Police Officer in 2015. He was promoted to Master Police Officer in
2019 and less than a year later was promoted again to Police Corporal which is
his current title.
Phillip Gage – Phillip rejoined the
City after a short break in 2015 as a Police Officer. Phillip currently serves
as a Sergeant in the Police Department.
10-Year Awards
Erin Giebler –
Erin was hired with the City in 2010 as the HR Assistant and a year later was
promoted to her current role of Director of Human Resources.
Johnny Rupp – Johnny started with
the Solid Waste Division in 2010 as a Recycling Collector after working a
summer as a Parks Seasonal Worker. He was promoted to Maintenance Worker I in
2015, Maintenance Worker II in 2017 and to his current role as Senior
Maintenance Worker in 2018.
Travis Hageman - Travis Hageman
began with the Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter in 2009. Two
years later he was hired on full time and, in 2019, was promoted to Senior
Firefighter.
15-Year Awards
J.B. Burkholder –
J.B. joined the Hays Police Department in 2005 as a Police Officer. In 2011 he
took on additional investigator duties until 2014 when he became a Detective.
Greg May – Greg was hired by the
Hays Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter in 2005 and joined the
department full time the following year. Greg is currently a Senior
Firefighter.
Mark Augustine – Mark began in the
Parks Department as a Maintenance Worker in 2005. He was promoted to Park
Technician in 2009 which is his current role today.
Stan Moore – In 2005, Stan joined
the Police Department as an Animal Control Officer and continues to serve the
City in this position.
Toby Dougherty - Toby was hired by
the City in 2005 as the Assistant City Manager and later was appointed to City
Manager.
David Vilaysing - David began his
employment with the Hays Police Department in 2005 as a Police Officer. In
2014, David was promoted to Police Corporal and earlier this year David was
promoted to his current position of Police Sergeant.
20-Year Awards
John Braun – In 2000, John was hired by
the City of Hays as an Engineering Technician and later took over the
Engineering Superintendent position. John was also the Assistant Director of
Public Works for many years until he was appointed as the Project Manager in
2017.
Troy Basgall – Troy began his career
at the City as a Refuse/Recycling Collector. In 2007, Troy was promoted to the
position of Senior Maintenance Worker which is his current role.
Marvin Honas – Marvin was hired in
2000 as the Solid Waste Superintendent and has been serving in this position
for the last 20 years.
Brian Dawson – Brian Dawson began
with the Hays Police Department as a Police Officer and a year later was
promoted to a School Resource Officer. After many years as a School Resource
Officer, Brian was promoted to Police Lieutenant and then was named the Deputy
Chief of Police.
25-Year Awards
Dusty Degenhardt – Dusty joined the City
in 1995 as a Refuse Collector. Three years later he moved to the Service
Division where he is currently working as a Senior Maintenance Worker.
Aaron Dome – Aaron Dome began at the
Water Treatment Plant in 1994 where he held positions as a Plant Trainee, Plant
Operator I, and Plant Operator II. In 2006 Aaron decided to make a career
change and joined the Hays Fire Department as a Firefighter. He was promoted to
Lieutenant in 2015 and then again in 2018 to his current position of Fire
Captain.
40-Year Awards
Brenda Kitchen – Brenda was hired by the City in the Clerk’s Office in 1980. Brenda has continued her 40 years of employment within the Clerk’s Office where she has held most of the Clerk’s Office positions including her current position as City Clerk.
45-Year Awards
Lori Hertel – In 1975, Lori joined the City Clerk’s Office. She began in billing but has held many jobs within the department during her tenure. She has spent most of her career in her current position, Accounting Specialist.