To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Recognizing the contributions of Karen Piona on the occasion of her retirement from Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution recognizing the contributions of Karen Piona on the occasion of her retirement from Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Public Works Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact
BACKGROUND:
Please see the attached resolution.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing the contributions of Karen Piona on the occasion of her retirement from Contra Costa County.
WHEREAS, in October 1997, Karen began her career with the Mt. Diablo Municipal Court as a Clerk - Experienced Level and in September 1998, Karen was promoted to a Clerk - Senior Level in the Walnut Creek Superior Court, where she prepared calendars for three courtrooms and assisted the public with their court case requests. In October 1999, Karen transferred to the Martinez Superior Court, where she processed cases transferred from Municipal Courts, prepared records and reports for judges, and assisted the public and attorneys; and
WHEREAS, in September 2000, Karen accepted a secretary position with the Department of Conservation and Development and provided administrative support to the Zoning Administrator, and processed staff reports for various commissions and boards; and
WHEREAS, in March 2006, Karen accepted a Clerk - Senior Level position with the Public Works Department’s Design Division and provided administrative support for Design staff, including project specifications and proposals, and processed staff reports; and
WHEREAS, in December 2008, Karen accepted an Engineering Records Technician position in the Public Works Department’s Records Section and in 2016, Karen was reclassified to an Engineering Records Technician Specialist; and
WHEREAS, Karen received multiple recognitions during her career. In 2007, Karen was recognized by her fellow employees with a Pixie Award for her hard work and dedication, and in 2007, 2010, and 2014, Karen was recognized as a Team Leader for the County Care Holiday Food Fight; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Karen was nominated for the J. Michael Walford Team of the Year Award for the Records Team’s process improvement work to implement Laserfiche and her participation in a Laserfiche 101 training for department staff; and
WHEREAS, Karen was an instrumental part of a team that implemented a new electronic records management system for the department, which streamlined management of electronic records and replaced at-risk historical documents with electronic versions, and Karen verified data on numerous engineering records that are now available on an electronic public portal; and
WHEREAS, Karen provides excellent customer service to staff and the public, manages records in off-site storage, and because of her dedication, the amount of records in off-site storage is significantly reduced, resulting in cost savings to the department; and
WHEREAS, Karen volunteered for several committees to improve department operations and communication, including the Public Works Safety Committee, the Newsletter Committee, and Holiday Food Fight; and
WHEREAS, Karen is wished the best in her retirement!
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that Karen Piona be recognized, upon her retirement, for 28 years of dedicated service to Contra Costa County and for the high quality of work performed by her during her career.
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