VOL UME 6 ISSUE 2
MARCH 3, 2 01 5
We Keep the College Going
EPCC Physical Plant
Director’s Corner
The year continues to move forward quickly. It is hard to
believe that we are already in the month of March and
preparing for Spring Break.
I want to thank everyone for their patience in dealing
with the unusually diverse temperature swings that we
have experienced this year.
Going from highs in the 70’s to lows in the 40’s and back
again make it very difficult on our HVAC systems and
personnel.
We are doing all we can to ensure your comfort. I wish
you a relaxing Spring Break. Be careful and see you soon.
Rick Lobato, Physical Plant Executive Director
Inside This Issue
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
Director’s Corner
Physical Plant Staff
Recycling News
Sustainability News
Emp. Of the Month
More Xmas
Daylight Saving Time
TAPPA Conference
Gratitude
Safety Tips
Work Orders
Gasoline Use
Campus Happenings
Staff Birthdays
Grounds News
Location Guess
Utilities
A rock wall is being built to surround the proposed Botanical Garden that will fill the area
inside the wall at the Mission del Paso Campus.
PAGE 2
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
MARCH 3, 2015
Condolences for Staff Member’s Loss
The staff of the Physical Plant would like to extend our
condolences to Daniel Curiel, Construction Worker, and
his wife Elvia Curiel, Administrative Assistant in the office
of the Dean of Health Career & Tech. Education, Math &
Science at the Rio Grande Campus, on the passing of his
father, Mr. Daniel Curiel Monroy.
Danny has been at EPCC for 21 years, 14 of them as part
of the Physical Plant.
Mr. Curiel Monroy’s passing, on February 11th, came 24
days after he had suffered both a heart attack and a
stroke. The Cd. Juarez native then recovered from both
and had been released from the hospital.
We offer our support to Daniel, his wife and children, and
his seven siblings, in any way that we can help during this
time.
Daniel Curiel
Physical Plant Employee Honored at ASC
Julio Alarcon, Campus
Technician at the ASC “B”
building, was honored as the
Employee of the Month for the
month of February 2015.
Josette Shaughnessy,
Associate Vice President of
Budget and Financial Services,
made the presentation along
with Octavio Gonzalez,
Facilities Manager.
Julio began working at ASC in
May of 2012 after acquiring an
Associate degree in HVAC
from EPCC. He came to EPCC
after working at local maquilas
for over thirty years in various
positions.
We congratulate Julio on his
well-deserved honor.
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
EPCC Recycling Program Reaches Milestone
(Amounts are in tons)
The EPCC Recycling Program
wants to thank everybody that has
made a success of our program
during the last 5 years.
Every ton of recycled paper saves
70 trees and 2 barrels of oil, and
since the majority of recyclables is
paper, EPCC has saved an
average of 50,960 trees and 1,456
barrels of oil.
We encourage our staff, faculty,
and students to pitch in and have
a positive impact in our community
by applying the 4 R’s:
REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC Auto Shop Reduces Energy Consumption by up to 50%
Salvador Rubio, Auto Lab Assistant, informed the Recycling
Program that the Automotive Technology Department has
recently acquired a new energy-saving compressor to
replace one that has been used for the last 20 years.
The GA11VSD Compressor requires between 20 to 50% less
energy to operate and produces reduced noise levels. It
also has fewer components for lower maintenance and
increased uptime.
Mr. Rubio said, “The vertical design takes up less work
space than the traditional horizontal compressors. So it has
a small footprint in the shop. This compressor will provide 12
outlets we can use to inflate tires, operate power tools, and
to dry paint and other elements.”
We congratulate the Auto Shop on their new sustainable
compressor which will benefit the students and apply green
to our technology. This article will be a regular part of this
newsletter to highlight sustainability that any department is
using. Please send an e-mail to the Recycling Program at
mcorde30@epcc.edu and let us spread the word about
how EPCC is becoming greener every day.
More Refill Stations to be Installed
Eleven more Refill Stations are to be installed at six
EPCC sites to replace or complement the existing,
traditional water fountains. Since their installation,
the stations have been used thousands of times, as
indicated by the attached counters.
The refill station located at the Valle Verde Campus
“C” building shows that it has been used to refill
bottles 17,058 times (as of 02-02-15) since being
installed in February 28, 2014, an average of 1,550
uses per month.
The Recycling Program hopes to continue reducing
the number of empty plastic water bottles that wind
up being tossed in the recycling bins, and also,
unfortunately, in the trash cans, and eventually in the
local landfill.
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 5
Custodial Team Honored as Employee of the Month at ASC
Even though they are not EPCC
employees, four GCA Services
Day Porters were chosen as the
Employee of the Month for the
month of January 2015 by the
ASC Campus Improvement
Team. They were recognized for
their Outstanding Performance at
a gathering on Friday, 01-30-15.
Josette Shaughnessy, Associate
Vice President of Budget and
Financial Services, related the
various reasons why all four were
chosen in the same month. She
said, “The January 2015
Employee of the Month has given
the ASC employees a priceless
gift! And that gift is given with
cheerfulness over and over and
over again. Giving this gift is very
hard work. It actually takes an
entire team to make this gift
possible.”
Pictured above are:
(Front Row) – Letty Rodriguez (B bldg.), Marina
Pasillas (A bldg.), Maria Gamboa (B bldg.), and
Angelica Santoyo (A bldg.),
(Back Row) – Peggy Williams, GCA Services Senior
Regional Manager, and Ruben Chavez,
Account Manager.
Ms. Shaughnessy added how the team has gone the extra mile to help return lost items,
such as jewelry and iPads, and make sure they are returned or turned in to the EPCC
Police. As well as how they restore facilities to pristine condition after an event, which
occurs daily in the Boardroom, Auditorium, and Conference rooms in both buildings.
The team also attends quickly to messes that occur, while few of us realize all the work
that goes into keeping things so nice. Each lady on this team works hard to help keep our
facilities a pleasant place to work or visit. The team often goes above and beyond on a
regular basis, and the pride in their work is always evident in their attention to detail.
Ms. Shaughnessy also said, “Maintaining clean, comfortable facilities is the priceless gift
that these ladies chosen as Employee of the Month provide to all of the ASC employees
and visitors each and every day.”
Mr. Chavez announced that GCA Services was awarding all four custodians one paid
day off of their choice in recognition of this honor. This is the second time that Angelica
Santoyo has been chosen Employee of the Month.
We congratulate the team and agree that EPCC is lucky to have them with us.
PAGE 6
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC Family Keeps on Giving
We are happy to inform everyone that the Christmas Spirit lives on into the new year. On
Saturday January 31st, Mayra Villalobos-Cordero, Environmental Specialist, continued the
work we started in December. After the Christmas Drive gifts were delivered, the children
were measured for their shoe size.
Thanks to an extra donation from Helga Carrion, a teacher at Rio Grande Campus for 29
years, 40 pairs of shoes and 80 pairs of socks were purchased for the the children who
needed them. The children at the Comedor Infantil Corazones Felices each received a
pair of shoes and two pairs of socks.
Mayra told us, “The kids were very excited and could not wait to put on their new shoes,
even though we had to teach some of them how to tie the laces.”
The donations and help that made the gift of shoes and socks possible are just another
example of the the very large heart of the EPCC family. We thank you all for your
generosity and love which, apparently, have no limit.
Daylight Saving Time to Begin
You cannot travel through time…except on Sunday morning at
2:00 am, March 8, 2015, when you can travel for one hour because
that is the time when Daylight Saving Time begins and lasts until
November 1st.
The reasons given for changing so early are: that is when the fewest
trains are running, it is early enough for the entire continental U.S. to
switch before daybreak and it occurs before the early churchgoers
and the early work shift starts. Do not forget to change your clock,
and we will see you at 8 am DST on Monday morning.
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 7
Physical Plant Reps to Attend TAPPA Conference in Dallas
The EPCC Physical Plant, which hosted the TAPPA 2014 Educational Conference and
Business Partner Fair last March, will send representatives to this year’s conference in
Dallas in March.
This conference, hosted by Southern Methodist University, provides the opportunity for
members to attend educational sessions, network with peers, view the latest industry
technology, and obtain industry credentialing. The keynote speaker of the conference,
which will be held from March 28th to the 31st, will be Christine Regis, VP for Business and
Finance at SMU.
A large portion of the attendees of the 2014 TAPPA Conference which was held
at the Camino Real Paso del Norte Hotel in downtown El Paso.
(Photo compliments of TAPPA web site)
PAGE 8
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
MARCH 3, 2015
Response to New Refill Station at Rio Grande Campus
Eleven new Refill Stations are being installed to complement the eight existing fountains
throughout the district. Mayra Cordero, Environmental Specialist, received an e-mail from
an instructor at Rio Grande Campus, which echoed comments she has received from
other campuses, and she wants to share it with everyone.
From: Kirby, Brian
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 3:57 PM
To: Cordero Rios, Mayra P.
Subject: An E-Note of Gratitude
Hi Mayra,
I’m dropping a quick line to you. Why? Because I would like to express my
genuine gratitude for your role in having the filtered-water-fountain installed
on the Rio Grande Campus!
First and foremost, the environmental impact is going to be MONUMENTAL!
I drink two, three bottles of water daily. My imprint alone is going to be diminished
by 60 to 100 bottles every month! That means by this time next year the number
of plastic bottles polluting the planet will be lighter by around a cool and even
thousand!
Secondly, the amount of money that I’m going to save by virtue of not doling out
a buck-and-a-quarter for each bottle of water is, again, going to be MONUMENTAL!
I’ll easily save $50 to a hundred bucks a month simply by using the filtered-waterfountain while I’m at the Rio Grande Campus.
Lastly, because the filtered-water-fountain is located on the 2nd floor and my office
is on the 5th, the amount of exercise I’m getting by going up-and-down the stairs is
only going to continue to be beneficial. I am so extremely happy about the installation
of this filtered-water-fountain that I had to let you know about its success and its impact
on my life: less pollution, more money, and greater health! In all sincerity, thank you!
Sincerely,
Brian
Brian F. Kirby
Assistant Professor of English
Phi Theta Kappa Advisor
El Paso Community College – Rio Grande Campus
100 W. Rio Grande Ave.; Office B-507
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 831-4092
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 9
The El Paso County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 10
MARCH 3, 2015
Physical Plant Work Orders for January 2015
During January 2015, the Physical Plant department received 351 Work Order Requests
and 114 Design Work Requests, Set-up Requests, and Property Control Records, for a total
of 465 requests, a 45% increase from the previous month. The average completion rate for
work orders in January is 81%.
Physical Plant Work Orders
Administrative Service Center
Career Training Center
District Wide
Fort Bliss
Mission del Paso Campus
Northwest Campus
Rio Grande Campus
Transmountain Campus
Valle Verde Campus
TOTALS:
Received
63
0
0
0
19
17
53
25
174
351
Completed
49
0
0
0
16
15
39
22
104
245
%Completed
78%
00%
00%
00%
84%
88%
94%
88%
59%
81%
Physical Plant Gasoline Use in January 2015
The Physical Plant fueled 32 vehicles during the month of January 2015 with 1,634 gallons
of gasoline. This amount is 29% more than the amount used in December 2014, 1% more
than in January 2014, and 22% less than in January 2013.
The EPCC Board of Trustees recently approved the purchase of vehicles for the College,
which may impact the Physical Plant along with the other departments that will be
updating the vehicles they have been using for so many years.
Physical Plant Gasoline Use 2011-2015
Gallons
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2011-12
Jan
Feb
2012-13
Mar
2013-14
Apr
May
2014-15
Jun
Jul
Aug
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 11
Happening at One Campus
This is a view of the Valle Verde Campus taken from
parking lot “L” on the south side of the campus on
Thursday morning, January15, 2015. The fog lasted
for most of the morning. The “C” building is barely
visible behind the center lamppost.
A flume was built at Valle Verde
Campus to divert rain water in
an area that flooded during the
rains of September 17, 2014.
Physical Plant
Staff Birthdays
El Paso Water Utilities installed a new water meter
at the Valle Verde Campus at the south end of the
Humanities Building. The meter is located
underground and the access is visible where you
see the worker wearing a safety vest on the right.
Mar 13
Mar 13
Mar 22
Mar 25
Mar 28
Raul Lucero
Rick Torres
Norma Dragon
Rafael Herrera
Angel Ramirez
Apr 22
Apr 25
Roberto Mendoza
Carlos Delgado
May 02
May 05
May 09
May 12
May 26
May 26
Mario Valadez
Carol Trejo
Maria Gomez
Rick Lobato
Danny Martinez
William Potter
PAGE 12
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
MARCH 3, 2015
Grounds News by Raul Lucero
During the month of February, the Grounds Maintenance crews prepare for spring. Before
you know it, winter will be gone and spring will be here…and that’s where it all begins. I
‘m talking about the plantation coming to life.
Actually, as I’m writing this article, I can’t help myself but remember seeing just yesterday
that several trees had begun to wake up throughout the district. At the Administrative
Services Center (ASC) the Arizona Ash has shown some signs of life.
Going back to the preparation task that the Grounds Maintenance does include: getting
the riding lawn mowers to function to full capacity by changing the oil, air filters and
replacing the blades. We check the belts and, if necessary, we go ahead and replace
those, too. Our equipment is what makes us do what we do in Grounds Maintenance, so
every tool, equipment and machinery must be working properly. The Grounds
Maintenance personnel also must be ready to operate during the upcoming months.
The importance of maintaining the Grounds Maintenance equipment will reflect the work
that has been done out there for all to appreciate. Take for example the mowing of the
grass. If the grass shows marked lines in the grass once you’ve mowed, then that’s a sign
that something is wrong and must be fixed.
We take everything into consideration from picking up trash to landscaping. Everything is
important in the field of Grounds Maintenance and we must continue to have everything
working properly to continue showing the beautification work that we represent for
everyone to enjoy seeing. Until next time, enjoy your spring break.
Location in Picture Guessed
The location pictured in the January
issue of this newsletter was identified
as being outside the west door of
the ASC “B” building adjacent to
the Cosmetology Program.
The correct guess came from
Sandra Gutierrez, Clerk in the
President’s Office.
The rock structure was an active
water fountain when EPCC took
over the buildings in the year 2000.
We will share other locations with
you in the near future.
MARCH 3, 2015
EPCC PHYSICAL PLANT
PAGE 13
EPCC Utilities from 2013-14 to 2014-15
Electricity - kWh
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
2013-14
1,000,000
2014-15
500,000
0
Water - Gallons
9,000,000
8,000,000
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
2013-14
2014-15
Gas - Ccf
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
2013-14
2014-15