Village Manager's Message
On Monday evening, the new Village Administration was in attendance for the first Village Board under new leadership. Some of the items on the agenda called for rigorous debate and input. The entire meeting did not finish until after midnight. We did a lot of heavy lifting on this agenda, and we are hopeful of streamlining future agendas and items that appear before the Village Board in open session and in executive session. One thing that resonates with staff and the Board is the citizens’ passion for Villa Park. We are continuing to address customer service both internally and externally.
At the Village Board meeting, we had a healthy discussion on a proposed maternity and paternity leave policy. It appears we are all on the same page in terms of having some type of policy that would allow staff to bond with a new member of their family without having to worry about job protection or the leave going unpaid. Being a father of two, I took time off to bond with my children as well as take the children to all those initial doctor’s appointments and be around for all the friends and family who stopped by to welcome the latest addition to the family. As Village Manager, I have stated to every staff member in earshot that “family is first,” and all other things are second. These are not just words but a verbal acknowledgment that the priorities have shifted. When I started out in public service I was always told that the job comes first. I did not believe that 35 years ago and I do not believe it now. If we want to build a staff that is happy, healthy, and productive a good way to have that happen is to make sure employees have a work-life balance and are in a good place in their private lives. I have seen time and again that when I ask a staff member how they are doing and actually stop to listen for an answer, the staff member’s face changes in a positive way and they begin to build trust that I have their best interest at heart. It takes a lot of time but everyone I work with in the Village is worth it.
It will take time for the humanistic approach we adopted in the police department to spread throughout the rest of the Village staff. A key element in this process is to make sure there is communication both ways and accessibility to the Village Manager’s office. I have always had an open-door policy at the police department. It has been a challenge early on at Village Hall because so many critical, time-sensitive issues need to be addressed. A key component of building a collaborative of all stakeholders in the community is to also reach out to elected officials. A way to create communication and accessibility is to create a regular schedule to meet/ speak with all elected officials to help bring clarity and understanding to any item related to business of the Village.
We all have a stake in Villa Park’s prosperity, we have a better chance of succeeding in working together and that will happen as we build trust, care, and communicate in a timely manner.
View the full weekly report here. All weekly and monthly reports can be found in our Document Center under Village Manager.
Mike Rivas
Village Manager
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