Agenda 01/28/2020 Item # 3D 1 (Employee of the Month)01/28/2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to recognize Steve Athey, Growth Management Property Maintenance Inspector,
as the January 2020 Employee of the Month.
OBJECTIVE: To recognize the efforts and accomplishments of an employee who has made significant
contributions to the organization and to our community.
CONSIDERATIONS: Steve has been with Collier County since 2005 in Code Enforcement.
In late November 2019, Collier County Code Enforcement received a complaint regarding a bug and
rodent infested occupied dwelling with no water or electric in the Moon Lake Community. The case was
assigned to Steve as the Minimum Housing/Property Maintenance Investigator. He contacted the
homeowner, an elderly man, who explained that his wife had passed away and that he had a water leak in
his garage. The water leak ran up the water bill and eventually the water was shut off. The gentleman
invited Investigator Athey into the home where Steve observed severe violations of the Collier County
Property Maintenance Code including unsanitary conditions, no water, no cooking equipment due to a
small grease fire, non-working bathrooms, rodent and insect infestation, an unmaintained pool, and other
serious life safety concerns.
Steve could have taken the easy way out and issued a citation or Notice of Violation, but true to his
character and sense of commitment to the community, he chose a different path. He contacted his
supervisor and explained the conditions of the home, documented with photographs, and detailed the
occupants age and living condition. At that time, it was agreed that this situation was unique and required
more than a Code Enforcement action. Collier County Code Enforcement then coordinated with the
Collier County Sheriff’s Community Policing Unit and the Collier County Sheriff’s Senior Advocacy
Unit.
On November 26th and 27th, a large-scale community service effort was coordinated. In two days, with
the assistance of Collier County Solid and Hazardous Waste, two 30-yard dumpsters were filled with
debris, infested furniture, appliances, infested bedding, clothing, mattresses, etc.
Steve didn’t stop there. He took it upon himself to collect donated cleaning supplies; and contacted small
businesses and local organizations and received donations of new mattresses, bedding, a new hot water
heater, new toilets, a new stove, refrigerator, microwave, other household necessities. He also
coordinated to have the electric and water restored. The home was cleared and cleaned and at the end of
the day on Wednesday, the elderly man with tear-filled eyes made a comment that no one involved will
ever forget: “You all saved my life by giving me a new start and I am forever grateful.”
With his sense of commitment to the community, Steve effectively changed this individual’s quality of
life and the quality of life in the surrounding homes, and therefore he is so deserving of the Employee of
the Month Award.
FISCAL IMPACT: The selected “Employee of the Month” receives a $150.00 cash award. Funds for
this are available in the employee’s budget cost center.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There are no Growth Management Impacts associated with
this Executive Summary.
Prepared by: Katie Whittier, Recognition and Retirement Coordinator, Human Resources Division
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01/28/2020
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 3.D.1
Doc ID: 11303
Item Summary: Recommendation to recognize Steve Athey, Growth Management Department,
Property Maintenance Inspector, as the January 2020 Employee of the Month.
Meeting Date: 01/28/2020
Prepared by:
Title: Human Resources Generalist – Human Resources
Name: Katherine Whittier
01/08/2020 8:55 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Human Resources – Human Resources
Name: Amy Lyberg
01/08/2020 8:55 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Administrative Services Department Paula Brethauer Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 01/08/2020 9:12 AM
Human Resources Amy Lyberg Additional Reviewer Completed 01/08/2020 9:44 AM
Administrative Services Department Len Price Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 01/08/2020 2:59 PM
Grants Katherine Whittier Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 01/08/2020 8:55 AM
County Attorney's Office Katherine Whittier Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Skipped 01/08/2020 8:55 AM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 01/21/2020 12:10 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 01/28/2020 9:00 AM
3.D.1
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