GBA news, Vol. 10 [i.e. 13], no. 3 [i.e. 2] (May/June 2000)

May/June 2000
GBA

NEWS

Volume 10, No. 3 Volume 13, No. 2

Helen Scholes, Executive Director

HUMAN RESOURCES ANNOUNCES

CHANGES TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

By Carletta Henderson
It's time for Open Enrollment. It's time for GBA employees to review, renew and select available options to update their employee benefit packages for the 2000-2001 plan year.
Donna Major, Human Resources (HR) Director, says there will be a number of changes to current benefit plans as well as additional benefit options now available through the State Merit System Flexible Benefits and State Health Benefit Plans. Because changes may affect

existing benefits, every employee should carefully review their current options to decide on changes to make or add to their present plan. New options include new vision coverage, up to five times an employee's salary for Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and two levels of Dependent Life Insurance (employees may increase up to one level without medical underwriting).
"It provides a great opportunity to increase life insurance coverage,"

says Major. "Dental insurance has also added more coverage this enrollment year," she adds.
To ensure GBA employees thoroughly understand all the old and new benefit options being offered, HR will host Open Enrollment meetings scheduled prior to the May 16 cutoff date. Employees will be notified by their supervisor of meeting dates and times.
"The meetings will be held in small groups to offer individual
See Employee Benefits, page 3

Concern For Pedestrians' Safety

Increases Capitol Police Presence

By David Simmons

The GBA Capitol Police Division is seriously concerned about the safety of pedestrians on Capitol Hill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Atlanta metropolitan area is reported to be the third most dangerous large metropolitan area for walking, behind Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida.
In an effort to enhance the safety of pedestrians on Capitol Hill, GBA Capitol Police has assigned additional personnel to assist pedestrians as they cross streets and to regulate vehicular traffic.

Pedestrians can help ensure their safety by practicing the following Safety Tips :
1. Pedestrians should use sidewalks whenever they are safely available.
2. Pedestrians should obey traffic signals and/or traffic officers.
3. Pedestrians should not jaywalk. Always cross at corners, marked crosswalks, or signaled intersections.

4. Do not assume that a green light, a walk signal, or a crosswalk means the street is safe to cross. As some drivers may disregard traffic rules, be aware of vehicles even when you have the right-of-way.

See Pedestrians' Safety, page 2

BENEFITS FOR USING ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION DURING

OZONE SEASON

State employees can either receive subsidies and discounts for using alternative transportation to work or incur increased parking costs when parking on Capitol Hill.

By Carletta Henderson
As temperatures rise, attempts to make Georgians more Ozone friendly increase.
Plans are currently underway to encourage State employees to find "Ozone Friendly Alternative Transportation." The State Employees Commuter Assistance Program (SECAP) is readily available to offer and assist State employees in finding alternative "Ozone Friendly" means to travel to work.
In an effort to inform State employees of available alternative transportation options, GBA Parking and Transportation employees together with representatives from MARTA, Commute Connections, and PSG gave State employees the opportunity to learn first hand about various transportation alternatives. SECAP Day, held March 14 at the Twin Towers "Sloppy" Floyd Building on the Plaza Level, allowed employees the opportunity to stop and explore the various means of State subsidized transportation alternatives, ask questions and receive informative brochures, program handouts and small marketing goodies.
To further increase participation, parking fees at GBA lots will increase to $30 monthly, May through September. Employees who

still choose to drive to work in a single occupant vehicle and retain their space will incur the higher cost. Revenue from the increased fees will be used by SECAP to provide additional savings or services to its participants. The parking increase for State employees is still well below private industry charges also located in the Capitol Hill area.
But which alternative transportation program will work best for you? GBA coordinates carpooling/ Rideshare, shuttle service for carpooling, vanpooling, public transit/

MARTA subsidies and guaranteed ride home (GRH) conveniences.
Carpooling: Three or more riders take turns driving one another to work on a daily or weekly basis. Parking cost is $3 per group, per month. Each person will also receive three free parking passes each month for the Pete Hackney Parking Facility.
Rideshare: Rideshare participants are matched based on proximity of home addresses and worksite addresses. The Rideshare program is adminis-
tered through the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Applications may be obtained from the GBA Parking Office, 1 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive.
Shuttle Service: A shuttle service is available to transport carpoolers from the Juvenile Justice parking lot at
See SECAP, page 4

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CHANGES TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Continued from page 1

attention so employees can get a clear understanding of available benefits," says Major. It will be a time to answer questions and to assist everyone in making selections that will best fit their needs," she said.
As part of the meetings, HR will explain all the major changes in the

new and old State Health Insurance options. "We will offer counseling in selecting health insurance coverage that will not only meet the employees' needs but also help them find coverage they can afford," says Major.
Employees attending the meetings will learn more about eligibility

for benefits, the 401-K plan, 457 Deferred Compensation, Direct Deposit and the State Credit Union. For additional information about Open Enrollment or questions concerning your benefits, contact HR at 404-656-3869.

Presence Increased For Pedestrians' Safety

Continued from page 1

5. When crossing a street, pedestrians should stop at the curb, or edge of the street, and look left, then right, then left again, before stepping into the street. Keep looking for cars

while crossing, and remember, walk. Don't run.
6. If you see a car approaching, wait until it passes. Then look left, right and then left again until no cars are coming.

Technology By Corner Richard Ashby

The following computer related practices have recently been established and should be observed by all GBA employees. For questions or additional information, contact Computer Operations at 404-656-6622.
All software installations are to be performed by Computer Operations personnel.
No unlicensed software is to be used on GBA computers at any time for any reason. This includes temporary use.
See Technology, page 4

7. Brightly colored clothing makes it easier for drivers to see you during the daytime. When walking at night, dress to be seen. Wear special reflective materials on shoes, caps or jackets to reflect the headlights of cars

coming toward you.
8. Be aware of limited visibilityin rainy conditions as well as the extra time and distance it takes vehicles to stop.

Little Impressions at Work

Its tough enough to make a good impression on bosses and coworkers with a job well done. But its often the little things that go a longer way in impressing your peers. Here are some of the details that can make the right impressions.

Be sincere and generous with compliments.
Do your homework before meetings. Know whats on the agenda and bone up on the information that may be covered.

Keep your desk neat. Cut back on the clutter. It gives the impression that youre organized and have things under control.
Be a good example. If theres a particular way you want things done, do it that way. Its called leading by example.

Return phone calls and e-mails promptly. It makes coworkers and customers feel valued.
Be on time. In other words, be dependable.
Wash the dishes. If your company has a shared kitchen, dont be above doing dishes, making more coffee and such.

May/June Page 3

GBA Division Spotlight

Cafeteria's Serves Approximately 3500 A Day

The goals for the food service operation are to establish a more efficient, costeffective food service operation, and provide quality service to our customers.
Headed by Mr. Alexander Bullock, External Administrator, Food Service consists of four operating cafeterias, each with its own uniqueness for serving employees and tourist visiting

on Capitol Hill. The Twin Towers Cafeteria,
being the largest cafeteria, seats approximately 738. Le Gril On The Hill, formally known as 244 Washington St. Cafeteria, reopened February 1, totally renovated and decorated with a seating capacity of 160. The Garden Room Cafe has an indoor/ outdoor atmosphere that seats approximately 166 indoor and 150 outdoors. Currently, Garden Room

offers outdoor grilling for lunch with specials on Hamburgers and Hotdogs. The third cafeteria, #2 Peachtree, invites dining on the 41st floor with a view of Atlanta's breathtaking skylines, seating 121. These cafeterias offer an array of breakfast and lunch choices serving an average 3500 customers per day.
In addition to cafeteria operations, GBA offers Stately Events to cater individual clients and business
Please see Food, page 6

SECAP
Continued from page 3
Capitol Avenue and Fulton Street. A State van will pick up riders in the mornings from 6:30 am to 9 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm in the afternoons. Each person will be delivered to and picked up from their place of employment.
Vanpooling: Subsidized vanpool costs vary county by county. Costs range from $27.56 to $56.08 depending on the number of riders and the total round trip mileage.
Punch Cards: GBA provides a "parking punch card" to vanpool and carpool riders. The card can be used for

three free parking days each month at the Pete Hackney parking facility located on the corner of Butler and Decatur Streets. Additional parking after the complimentary three days will require a $3 entrance fee.
Public Transit: MARTA offers full and part time State employees a discount to purchase monthly MARTA cards. Employees can purchase cards through their personnel coordinator on a monthly basis for $30, $15 less than the normal $45 MARTA card cost. During Ozone Season, May through September, GBA will reduce cards an additional $2 to encourage more participation.

Schedules and maps can be obtained through MARTA.
Guaranteed Ride Home: If you have an emergency and cannot wait for your normal ride home, the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) is available to help. GRH provides either a taxi or rental car for 24 hours to employees who have an unforeseen/unscheduled emergency. The ride is provided without cost to employees although guidelines and limitations are applicable. GRH does not cover personal errands, a missed ride home, scheduled medical appointments, natural disasters, scheduled overtime, business related travel or job related injuries.

Technology

Continued from page 3
No privately owned hardware or software is to be used on GBA computers for any purpose.
No boot passwords are to be used on GBA computers.
No screen savers are to be installed on GBA computers. Only screen savers and wallpapers that are

a standard part of Windows 95/98 are to be used.
All floppy disks are to be obtained from Computer Operations. Any disks purchased by GBA must be scanned for viruses by Computer Operations prior to use.
Disks that are used on any computer other than a GBA com-
May/June Page 4

puter, must be scanned for viruses prior to use on any GBA computer. (For example: If you take a disk home to do GBA work on your personal computer.)
Internet use is restricted to approved GBA business only and non-GBA business sites are strictly prohibited.

Seuss Reading

Children from
Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center, the childcare center managed and operated by GBA, are seated in the State Capitol to listen to Dr. Seuss stories. In celebration of Read Across America Day (adults recognizing the need to read to children at an early age), legislators were invited by the Georgia Association of Educators to stop by March 2 (Dr. Seuss' Birthday) and read various Dr. Seuss books to children from the Enrichment Center. This year marked the third year the event was offered.
From The Mailroom
Patrons praise GBA employees for professionalism and service.
May/June Page 5

Photo Take:
Guest celebrity lunches at Floyd Building
Right: Senator Steve Thompson and friends stop by to visit GBA's special guest.

Left: Helen Scholes with Bill and Cindy Elliott

GBA Executive Director Helen Scholes , Vicki Adkison, Internal Administrator and Barry Buttram, Facilities Operations Administrator, are pictured together with Adkison's brother-in-law, Nascar Race Driver Bill Elliott and her sister Cindy Elliott.

Continued from page 3
functions at one of six extraordinary decorated banquet rooms, including:
Georgia Freight Depot The Freight Room The Blue Room The Floyd Room The Empire Room The Cafeteria Conference
Room
GBA anticipates the 2001 opening of the historic Fireplace Room offering another astonishing banquet location. Banquet's seating capacity ranges from 60 to 800 patrons while standing capacity range from 100 to 1300 depending on the location of the function.
In addition to providing daily

food services, GBA provides food for GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management Assistance) during crisis situations like ice storms and tornadoes as well as feeding different Law Enforcement agencies during special events.
Meals to the Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center totalling 72 meals a day are in addition to the 3500 average daily meals served daily by GBA cafeterias.
Many food specials are offered daily. Food Service menus and Stately Events information is available on the GBA website at http:// www.ganet.org/gba or call 404-6576811.

Risk Management
By Larry Dyer
Caution: Carelessness at Work. When
working in an office, chances are that safety isn't your primary concern. But just because you work in an environment that is not traditionally considered dangerous doesn't mean that you shouldn't be safety-minded. Hazards in the office do exist but many can be prevented.
Try to clean up spills immediately, and pick up clutter in your work area. Close all drawers immediately after use (open drawers can be tripped over or bumped into). Don't overload electrical outlets. Remember to report all hazards immediately to the appropiate personnel.

GBA Board Members
Governor Roy Barnes Chairman
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor Vice-Chairman
Commissioner Tommy Irvin
State Auditor Russell Hinton
Attorney Kent Alexander

Publication Information

Address:
Editor: Contributing Editors:

GBA NEWS is a publication of the Georgia Building Authority Helen Scholes, Executive Director Articles due by the 10th of the preceding month
1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404-656-3253 Fax: 404-657-0337
Carletta K. Henderson (404) 463-0732 Carletta.Henderson@gw.gba.state.ga.us
Richard Ashby, Jane Conn, Larry Dyer, Donald Evans & David Simmons

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