July 2021

The grounds department is continuing to cut back plants damaged by the February freeze. Before and after photos above of Arborist Supervisor David Rath assisted Crew 5 at the Central Parking Garage by cutting back was myrtles.

Below are beauty photos of recovered areas that continue thrive across campus.

EDCS Project Manager Mildred Trevino has been working with the University Architect’s Office on campus-wide wayfinding signage upgrades.

The purpose of Phase 1 of this project is to add primary, secondary, and supplemental Vehicular and Pedestrian signage all around campus.

EDCS and the University Architect Office are working diligently to verify sign locations.

The SSC Graphics shop setup, cut and applied all the vinyl lettering to each sign installed.

QuadTex Construction was contracted to install approximately 240 signs. Along with the new signage installations, they will be removing the old signs.

Serio Godinez, Mechanic- 25 Years

Pictured L-R; Jovannie Lagman, Madlene Maxwell, Ruth Alvarez, Juan Montanez, Margarita Carreno, Stacy Medina, Lou Jacques, Tiffany Blake, Rita Alvarez, Cathy Robinson, Natalie Garcia, and Erica Cruz

A custodial job fair was held June 12th. The custodial administration and management team came out to help screen the applicants.

Jovannie says

“It was a good day to add more amazing associates to the crew.”

Texas A&M University is hosting the 2nd annual fireworks and drone show at the RELLIS campus. For this highly anticipated event, SSC Grounds participates largely in preparing as well as providing services during the event. Months before preparation for this event takes place, from gathering information on where patrons will park to where the actual fireworks display will take place. After gathering all of this information, the grounds department will form an action plan to execute, so that all tasks are completed for the event in a timely manner.

Requests for this annual event include, mowing of the fireworks area and temporary parking, fire ant control, trash receptacle distribution, and sanitation services during the event. The area where they will be shooting the fireworks starts as an open field that will typically be shredded at a height of 5 inches on a monthly basis. To properly shoot fireworks, the company requests that the field be mowed at a max of 3 inches with no grass clippings, to prevent any fire danger. Temporary parking lots are defined, and are also areas that the grounds department will manage at a higher standard than normally provided.  With the safety of all patrons in mind, fire ant control begins a month in advance in all designated parking and viewing areas, and managed thereafter as needed. Trash can receptacles are distributed in all parking and viewing areas to keep and maintain a nice, sanitary environment throughout the show.

This 2021 year has had its weather challenges, but with the perseverance and determination of the SSC Grounds department we will have fulfilled all requests and be set up for a great 4th of July event at The Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus.

Stephen Gerhard

RELLIS Grounds Manager

EDCS Quarterly

Catherine Hall

Grounds

Juan Pineda

Ashley Reed

Shannon Curtis

Maintenance

Vernon Brunker

Christopher Jones

Sam Martinez