Amrine receives annual award

Christi Amrine didn’t expect the high praise she got from colleagues recently.

“I was very surprised,” said the city of Mill Creek’s Associate Planner. Amrine won the city’s Employee of the Year award. Last year’s winner was Kelly Hennessey, city clerk.

Amrine was selected from a field of three other candidates, all three of whom had previously been selected by their co-workers as Employee of the Quarter. The other nominees for the award were Michele Maltbie, permit coordinator, Michele Pellettieri, community services officer and Tom Rogers, planning coordinator.

Amrine was described by her peers as someone who provides quality work, has a positive can and will do attitude, is very professional and has a strong customer service focus.

The Employee of the Year program was created in 1997 for the purpose of recognizing employees on a regular basis for their individual contribution to the city. Quarterly employees are nominated and selected by their peers based their demonstration of an ability to “implement the city’s mission statement and city internal/external customer service values on an ongoing basis.”

The Employee of the Year award goes to an individual who is a team player, goes the extra mile, sets the standards for others, makes good use of time, has a good attitude and makes a positive contribution.

Amrine said she didn’t expect to win because “there’s a lot of great workers here at the city who work very hard … of course, I was flattered. You just don’t expect that of yourself, or the recognition” from peers.

As the Associate Planner, Amrine does code amendments and comprehensive plan amendments for the long-term planning in the city. Lately, she has taken on other projects because the city is growing so rapidly.

“There’s so much development in this area,” she said.

She handles busy times and a long to-do list with a good attitude, which is part of what earned her the award.

Amrine was happy to receive the award. When asked what the award program does for morale at the city, she said, “I think it bonds the employees together. We can tease each other about it and it’s something to strive for. And, it at least shows there’s some recognition there from the council on down.”

The mayor attends the Employee Appreciation Day lunch in which Amrine’s award and others are announced, Amrine noted. His presence shows an appreciation from the council. Before taking the job in Mill Creek about a year and a half ago, Amrine was planning director for the city of Sultan.

Amrine said the year and a half she has spent in Mill Creek has “just flown by.”

When asked what she liked best about her job in Mill Creek, Amrine said, “the people I work with.” She added that her boss, community development director Bill Trimm, has a great attitude about his work that trickles down to his staff.

“I think his attitude and management style really make our department succeed,” Amrine said. “He really loves his work and it shows. It exudes all the way down.”