Round Rock neighborhood services coordinator finds joy in creating programs

For Joe Brehm, neighborhood services coordinator for the city of Round Rock, the best part of the job is also the most challenging: the freedom to be creative.

"I have that freedom to try something new and get it off the ground," he said. "But at the same time building a program from the ground up is also the most challenging part."

Since taking over the position less than two years ago, Brehm has used that freedom to make multiple programs and ideas into realities. Within a year of being on the job, Brehm organized a Round Rock Neighborhood Conference that drew almost 100 people who wanted to learn more about issues such as how to draft a good neighborhood meeting agenda or recruit more neighborhood volunteers.

In April, Brehm unveiled his newest project, the Tool Lending Center, at a downtown neighborhood cleanup event. The TLC, which is housed in a truck trailer, allows residents to check out tools, and return them for no charge when working as part of an organized cleanup project.

The TLC's inventory includes rakes, shovels, sledgehammers, lawn mowers and weed-whackers. The Home Depot donated many of the tools. Brehm said the tools have been especially helpful for people who do not have the necessary or working tools to clean up their homes and yards.

In addition to implementing new ideas, Brehm serves as the city liaison to neighborhood and homeowner association groups. He is the point of contact for residents who have concerns or questions about issues such as parks and streets.

Brehm has also worked with residents to form neighborhood or homeowner associations in areas that lack them.

"The [neighborhood groups] we have formed or reformed since I've been here, the residents have unequivocally said they are much better for it because they get a concentrated voice and input on issues," he said. "Neighborhoods getting together and getting organized is a huge benefit to them."

Bryan Williams, Round Rock assistant city manager, said City Council created the neighborhood services coordinator position after determining that a focus on neighborhoods should be a top city priority. He said Brehm was a natural fit for the position because he worked for the city of Prescott, Arizona, and had experience working with a previous city manager.

Brehm said he was introduced to public service while serving as a Mesa Police Explorer during high school. Brehm went on to work for the Arizona State University Police Department in college. At the recommendation of a city manager, he pursued his master's degree in public administration. He said he was drawn to city management jobs because they bring new challenges and opportunities every day.

"You don't always deal with the same problems. It's always something different," he said. "It's a really varied job description. I really latched onto that."

Job duties of the neighborhood services coordinator:

Build neighborhood programs: Joe Brehm implements ideas intended to help neighborhoods and neighborhood groups. He has launched programs such as the Tool Lending Center and neighborhood conferences.

Act as neighborhood liaison for city issues: Brehm is the point of contact for residents with questions or concerns about issues such as streets, parks and police. Bryan Williams, Round Rock assistant city manager, said this is his primary job responsibility.

Neighborhood watch training: Brehm coordinates and takes parts in neighborhood watch training sessions with Round Rock police officers.

Neighborhood cleanups

With the Tool Lending Center that provides a variety of tools that can be borrowed for neighborhood beautification efforts, Joe Brehm, Round Rock neighborhood services coordinator, said the city will play a role in future organized Round Rock neighborhood cleanup efforts.

During the April downtown cleanup effort that marked the launch of the TLC, volunteers and residents set a record by removing 32 tons of material, not including brush. Brehm said the previous record was 20 tons, including brush.

Brehm said the neighborhood cleanups provide multiple benefits.

"Not only do they clean up the neighborhood, but [they] also provide an opportunity for the neighbors to come together and spend time with each other," he said. "What I like to do is a work-hard-play-hard kind of deal. You do a neighborhood cleanup in the morning, then everyone comes together for a block party."