4.1. ERMUSR 07/09/2019 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Troy Adams, P.E. —General Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
July 9, 2019 4.1
SUBJECT:
Annual Commission Performance Self-Evaluation
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Per the Governance Policy G.2c Agenda Planning and consistent with 2019 Governance Agenda
adopted by the commission in 2018, the commission conducts a formal self-evaluation of their
own performance in the third quarter of each fiscal year. Per policy, "following this evaluation,
the commission, with support from the General Manager, will arrange for governance
education for the next fiscal year, including education related to the determination of desired
results."
The intention of the commission holding themselves accountable through a self-evaluation
process is to develop a culture of excellent governance. The commission will work with the
general manager regarding budgeting and planning to address specific needs or gaps identified.
These may include or be related to governance, legal requirements, or specific knowledge and
skills required for decision making related to upcoming initiatives and/or results-oriented goals.
The 2019 commission performance self-evaluation survey results are attached for commission
review and discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
• 2019 Commission Performance Self-Evaluation Survey Results
Page 1 of 1
45
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
2019
Commission Performance
Self-Evaluation
•
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ERMUMN.COM I 763 441 2020 I 13069 ORONO PARKWAY I PO BOX 430 I ELK RIVER,MN 55330-0430
46
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q1
Organizational Purpose: The Authority and Purpose Policies category in ERMU's Commission
Governance Policies provides clearly defined guidelines and direction for decisions and planning.
When making decisions on immediate action items and when planning for future needs the
commission's decisions consistently align with the organizational purpose, mission, vision, and
values.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE
There are no responses.
1
47
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q2
Commission Purpose: As adopted in Commission Policy G.2 Commission Purpose and consistent
with policy G.4e Core Customer Services, the commission's principal purpose is to ensure that the
organization achieves the desired results for the intended beneficiaries at acceptable costs through
acceptable means. In other words, the commission achieves the right things for the right people at
the right costs in the right way. The commission has consistently demonstrated compliance with this
policy through governance and oversight.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON COMMISSION PURPOSE
There are no responses.
2
48
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q3
Relationship with the City: Although governed autonomously from the City of Elk River, ERMU is
part of the city government. The commission and council have aligned responsibilities to serve the
community. The commission has demonstrated alignment with the council in ways that realized
opportunities for greater value while maintaining their fiduciary responsibilities to ERMU customers
through both action and support consistent with Commission Governance Policy G.2a Commission—
City Council Relationship and Roles.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 20.00% 1
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY
1. I think having the mayor and a council person on the board is valuable.
3
49
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q4
Preparedness: Consistent with policy G.2b Governing Style, Commission members devote
appropriate attention, time, and energy to governing effectively by taking advantage of
opportunities for continuing education, development, and industry networking; and, commission
members are present and engaged during official meetings prepared to perform their assigned
duties, participate in discussion, and make decisions in a manner consistent with policy G.2e
Commission Member Conduct.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 20.00% 1
Agree 80.00% 4
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON PREPAREDNESS
There are no responses.
4
50
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q5
Ethics: Commissioners demonstrate behavior consistent with ERMU's standards of high ethical
conduct and governing style as adopted in the Commission Governance Policies including policies
G.2b Governing Style and G.2e Commission Member Conduct.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ETHICS
There are no responses.
5
51
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q6
Process: Official meetings are conducted professionally consistent with Robert's Rules of Order;
and, commission members' demonstrated behavior is consistent with the defined officer roles and
responsibilities adopted in policy G.2f Commission Officer Roles, Responsibilities and Succession.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON PROCESS
There are no responses.
6
52
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q7
One Voice: It is the responsibility of the commission to engage in discussion to fully explore topics to
make the best decisions possible with the information available at the time. Even if the commission
does not have consensus, it is the responsibility of the commission to support the majority vote of a
quorum of the commission members on any official action of the commission body. The commission
body's actions demonstrate "one voice" consistent with adopted Commission Governance Policy
G.3a Controlling Authority.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ONE VOICE
There are no responses.
7
53
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q8
One Employee: The commission body has one employee. As adopted in Commission
Governance Policy G.3c General Manager Accountability, the commission as a body and the
commission members individually never give direction to anyone other than the General
Manager.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 60.00% 3
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ONE EMPLOYEE
There are no responses.
•
54
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q9
Organizational Performance: The commission effectively monitors organizational performance
utilizing either internal or external methods measuring performance against expected outcomes (for
example, the annual budget) and clearly defined goals (for example, the Utilities Performance Metrics
Scorecard) as established in Commission Governance Policy G.3d Monitoring Performance of the
General Manager and G.5 Goals and Results.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 60.00% 3
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE
There are no responses.
9
55
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q10
General Manager Performance: The commission conducts annual performance evaluation and
goal setting for the General Manager comparing personal performance and conduct in relation to
commission policies and clearly defined commission expectations in a manner consistent with
adopted policy G.3e General Manager Performance Planning and Evaluation.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON GENERAL MANAGER PERFORMANCE
1. Do we do goal setting?And if so,do we do follow up to make sure those goals are met?
10
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2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q11
Customers: The commission demonstrates consideration for external stakeholders though
effective governance and oversight consistent with policies G.4d Customer Interests, G.4e Core
Customer Services, G.4p External Communications, and G4.q Community Involvement.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 60.00% 3
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON CUSTOMERS
There are no responses.
11
57
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q12
Employees: The commission demonstrates consideration for internal stakeholders through effective
governance and oversight consistent with policies G.4f Employee Interests and G.4g Organizational,
Staffing, and Compensation.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 60.00% 3
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON EMPLOYEES
1. Compensation is also reviewed in the wage/benefit committee.
12
58
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q13
Planning: The commission demonstrates the ability through governance and oversight to plan for
immediate and future needs by effective budgeting and planning consistent with policies G.4c
Strategic and Business Planning and G.4h Financial Planning and Budgeting.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 40.00% 2
Neither agree nor disagree 20.00% 1
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON PLANNING
There are no responses.
13
59
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q14
Assets, Risk, and Compliance: Consistent with adopted policies G.4I Protection of Assets, G.4m
Corporate Risk Management, and G.4n Legal and Regulatory Compliance, the commission
effectively protects ERMU through governance and oversight ensuring the protection of assets,
mitigation of risks, and legal compliance.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 40.00% 2
Agree 60.00% 3
Neither agree nor disagree 0.00% 0
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
ASSETS,RISK,AND COMPLIANCE
There are no responses.
14
60
2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q15
Environment: The commission demonstrates environmental stewardship through governance and
oversight, and through thoughtful consideration of environmental consequence of operations and
decisions in a manner consistent with policy G.4o Environmental Stewardship.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly agree 60.00% 3
Agree 20.00% 1
Neither agree nor disagree 20.00% 1
Disagree 0.00% 0
Strongly disagree 0.00% 0
TOTAL 5
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENT
There are no responses.
15
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2019 Utilities Commission Self-Evaluation
Q16
With respect to the commission's performance, what should the commission START doing to be more
effective? Answered: 3 Skipped: 2
RESPONSES
1. Communication and interaction between commissioners is its strength and I don't see a weakness.
2. Regular meeting with the ER City Council and education for the council members who don't serve on
the commission.
3. Commission education should be an on going thing¬ a once a year scheduled event.
Q17
What respect to the commission's performance, what should the commission STOP doing to be more
effective? Answered: 1 Skipped: 4
RESPONSES
1. I don't see a weakness.
Q18
With respect to the commission's performance, what should the commission do MORE of to be more
effective? Answered: 1 Skipped: 4
RESPONSES
1. Keep up with team bonding and communication between commission and staff!
Q19
With respect to the commission's performance, what should the commission do LESS of to be more
effective? Answered: 1 Skipped:4
RESPONSES
1. I don't see a problem or issue at this time.
Q20
Are there any additional comments regarding the commission's performance? Answered:4 Skipped: 1
RESPONSES
1. I believe all is going well at this time.
2. I think the commission is running as good as it could be.
3. We have an outstanding commission. Each member adds something to the group.The group
functions extremely well and is doing a great job.
4. The 5 member commission is a good size to enable us to review, discuss,and support decisions
made by the group.
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