6.1a ERMUSR 10-12-2021UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Theresa Slominski –General Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
October 12, 20216.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
Minnesota Municipal Power Agency’s (MMPA)Board of Directors meeting was held in
Chaska, MN and via videoconference, September 28, 2021. Commissioner Mary Stewart
and I were in attendance. As mentioned in the monthly update, the board is
participating insome long-term planning with MMPA.This will be a process over the
next several months.
We have received a third proposal for the general manager search from David Drown
Associates. I have forwarded these proposals to the committee members.
We received our Delta Dental insurance renewal at an 8.9% increase, effectively $5,700
for the whole year. Employee premiums for the family plan would increase $1.86 per
pay period. The Principal Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long-
Term Disability (LTD) insurance renewal also came in at a 10.3% increase, effectively
$6,100 for the whole year. This is an employer only expense so there is no impact to the
employee. Our broker suggested going out for bid on these insurances to see if there is
a lower cost product. The increases since 2018, when we switched to Principal, have
been 66% for life and 28% for LTD (no increase for AD&D.)
I attended the retirement celebration for Jack Kegel, CEO of Minnesota Municipal
Utilities Association (MMUA), at their offices on Friday, October 1. There was a great
turn out of individuals from all over the state to thank him for his service over the years
and to wish him well in his retirement. His successor, Karleen Kos, was also there to
meet and greet attendees.
Kent Myers, from Vision, was here on Wednesday, October 6, to present the third
session of the year to all staff for our Everyday Leadership training. This session focused
on demonstrating kindness and discovering/developing potential in each other.
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National Public Power Week and Customer Service Week were celebrated the first week
in October. APPA prepared ten video segments that were approximately two minutes
each, highlighting various contributors to thesuccess of public power. One of the videos
highlighted our very own staff member, Parker Theisen, in the segment on technology
employees - the link is below.
ATTACHMENTS:
Video Link – Public Power IT/OT
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