4.3 ERMUSR 02-13-20244r,;.Z,
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Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Tony Mauren — Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
February 13, 2024
4.3
SUBJECT:
Commissioner Evaluation Questions Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
Adopt updated commissioner evaluation questions
BACKGROUND:
During the review of the Annual Commission Performance Self -Evaluation results at the July 11,
2023, meeting, the Commission had consensus to adapt this annual Governance Agenda item.
One requested change was to reduce the number of questions, in order to support another
request for respondents to focus on providing more detailed written comments that offer
better context for the scores. The Commission also requested that ERMU management staff
participate in the evaluation of their performance.
Staff reviewed the original survey (attached for reference) and worked to focus the questions
with minimal loss to the breadth of topics.
DISCUSSION:
As shown in the second attachment, staff found it important to combine similar topics in the
first two questions, while the new questions three through seven are largely
rewritten/abridged versions of original questions. The open questions at the end were reduced
from four to three and broadened to offer respondents the opportunity to share additional
thoughts.
Staff also removed questions it felt were unnecessary or redundant. Question 6 from 2023
referencing Robert's Rules of Order was removed following commission feedback that there
was comfort in the body's collective knowledge of the topic. Question 10 about the general
manager's performance was removed as evaluating that position is an entire and separate
Governance Agenda item. Staff felt question 11 focusing on the Commission's consideration for
customers is already a key element of organizational purpose in question 1. Question 12, which
addresses the Commission's consideration for ERMU's employees, was removed as staff felt it
conflicted with the body's One Employee policy, which establishes the general manager as its
singular personnel responsibility.
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The proposed questions for 2024 are:
1. The Commission makes decisions in accordance with ERMU's purpose, mission, vision,
and values to achieve desired results and collectively supports those decisions.
2. The Commission partners with the City on opportunities to bring greater value to the
community, while maintaining its responsibility to ERMU customers as well as its
governance and conduct policies.
3. Commission members are present and engaged during official meetings, prepared to
perform their assigned duties, participate in discussion, and make decisions. Members
also take advantage of opportunities for continuing education, development, and
industry networking.
4. The Commission as a body and its individual members never provide direction or job
performance evaluation, either formal or informal, to any employee other than the
general manager.
5. The Commission effectively monitors organizational performance utilizing either internal
or external methods, measuring performance against expected outcomes and clearly
defined goals.
6. The Commission demonstrates the ability, through governance and oversight, to plan for
immediate and future needs by effective budgeting and planning consistent with policy.
7. The Commission ensures the protection of assets, the mitigation of risks, and legal
compliance through governance and oversight.
8. With respect to the Commission's performance, what has been done well?
9. With respect to the Commission's performance, what should be done differently?
10. With respect to ERMU governance, what additional comments do you have?
Staff requests the Commission provide feedback and adopt questions for the new survey. Per
the Governance Agenda, results will be presented at the July 9, 2024, meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
• 2023 ERMU Commission Self Evaluation Questions
• Proposed 2024 ERMU Commission Evaluation Questions Reorganization
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