6.1e ERMUSR 05-13-2025______________________________________________________________________________
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
ERMU Commission
FROM:
Thomas Geiser – Operations Director
MEETING DATE:
May 13, 2025
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
6.1e
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• Working through the second round of maps for the new GIS mapping system that we
plan to move forward with in the future. Maps 1 through 62 are complete.
• The dehydration of the existing Cooper/Eaton switchgear has come to an end.
• Staff is still dealing with the lack of communication and action taken from the vendor on
our recalled reclosers. We are waiting on all 30 units to be fixed as this time.
• I attended pre-construction meeting for Anna’s Acres 2nd Addition in Otsego.
• ERMU staff have been working with Minnesota Municipal Power Agency on their landfill
and solar projects.
• Construction season is in full swing.
• With the retirement of Line Crew Foreperson Scott Thoreson, Matt Schwartz and Mitch
Girtz have been promoted from lead lineworkers to line crew forepersons and Matt Zipp
and Alex Paschall have been promoted from lineworkers to lead lineworkers. All four
promotions were effective Tuesday, April 29. Matt and Mitch bring a combined
experience of over 25 years in a variety of positions within the lineworker field. With a
combined 15 years of experience in linework, Matt Zipp and Alex also bring an
impressive skillset and vast experience to their new roles. The promotion of a second
line crew foreperson represents a change from past practice. This change supports
expanded position responsibilities, including substation and transformer maintenance,
as well as technical support for GIS/app systems. As Scott Thoreson prepares to depart
in July, he will spend the next few months training and mentoring Matt and Mitch,
ensuring a smooth leadership transition. There is no budget impact as the gap between
Scott’s retirement and our planned replacement of a lineworker in October/November
will more than offset the incremental increase of a second foreperson.
• Our seasonal lineworkers will be starting on May 13.
• ERMU staff and I have had interviews for a GIS intern.
• I attended the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association’s Job Training & Safety Meeting
in Marshall, MN, April 23-24.
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• I attended the Lineworker Advisory Board Meeting, April 16, at the Wadena Technical
School.
• Substation 14-4 lost power due to a squirrel getting into the high side of Feeder 41
which opened the high side breaker. This created approximately an 80-minute outage
for 1441 customers. Repairs to 14-4 were completed the next day. Last known picture of
the squirrel is below.
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