ERMUSR SPECIAL AGENDA 08-25-2008ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
UTILITIES COMMISSION
AGENDA
August 25, 2008
Elk River Utilities Offices
ITEM NUMBER ACTION TAKEN
Call meeting to order August 25, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
2. Interview Electric Superintendent Candidates
The remainder of this meeting is being closed for preliminary consideration of whether an
investigation is warranted into certain allegations against several ERMU employees, under
Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subdivision 2(b). The subject of the meeting is to determine
whether an investigation should be conducted into these allegations. If the Commission
determines that the allegations are specific and serious enough to warrant an investigation,
the names of those employees against whom the allegations or complaints have been made
will become public as part of the information available about the existence and status of the
complaints.
Elk River -~
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330-0430
August 21, 2008
7 0: Elk Kiver Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
John Dietz
Jerry Gumphrey
From: Bryan Adams
Subject: Electric Superintendent Interviews
Phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
The electric superintendent job description which is attached, was posted for a week. Two
people indicated a desire in this position by signing this posting. They are Wade Lovelette and
Mark Fuchs.
Wade is currently the Electric Line Foreman and has been employed with us since November
1981. Mark is currently Lead Lineman and has been employed with us since July 1986. Both
are long term employees who know the electric system very well. Attached is a document
prepared by each candidate telling a little about themselves and why they want this position.
Below are some questions that could be asked during the interview process.
1) What interests or hobbies do you have outside the workplace.
2) You have been in the electric utility distribution business as a lineman for many years,
what do you like best about this business and what do you like least about this business.
3) What are the personal goals you have for yourself or where do you see yourself in S
years.
4) This position requires dealing with contractors, vendors, customers and employees on a
daily basis, how do you feel you will do in this environment.
5) Tell us about a time when you had to juggle multiple projects at once.
6) Tell us about a time you had a disagreement with a co-worker.
7) What has been your exposure to the NESC code.
8) A safe working environment is important and is a large part of this position. What is
your approach to safety.
9) What is your approach to maintenance of equipment (vehicles, distribution system,
substations).
10) How would you make a cost estimate for a project.
11) If you received a call at 2:00 a.m. in the morning informing you that West Substation
Bank 1 lost power, how would you proceed.
~~~
Elk River Municipal Utilities
Job Title: Electric Superintendent
Job Summary: This position oversees the electric distribution system and power plant facilities including
the day to day direction of the associated personnel. This position reports to the General Manager.
F! SA S*.a*.us: Exempt
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Directly supervises and coordinates the day to day operation of the electric department
including distribution, substations, and power plant. Coordinate work with other departments
as required.
2. Identifies and priorities projects and assigns work to personnel ensuring a productive and safe
working environment. Monitors safety compliance of equipment.
3. Assists in the design of overhead and underground distribution system with manager of
engineering.
4. Provides information to purchasing department to ensure proper materials and equipment is on
hand to operate efficiently.
5. Provide short and long range planning for electric system improvements. Plans for future
territory acquisition.
6. Meets and works with developers, contractors, and customers to coordinate and construct the
necessary electric infrastructure. Locate transformers and size properly.
7. Produces budgets for known projects. Assists General Manager in preparing annual electric
budget.
8. Provide cost estimates for projects to be billed and establish a deposited amount.
9. Monitor feeder and substation loads and balance as required.
10. Provide detailed switching instructions for feeder and substation load relocations
11. Stay current in industry trends including safety compliance, DOT regulations, NESC code
changes, and new material, equipment, and design advances.
12. Other duties as assigned
lob Qualifications:
1. High School graduate with 1 year vocational training as an electric lineperson. Additional
schooling preferred. Minimum 10 years experience as an electric lineperson.
2. Minimum lineperson classification and being very knowledgeable about electric distribution
system
3. Ability to obtain class B State of Minnesota drivers license
4. Demonstrable leadership ability along with good employee and customer relations skills
S. High ethical standards to set tone for electric department
6. Computer literate
13519 Islandview Dr Phone 763.441-2380
Elk River, MN 55330 E-mail wlovelette(~nsatel.net
~~ ~~
Here is a little history of myself and how I came to be an Elk River
Municipal Utilities employee for the past 26 years and 9 months:
~~~~~ [ 197E ] Graduate Central High School
[1978-1979] Jackson Area Vocational Tech School
Jadcson,MN
Graduate of Electrical Lineman program
psional [ 1979-1981 ] Midland Constructors Dodge Center, MN
expertier~ce I worked as an apprentice lineman in transmission and distribution. t started
working transmission lines in Grand Rapids, then moved on to building a
d~tribution line on transmission poles near Becker.
I then went on to work the 500 kv line from Winnepeg to Mpls, From
there I went to Texas and worked in a substation, then on to Louisiana to
rebuild a distribution line.
I then went to McAllen, Texas to rebuild a transmission line.
During these times, I went through the Missouri Valley Apprenticeship
Program.
• [1981-1985] I started as an apprentice Lineman for Elk River
Municipal Utilities
• [1985-1996] I became a Journeyman Lineman and Crew
Leader for Elk River Municipal Utilities in 1985 until I became
Glen's assistant (Line Foreman) in 1996.
• [1996-present] Electrical Line Foreman (position created to be
the assistant to the Electric Line Superintendent).
My objective is to help the Elk River Municipal Utilities to fulfill it's
obligation of providing electric service to its customers safely, efficiently
and economically while maintaining a good working relationship with the
city and other pertinent organizations.
I will maintain a good working relationship with the line crews and power
plant empbyees and office staff.
I will also attend training and education opportunities that are required of this
position.
Jerry Takle, John Dietz, and Jem,~ Gumphrey,
My name is Mark Fuchs, I am applying for the Electric Superintendent position for
Elk River Municipal Utilities. I graduated from Paynesville high school, also attended
Wadena technical college, and graduated as an electrical lineman.
I have been working as a lineman for Elk River Municipal Utilities for twenty-two
years, and seventeen of those years have been as a lead lineman. In my years of working
here, I have developed a good working relationship with ERMU employees, as well as
customers, contractors, and developers. I have been involved with the construction of
su'o-statiulis, oVCrllead gild Ulldergl'oulld Mlles, litakirig decisions and changes on how we
build and maintain our electrical distribution system. I have a good understanding of
how to prioritize jobs, know what kind of equipment is needed to do the job safe and
efficiently. I think it is important that ERMU employees keep up with the new
technology and safety regulations offered through the Minnesota Municipal Utilities
Association training schools.
For almost two years I have been on the MMUA Job training and safety committee.
There are about thirteen of us from different areas, that meet to figure out what the
curriculum will be for the upcoming training programs through out the year. We have to
find instructors for the classes, as well as what equipment and safety tools are needed.
We decide what kind of programs to offer, and which ones to eliminate. I have also been
an instructor for the overhead, and underground classes, and have received good feedback
from both students and other instructors. I am also on the spec book committee, where we
are putting together a spec book for overhead and underground construction. Upon
completion of this book, it will be used at the school for building the training field, and
also available to other utilities. Being part of the MMUA JT&S helps keep us informed
on the new safety compliances, safety equipment, DOT regulations, NESC code changes,
and industry changes.
Thank you,
Mark Fuchs