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6.1. ERMUSR 02-09-2010~i Elk River ----- Municipal Utilities 1.3069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 February 1, 2010 To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission John Dietz Jerry Gumphrey Daryl Thompson From: Troy Adams Subject: Staff Updates -Director of Operations Phone: ?63.441.2020 Fax: 763.441.8099 In February 2007, ERMU executed an agreement with Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPAA) to participate in the CAPX Brookings-Twin Cities transmission development project through Midwest Municipal Transmission Group (MMTG). The reason for investing in this project was to help mitigate future increases in transmission cost with revenue from transmission ownership. The 2010 Annual MMTG meeting is scheduled for February l Ot~'. An update will be provided at a future Utilities Commission meeting and may include a presentation from CMMPA if schedules permit. Theresa Slominski, Mark Fuchs, and I attended the MMUA Regional Management Training this last month. This is a new training targeting newly promoted-from-within managers, but it's equally applicable as a refresher to more seasoned managers. The brochure is attached for reference. I continue to research future wholesale power suppliers. On February 2°d, I'm meeting with a representative of Avant Energy, the contracted management service of Minnesota Municipal Power Agency CMMPA). A few of the municipal members of MMPA include Anoka, Buffalo, Chaska, and Shakopee. I've also been contacted by CMMPA about the organizing of a power supply coalition. This coalition is being formed to represent some of the iron range municipals but inquiries have been extended to a few other municipal utilities including Elk River and Willmar. One of the intriguing notes about this opportunity is a possibility of getting a portion of base load from hydro, which may help to reduce the volatility and uncertainty of coal and gas generated electricity. Enclosed for your reading is the current issue of the MMUA Resource. 6ao ~ enww ~nnnnnn Z~~S-Ltiti55 NW `u~now~(Id OOt~ aging `y}aoN aue~ aogaeH SZOE uoi~eioossd sai~i~~}~ ~edioiunw e~osauuiw l~lA/~Y/~Y u ~~ Many times we find our supervisors are often promoted from within because of their excellent work record, system knowledge, experience and ability to deal well with the public. These dedicated staff members have a high degree of technical experience, and often times have not had the opportunity to expand their human relations skills. These skills are critical in maintaining an effective and productive work force and will allow for guiding employees in an ever changing work environment. These changes are influenced by today's economic climate as well as the ever changing expectations of our customers. This regional will provide high level needed skills to help managers and supervisors change and adapt to situational changes in the workplace. The critical skills we will review and assist supervisors in learning and understanding include reviewing what drives the dynamics of your organization, attitudes, behaviors and communications. Communications are a critical function of supervisors and sometimes we find ourselves communicating to our employees only to find the finished result different than what we conveyed to the employee. We will provide critical communication skills training to help remove barriers to effective communication and help ensure supervisors and employees are communicating well together. • New, upcoming Supervisors/Managers ":iT~ ~~ 4'1 L ~ pp add,. ,~+1({'a,1 ~ i~ ~ ~ ~j ) a ~`~ i -~i ~ 9 lY}LL~q~ ~ `~~i 1 i }~'" '~~ n ~`' i .. s.~ ~ ~°'i"k~~'?tY`' ~~ J ~~7 3rfl? .! 0 a s~ yY~ T~€37 •~~ t~ m Y~ 'V 7 d ~;, r ~ r xr r~,tw~.,,33 w~' o ... .., ., r f~ s $ ~ ti ~;~ ~~ Y , u? ~, t y+ ., _ .. „~ ~, , • What factors influence behavior • What Motivates a person's behavior • The motivation cycle • How we as Supervisors influence the motivation cycle • What really motivates people MMiJA is pleased to offer this new and exciting Management Regional to experienced, new or yet-to-be supervisors within your organization. • Experienced Supervisors/Managers ,~ ;. ;.~ ., )a~i,. ,y ~..~ ~1 .i i w5 7 ~„ l ~ ~ ~. S, ~. ~ ~ ~ , -a • Recognizing all people are not the same and dealing with those differences rf` ; ~ "~''>, ,~k,~,~ r r ~~s~;.e-'si~ ~ c ~, ;~r ~~ a~, 4 !' t ~' t v.r ~ '' ~, ~,b: ar ti ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ r,~-~ '}~ ,~~~~ ~ V~ ~ ,~ .:::.zT 'u ~s~ '~' ~~. h :. xr z ~~ f ~ ~f~~ 1 I '~~! ~ ari ~ ~1 .. _ . .,_ ,.. _.. ..n...... ' ... ~ ~ r ,~. ii .. 5;iin..u.. , s....._. ......_. . _ ~ 't .., • Setting priorities • Getting the message of your priorities to your employees -"-r-~;--- +~ ~4 t1 ..~. b .~ fib "'tom""^~ ~~ ~ yy..x~~j~~j~~~ ,~. ~ ti1rl}~~~ q r ppyy S ,,.._ Y ..i' `ai Ac ..f '1. ~~' W 1~}. ^T~ y/,v'ggq - 7 1 art ~. ~~fi ~'L'- ~ s1 ~ ~~ ~s~ ~ ~~ ~ ~D LJ~~ ~~~'~ ~P ~94~c~ ~~ a.~ 14,E ~~i~y Y.1~a~d h ~~ra ~l ~;p w ~ "`iii • Annual performance review • How we can use performance reviews to improve workplace performance y 3t ~ y ~ i . 1 ~ LC' 4 S '~ ~ ~ ..''~ ~ L • Proper steps and helpful documentation when conducting necessary discipline • Creating a disciplinary policy and why you need one ~-c, ~ ~~ ~`, ~~ ~ ,~ ~~ ~, r R x~'JJ ~~ t~ 11 YJ d r~~ ~ ~ ~~ :J~ 14 ~~~~ ~~~~~'.~ V~~`~~k~~J ~~4 ~ i1. ~j~ "Y7a1~4~ 5. Yf~ ^ ~ ~ Y ~ ~ ~ ~ k g U'T ~{~ lk °~y ~• k ~ ~ ~ {~t,. xh i T ;t '; ~3t w ~ ' -. ~~aa ~. `.:.u.. ...... ... .1. _... i. ~T~f.._~S Ti't'.. .~~_...~1. 1 c l ~ ~ ~rv ~ . ~ r 1~ • How do people learn • How can we help them Team better and faster _ ~ yy ,. 7 161_ p~~D 7 ~ j 1~'~ s l ;~'~P 4. ~ ~ J~2J ,, ~~ ~ :'#~'fsc ~ ~ <<, ~~' "9 ~x ~ ~ ~ ~.. {, r „_. v,.z ~,.::... ~..s::~ _.,.E.,. ~ ,. ~ ~ a ` • What starts conflicts • Why we must deal with conflict • Consequences of conflict • Group and individual conflict • How to earn respect and the importance of showing respect I 'r. ~~ 5~~~i•,. 2"~~ (+i ,~ ~` #,~~'f' 4 t ;i11 ~ a 9; ~ @r~~ ~''i' 3''t . -::..,~ ` 7y ,;q.j c ~~~r.~~~ '' ~'f ~; y ~ ~ p(~ ; t 1 • Giving good communications • Communication filters o Attitudes, emotions, role expectations • Non Verbal messages • How to improve communications o Effective listening, speaking, and giving clear directions f ,a t s MQ ~z.- ~~ L ~ "" .r - ~ ~ 3 ~ ~ a~ , 3 ~' ~ yy ~ ~ ~d 4 w+~.:l..*.. .'~~..~.._ .y 1." M.. < 1,~kxi,~ 4. w ~*.61~v,~-' i~r2~::H ' • How attitudes are formed • What makes an attitude? • How is ours? o How it affects others o How we change ours o How we help others change theirs r ~,~ . c.,-R ~ -- --n ~ r 4N~'. J • Determining employees' needs F F_ ~ t r~ ' ti '_ Lv',t !, o It is not always money `; ~~ ~~ • Helping them fulfill their needs ~~ • Why this helps make them better employees ' ~'~~,`~ j~. ~~ ' • What are our needs? ~ I How this makes us better !~ , ~ ~~ ._ . _ ~^ 8:00 A.M. - 8:30 A.M. Registration 8:30 A.M. -12:00 P.M. Information Session 12:00 P.M. - 12:30 P.M. Lunch at Location 12:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. Information Session There will be one break session during each Information Session. Vernell Roberts MMUA Regional Safety Coordinator/JT&S Instructor Vernell has over 30 ears experience in the electric utility industry. He started his career working for contractors on transmission line projects u1 Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. He worked for the City of Loveland, Colorado for 14 years and progressed to overseeing crews on various projects and working in the capacity as crew leader at different times. He spent over eight years as manger o£ a midsized utility at Wadena Light and Water, and his work and educational experience provide him a with a solid background to allow him to bring this experience and knowledge to this regional. s;- TUESDAY, January 12, 2010 Best Western Ramkota Hotel 1901 9th Avenue Southwest Watertown, S.D. 57201 37373673673 U 7C7 ~~"• fr ~ ~~ -- 7th S~ a' r', '~ u r .; ~+ rL __ ~ ,.,, ,. 1 ~ 32; rJ _ _ _ _ ~. ti ;~ ~" James ~;r ~~[71'#I~f st r, ~~ TFf~e# RI•'~NI' FaI~~ :, _ _ ~ ~' - LSt Jt E LY:II 36 °f'! Hi~~gh~,t, ~~t Cackt' a~~ ~°, ,_ F~cra ;;r r Efn~~ Ja`` _ ~.. THURSDAY, January 21, 2010 Thief River Falls City Hall 405 Third Street East Thief River Falls, MN 56701 218-681-4145 ~ ~~ P'L. -~ ~- ~,, -w. ~s .~, ,~ ~ ?i ,.u ,~ r, Aauglax CDY.}I Y tea. HaeFltdl llth SI Nr y P' ~~ ~~ ~~~'~i dN 1vt0 :it fu fig ~~ 2 ?Cth ;[ ha: ZOitl SI fdW ~_ Chnndl~,~ F~rotJ ' 27:2' r., ,NaY 1~µtp5 Hr ;[ S7 3 V'ne S: Ne '- _ ,' _ _ J .,l cGgce~o~d ~ , ~L``'` !'NISkC~fTtIS . ~ .r filer F+e;d K V !~ `~~ ' .' Gr( d ;`_ 39 ??'ZS s. LL LY~~ s '•N Satl+ fv+~ ~•frr, .4'm L 7u3 ;t S ~ 3;th hW':' ''atl 5f .S 2ii N,' 29 __ lUth i[fac f ' +~. e c `s in a, uo A . r. N '. 4~Ifi IiYi+ s ry~ hg°'y ~e! rsur c. S, . tday ,u '~Z9C94.nrt=0 •.i TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2010 THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 Broadway Ballroom/Garden Center Lanes Centennial Park Fire Station 115 30th Avenue East 209 Atlas Avenue Alexandria, MN 56308 Buffalo, MN 55313 320-763-6565 763.682.1001 }'.'h:.:4r . 3 )1h i+vl:• d'~i~ '+ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010 Owatonna - Cabela's 3900 Cabela Dr NW (GPS: 2350 43rd St. NW) Owatonna, MN 55060 (507) 451-4545 T 1? t'} n"i ~~jh d4 ~'?"• 4r. 'a ~irf • ~! _ _. ;w~ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Two Harbors Fire Hall 401 20th Ave Two Harbors, MN 55616 218-834-5631 _ ~~ l A I I ~. ~I 6\ 1 I I I w~ij.~~ iiriv~~ MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ASSOCIATION 3025 Harbor Lane N, Suite 400 i ! Date: January 12, 21, 26, 28, February 4,11 Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 763-551-1230 i Location: ilarious Locations ~~~ Fax:763-551-0459 www.mmua.org ~~ Attendee Information Registration Fees ~~ Name: $175 for members I Name (2): $225 for nonmembers ', Name (3): ~ Conference Fee: ' Name (4): i x Number of Attendees: Utility: Total Due: I Address: Payment ~ State: ~ Zipcode: • Check Payable to: MMUA ~ PO# • Bill Utility Main Contact: ~ Email: j Phone: _._____-.___~._.._.~._._p.._. _____~_.____ Please check which date & location you will be attending: __.___-__________._._- - - ---- Jan. 12 -Watertown, S.D., Best Western Ramkota Hotel: DEADLINE Jan. 4 ' Jan. 21 -Thief River Falls City Hall DEADLINE: Jan. 13 ~ Jan. 26 -Alexandria Broadway Ballroom/Garden Center Lanes DEADLINE: Jan. 18 Jan. 28 -Centennial Park Fire Station, Buffalo DEADLINE: Jan. 20 Feb. 4 - Owatonna Cabela's DEADLINE: Jan. 28 Feb. 11 -Two Harbors Fire Hall DEADLINE: Feb. 3 i REFUND: A full refund (minus $25.00 processing fee) will be given on advanced registrations if ;the MMUA office is notified by the deadline date listed above. I '; Register online: www.mmua.ore under calendar link Register by mail: MMUA j 3025 Harbor Lane N., Suite 400 i Plymouth, MN 55447 Register by phone: 763.551.1230 i Register by .fax: 763.551.0459 Ji Elk River -=~ Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 February 5, 2010 To: Elk River Municipal Utilities commission John Dietz Jerry Gumphrey Daryl Thompson From: Theresa Slominski Re: Staff Update -Office Phone: 763.441.2020 Fax: 763.441.8099 The glue not sealing on the eco-envelopes is still an issue that we are working with the supplier to try and remedy. The Customer Service Training on January 13t" went very well. The trainer, Jim Walters, from Rochester, was very helpful, and motivating. He did a great job of listening to the needs, providing helpful tips and tools, and empowering the staff to be great customer service providers. He presented the importance of customer service in the future, where electric service may be more of a choice for the customers and what should we do to make them want to choose ERMU. Along with the W2s this year, staff received a restated W2c for 2008 and 2007. This was necessary because it was discovered that the Health Care Savings Plan deduction was not set up as a pretax deduction correctly in our payroll system. This results in a lower taxable income for individuals, and therefore, may result in a lower income tax for the applicable year. I distributed a memo to staff stating that if it is determined that they need to amend their tax returns, we will reimburse staff for that expense upon presentation of a third party invoice for the amended tax return amount. F1kRiver Municipal Utilities Memorandum To: Elk River Utilities Commission John Diehl Je'n3'~P~S' ~~~ From: David Berg Date: 2/3/2010 Subject: Well Head Protection Plan 1) Bids Barr & Mink Engineering & Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. have both been asked for bids on our Well Head Protection Amendment. Once the bids are received, the engineers will need to create a delineation of our three newest wells (7, 8, & 9). This will be a big step in starting our amendment process. Elk River Municipal Utilities Memorandum To: Elk River Utilities Commission John Dietz Jerry Gwnplu~ey DaiylTlxxnpson From: David Berg Date: 2/3/2010 Subject: Water Rate Study In-House Analysis: After meeting with Tim Simon & Lorrie Franz and reviewing our water usage and current rates, there is some concern. After discussion on the water rates it is possible that rates will need to be adjusted in order to meet our future projects. At next months meeting (March), we will be presenting our possible rate adjustment plans. ~j Elk River -~ Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 February 1, 2010 TO: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission John Dietz Jerry Gumphrey Daryl Thompson FROM: Mark Fuchs SUBJECT: Staff Update -Electric Department The following is a summary of projects and/or updates over the past several weeks: Phone: 763.441.2020 Fax: 763.441.8099 • Went through the street lights that have a main photo eye that turn on multiple lights at once and fixed the ones not working. • Continued working; on tree trimming. • Working on changing out our cutouts and fuses. With this we go through checking padmount transformers and padmount switch gears making sure nothing is leaking, the proper tags are in place, the map book matches the tags; and all the warning stickers are on the outside. • Started on Co. Rd. 30 to convert voltage to 7200. When working on this road we are required to have flaggers for traffic control. These rules are set by Sherburne County and the MNDOT. • Had to change out a 3-phase transformer at the ice arena. We used our infrared camera and it picked up heating internal in the transformer. • Had two new electric service applications. • Completed as much as we could on area 23 taps. We will finish the rest in the spring. • The MMUA Job Training and Safety Committee annual planning meeting was held here January 27`" and 28th. We went over the training that MMUA put on in 2009 and looked at what worked well and what needs to improve. MMUA also looks at short and long term goals for student training and the training center facilities. We also went over the spec book. Elk Riv Municip al Utilitie s 13069 Orono Parkway . P.O. Box 430 Phone: 763.441.2020 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 Fax: 763.441.8099 TO: Elk River Utilities Commission John Dietz Jerry Gumphrey Daryl Thompson FROM: Wade Lovelette SUBJECT: Staff Update -Technical Services Department The following is a summary of projects and/or updates over the past several weeks: The Locating Department had a total of 58 locate tickets for January. Some of them were meets which required several trips back to the same are<< as needed to mark utilities. One of the tickets was an emergency locate and one was a boundary survey. One of our locators, Jeff Murray, put on a locating training (in house) for the field crews. Everyone benefitted from this. He did a great job! 2. The Metering Department continues with weekly and monthly substation checks, changing out meters to the radio read meters, and doing the monthly power bill. 3. The Security Systems Department had a total of 47 phone contacts, S personal visits, 5 systems quoted, 8 sales made, 12 installs completed and 22 service calls for the month of January. 4. Map books continue to be updated daily as crews add or change items in them. We are getting ready for printing a new edition. 5. Power Plant staff has performed the monthly run of the generators and everything looked good. 6. Staff continues work on the written lock-out tag-out procedures for each piece of equipment in the power plant. Steve Zeimer is also working on the testing of the sensors on each generator and getting them set to specs.