6.1. ERMUSR 02-15-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Management Services and Manager Mentorship For several years MMUA has been offering management services to members. The evaluations have been very positive and encouraging. This system is very flexible and user-friendly and as it has evolved we are able to of- fer different levels of service. Jeff Becthold is the wordi- nator of this program. and changing curriculum. MMUA has truly taken this program to the next level of instruction. Every year the electric JTS group establishes topnotch training programs, and 2010 was no exception. The group started the year off with Slings & Rigging, then moved on to Transformer Connections. Next up was Pole Top & Bucket Rescue, followed by System Grounding. Our plan was to finish the year with Underground Cable Degradation, but we ewitched to Digger Derrick & Crane Operation in response to the new federal OSHA regu- lations. MMUA's Safety Team pledges to deliver new standards and training accurately & timely to insure compliance with relevant state and federal safety & health regulations. Gary Greenwald is MMUA's primary JTS instructor. Gas Circait Rider Program The gas circuit rider program has proven to be a very helpful and popular service for the gas utility member- ship. The program is wide-ranging and Hexible, with the ability to address a variety of needs such as on-site em- ployee training, assisting with annual MNOPS inspec- tions, technical operator training and tracking regula- tory changes. Membership evaluations of this program have been very positive. Last year Jim Ramnes, our Gas Circuit Rider, tackled many different subjects, including: ° Operator qualification tracking and recordkeeping; approximately 65 days of on-site operator qualification training; • Visiting 29 different city locations with MNOPS in- spections, along with many pre-inspection meetings; • Emergency procedure reviews with 10 members; • Gas system awareness training for 10 different mem- ber fire departments; • Worked on a new draft of the MMUA operator qualifi- cation manual and a continuous update of 0&M manu- als at member utilities. The first level service is to help a utility maintain a fully functioning operation after management turnover. MMUA can provide a fully qualified manager to keep the utility operating at an optimal level for the long term, or for the short term until a new manager is hired. The next level of service is mentorship. You may have an individual on staff who has good potential but lacks the experience and training to move into the manager's role without a support system. MMUA can provide a quali- fied manager who can mentor the inexperienced man- ager and provide the support the new manager needs to be able to grow into the role and succeed. This past year we have seen increased interest in the mentorship program. Included in the range of services provided under the mentorship program are: develop and oversee the implementation of a utility work plan; develop and manage an employee supervision and sup- port system; cultivate and nurture a team partnership between city, utilities and MMUA; promote and foster the team environment with all employees; coordinate goal setting and growth management; work with city and utility management teams with rate studies; work with power suppliers; work with engineering firms as needed for future projects; direct and coordinate project 12 - 2010 Year in Review MMUA's Vernell Roberts, left, catches upon some office work with Henning's Scott Grabe. MMUA's Bruce Westergaard, left, discusses how to use a piece of equipment at a recent MMUA training school.