ERMUSR HANDOUT #1 06-12-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Technical and Operations Conference (St. Cloud, December 6 – 8). MMUA's newest major meeting is geared toward managers, superintendents, crew leaders, and others who are responsible for the daily operation of municipal util- ity systems. Last year's meeting featured presentations on "Communication Secrets of an Effective Leader;' "Change: Are You Surviving or Thriving ? ", and a moving presentation by Eddie and Lisa Black on "Accidents and Your Family." Schools and Workshops. As usual, MMUA presented a va- riety of schools and workshops over the course of the year. Schools presented at the MMUA Training Center feature hands -on technical task training with a strong emphasis on safe and efficient work practices. The following four schools were co- sponsored with the American Public Power Asso- ciation and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association. Overhead School. We had 47 students from municipal utilities and 9 students from MREA attend the Overhead School. The most recent addition to the overhead and un- derground school is the journeymen leadership class. This class is designed to challenge the veteran lineworker with an enhanced curriculum to further develop leadership and technical skills. Underground School. This school had 40 students from mu- nicipal utilities and 11 students from MREA in 2011. See note above. Transformer School, including a pre- conference workshop on Basic Single -Phase Transformer Connection and Theory. This workshop is considered one of the best in the country. The program offers plenty of hands -on instruction with one of the finest instructors in the industry, Scott Mieneke. We had 15 students attend the pre- conference and 31 students attend the school. Meter School, including a pre- conference workshop on Ba- sic Metering. MMUA has developed extensive meter train- ing facilities at the training center, and this workshop is con- sidered among the best. The program provides challenging instruction for all levels of experience. In 2011 we had 26 students attend the pre- conference and 52 students attend the school. Additional MMUA Schools. Substation School. This year's school emphasized substation operations and maintenance. The school was presented at two locations, Shakopee, MN and Brookings, SD. A total of 63 students were trained. Locating School. We had 30 students attend at this work- shop in 2011. 14 - 2011 Year in Review Competent Person Workshop. This workshop was paired up with the Locating School. There were 24 students trained. Generation School. MMUA brought back the Generatio School in 2011. Hands -on training was conducted at tl� power plants in Glencoe and Litchfield. A total of 48 stu- dents attended this school. Firstline Supervision. In 2011 we had five students gradu- ate from the FirstLine Supervision program and 19 new students. This program is designed to provide the first line supervisor with leadership skills needed in today's competi- tive market. Legal Seminar. MMUA developed a first-of- its - kind- in -Min- nesota legal seminar designed to aid attorneys with munici- pal clients. For our first time offering this seminar, we had 25 attendees. MMUA Regional Workshops. Electrical Accidents —The Straight Talk. Presented by Larry Botten (New Ulm), Russ Good (North Branch), Jeff Bertram (Owatonna) and Mike Willetts. We had a total of 108 stu- dents attend the sessions held in Alexandria, Elk River, Owa- tonna, Marshall, and Thief River Falls. Spill Prevention Control &Countermeasures. Presented b Bruce Bousu. This regional workshop was presented in B4 falo, Owatonna and Alexandria with a total of 37 students. Communications and Publications Communicating with our membership and the general pub- lic is one of the fundamental reasons for MMUA's existence. MMUA Associate Executive Director Steve Downer plays a central role in fulfilling this function. Over the course of the year MMUA researched and an- swered numerous questions in regards to operation of mu- nicipal utilities. At times, the answer was gained through posting an online survey on the MMUA website. As is the case every year, MMUA produced a number of information publications in 2011, including 11 monthly Re- source newsletters for MMUA members in 2010, 35 Con- nector newsletters for members to send to their customer as well as 14 Capitol Tattler electronic legislative updates.