Laserfiche WebLink
Page 6 <br />Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission <br />October 14, 2008 <br />Steve Ziemer said he is now responsible for the safety checks and tool repairs that were <br />previously done by Mike Thiry. The slings, ropes, tools, etc. used by the line crew need to be <br />inspected regularly and repairs made if needed. This is time consuming to take on along with <br />his current duties. Steve said he has had to tum down the water department because he did not <br />have time to help them. <br />Michael Price said part of the extra time spent on the new job duties is learning them, but that <br />Mike Thiry did an excellent job. <br />John Dietz asked Mike Thiry if he was kept busy. Mike Thiry responded some job duties or <br />projects were put aside for the slower times, there was always something going on. John <br />Dietz voiced his opinion that staff should go back to resuming their regular duties. <br />Lori Franz addressed the Commission that this should be a case for management to work <br />through. John Dietz stated that staff brought this to the commission the commission directed <br />staff to bring this back to this meeting but their wishes were not followed. <br />Jerry Gumphrey directed Mark Fuchs to revisit this matter. <br />John Dietz announced that if there were troubled times, there may be a cut back in hours for <br />all staff, but no lay-offs of individuals. Consensus of the Commission was that no lay-offs <br />would happen. <br />Mike Thiry asked if the commission could please respond to his questions in the letter. <br />Jerry Gumphrey moved to have the attorney respond to Mike Thiry's letter dated October 13, <br />2008. John Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Jerry Takle's copy of the letter <br />was given to Judy McSpadden to send to the attorneys. <br />5.6 Review Policy Amendments <br />At the August 12, 2008 Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission meeting, staff was <br />directed to draft a number of personnel policies. The policies reviewed at last month's <br />meeting along with the remaining policies were reviewed. John Dietz commented on the <br />policy for Inventory Counts, he would like to see a better description to identify the term <br />"significant items" to be counted quarterly. John Dietz also wanted some of the terminology <br />changed in the Performance Review policy. John Dietz and Jerry Gumphrey said staff did a <br />good job on these proposed policies. The policies have been sent to the attorneys for review. <br />6.1 Review & Consider MMUA Safety Compliance Contract <br />The Elk River Municipal Utilities and the City of Elk River utilize MMUA to provide our <br />safety management program. Elk River Municipal Utilities pays the entire fixed cost, and the <br />variable cost on employee numbers is split between the Utility's and the City. A spread sheet <br />reflecting the program costs and a service agreement with MMUA was reviewed. <br />Lori Johnson said the City of Elk River is looking into other options for their safety training <br />that would be geared more for their working environment. The MMUA program is a good fit <br />