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5.4 Workplace Culture <br /> At the December 17, 2019 special commission meeting, Chair Dietz voiced his concern about <br /> there being some issues with employee morale and workplace culture. The commission <br /> directed the leadership team to further discuss the issue and follow up with the commission <br /> with some analysis and possible solutions that could be implemented to improve workplace <br /> culture. <br /> Mr. Adams reported that the leadership team held initial discussions with staff immediately <br /> following the December commission meeting, and then evaluated that initial feedback and <br /> analyzed those comments. The leadership team also considered the feedback received during <br /> the 2019 organizational effectiveness survey. Mr. Adams provided an overview of the analysis <br /> as outlined in his memo. Staff concluded that we have invested a lot of time training our <br /> employees on "hard skills", versus "soft skills", and by providing the necessary soft skills <br /> training it will help to build better workplace culture and develop future leaders. As the <br /> amount budgeted to address specific soft skills training in 2020 was $5,000, and only takes <br /> into consideration mid-organization leaders receiving this training, the budget scope is too <br /> narrow to include all employees. Mr. Adams recommended the commission consider <br /> reallocating the $5,000 budgeted for commission contingency toward employee soft skill <br /> training and improving workplace culture. After discussion, the commission had consensus to <br /> reallocate $5,000 of the commission budget. <br /> Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Nadeau to approve the <br /> reallocation of$5,000 commission budget toward organization wide training. Motion <br /> carried 5-0. <br /> 5.5 Auburn Street Water Tower Reconditioning Proiect Update <br /> Mr. Adams provided some background on the Auburn Street Water Tower Reconditioning <br /> Project. He shared that due to the contractor being unable to complete the project by the <br /> October 11, 2019 deadline and meet the contractual obligations, our project manager had <br /> communicated with Classic Protective Coatings that ERMU would exercise the liquidated <br /> damages provisions in the contract. Classic Protectives' attorney has since communicated that <br /> their client disagrees and doesn't believe they should be held accountable for any liquidated <br /> damages. Attorney Beck has been working with the contractor's attorney to resolve the issue. <br /> Attorney Beck provided an update on the communications that have taken place thus far with <br /> the contractor and their attorney. Attorney Beck provided details on the liquidated damages <br /> assessment and the actual costs incurred by ERMU as a result of the project not being <br /> completed on time. He also shared that the contractor's attorney has proposed conditions, <br /> and a dollar amount that the client would be willing to pay towards our costs. After <br /> discussion, there was commission consensus for Attorney Beck to move forward with <br /> negotiations to recover our actual substantiated costs. <br /> Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br /> March 10, 2020 <br /> Page 5 <br />