09-08-2020 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Dietz gave commissioners the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the General Manager Employment Agreement. There were no questions. Moved by Commissioner Bell and seconded by Commissioner Westgaard to approve the General Manager Employment Agreement, effective August 11, 2020. Motion carried 5-0. 6.0 BUSINESS DISCUSSION 6.1 Staff Updates Ms. Slominski noted that she had just received the workers compensation insurance renewal, which had a $2000 increase over the previous year. Chair Dietz highlighted Ms. Nelson's final update item regarding employees working remotely due to hybrid school schedules. He noted that he was not in favor of a situation where some staff members would be receiving benefits that others are not since many people in the company cannot do theirjob from home. Chair Dietz stated that he also wanted to be sure there would be enough staff in the office to handle customer needs. Commissioner Westgaard stated that many organizations were facing this issue and it is a very fluid situation. Commissioner Westgaard suggested being as flexible as possible as long as the needs of customers are being met. Ms. Nelson added that staff understands that they are best able to serve customers and that is what ERMU is trying to accomplish with this rotation approach. Chair Dietz asked for details on contingency plans should circumstances with school schedules change. Staff responded. Mr. Sagstetter updated the commission that the wind turbine that had been constructed at the Youth Athletic Complex was scheduled to be painted at the end of September, beginning of October. Chair Dietz asked for details about concerns he had heard that the turbine would be a danger to wildlife. Mr. Sagstetter responded that a photographer had expressed concerns about the potential dangers, but that he explained the turbine had been situated out of the migratory path and at a lower height than those birds typically travel. He said the individual will reach out if they notice any issues. Commissioner Bell had questions about the recent conservation initiative to give customers four free LED bulbs when they signed up to receive The Connector newsletter. Staff shared that there had been 472 signups to date. Mr. Ninow shared that earlier in the day the water department had opened one of the gates at the dam two feet to start the drawdown for the lake restoration project. Chair Dietz had questions about future gate openings. Staff responded. 6.2 Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Summer Conference Update Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes September 8, 2020 Page 4