5.3b ERMUSR 02-13-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Highlights, Challenges, and Results from the 2023 Strategic Plan Initiatives • Underground feeder tie between substation 14-4 and Otsego As the City of Otsego continues to grow, early in the summer of 2023, ERMU finished installing a new 500 MCM underground feeder line (F44) from substation 14-4 in Elk River to Otsego (F52), which is near Rockwoods. With this, ERMU can assist if anything was to happen to our Otsego substation. Currently we have a feeder line from substations 14-4 and 14-3 to support services. There is a new substation transformer due to arrive in 2026 to replace the existing equipment which is over 43 years old. ESRI GIS Mapping - Transition field staff to ESRI maps. Work continued on this initiative by many staff members during 2023. We hoped for a full transition to GIS maps in 2023, but realized mid -year this would stretch into 2024-25 to ensure a complete and accurate GIS map for our staff to work with. Our current CAD mapping is strong, and we are working to proof, transfer, and proof this data again against the GIS map build. In the end, the ESRI GIS mapping product will be more accurate, contain more information, and maps will be more easily shared among employees and outside contractors such as tree trimming and pole testing firms. In addition, a one map system will free up resources currently used to maintain two. • Evaluate Water Model — Convert old water model to modern software. A water model is a very useful tool, allowing staff to see how our water distribution system behaves in different scenarios, how it reacts to operational changes, and how it should grow as population and demand increases. We investigated the possibility of using the ESRI software we already had and used in mapping the water model but found that it would only support basic parts of the model, not many of the essential features we were looking to utilize. The best option was to purchase the updated software that the water model was currently running on and update the information. Completing this initiative took the efforts of many staff members and was a needed step into the current initiative of planning for future wells, treatment, and storage. With this information we will create a long-term plan for the installation of needed infrastructure to support the northeast expansion of the urban services area. • Develop/Create a Communications Plan for Employees — The Recharge - Internal Newsletter This initiative focused on increasing employee engagement, sense of value, and understanding of ERMU's Mission, Vision, and Values. To accomplish this staff set out to implement an internal newsletter which reports monthly on accomplishments, major events, and employee profiles, creating a stronger community within ERMU to better serve the community we support. The publication was named "The Recharge" in reference to both electric and water services (i.e. recharging an aquifer) as well as it's intended goal to provide positive, fun information that recharges staff with a new appreciation for their colleagues and workplace. The first edition of The Recharge was sent on December 28, 2022, ran through 2023, and will continue going forward. Page 1of2 124