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______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> <br />TO: <br />ERMU Commission <br />FROM: <br />Thomas Geiser – Operations Director <br />MEETING DATE: <br />May 13, 2025 <br />AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br />6.1e <br />SUBJECT: <br />Staff Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />None <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />• Working through the second round of maps for the new GIS mapping system that we <br />plan to move forward with in the future. Maps 1 through 62 are complete. <br />• The dehydration of the existing Cooper/Eaton switchgear has come to an end. <br />• Staff is still dealing with the lack of communication and action taken from the vendor on <br />our recalled reclosers. We are waiting on all 30 units to be fixed as this time. <br />• I attended pre-construction meeting for Anna’s Acres 2nd Addition in Otsego. <br />• ERMU staff have been working with Minnesota Municipal Power Agency on their landfill <br />and solar projects. <br />• Construction season is in full swing. <br />• With the retirement of Line Crew Foreperson Scott Thoreson, Matt Schwartz and Mitch <br />Girtz have been promoted from lead lineworkers to line crew forepersons and Matt Zipp <br />and Alex Paschall have been promoted from lineworkers to lead lineworkers. All four <br />promotions were effective Tuesday, April 29. Matt and Mitch bring a combined <br />experience of over 25 years in a variety of positions within the lineworker field. With a <br />combined 15 years of experience in linework, Matt Zipp and Alex also bring an <br />impressive skillset and vast experience to their new roles. The promotion of a second <br />line crew foreperson represents a change from past practice. This change supports <br />expanded position responsibilities, including substation and transformer maintenance, <br />as well as technical support for GIS/app systems. As Scott Thoreson prepares to depart <br />in July, he will spend the next few months training and mentoring Matt and Mitch, <br />ensuring a smooth leadership transition. There is no budget impact as the gap between <br />Scott’s retirement and our planned replacement of a lineworker in October/November <br />will more than offset the incremental increase of a second foreperson. <br />• Our seasonal lineworkers will be starting on May 13. <br />• ERMU staff and I have had interviews for a GIS intern. <br />• I attended the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association’s Job Training & Safety Meeting <br />in Marshall, MN, April 23-24. <br />113