6.1. ERMUSR 05-12-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Municipal Utilities 13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 Apri130, 2009 To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission John Dietz Jerry Gumphrey Daryl Thompson From: Troy Adams Subject: Staff Updates -Director of Operations b~l Phone: 763.441.2020 Fax: 763.441.8099 On April. 23`h, Commissioner Dietz and management met with Rod Kelsey from Riley, Dettmann & Kelsey to review acid finalize the Job Evaluation Summary. This summary is currently being used to review the salary range structure. An update will be provided in the near future. The distribution interconnection agreement between Connexus and ERMU for the Waco Substation has been sign by ERMU and is waiting to be formally executed by Connexus. Elk River Municipal Utilities has similar distribution interconnection agreements with Connexus for the North Substation and Substation 14 -Bank 4. At the Waco Substation, Connexus is requesting to take a feeder out to be used only as an emergency backup. Due to multiple reasons, one of our Lead Lineworkers (who has been with ERMU for almost 10 years) has decided to pursue employment opportunities elsewhere. It is always good financial business practice to retain rather that to hire/retrain and the Utilities strives to promote a positive work environment to retain experience and skill. However, turn-over is an unfortunate and inevitable aspect of business. In this industry, experienced lineworkers are in short supply and there are looming retirements to also be addressed making employee retention even more important. An ad has been placed in the Star News for an opening for an Apprentice Lineworker, the lineworker schools have been contacted, and an ad will run through MMUA's website. Depending on print deadlines, a print ad may also be placed in MMUA's Resource publication. If ERMU hires somebody coming out of one of the lineworker schools, the new- hire would need to complete the apprentice lineworker program and would not be able to be on- call or do hot-work for the first year of employment. If an experienced lineworker is hired, this process may be expedited depending on type of experience and training. The tentative hire date would be June lst, but this may be postponed depending upon the number of responses.