The Update is the internal Environmental Services newsletter, posted by MCES Administration.
Guest Notes from Sam Paske
Assistant General Manager, Environmental Quality Assurance
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance are, and have always been, of top importance to MCES at all levels. Over the past few years we have been making changes to improve how we provide environmental health and safety support and guidance so that everyone goes home safely (and in good health) every day, and our environmental compliance track record continues to be excellent.
Based on the input of staff and managers across ES, the EHS Department was created in early 2019 from a merger of the Safety and Environmental Compliance Departments. We then asked for your input again to help prioritize EHS improvements for the next few years. You and your colleagues shared what is important to your work, and that was captured in a strategy map (shown below) to guide improvement going forward.
We are so grateful for the honest feedback we received and we are honoring your input by working on the goals and priorities — to increase our level of customer service, to improve programs, to be as available on site as possible, and more.
During the COVID-19 response, EHS staff are working closing with the Met Council and MCES Incident Command to ensure you and your working environment are as safe as possible so we can continue to provide critical public health services to the region’s communities, and maintain regional planning support to our partners.
EHS is here to support your success in traditional areas and in areas that are new to us as we deal with current challenges. Please let anyone in the EHS Department know what you think, what you need, or how we could help. Contact me, Tim Morrell, Terry Gilchrist, Mike Rhode, Dennis Fox, Josh Hamre or Alesha Peterson and we will do our best for more information or with requests for support. View on MetNet.
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2020 marks the 50th anniversary
The COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed what promised to be the biggest Earth Day celebration in our nation’s history – the 50th anniversary.
The first Earth Day sparked the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. These are part of the regulatory framework that protects public and environmental health, but Environmental Services staff know more action at every level is needed—and that action takes a lot of dedicated work from all of us.
The goal of Earth Day remains unchanged over the last 50 years: to unite people around the world in taking action to protect the planet.
"We in Environmental Services take this message to heart in everything we do and how we do it," said Larry Rogacki, assistant general manager, Support Service Business Unit. "Each member of our staff, and our trusted partnerships with customers and stakeholders, is vital to making our mission a reality for the region." Continue on MetNet.
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Check out two of your coworkers on camera!
Dave Gardner, manager, Seneca Plant, (pictured) and Cassie Champion, principal environmental scientist, Water Resources, each appear in an installment of Council@Work.
Dave and Cassie worked with videographer Carol Critchley, RA Communications, who edited the videos. The series is hosted on YouTube. Continue on MetNet.
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Information is added daily
For the most current information related to COVID-19, visit the MetNet page and the MCES COVID-19 Page, and be sure to review the FAQs for staff and managers. They are updated as we have new information to communicate.
Questions
If you have questions, talk to your manager or supervisor or submit a question or concern using the online COVID-19 form.
For those who cannot easily access MetNet and/or would like a printable version of the FAQs, here are the most recent versions of these pages as pdfs:
It's okay to not be okay, but know there's help and hope
These free resources and upcoming events were compiled by Fit For Life to help you and your family take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during these stressful times.
Printable guides
Fit For Life staff have complied a "Social Distancing Resource Guide," intended to help with the effects of social distancing that we are all feeling, whether we are still on-site at our work locations or working from home. The resource guide is full of useful activities, resources and ideas for:
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Staying active at home
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Caring for your mental health
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Helping to occupy and challenge your kids
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Staying connected
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Learning new things
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Adjusting to work changes
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Ongoing Council programs
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And more!
For more resources and ideas for self-care, check out Fit For Life's COVID-19 wellness resources guide (PDF).
Continue on MetNet.
Your health is their top priority
During these uncertain times, the Met Council's Well@Work clinics are still here for you. The Well@Work clinics remain open and are ready to support you. Give them a call if you'd like to make an appointment.
They are currently conducting appointments both in person and virtually. Through their phone screening process, they will help guide you to the best place of care based on your symptoms, and there's so much they can do using virtual appointments ("telehealth").
Virtual appointments can be great for:
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Mental health issues like depression and anxiety
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Bladder infections (UTIs)
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Medication refills
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Seasonal allergies
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Chronic condition follow-ups
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And more
Make an appointment today
Your clinic is ready to help. To make an appointment, call:
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St. Paul Well@Work clinic (375 Jackson Street): 952-967-5474
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Minneapolis Well@Work clinic (Heywood Office Building): 952-967-7468
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Go to the Well@Work MetNet page
Call 1-833-454-0148
Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan earlier this month launched a Discrimination Helpline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The toll-free helpline will allow those who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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We all want to stay connected
Considering most Americans who work full-time spend at least 40 hours a week with coworkers, it's natural to miss those connections. Right now especially, we want to hear how you've adjusted to the working situation, whether you're onsite or tele-working.
Most ES employees have been reporting to their worksites every day. We know employees have been stepping up daily—they do under normal circumstances. We would love to give you a shout-out in the regular COVID-19 emails to employees. Some ideas may be be shared Councilwide.
FEATURED EMPLOYEE: LANYA ROSS
Environmental analyst, Water Resources, Robert Street
What has changed?
I’ve gone from busing downtown to Robert Street every day to working at home with my husband and 4th grade son. While I like the length of my new commute, I miss talking with the neighbors who ride my bus. I also miss crossing paths with coworkers and catching up about their work. Continue on MetNet.
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Goal: improve accessibility for everyone
A multi-year initiative by Environmental Services to address ADA barriers enters a new phase this spring with the beginning of new work projects to improve accessibility at ES facilities.
The transition from planning to action comes about nine months after a Council-wide self-evaluation of barriers began in June 2019. During that time, a consultant identified more than 3,000 barriers across the Council to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is designed to improve accessibility for everyone.
Work is underway in every Council division to assess and address public barriers ranging from Metro Transit bus garages and bus stops to public meeting rooms to doorways and signage across the agency. The barriers range from small, which can be easily addressed, to large, which will take up to several years to complete. Continue on MetNet.
Congratulations to these employees celebrating milestone anniversaries!
30 YEARS
John Peick, lead electrician, Maintenance & Security Business Unit, Metro Plant
James Pierce, senior metering and systems alarm operator, Interceptor Operations, RMF
10 YEARS
Randy Gelner, electrician, Maintenance & Security Business Unit, Metro Plant
5 YEARS
Heidi Hutter, senior engineer, Plant Engineering, Robert Street
Toni Janzig, SAC technician, MCES Finance & Revenue, Robert Street
These changes were posted by HR since the March Update.
NEW HIRES
Matthew Jefferson, temporary electrician, Maintenance & Security Business Unit, Metro Plant
Ann Postera, environmental scientist, Industrial Waste/Pollution Prevention, Metro 94
Brian Trost, temporary electrician, Maintenance & Security Business Unit, Regional Maintenance Facility
PROMOTIONS
Samantha Bean, business analyst II, Performance Excellence & Analytics, Metro Plant
(promoted from technical writer II)
David Crothers, machinist mechanic, Maintenance & Security Business Unit, Metro Plant
(promoted from apprentice machinist mechanic)
See departures on MetNet.
Volunteering is good for the receiver and the giver
I've got my own problems right now, how can I help anyone else?
There is overwhelming evidence that volunteering and helping others reduces and prevents depression, provides a sense of purpose, and lowers stress levels. Read more on the AARP website.
Right now your fellow Minnesotans need you. According to the Wall Street Journal, more than 20 million Americans filed for unemployment recently. You can help even while sheltered in place and social distancing.
Ways to help right now
The Federal Drug Administration (fda.org) is working with other agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in COVID-19 response. The FDA suggests:
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Donate COVID-19 plasma. If you have fully recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to help patients currently fighting the infection.
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Donate medical supplies or equipment. Visit FEMA's How to Help page to donate or sell medical supplies/equipment to the federal government (fema.gov)
What else can I do?
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Make a mask. On April 18 Gov. Tim Walz announced a homemade mask drive. On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire departments, which will be delivered to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents. Metro Transit is also accepting homemade mask donations for their on-site essential staff. Other groups accepting masks and donations are listed at: cbs.com
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Donate money to food shelves. Secondhand Harvest (secondhandharvest.org) can use $50 to provide 150 meals for hungry families, children and seniors. Any amount is welcome.
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Donate blood if you are healthy. Both the American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org) and Memorial Blood Centers (mbc.org) are in desperate need. You can schedule an appointment online.
- Order take out from your favorite restaurants; some are still providing delivery (see the Pioneer Press' list) and tip generously. If you don't see your favorite on the list, call or check their website.
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Don't forget the animals. Rescue groups depend on the generosity of animal lovers, especially in times of a crisis. See Reader's Digest's ways to help at rd.com.
- Charity Navigator is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and rates charities annually based on their financials (such as donation allocation) and tax information (i.e., Tax Form 990). See their suggestions for helping those on the front line at charitynavigator.org.
Supporting Thrive, Environmental Services Strategic Vision
The Council and its partners have worked for decades throughout the Twin Cities region to protect our environment and its resources. These opportunities support all five of the Thrive MSP 2040 outcomes: Stewardship, Prosperity, Equity, Livability and Sustainability. They also support all five MCES Values: Excellence, Inclusiveness, Integrity, Respect and Commitment.
This month's contributors: Claire Lukens, Kate Nyquist, Tim O'Donnell, Sam Paske, Jeff Syme
Story idea? Contact Bobbie Chong by email: bobbie.chong@metc.state.mn.us or phone: 651-602-1263.
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