The Environmental Services monthly employee newsletter
MCES wastewater treatment plants continued their tradition of earning high honors in the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Peak Performance Awards program. NACWA announced the awards in early July and will present them during its Utility Leadership Virtual Event on July 21.
"These annual Peak Performance Awards from NACWA are a leading indicator of the high level of excellence that we consistently achieve in providing our essential wastewater service to the public," said Leisa Thompson, MCES general manager. "From our staff on the front lines operating and maintaining our treatment and interceptor facilities and keeping them in permit compliance, to our staff in numerous functions across the division who support our operations, your dedication and collaboration day in and day out are what deliver these results. The public thanks you and our MCES leadership thank you for everything you do."
Based on their performance through 2020, six MCES plants earned Platinum Awards for achieving five or more consecutive years of full compliance with their clean water discharge permits:
- Hastings (30 years)
- St. Croix Valley (29 years)
- Blue Lake (15 years)
- Eagles Point (15 years)
- Empire (13 years)
- Metro (9 years)
The Hastings and St. Croix Valley Plants' compliance records put them among the top plants in the nation. Only four other plants have as many consecutive years of perfect compliance, at 32, 31, 30, and 29 years each.
Seneca (nearly four years) and Rogers (two years) earned Gold Awards for achieving up to four years of full compliance. Our plants combined now have 117 years of consecutive compliance. The East Bethel Water Reclamation Facility received a Silver Award for having five or fewer permit exceedance during 2020.
Jeff Ruff, a business unit coordinator in the Liquids Business Unit at the Metro Plant, notes some of the roles of our treatment plant operations staff in ensuring our excellent permit compliance records. They:
- Work with the Lab staff to operate and maintain the various water quality samplers both on the influent and effluent sides of the Metro Plant to make sure sampling stays consistent and we stay within our permit requirements.
- Operate the various odor control fans including the bio-filter and building fans that also are tied to our permits.
- Disinfect our effluent discharge, which includes the use of bleach and bisulfate to assure that bacteria levels and other water quality permits are met prior to discharging into the Mississippi River.
Ruff also notes that from June through September, the plant staff monitor the dissolved oxygen level in the river downstream of the plant. "When the dissolved oxygen gets low, we run our effluent pumps to add oxygen to the river to help the fish and other wildlife that rely on a clean river to survive during low flow and drought conditions," Ruff said. "Anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the clean conditions we help provide."
Our awards caught the attention of KARE 11 TV, which aired this story on July 13: Metro area wastewater treatment plants win national recognition, performance awards | kare11.com.
Competing in the summer Olympics
Mike Sunderman, machinist at the Blue Lake Plant, has his eyes on the gold when his son competes in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Patrick Sunderman, a sergeant in the U.S. Army and a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit International Rifle Team, earned his spot on Team USA's 50-meter Smallbore Team.
In March, Patrick won a silver medal at the 2021 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in New Delhi, India, in a 50-meter rifle event.
"I'd take him out plinking tin cans at the cabin on the family tree farm when he was young," said Mike. "I taught him everything I know about shooting, then he learned so much more on his own. He joined an American Legion-sponsored rifle team at the age of 12."
Patrick's Olympic event consists of shooting a .22 long rifle at a target 50 meters away. He will fire 40 shots from each of three positions: kneeling, prone (lying on stomach), and standing. Competition is tight. The average score is 1,175 in a 1,200-point match.
The level of perfection Patrick needs to hit the 3/16-inch bullseye may come naturally. Mike's own attention to detail was well honed from his days as an airplane mechanic.
Due to the pandemic no public spectators can attend the games this summer. "I hope this isn't Patrick's last Olympics," Mike said. "The next one is in Paris and I'd like to be there to see him compete."
When Patrick competes in Tokyo on Aug. 1, Mike will be watching live on a streaming service at 3 a.m. He's already told Steve Edwards, his manager for maintenance Planning and Scheduling at Blue Lake, "If he wins, I'll text you the color of his medal and I'll be gone the rest of the week." Mike plans to celebrate with his son when Patrick comes back to the states.
Watch Patrick's interview after making the USA Shooting Olympic Trials Final. (1:20 minute video)
Watch the latest Council video on our MCES partnership with the University of Minnesota on tracking COVID-19 in wastewater. Steve Balogh, a principal research scientist in Process Engineering, and Kenneth Beckman, director of the University of Minnesota Genomics Center, are interviewed. Watch the 4:30 minute video.
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With great sadness we share news of the passing of our co-worker Will Moua, who died July 2 in a motorcycle accident.
Moua, age 40, was a plant operator on A shift in the Liquids Business Unit at the Metro Plant. He joined the MCES staff in 2013 as an operator trainee at the Seneca Plant. Moua spent much of his MCES career at the Metro Plant, working in the Solids and Liquids Business Units and with the maintenance operators.
"Will was a well-respected employee and always willing to lend a hand to others," said Shelly Suchomel, Metro Plant manager. "He will be greatly missed by those who knew him."
Jeff Ruff, the business unit coordinator on Moua's shift in the Liquids Business Unit at the Metro Plant, called Moua a great friend and co-worker who was always willing to go the extra mile. "He will always be remembered for his big grin and his sense of humor," Ruff said. "He told stories of riding his bikes – both motorized and the pedaled versions – and took some good-natured ribbing after injuring his knee snowboarding, which he worked through with a limp and a laugh. Will was a great operator whose skills we will miss and remember for years to come. He was one of the good ones – one we lost way too early."
"My interactions with Will were always a good time," said Eric Warner, a business unit coordinator in the Liquids Business Unit at the Metro Plant. "He was quick to share a joke and a laugh. Will was one of those guys who was just really easy to get along with. He had a quiet demeanor that would put you off guard but then he'd have some witty one-liner that took you by surprise and made you laugh. He was a hard worker who not only did what was expected of him but would also pitch in with that extra effort when he was needed."
Moua's great sense of humor and work ethic stand out in comments from other plant operators on his shift:
Anthony Navarro: "Will was like a brother to me! We would share stories about our weekends, laugh, and talk about our future plans. He was always there to lend a hand and was a great worker. I worked with Will for many years now and it just won't be the same without him."
Mitch Wittig: "Will was one of those workers who could adapt to whatever was going on that day and get the job done. I had many great conversations with him about family, culture, and places he had gone. The biggest thing I will miss is his sense of humor. He would start with a story or a joke, then start giggling, and the giggling would turn to laughter to the point we often didn't get it because he would be laughing so hard. This would make the whole crew laugh and put everyone in a good mood. He is deeply missed by all of us who knew him."
Todd Franson: "Will was a great guy and a great plant operator. He loved to talk about friends, family, and, of course, weekend activities. Fishing and riding were two of his favorites. He is missed by us all!"
One of Moua's siblings, Americo, said, "William always spoke so highly of his team at work and was very proud to be an employee there."
In an online tribute to Moua, his family reminisced about his childhood spent in the San Joaquin Valley of central California and learning about wildlife and their natural habitats. They also noted that as a young man, Moua flourished under the mental and physical rigors of Muay Thai -- a martial arts and combat sport. "Later in life he developed his softer side by doting on his dog, Sprocket," they said. "He raised his son, Jet, surrounded by devoted family members in Minnesota. Will was a good student, curious about the world, and found his place in it. He was a loyal friend, mischievous prankster, and hard-working provider."
At a GoFundMe page for Moua, learn more about his background and family, funeral (July 22) and burial (July 23) details, and how you can donate to assist with funeral expenses and support Moua's immediate family.
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Water Resources Planning staff are working on the Priority Waters Project to help the Metropolitan Council and the region most effectively manage its lakes, rivers, and streams.
The project builds on the Met Council's Priority Lakes List, which was initiated in the 1980s and is periodically updated. It will add rivers and streams to what will be re-named the Priority Waters List. Staff also are expanding and improving the criteria and evaluation process for water bodies to make the list.
Water Resources Planning staff will use the Priority Waters List to evaluate our water quality monitoring programs; better direct our water assessment, protection, and restoration work; better target grants, technical assistance, and education efforts; and help frame our water planning work in the next update of the Water Resources Policy Plan. Other areas of the Council could use this list in their planning or grant work. Staff also hope that our water resources partners across the region will find the list useful.
"The Priority Waters List will help the Council use its limited resources to direct its water planning efforts in ways that reflect the values of the region," said Emily Resseger, environmental analyst and manager of the project. "This is a tool to really help us focus our efforts so we can accomplish more with less. And we hope that people will see their environmental values reflected in our approach."
With some 950 lakes and 200 to 300 river and stream segments in the metro area, the Met Council and its partners are not able to effectively monitor and evaluate all area waters regularly. The Priority Waters List will help the Council and others prioritize resources on those waters identified as providing significant use and benefits to the region. Staff have added to criteria for including waters on the long-standing lakes list and now score waters quantitatively in eight categories:
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Drinking Water Supply: Waters used or reserved for public water supply. This includes both lakes and rivers used directly for drinking water, as well as waters closely connected to underlying groundwater supplies.
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Environmental Education and Engagement: Waters used for education and public engagement such as those adjacent to nature centers or summer camps.
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Equity: Waters that support use by historically underserved populations.
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Healthy Habitat: Waters that provide good habitat for native vegetation and wildlife to thrive.
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Industrial and Utility: Waters used for economic industrial benefits such as power generation or utility benefits such as diluting treated waste.
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Natural and Tranquil Connection: Waters that provide a mindful connection with the environment, which usually means waters that are quieter and more remote.
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Recreation and Tourism: Waters used for recreational activities in, on, or adjacent to the water, such as swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hunting, and using trails.
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Scientific Value: Waters used for long-term academic or governmental scientific purposes.
Two more categories will not be scored quantitatively, but staff hope to find additional datasets and develop measurement methods. They are:
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Cultural and Spiritual Significance: Waters adjacent to historical sites or sites sacred to specific cultural communities.
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Provisioning: Waters used to harvest vegetation or animals for consumption, such as wild rice or fish.
In addition, the equity category will look at waters that are near communities who don't have a car or who have not received many resources from the Met Council. And it will evaluate waters that people can walk to or take public transit to.
Continue on MetNet.
Metropolitan Council employees across all divisions appreciate working for an agency that takes climate change seriously and can take meaningful action to address it. Staff are eager to know how they can contribute to the effort and how it might affect their jobs in the future.
These are among the findings of the Met Council's Climate Action Plan team after interviews of employees in dozens of work units about the current state of climate-related work at our agency. The input will become the baseline to develop new goals and initiatives from in the next year.
"Staff excitement and commitment is evident across planning, operations, and regional administration employee groups," said Jeff Freeman, senior project coordinator, Metro Transit. Joining him as team co-leaders are Sara Smith, Environmental Services acting manager, Operations Support Services, and manager, Sustainability Support; and Eric Wojchik, planning analyst, Community Development.
Many MCES staff see a direct connection between their work and climate change and are clear about our ability to have an impact. "More extreme weather events put operations in risky situations that we need to be prepared for," one employee said. "Planning for the future is planning for climate change scenarios," said another.
At a recent meeting of the Integrated Water Planning Team, MCES leaders discussed how the complexity of climate change requires an interconnected, collaborative approach.
Continue on MetNet.
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All Council employees will be invited to the virtual Councilwide recognition event in November. Please submit a photo of yourself for a video production for the event, as well as for potential use in social media during employee recognition week. Find out how to be included.
Our division-specific New Employee Welcome Workshop is now part of staff onboarding. MCES aims to build a more inclusive, welcomed, engaged, productive, and innovative workforce. The workshop helps new employees to:
- Connect to our mission and align their work with our strategies and goals.
- Be empowered to access tools and resources.
- Build connections with employees in other departments.
MCES Workforce and Equity assigns the training to new hires through the Council's Learn system and it
will appear in an employee's learning assignments as a required training. New employees must attend the workshop within the first year of employment.
Existing employees have the option to participate to gain a better understanding of MCES and fill in knowledge gaps. The course can be found by searching "New Employee Welcome Workshop" in the Learn system. Managers will approve their employee's enrollment just like other optional courses are approved.
Plant operators and interceptor service workers may be excluded from the MCES onboarding workshop at this time, due to the nature of their jobs. Alternative resources will be provided.
Upcoming workshops
Aug. 10, 17, and 24, 8 to 10 a.m. (all virtual)
Dec. 7, 8 to 11 a.m. (in person) and Dec. 14 and 21, 8 to 9:30 a.m. (virtual)
Employees must attend all three days. For more information, contact Kristi Goble, program coordinator in Workforce and Equity.
A recap of recent Met Council announcements relevant to MCES
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Telework transition Q&A for managers: To help teams prepare for returning teleworkers to onsite in the fall, managers and supervisors with direct reports are invited to attend a virtual Q&A with the planning team on July 21. Managers and supervisors who do not have teleworking employees are welcome to attend to learn more about this transition as staff rejoin them onsite.
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Recent text-based phishing attempts: People impersonating the Met Council and state agencies are conducting phishing attacks via text. Remember the Met Council and the State of Minnesota will never ask for sensitive information over email or text. If you receive a message, delete it. Learn what you can do to avoid and report phishing attempts and contact the Service Desk if you have questions.
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Apply for next MentoringWorks cohort: MentoringWorks matches employees (mentees) with more experienced employees (mentors). The 2021 program is virtual and offers quarterly starts that last six months. Submit your application to be a mentee or mentor by July 28 to be considered for the third group, which starts on Aug. 11.
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Statewide ADA anniversary event celebrates resilience: Mark your calendars for a virtual event on July 26 celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and featuring an afternoon of informative, engaging, and entertaining speakers and performances from across Minnesota.
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Human Resources updates: The Met Council is offering a special enrollment period through July 31 allowing employees to add supplemental life insurance or increase their election without presenting evidence of insurability. Starting July 1 probationary performance reviews are completed electronically through the Perform system. Human Resources is seeking new members for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, which helps honor the Met Council's veterans and service members.
Full information on MetNet.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
Anniversaries
Congratulations to these employees celebrating milestone anniversaries!
15 YEARS
George Sprouse, manager of Process Engineering, Research and Development, and Air Quality, Metro Plant
10 YEARS
Joel More, stationary engineer, Solids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Dan Vaaler, manager, Technology Coordination, Metro Plant
In memoriam
Will Moua, plant operator, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Staffing changes
Posted by Human Resources since the June Update
NEW HIRES
Justin Crawford, apprentice machinist mechanic, Mechanical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant
Jessica Heisel, lab analyst 1, Analytical (Lab) Services, Metro Plant
Tsega Tasissa, apprentice machinist mechanic, Mechanical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant
DEPARTURES
Sarah Fuoss, lab analyst 3, Analytical (Lab) Services, Metro Plant
Treshaun Jones, plant operator, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Kate Nyquist, sr. environmental education coordinator, Wastewater Planning and Community Programs, Robert Street
Bryce Pickart, senior project manager (post-retirement option), Wastewater Planning and Capital Project Delivery, Robert Street
Nels Raabolle, electrician, Electrical Planning and Maintenance, Blue Lake Plant
Spencer Sullivan, plant operator, Blue Lake Plant
Position Changes
Logan Loesch, machinist mechanic, Mechanical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant (formerly apprentice machinist mechanic)
Jason Stapleton, machinist mechanic, Mechanical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant (formerly apprentice machinist mechanic)
Bryan Trost, electrician, Electrical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant (from long-term temporary to regular employee)
Story idea? Contact Deb McKinley by email: deb.mckinley@metc.state.mn.us.
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