The Environmental Services monthly employee newsletter
On Sept. 19, Interceptor Services employees mounted a swift and effective response to a wastewater spill in the city of Mound. Spills like this are rare – we average one about every year or two – and our Interceptor Engineering and Interceptor Services groups are leading the charge to ensure the integrity of MCES's wastewater infrastructure as a key part of our commitment to protecting public health.
A proactive approach to asset management
"Condition assessment drives nearly every aspect of our work," said Adam Gordon, Interceptor Engineering manager. "It's important to regularly review system conditions – this allows us to detect and fix deficiencies before they turn into problems."
Although Interceptor Services has always done condition assessments, in 2019 a process was formalized to define when and how condition assessment information is processed for our gravity interceptors, including follow-up procedures when deficiencies are identified. With the goal to assess the condition of concrete, metal, and clay pipes every 10 years, and corrosion-resistant pipes every 15 years, this systematic approach simplifies the inspection task for our staff while ensuring knowledge sharing among all involved groups.
How it works
Nathan Kahler and Randall Mateo, interceptor service workers, conducting CCTV inspections.
Interceptor Services uses closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment for most pipe inspections. A waterproof camera mounted on pontoon floats or attached to a robotic crawler captures video images as it advances through the pipe. Field staff document observations during the CCTV process; later, engineering staff review the video and observation reports to rate the pipes. Rating information helps prioritize interceptor repairs.
Interceptor Services upgraded its CCTV equipment in 2018, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. From 2018 to 2020, the group averaged 180,000 feet (about 34 miles) of CCTV inspections per year – all while keeping on track with their additional duties.
The shift to preventative maintenance
Interceptor Services made an important advancement in 2017 with the full adoption of a standard work order process. Using the Work and Asset Management application, this process change ensures that all work order information is stored in one place and easily accessible.
"The work order system helps clarify the reality of an asset's status," said Bert Tracy, Interceptor Services manager. "We can use the system to track maintenance costs, and see what equipment needs the most work."
This level of transparency has resulted in a noticeable shift to preventative and predictive maintenance. For example, in 2020, 90% of completed work orders were for preventative or predictive maintenance – well above the industry standard goal of 60-80%.
"By focusing on preventative and predictive maintenance, we are able to improve efficiency, lower labor costs, and reduce the need for corrective maintenance," said Tracy. "Meanwhile, our criticality assessments help us prioritize and schedule necessary work."
Gordon and Tracy are quick to point out that these asset management process improvements resulted from successful collaboration among several departments and MCES teams, including, among others, Wastewater Planning and Capital Project Delivery, Maintenance Planning and Scheduling, and GIS.
"Collaboration this past year has also involved Engineering, Operations, Electrical Maintenance, and the Metering team in developing program manuals for cathodic protection, forcemains, siphons, and meters," said Gordon. "The programs are the 'people side' of asset management and provide a process plan for how staff will continue to collaborate for years to come."
 The Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has honored MCES with a Public Works Project of the Year Award for the successful completion of the Minnehaha Park Area Regional Sewer Improvements Project.
"We knew this was going to be a challenging undertaking, but the whole team stepped up and delivered a very successful project," said Chad Davison, principal engineer and project manager, Interceptor Engineering. "We are very proud of the work put into the planning, funding, design, and construction related to this project."
Relief structures built into portions of our wastewater collection system help bypass rain-induced peak flows to a river, thereby helping prevent upstream wastewater backups, open discharge of wastewater, and damage to downstream interceptors. One such relief structure, adjacent to Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, was designed to protect upstream residential areas as well as the downstream interceptors.
Due to deliberate and intense sewer separation and infiltration/inflow reduction programs, we have not had a wastewater release at this structure in more than 17 years. However, we must keep this structure in good working order, along with nearby deep tunnels and vortex drop shafts. Because of the age of these facilities and their corrosive environments, they needed to be rehabilitated to provide safe, reliable service well into the future.
The project team worked hard to overcome construction challenges associated with working as much as 75 feet below ground, maintaining wastewater flows in excess of 59,000 gallons-per-minute in temporary wastewater pipes throughout the construction, avoiding impacts to a rare and protected groundwater resource, and working with more than 12 unique public stakeholder groups in the center of an urban area and a high-traffic park. This $20 million project was completed successfully on schedule and within budget.
Learn more about project highlights on MetNet.
|
Following the murder of George Floyd in the spring of 2020, MCES leadership took a hard look at some uncomfortable truths. Our workforce diversity does not represent the community we serve, and stories reveal that our work environment is not always inclusive. In response, we launched the Environmental Services Racial Equity Initiative.
Last August, we asked all of you to engage with our racial equity strategic planning through surveys, assessments, and participation in focus groups – and, by and large, you answered the call! An equity survey was sent to all MCES employees; staff feedback from the survey is informing our focus as we work to develop our first Racial Equity Strategic Action Plan by the end of the first quarter in 2022. Activities completed so far have included:
- A 360-degree Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment
- Intercultural development profiles (both individual and group) for Strategy Network members
- Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) focus groups
In addition, we have re-launched our Equity Change Team as a more empowered and autonomous group now called the Equity Implementation Network. The network's goal is to help create work plans, drive initiatives, and serve as internal consultants.
All these activities will provide valuable direction as we develop our Racial Equity Strategic Action Plan – and we couldn't have gotten here without the participation of all MCES staff.
Learn more about our progress on MetNet.
Last month we reported on the Water Values Project being led by Water Resources Planning staff John Clark, senior environmental scientist, and Jen Kostrzewski, environmental analyst. This project, a partnership between MCES and the University of Minnesota, will assess water values and perceptions of water challenges across the Twin Cities metro area.
Please contribute to this important work and take the survey.
Two hundred MCES employees were honored Nov. 15 at the Met Council's annual employee recognition event, which was held online for the second year in a row. More than 700 employees attended the event honoring staff for all they've contributed over the past year and throughout their careers at the Council.
Employees were recognized with performance and service awards in dozens of categories, including years of service at the Council, equity and inclusion initiatives, and division-specific honors. Speakers included Chair Charlie Zelle, regional administrator Mary Bogie, Human Resources director Marcy Syman, and leaders of each of the Council's divisions – including Leisa Thompson, MCES general manager.
Watch the recording of the one-hour event on Stream or view the 2021 Employee Recognition Event Program (PDF) for the full list of this year's honorees.
If you would like more information about this annual event, please email Paula Crane in Human Resources at Paula.Crane@metc.state.mn.us.
In honor of national Native American Heritage Month, employees will be invited to a special event featuring Marcie Rendon, a White Earth Nation Anishinabe author, playwright, poet, and community arts activist. Invites and additional details will be sent to all MCES staff by Suidi Hashi, Workforce and Equity.
Rendon will share her work and invite staff to engage in an open discussion. Learn more about Rendon's work here:
Listen to Poem and Commentary.
|
Additional learning opportunities
When honoring Native American Heritage Month, it is important to recognize that the state of Minnesota is located on the homelands of the Dakota, Ho-Chunk, and Ojibwe nations, each with their own distinct language and culture.
We have compiled a resource page to help MCES employees understand the history, culture, and traditions of Native Americans. Please take advantage of these educational materials and explore the many ways we can collaborate with and support our local Native American communities.
To learn more about upcoming heritage and holiday celebrations, please visit the ES Equity Calendar page. The purpose of these celebrations is to increase awareness and build an inclusive workplace, and we would love your input and support. If you have a cultural holiday or cultural awareness event that you'd like to promote, or if you're interested in supporting future events or initiatives, please contact Suidi Hashi (Suidi.Hashi@metc.state.mn.us) or Jenn Zuchowski (Jennifer.Zuchowski@metc.state.mn.us) in Workforce and Equity.
MCES employees enjoyed games, delicious food, and a spirited pumpkin throwing contest recently at the third annual Environmental Services Charitable Giving Campaign event. Congratulations to this year's pumpkin-tossing champion, Metro Plant machinist mechanic Dave Crothers. During the event, held on a beautiful fall afternoon at the Metro Plant, employees raised more than $500 for charity, along with more than $9,000 in total pledges. We thank employees for their generosity!
Pumpkin toss winner and two of the competitors, from left: Dave Crothers; Nate Wright; and Joe Kramer.
Growing shade for a more livable region: A guest commentary by Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle was published by Southwest News Media, as well as several other media outlets.
Emery recognized for cost-saving effort
For finding an alternative to a high-cost electrical repair, a Keystone Award was presented to Dan Emery, an electrician in Electrical Planning and Maintenance at the Metro Plant.
When a forklift charger needed repair recently, Emery determined that the power supply board on the battery charger was not working. The easy fix would be ordering a replacement board or a whole new charger. The model had been discontinued so a replacement board was not an option, and the company also had gone out of business. A similar replacement charger would cost more than $10,000. Emery took a deeper dive with some circuit-board-level troubleshooting. He determined he could repair the board with an electronic component known as a metal-oxide varistor – for about a dollar.
"Many people would think that board-level troubleshooting is what electricians do, but these days many simply swap parts with no care of the costs," said award nominator Kris Vitalis, an assistant manager in Maintenance Planning and Scheduling at the Metro Plant. "Dan's can-do attitude and willingness to roll up his sleeves and tackle difficult situations saved the Council over $10,000. We need more employees like Dan, and his positive attitude makes him a pleasure to work with."
Emery demonstrated the MCES value of excellence.
Recognize a Coworker
The MCES Employee Recognition Program has two awards: WATER and Keystone; each have different nomination criteria.
Help share your coworkers' exceptional efforts. The nomination process is easy! You don't have to be a supervisor to nominate someone for a Keystone.
|
A recap of recent Met Council announcements relevant to MCES
-
Provide proof of vaccination by Nov. 26 for $150: Employees who have been fully vaccinated and submit their proof of vaccination through Employee Self Service (ESS) and have it verified by this Friday will receive $150. The one-time, taxable payment will be included on their Dec. 10 paycheck. Read the full story, linked below, for resources making an appointment or finding your vaccination record.
-
COVID-19 paid admin leave for vaccinated staff: The Met Council has established a new COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave Procedure, effective Nov. 13, to assist vaccinated employees if they cannot work for COVID-19-related reasons.
-
COVID-19 vaccine updates: The COVID-19 vaccine is available at both of the Met Council's Well@Work clinics. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in children and teens age 5 to 17. Boosters are available for all Minnesotans age 18 and older.
-
Weekly COVID-19 testing process continues: Met Council employees who will be onsite for more than 10 minutes must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get weekly COVID-19 tests and test negative. Employees who need to test each week must complete their test by 11:59 p.m. each Thursday.
-
Three new executives join the team at the Met Council: The Met Council announced three new hires on the executive management team: Georges Gonzalez starts in December as the new deputy regional administrator; Charles Carlson will transition from Metro Transit to lead Metropolitan Transportation Services; and Sam O'Connell will move from Metro Transit to become the new director of community relations for the Met Council.
-
Thank you for supporting the Charitable Giving Campaign! Met Council employees collectively pledged and contributed more than $50,000 through this year’s Charitable Giving Campaign, which ended earlier this month. In addition, more than 2,500 pounds of food were collected and distributed to area food shelves.
-
Purchasing technology items: P-Card or ITR? Computer equipment is top of mind for many employees who are arranging their longer-term work setups, whether it is onsite, hybrid, or remote. To make things a little easier, we put together some important reminders regarding equipment purchases, distribution, and support.
-
Human Resources updates: New and improved navigation on the Learn website; final Trade Time for Fitness claim deadline Dec. 1; optional telework hybrid work environment training for employees Dec. 2; performance evaluations due Dec. 11.
Full information on MetNet.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
Anniversaries
Congratulations to these employees celebrating milestone anniversaries!
15 YEARS
Craig Angrimson, business unit coordinator, Seneca Plant
Kevin McKenna, maintenance coordinator, Blue Lake Plant
Lanya Ross, environmental analyst, Water Supply Planning, Robert Street
Eric Silverberg, plant operator, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
David Sullivan, plant operator, Empire Plant
10 YEARS
Matt Bruber, assistant business unit manager, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Dawn Buchholz, business unit coordinator, Maintenance Operators, Metro Plant
Evan Emmerich, maintenance operator, Blue Lake Plant
Michelle Forga, plant operator, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Adam Fox, maintenance operator, Empire Plant
Haileselassie Getachew, business unit coordinator, Seneca Plant
Kimberly Mapson, business unit coordinator, Empire Plant
Robert McCurry, plant operator, East Bethel and Rogers facilities
Anthony Navarro, plant operator, Liquids Business Unit, Metro Plant
Mecca Turner, plant operator, Seneca Plant
Nate Wright, assistant business unit manager, Solids Business Unit, Metro Plant
5 YEARS
Joshua Hamre, senior safety specialist, Environmental Health and Safety, Metro Plant
Todd Jameson, dashboard analyst, Performance Excellence and Analytics, Metro Plant
Robert Sorenson, electrician, Electrical Planning and Maintenance, Metro Plant
Staffing changes
Reported by Human Resources since the October Update
NEW HIRES
Maureen Hoffman, senior planner, Water Resources, Robert Street
REHIRES
Andrea Mac Arthur, programs and administration specialist, Workforce and Equity, Metro Plant
DEPARTURES
Don Branzovsky, business unit coordinator, Seneca Plant
Jeannine Clancy, assistant general manager, Wastewater Planning and Capital Project Delivery
Ed Trifiletti, business unit coordinator, Eagles Point Plant
POSITION CHANGES
Tim Chandler, interceptor service worker 2, Interceptor Services, Regional Maintenance Facility (formerly interceptor service worker 1)
Andrea Childress, program technical specialist, Workforce and Equity, Metro Plant (formerly program technical specialist in Information Services)
Dave Gogins, senior metering and alarm system operator, Interceptor Services, Regional Maintenance Facility (formerly metering and alarm system operator)
Terry Mertens, program technical specialist, Seneca Plant (formerly principal administration specialist)
Story idea? Contact Shannon Keough by email: shannon.keough@metc.state.mn.us.
| 
