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Employee survey reveals overall satisfaction

Chelan County PUD
News Release
2/28/2005

Dawn Allen, a consultant from Pearson Reid London House, Monday presented PUD commissioners with results from a confidential employee survey. The PUD initiated the survey to provide a confidential avenue for employees to be heard on various workplace issues.

In January, a link to the 129-question, online survey was sent by e-mail to all PUD employees. The survey was hosted by the outside consultant firm to protect confidentiality.

Allen reported that employees are motivated, happy and productive. “Overall, employees really like working at the District, but there are issues they’ve identified that they’d like improved,” she said.

The most favorable responses were on issues including:

• Job satisfaction
• Gender fairness
• Supervisory leadership practices
• Supervisory administrative practices
• Material rewards – benefits

The least favorable responses were received on:

• Management effectiveness
• Reactions to the survey
• Visionary leadership
• Communication effectiveness
• Change management

“This survey will help us focus resources on areas where we need improvement,” said Human Resources Director Randy Stedman. “It will also help us celebrate areas where we’re doing well.”

Stedman reported that survey results would be discussed in large group sessions with employees in a few weeks. Then departments will receive results for their group.

The entire report is available on the PUD’s Web site, www.chelanpud.org, under “board minutes/agenda.” 

New fish study planned for 2005
To help meet the fish-survival standards of the PUD’s Habitat Conservation Plan at Rocky Reach Dam, a new study will take place this year to determine the impact of spill on the effectiveness of the new fish bypass system.

The study is not required by the HCP, but the PUD feels that the information may provide better alternatives to save salmon and steelhead while maintaining the PUD’s ability to generate power.

To complete the study, commissioners approved $80,000 to purchase additional acoustic monitoring equipment from Hydroacoustic Technology Inc., Seattle. The change results in a revised contract price of $2.2 million.

In other business, commissioners:

• Authorized an agreement with Roger Purdom, Pendulum Consulting, Wenatchee, for services related to relicensing, environmental and governmental affairs issues at a cost for 2005 not to exceed $65,000.
• Delayed action on an agreement with Enhanced Telecommunications, Inc., Boise, Idaho, for software and equipment to streamline operations for the PUD’s wholesale fiber-optic network. The agreement, which would declare ETI as the sole provider of the equipment, includes $160,000 for software, equipment and warranty services, and $140,000 for five years of support services. It will be discussed again at next Monday’s meeting in Chelan.
• Authorized a $1.6 million change to an agreement with Dial One, Inc., for fiber splicing on the PUD’s fiber-optic network through Dec. 31, 2005.
• Directed PUD staff to change practices for granting secondary easements on riverfront property along the Rocky Reach reservoir. Steve Currit, Parks, real estate and facilities director, sought direction from commissioners after determining there has been inconsistency in the granting of secondary easements that may increase the area for building, and thereby the value, of riverfront lots. Commissioners agreed to a new process for granting the easements, but also provided a 90-day window for property owners to seek secondary easements under the old process. For the interim, landowners can request the easement by paying the cost of a survey and a processing fee. After the 90 days, landowners seeking secondary easements must pay survey costs, the processing fee and 50 percent of any increase in property value the easement may provide. Riverfront landowners will be notified by mail of the change.
• PUD General Counsel Carol Wardell reported that 75 PUD employees, friends and family helped raise about $5,000 at last weekend’s bowling fund-raiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the YWCA. 

***

The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will start at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 7, at the South Shore Substation near Chelan. Commissioners will reconvene at 1 p.m. at the Chelan office, 1034 E. Woodin Ave., and then tour the Chelan powerhouse. This meeting will not be recorded.

Most PUD commission meetings are recorded and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page, www.chelanpud.org.

Christine Shearer
Communications Specialist
509.661.4258
509.421.4258, cell
christin@chelanpud.org