Careers Feb. 7 Hot Topics

Please Note: This is a copy of an internal PUD newsletter. We provide it here to keep you updated on information going to employees. We have removed links from the original newsletter because the linked content cannot be accessed from the Internet.

To: Commissioners, all PUD employees
From: Communications Department
Subject: Hot topics for discussion the week of Feb. 7, 2011.

(This advisory is sent to encourage districtwide discussion and awareness of key PUD issues. The intent is to give managers, supervisors and employees suggestions on topics they might discuss during departmental meetings. Contact Kimberlee Craig, Ext. 4320, or Christy Shearer, Ext. 4258, if you have questions.)

On the District Calendar       

  • Feb. 8 – Water/wastewater meeting, 5:30 p.m., Leavenworth office  
  • Feb. 10 – Canceled – Manager’s Forum
  • Feb. 10 – Red Cross blood drawing, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., HQ Auditorium
  • Feb. 20 – Presidents Day holiday

On the air
Commissioner Carnan Bergren will talk at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday on Chelan’s KOZI Radio(1230 AM/93.5 FM) and at 9 a.m. on KOHO Radio(101.1 FM) about the PUD’s year-end financial report and upcoming meetings being planned to continue discussing the strategic plan for the fiber-optic network.

Commission meeting news
At Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

  • Heard the year-end financial summary from Kelly Boyd, chief financial/risk officer, which showed the PUD finished the year with a gain in combined net assets of $17.1 million compared to the budgeted $2.7 million;
  • Heard a proposed schedule for seven public meetings to present information and hear comment on the long-term strategic plan for fiber optics, beginning with the first meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Confluence Technology Center; reports from consultants and results of public opinion research will be presented;
  • Set a hearing for March 19 to consider a change in industrial rates which will allow customers to exceed the 5 MW monthly cap for a preset market price on occasion by using no more than one additional megawatt for that month and remaining under the cap of 5 average megawatts for the entire year.

Plan extra time for a trip on 97A 
Travelers using Highway 97A, between Wenatchee and Rocky Reach Dam, will see delays again starting Feb. 21. The slope stabilization project is a continuation of last year’s project and work is expected to continue to Memorial Day weekend.

Single-lane closures start Feb. 21, with full roadway closures running mid-March through early April. Single-lane access will then continue through the remainder of the project. Visit the DOT’s website for details or to sign up for email updates.

Do these newsletters catch your eye? Take the survey
District employees receive two hard-copy newsletters each month -- one on safety topics and another related to health and wellness. Human Resources' Beverly Freeman and Safety's Ron Franklin want to know if you find the publications valuable. Please take this brief (and anonymous) survey.

Security for commission meetings is changing  
To keep the Headquarters Building safe for employees and visitors, Security has made the following changes in public access during commission meetings:

  1. The stairway door in the second floor lobby will stay locked and visitors will be required to use the elevator to reach the boardroom. A sign will be posted in the lobby that directs guests to use the elevator.
  2. Three doors on the third floor near the elevator now have card readers and will be closed during commission meetings. Employees will need electronic-access badges to open these doors.
  3. A contract security guard will be posted outside the boardroom during commission meetings.

Small property reporting deadline coming up
If your department has items worth less than $5,000, like cameras, you must track them in accordance with Administrative Policy #806 – Control and Tracking of Small Property – and provide updates to your list at least annually. Please submit your 2011 “Minor Asset Listing Report” with approvals to Internal Audit by Feb. 28. If you need a refresher on how to track these items, there is an updated Maximo Small Asset Training Manual that includes the latest asset-labeling requirements.  Instructions to run the report are located on page 10 of the training manual. Call Ray Hahne, ext. 4278, or Julie Tarbert, ext. 4383, for Maximo assistance. If you have any other questions, please contact Loretta Coonfield, ext. 4836.

Work together, be more efficient with SharePoint
If you would like to learn how to collaborate on Word and other documents using SharePoint (PUDToday), this is the class for you. You will learn about document libraries, where they are located on sites, the differences between public and team sites, as well as how to check documents in and out for editing and sharing. Please sign up in PeopleSoft for the Feb. 10 and Feb. 16 classes. Contact Nicole Villacres, ext. 4687, if you have questions.

York scholarship application deadline is next week
The annual Andrew York Memorial Lineman Rodeo raises money for a scholarship(s) awarded in memory of PUD journeyman lineman Andrew York who died on the job in 2000 after being hit by a drunken driver. Applications for the Andrew York Memorial Scholarship are due Feb. 15. Eligibility requirements include:

  1. Must be a graduating senior from any high school in Washington state.
  2. Must have been active in their community, specifically in drug and alcohol abuse prevention or awareness.
  3. Must be accepted into an accredited college, university or trade school.
  4. Must show financial need and involvement in community, school and/or church.

Make your plan for 2012
Non-bargaining unit employees can start writing goals for this year using the online template. Employees and managers have two months to agree on goals which must be entered in ePerformance by Feb. 29. Check with Jennifer Taylor in HR, ext. 4704, if you have questions.

Tour time: Employees invited to Rock Island and Lake Chelan hydro projects 
Following up on the interest shown last year in employee tours at Rocky Reach Dam, tours are planned in March for Rock Island and Lake Chelan hydro projects. Check with your supervisor and then sign up using PeopleSoft (search for “Rock Island Employee Tour” and “Lake Chelan Employee Tour”). Education specialist Bob Bauer will be your guide. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

Ideas for the Rocky Reach Café?   
Rocky Reach Café wants to hear your thoughts about some potential changes to its hours and offerings. Please take a moment to fill out this shortsurvey about the café. In appreciation for completing the survey, stop in and see Colleen at Rocky Reach Café, before Friday, March 30, for a free cookie and beverage.