Minnesota Government Engineering Council

Engineering Minnesota's Future

MGEC Board Meeting 1.27.25

Attendees:

  Present   Present
President Corey Mathisen x Director Blake Nelson x
Vice President Benton Campbell Director Brandon JB Nelson x
Past President Fernando Nacionales Director Luke Schuette x
Treasurer Wes Leksell x Director Mark Trogstad-Isaacson x
Secretary Mike Rude x Director Hunter Vraa x
Director Carroll Aasen x Executive Director Dana Wheeler x
Director John Dalton Administrative Assistant Donna Blackwell x
Director Jared DeMaster x Labor Relations Specialist Tony Kelly x
Director Bruce Henningsgaard x    

Others in attendance:

  • Sophia Faacks, MnDOT
  • Ethan Ihlenfeld, MnDOT
  • Michael Cremin, MnDOT
  • Aida Mendez, MPCA

 Call to Order (Corey)

  1. Meeting called to order at 3:30pm by President Corey Mathisen.

 Review & Approve Agenda (Corey)

  1. Motion to approve the agenda (DeMaster/Trogstad-Isaacson).
    • Motion Carried.

 Secretary’s Report (Mike)

  1. Motion to approve December Board minutes (Brandon Nelson/Schuette).
    • Motion Carried.

  President’s Report (Corey)

  1. Due to changes in officer positions at the last election there is an open director position. Corey requested appointment of Carroll Aasen to fill open position.  Motion to approve appointment of Carol Aasen (Blake Nelson / Brandon Nelson).
    • Motion carries.
  2. Corey asked for accounting of leftover funds from this past year’s golf event for use on this next year’s event. Dana will provide.

Executive Director’s Report (Dana)

  1. M-State MGEC members have requested a MOA for observance of Veterans Day and Presidents Day holidays on non-school days (similar to MAPE language). Board members have no objection to pursuing this.
  2. Provided update on insurance coverage on MGEC building. No action taken after discussion.

Treasurer’s Report (Wes)

  1. Board members should expect W-2 forms shortly if they have not already received them.
  2. Nothing further to report.

 Committee Reports

  1. None met this month.

Membership Update (Donna)

  1. Presented latest membership numbers and trends in new hires.
  2. Request from Blake to recognize retired members in newsletter. Donna will include known MGEC member retirees from available data sources in future newsletters.  Some may be missed due to information available.

Labor Relations (Tony)

  1. The multi-union coalition known as the Public Employee Pension Committee is no longer active. As a result, Tony recommends MGEC join the National Public Pension Coalition (NPPC).  The organization has a local coordinator and a lobbyist.  MGEC’s contribution would be proportional to membership or roughly $1,000.
  2. Board to consider joining NPPC at future meeting.
  3. Provided update on grievance activity since last meeting.
  4. Provided update on sick leave policy changes as a result of recent state legislation.
  5. Reported on recent activity at MDH of student loan reimbursement policy.
  6. Presented and discussed bargaining survey. Feedback on survey to be provided to Tony shortly so that survey can go out to membership mid-February.

Vice President’s Report (Benton)

  1. Nothing to report at this time.

 Past President’s Report (Fernando)

  1. Not present at meeting.

 Other Updates

  1. None at this time.

Adjournment (Corey)

  1. Motion to adjourn at 5:30pm (Brandon Nelson / DeMaster).
    1. Motion Carried.

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