Present | Present | |||
President Forrest Hasty | Director Mark Trogstad-Isaacson | |||
Vice President Corey Mathisen | Director Steven Oswald | |||
Past Pres. Mohammad Dehdashti | Director Jason Radde | |||
Secretary Alex Bartley | Director Heather Gardner | |||
Treasurer Gene Hicks | Director Laura Lyons | |||
Director Bridget Miller | Executive Director Dana Wheeler | |||
Director Kevin Joyce | Robert Haag, Labor Relations | |||
Director Victor Vasas | Kari Torkelson, Admin. Asst./Membership Mgr. | |||
Director (vacant) |
Call to order:
Meeting was called to order by President Forrest Hasty at 3:36 PM
Introductions were made prior to approving the agenda, for the new director Kevin Joyce.
Approval of Agenda:
Adjust meeting Minutes (in Agenda only). Motion to approve the agenda by Laura Lyons, Bridget Miller Seconded. Motion passes with electronic vote (raising hands in Microsoft Teams indicates “yea”).
Secretary’s report – Alex Bartley
Corrections were suggested for the final draft of the December board minutes.
Bridget Miller makes a motion to approve the minutes with corrections as directed, Heather Gardner seconded, motion passes via electronic vote majority.
Executive Directors report – Dana Wheeler
Building Update:
There were several communications back and forth between two insurance companies and MGEC to update and get new bids for our insurance policies. Bids are being done that we as a union. Renewals are February 18th.
- Business Owner’s policy
- Internal building coverage. HOA covers the sheetrock, we cover the paint, carpet, other internal. We were looking for greater than $10k loss coverage on this.
- Union Professional Liability policy
- Workman’s Comp policy
- Just covers staff. Currently Board members are not covered. Bob Haag mentions MAPE did not cover board members in this policy either. However, our liability coverage would cover claims made anyone at the building in the event of costs related to an accident or injury; but not lost earnings.
One lower-level office remains vacant.
Grievance Update
No new grievances or investigations this last month. Work continues on current grievances to progress to resolution. Several grievances will be heard in arbitration in March and April.
Covid-19 team report
Took a 2-week break because of holidays. Focus of MMB was that less staff were redeployed than they thought would need to be. Number of new cases have dropped off. Priorities on who gets vaccinations are being made, but still not requiring vaccinations of staff.
Alex made mention that MDH is looking into if field staff are applicable under schedule 1c from the CDC for distributing vaccinations to critical utility workers. Currently we are on Schedule 1a in the state.
ASCE PE Review
MGEC has discontinued offering the PE Review class. Instead, MGEC is offering those who have been full MGEC Members for a year with up to $250.00 reimbursement for another class to prepare members for licensure. Mohamed brought to Dana’s attention 4 MnDOT staff in the Metro district wanting to take ASCE PE training, the number was brought up to 10 members which reduces individual costs. Working with MGEC, MAPD will purchase two groups of 5 members to get a reduced price.
Corey and Dana both remarked on the lack of time to get these people scheduled for the training, and future meetings from the committee to discuss reimbursement requests.
Dana mentioned that members have asked if they wanted to wait to submit reimbursements until after 12 months of service, which is the benchmark where they would become eligible for reimbursement, even if the training was before this benchmark. Bridget Miller wants to consider if there was opportunity to be a member earlier.
Kari mentioned that this member making the request was a fair-share member pre-JANUS and did not know once the member fees dropped that the member was no longer a full-member of MGEC. Victor will follow up on the request.
Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
MPCA and MnDOT are not offering this ERI. MnDOT surveyed members about taking phased retirement, salary savings leave. MnDOT is not offering phased retirement to MGEC represented employees because they failed to offer a Memorandum of Understanding on a timely basis (per MMB) providing that benefit. They also claim not to have had any employees represented by MGEC seeking that benefit.
Mohamed D. isn’t sure if ERI was included in the survey.
Stipend Paid in December Received in January
A question was raised by Director Jason Hedeen about when stipends should be included on W2. When they are earned, dated, sent or received. The accounting firm that audits MGEC financial records was consulted (notes provided to board members). They recommended the W2 for the year the stipend was paid be the one to include the amounts paid. The payments should be sent as soon as written, but it’s possible that end of year payroll disbursements may not be received by recipients until the next calendar year. Staff wages are paid by direct deposit, so receipt of funds is immediate. Board members with accounts at the Hiway Credit Union can have direct deposit. Otherwise, the HCU options are to mail a check or request payment by bill payment which is still sent via USPS. The board agreed to proceed with the auditor’s recommendation, though no motion was made.
Legislative Update – MMB is waiting for agencies to turn in their next fiscal year budget proposals.
At this point they are waiting for agencies to create their agency budget requests before proposing legislation.
Administrative Assistant/Membership Manager – Kari Torkelson
MGEC gained a couple full members last month so we are now up to 999 full members. Two new members joined from the PE Review Course. Two Graduate-1s joined full-membership. As of today, there are 4 retirees, 2 Graduate-2 engineers resigned, 1 engineer was terminated without rights (fired), 1 was terminated by failing to receive certification (a radio engineer), and 1 engineer transferred to a non-engineering position within MnDOT. Kari Torkelson indicated this is a larger amount of people leaving in one report than usual.
Dana Wheeler mentioned we need to follow up on every termination to see if the probation period was still in effect, and if not, why they were fired.
Ethics Course: first time that more people registered for the incorrect category of membership. A represented non-member option was added for registering for the ethics course.
The Negotiations Survey
The latest draft of the MGEC Negotiations Survey was reviewed with changes recommended.
Presidents Report – Forrest Hasty
Annual meeting: will be the Monday before Memorial Day, just like last year. Having it online, at least, and talk about golf outing closer to the date. A golfing event may be in the fall similar to last year.
Membership meetings:
Goal is to have all membership meetings done a month before the Annual Meeting, but discussion is being had to condense the meetings below 20.
Subcommittee check-ins skipped in favor of other business.
Vacant positions
Alex Bartley’s old Director Position (1 year remaining) is upon his being elected to MGEC Secretary. The board consensus was to fill the position and to appoint either Jason Hedeen or Blake Nelson, previous board members who expressed interest. After discussion, a motion made by Alex Bartley, Laura Lyons 2nd, to appoint Jason Hedeen to fill Alex Bartley’s remaining 1 year term as Director. Motion passed.
Negotiations Committee Update (Alex)
In addition to the survey, additional language is going to be drafted by Alex Bartley and Mohamed D for the next Negotiations Meeting on the following topics:
- Income Protection Plan, like Met Council Contract
- Mentorship Bonus (deferred retirement bonus with training a new employee for succession planning)
- Deferred Retirement Bonus
- Longevity Bonus based on years with Agency.
No other committees provided reports.
Past Presidents report – Mohammad Dehdashti
Skipped in favor of adjourning.
Treasurer’s Report – Gene Hicks
Budget Committee Update (Gene)
$10,000 more invested in Vanguard Fund.
Laura Lyons asked about Line 71, the “reconciliation” in August. Dana explained that it is an accounting function, auditors will explain what that is in their report and providing annual balancing ledger entries.
Jason Radde asked about Line 88, how is Lost Time determined? An MGEC committee with review our policy on lost time.
Jason Radde made a motion for calendar year 2021, note in the Excel File Monthly Board Report who charged and was paid Lost Time. (8 Yeas) (3 Neas) Motion Passes
Jason Radde made a motion to require Lost Time be claimed in the quarter it was used but withdrew the motion in favor of working with the Policy committee to come up with a proposal.
Vice Presidents Report – Corey Mathisen
Nothing to add.
Other Business:
Laura Lyons: Discussion of March 1st Meeting, to move it from March 1st. It will be moved to February 22nd.
Still missing two signatures for Director PDs. Policy on Board PDs will be discussed in the next Policy Committee Meeting.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn by Victor Vasas. 2nd by Alex Bartley. Passed by voice vote at 6:49pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Alex Bartley Dana Wheeler
Secretary Executive Director