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 Jason Hedeen |
Call to order:
Meeting was called to order by President Forrest Hasty at 3:36 PM
Approval of Agenda:
The recent MGEC member survey response was added to the agenda.
Update on the MGEC audit was added to the agenda.
Motion to approve the agenda by Alex Bartley, Mark Trogstad-Isaacson seconded the motion. Motion passes with verbal consensus
Secretary’s report – Alex Bartley
Corrections were suggested for the final draft of the January and February meeting minutes. All in favor of less detail than Alex’s notes, more like Dana’s revisions. Alex will revise minutes further and email the revised Jan, Feb, and Apr minutes to the board via email for review and to be approved at the second April meeting.
Executive Director’s Report (Dana)
- Building Update – Repair Decision needed
Continue to have seepage in front side lower level of the building. Removed sheet rock and did not find seepage through the foundation as originally inspected. Last year, plastic was placed around the outside of the basement and graded away from the building. However, seepage again presented itself last month. Dana is looking into internal drain tile. A French drain was suggested in the Financial Committee.
Quote for one office at $4500 for internal drain tile from Company 1, but did not include water heater. Company 2 quoted $15000 for plumbing and sheet rock for company 1. Company 3 $18k to $20k the excavating and seal.
Dana is in talks with insurance company to start an inspection for a water ingress claim. Kari hears complaints from tenets regarding damaged equipment.
Mark T-I offered to review the building association agreement to see if some of this work is under the responsibility of the association.
Dana will move forward with the external option.
Minnesota Retired State Employee Association (MRSEA) – Jake will join the meeting (see prior letter below)
MRSEA representative joined approximately 4:20PM, session took place after the Building Update by Dana
MGEC could put a MRSEA or other retirement resource fact sheet in a newsletter for soon to be retiring employees, but the board did not want to commit financially at this time.
Executive Director’s Report continued (Dana)
- Grievance/Investigation Update
- Backpay and D3 Arbitration
D3 not going into arbitration until April 28th, making it nearly 3 years. A couple days before arbitration on D3, MMB offered to settle providing some vacation. MGEC legal consult in favor of arbitration. Grad engineers are still encouraged to pursue the inequity adjustment.
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- Deferred Compensation Arbitration
- COVID-19 Policy
MMB has new staff assignment. Now we will set up arbitration dates, anticipating September timeframe. Could depend on results of the other grievances on this list.
- COLA Study
To be discussed at a later meeting.
President’s Report (Forrest)
- Bargaining Team Appointment
Forrest Hasty has been performing a study and data gathering on position descriptions with disparity calculations. The disparity still appears to be highest at the Grad I/II level.
- Membership Meetings
One more meeting coming up on April 7th, which is the last round before negotiations.
- MMB COVID Meetings Update
Mostly telework discussions.
- Committee Check-in
- Scholarship Committee (Kevin Joyce and Corey Mathisen)
Scholarship applications have been drafted. Reminder that there is line item in the budget for scholarships that comes from the dues. Currently two scholarships for $500 and one for $1000.
Kevin Joyce makes a motion to double current scholarship awards, to provide two $1000 and one $2000 award. Mohammad Dehdashti seconded. Motion passes unanimously.
Discussion was had about making life and associate members ineligible for scholarships, and allowing the spouse of an eligible MGEC member to apply for the family scholarship.
MGEC board members are currently eligible to apply for scholarship, board members family eligible for family scholarship as well. Currently board family members are eligible, board members not permitted on the individual.
Kevin Joyce made a motion to make all scholarships available to full and supporting members only, Corey Mathisen second. Motion passes with 9 votes in favor and 1 against.
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- Constitution Committee (LL)
No updates
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- Education Committee (CM)
No updates
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- Negotiation Committee
Contract language is being drafted. Looking into other county and city contracts for additional language to address longevity. June Negotiations subcommittee meeting is to review board comments on the proposed language.
- Annual Meeting Planning
To be discussed at a subgroup meeting.
- Telework email
MnDOT email discussing moving people back starting July 1st but will be throughout the year
MPCA had a survey about telework. More than 3 days teleworking a week will forfeit a dedicated office desk.
MDH DWP section meeting mentioned MMB was concerned about union contracts and relocation how it applies to telework.
Treasurer Report (Gene)
- Monthly Financial Update
Vanguard investments are up to $103,563. Another $10,000 to be added for this quarter.
- FY2022 Budget for approval
More review before the April meeting
Kari’s Report
- Membership
- Count
- Non-Member Report
- Communication Report
- Sharing Job Postings – we discontinued this practice about 18 months ago. We’ve had a request to resume sharing those postings as we receive them.
We will resume sharing job postings where we can
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- Next topics for web &/or e-mail
Scholarship, social media policy, telecommunications policy, bargaining update, arbitration update, to be sent in the next few days.
- Negotiations Survey
Final results done, compiled, soon to be for review.
Vice President’s Report (Corey)
No updates, MDH telework discussed earlier in the meeting.
Past President’s Report – (Mohammad)
No updates
Other Business:
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn by Corey Mathisen. Jason Hedeen Seconded. Passed by voice vote at 6:49pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Alex Bartley Dana Wheeler
Secretary Executive Director