January/February Ubits 2021

Ubits January / February 2021

Resilience, recovery, and transformation lead team TPU into 2021 as we look ahead

by Director Jackie Flowers

May 10-28 Book Drive Benefitting Communities in Schools

The year 2020 was full of uncertainty and change for everyone on Team TPU and our community. Many people had to adjust quickly to changes in work environments and personal circumstances as the COVID-19 virus spread throughout Pierce County and globally. While we all worked to keep the lights on, the water flowing, and the trains running, we also adjusted to significant others out of work, helping our kids with online schooling, friends, and family with health issues, among many other personal challenges. Still, we showed up for our customers and each other, whether that meant working from home, crew rotations, or continuity staff implementing health department guidelines.

I know 2020 was hard, and I’m so proud of every one of you for the sacrifices you’ve made and the endurance you’ve shown through these prolonged and challenging circumstances. Despite experiencing an unusual year of unprecedented proportion in our lifetimes, our team still achieved many impressive successes.

We maintained safe, reliable services for our customers throughout difficult circumstances. We transitioned Click! seamlessly amid a state of emergency and landed nearly every Click! employee into new jobs or wished them well in retirement.

We distributed more than $3 million in payment assistance funds to our customers in need. We achieved our organizational goals around equity training and safety culture. We drafted and adopted all of our Strategic Directives. We launched our advanced meter deployment. We shepherded our budget and rate proposals through Public Utility Board and City Council approvals. Throughout it all, we showed each other grace and kindness and bonded over our fur babies in Newsline’s “Pets of the Week.” Phew.

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In this issue

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Tacoma Power adds upgrades to historic building 1

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The return of sockeye salmon

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New budget and rates approved

Tacoma Power teams join forces for historic building upgrades Several issues belabored the project including an old overhead transformer placed in an underground vault with a drain that led to a water table. The crew identified a possibly hazardous condition since the transformer was located under the floor and above an aquifer. To ensure the safety of the aquifer and avoid contamination, Tacoma Power needed to move the transformer. New Service engineer, Dan Reed, collaborated with all the stakeholders for the installation of the pad mount transformer outside the building to make it possible for removal of the transformer safely. This pro-active measure avoided hazardous risks with environmental impacts and a potential costly clean-up.

Overhead power lines close to the building also made maintenance a challenge, and redevelopment of the building required new electrical service. Dan took on the challenge of addressing the new electoral service and overhead lines. The crew added a new pole that allowed the wire to be drawn further from the building and now serves as the termination pole for the cable that feeds the new pad-mount transformer.

The newly renovated, former Wonder Bread bakery, at Sprague and 7th Ave. in Tacoma was originally built in 1913.

The former Wonder Bread bakery is now a beautifully renovated, mixed-use complex, complete with modern upgrades, including new heavy power and LED lighting. The project was successful in part, thanks to the collaboration between Tacoma Power teams from Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Line Engineering, Line Construction & Maintenance (C&M), and New Service Engineering, who worked together with a TPU Account Executive to build relationships and overcome challenges to ensure the project ran smoothly.

Jennifer, an account executive who works with local businesses, coordinated the meetings between all parties over several months. “This project is a good example of our commitment to our customers, our infrastructure and the environment. It also shows how different departments in the utility come together to enhance the customer experience,” Jennifer expressed.

Once the teams laid the groundwork, she invited

The joint project started over a year ago when Joe Rempe, engineer with T&D Line Engineering, was first made aware of challenges concerning the historic building when lineman Doug Hefley and crew informed C&M Line Supervision of the existing conditions. Then, the C&M Line told Line Engineering of an issue with old transformers. Joe contacted TPU account executive Jennifer Collins Ramos and asked her to schedule a meeting with the new owners to discuss potential outcomes. Jennifer facilitated communication between Dan Reed of New Service Engineering, the remodel design group, electrical contractor, and the building’s owners.

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Kudos to the crews Dan Reed, T&D New Services Engineer Mike Cassidy, T&D, C&M Supervisor Joe Rempe, T&D Line Engineering Consultant

Crew 427 Joseph Tabisz, line foreman Steve Winden, line foreman Doug Hefley, line electrician Wesley Giddings, line electrician

“This is a classic example of how T&D, C&M, Engineering, and the TPU Account Executives work as a team to meet our customer needs and address legacy system challenges,” said Joe. “We worked hard with many partners to look at the needs of the job and all agreed to a plan.”

Bridget Reiser, line electrician Landon Byman, line apprentice Brock Ross, line apprentice Philip Gause, line apprentice Lester Olson, line equipment operator

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The amazing return of Cushman sockeye salmon; a first in 90 years with the eggs, but, due to scarcity issues, they haven’t been able to provide enough for us to meet our goal,” Andrew said. “They are our only option – no other basin that has a large-enough run that could spare any.

Thankfully, we had 127 fish return last year, about half of which were female, so we had roughly 100,000 eggs.”

Mark it up The sockeye hatchery has an ultramodern computercontrolled chiller system that enables us to thermally mark sockeye via their otolith bone, located in the ear.

“We don’t know of any other hatchery that has the same level of automated control to mark groups at these granular levels, so our partners are excited to see the data we collect,” Andrew said. “We work in conjunction with the Skokomish Indian Tribe, Puget Sound Energy, natural resource agencies, and other stakeholders. These relationships are extremely important to us and the program’s success.”

Andrew says it’s important to remember our role in the basin.

Fisheries technician Charlie Henry showcases our first returning sockeye salmon.

“We don’t decide who gets to fish for what, where, or when – those decisions are made by the Tribes and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,” Andrew said. “Our goal is to be a responsible steward of the environment by reintroducing and restoring fish populations, and this sockeye return is another huge leap toward making that happen.”

In 2017, we released our first juvenile sockeye into Lake Cushman. We release sockeye into the lake so they can grow larger and stronger, then we collect and release them into the North Fork Skokomish River. From there, they make their trek to the ocean and (hopefully) back.

In July 2020, our first-ever sockeye came home!

“When I heard the exciting news, I was buzzing – it was super awesome,” said Cushman Fish Facilities manager Andrew Ollenburg.

The Cushman Hydroelectric Project produces clean, renewable electricity via two dams and three powerhouses. However, dams impact the river and the natural environment. Therefore, we built two hatcheries and adult and juvenile fish collection facilities, and monitor and enhance fish habitat, as part of our federal license that allows us to operate the dams.

“That fish doesn’t just represent our first sockeye return; it’s the first one that touched every Cushman facility,” Andrew said.

Sourcing the eggs Our release goal for sockeye is 2,000,000 each year, but obtaining the eggs has been a challenge.

Cushman Fish Facilities manager, Andrew Ollenburg holds another of our first returning sockeye.

“Puget Sound Energy’s Baker Lake stock provides us

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Water Savings Kits accessible by mail to improve customer service group to brainstorm a way to mail the kits to customers.

“We are very happy to provide another opportunity to support our TPU initiatives and I’m proud of our Mail Services team for coordinating the project. I appreciate Bret Bidinger’s leadership in designing and running an efficient process to verify addresses, and maintain inventory and records, as well as the hands-on approach from Reyna, Alex, Dennise, Donald, and Laura, to fulfill and ship out orders in a timely manner.”

bits & pieces

Reyna Sanchez-Pina, mail and stock processor for Mail Services, prepares Water Savings Kits for mailing.

Providing water-efficient items to help customers save money and water in their homes has been part of the Tacoma Water conservation plan for many years. In the past, Water customers came to our lobby for free efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, and outdoor watering supplies.

When we closed our lobby due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conservation team suddenly lost an important element of their water customer service. Employees worked together quickly to create a different way to distribute a new version of the Water Savings Kit. They needed to accomplish two things to shift the giveaway program to a contactless format.

First, they engaged their data/analytics staff and developed a workflow that allows customers to request the exact supplies they need through an online application hosted on MyTPU.org. Next, they collaborated with our stellar Mail Services

The mailroom stocks the conservation supplies in their vault, staff pack them into priority mailboxes, and they ship directly to customers’ homes.

“I’m so pleased to be able to offer our water savings kits in a more accessible way,” said Rochelle Gandour-Rood, Water Program Specialist for Community Engagement and Conservation.

“We feel that we are actually supporting our customers BETTER with this new online program,” she added. “A customer told one of our employees he really appreciates our ability to supply the kits to those that really need them.”

Customers can request any time of the day and don’t need to make a special trip to pick up these water savings tools. In addition, they partner with Customer Solutions to offer kits to customers who participated in our Emergency Assistance Program. Based on the success of the program, they plan to continue mailing the kits after the TPU lobby reopens. It’s a better way to serve customers and reach a larger number of people.

New budget and rates approved in 2020 now in effect for utility customers Mayor Woodards and the Tacoma City Council approved the TPU 2021-2022 operating budget and rates proposals during its Nov. 24, 2020 City Council meeting. The approval came after the Public Utilities Board approved the budget and the amended rates proposal on Nov. 6.

New rate increases for Tacoma Water, solid waste, surface water, and wastewater were effective on Jan. 1. Rates for Tacoma Power go into effect on April 1, after high winter usage. The rate increases are 1.5% for 2021, equaling about an additional $3.50 per

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month for the average residential customer, and 2% for 2022, totaling an increase of about an additional $4.95 on average per residential customer.

Leading up to the approval, many customer engagements about budget and rates took place last fall with local governments, community organizations, city councils, and neighborhood council meetings.

Visit MyTPU.org/Rates to view rate adjustments, examples of factors that help determine the rates for each utility service, and additional information.

Community Connection Calendar

Wome en Build

2021 Calendar of Events Food Drive

1 HOUR – DONATION

Jan. 11 – 29

Delectable Desserts

1 HOUR – DONATION

February

Nourish Pierce County TPU Senior Assistance Fund

Bowl-A-Thon

3 HOURS - VOLUNTEER

Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound

March

Book Drive

1 HOUR – DONATION

May 10 – 28

Food & Basic Supplies Drive

1 HOUR – DONATION

June 7 - 25

Taste of TPU

1 HOUR – DONATION

July

School Supplies Drive

1 HOUR – DONATION

Aug. 2 – 20

Communities in Schools of Tacoma

My Sister’s Pantry

TPU Senior Assistance Fund

HopeSparks

Dam Ride

4 HOURS - VOLUNTEER

TPU Senior Assistance Fund

United Way Campaign

Aug. 20 – 31 Sept. 15 – Oct. 6

United Way of Pierce County

Adopt-A-Family

1 HOUR – DONATION

Sept. - Dec.

HUGS Drive

1 HOUR - DONATION

Oct. 18 – Nov. 5

TPU Giving Tree

1 HOUR - DONATION

Nov. – Dec.

3 HOURS PER SHIFT -

Nov. – Dec.

Comprehensive Life Resources

HopeSparks

Salvation Army Tacoma

Salvation Army Mall Volunteers Salvation Army Tacoma

VOLUNTEER

Rebuilding Together

HOURS VARY - VOLUNTEER

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Habitat Builds / Habitat for Women Builds

HOURS VARY - VOLUNTEER

TO BE ANNOUNCED

My Sister’s Pantry

2.5 HOURS - VOLUNTEER

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Food Repack

2.5 HOURS - VOLUNTEER

PER SHIFT

Emergency Food Network

PER SHIFT

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TO BE ANNOUNCED

Recent retirees

Thank you for your service

Ken Luzbetak, a Tacoma Power Generation systems power dispatcher, retired after 15 years.

Levi Minnich, a Tacoma Power Electrical Meter & Relay technician, retired after 16 years.

Crystal Vaarvik, a Tacoma Public Utilities management analyst III, retired after 12 years.

Randy Marquis, a Tacoma Water heavy equipment operator, retired after 31 years.

Rhea Payne, a Tacoma Power management analyst III, retired after 18 years.

Doug Ware, a Tacoma Power hydro project mechanic, retired after 22 years.

Deborah McLellan, a Tacoma Power office manager, retired after 12 years.

Rich Ruby, a Tacoma Rail locomotive engineer, retired after 21 years.

Tacoma Power teams join forces for historic building upgrades continued from page 2 Patrick Urain, program manager for Business Customer Energy Programs, to discuss energy efficiency programs for the historic structure. Initially, the plan was to upgrade one room, but Patrick identified additional cost-saving opportunities and the owners decided to improve the entire building.

“It’s a wonderful business-friendly program that achieves great results,” said Neal Mulnick, the building’s new owner. “Energy-saving equipment is more environmentally friendly and reduces our energy bill,” he added.

Patrick remarked, “They received $6,503 in energy-efficient rebates for LED lighting and controls, and their total energy savings is 42,183 kWh, which is enough energy to power four average homes in the Tacoma Power service area for one year.” Jennifer also introduced the owners to Business Development manager Michael Catsi to identify leasing opportunities for prospective businesses looking to open in our region.

Everyone who worked together deserves a big congratulations for a successful outcome that encompassed environmental stewardship, community outreach, and cost management, resulting in satisfied customers and a beautifully renovated building.

Correction to Nov./Dec. 2020 Ubits

In the story “Tacoma Power and Brown & Haley create a sweet deal for candy production,” Mike Robinson was mentioned in error. Lars Knutson was the inspector for the project.

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Welcome new employees

Logan Bahr Government Relations Analyst Tacoma Public Utilities

Heather Burns Engineer Tacoma Water

Ta Bwe Systems Power Dispatcher Candidate Tacoma Power

Carly Eddington Public Disclosure Analyst Tacoma Public Utilities

Joseph Fraatz Systems Power Dispatcher Candidate Tacoma Power

Kit Hansen Construction Inspector Tacoma Water

Anthony Isola Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water

Jean Kerrick Engineer III Tacoma Power

Bode Makinde Management Analyst III Tacoma Public Utilities

Hayden Norwood Systems Power Dispatcher Candidate Tacoma Power

Rachel Reed Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water

Daniel Reisinger Engineer Tacoma Water

Val Sherman Power Supervisor III Tacoma Power

Resilience, recovery, and transformation lead team TPU into 2021 as we look ahead continued from page 1 Endurance is a word that lingers with me. It’s a trait I’ve seen in TPU employees since I joined as the director in 2018, and a strength that will keep our team going in 2021. We have much work ahead! We’re not out of the woods yet with the pandemic, but with the vaccine distribution taking place over the next several months and everyone doing their part to slow the spread of the virus, at some point this year, I expect things will stabilize.

Our Strategic Directives will continue to guide our work throughout 2021. A top priority will be implementing a Racial Equity Action Plan and expanding our language access efforts. Helping our customers (especially our low-income customers) recover from the pandemic impacts is another of our priorities this year. We will hone our Continuity of Operations planning as we prepare for reconstitution. We will drive organizational engagement in the Climate Justice Action Plan by leading opportunities to support community and customer environmental and decarbonization goals while leveraging clean hydropower to promote a greener economy. Lastly, we will continue efforts around workforce development, modernization, business retention, and accountability to our Employee Satisfaction Survey results.

We’ve been through a lot together this past year, but what I have seen is a workforce made up of compassionate, resilient people poised for more great work in this uncertain new year. We will get through this together because we are strong and because we care.

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Tacoma Public Utilities PO Box 11007 • Tacoma WA 98411

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Ubits is a publication for Tacoma Public Utilities employees and is provided as a courtesy to retirees. • Ubits@CityofTacoma.org • 253-254-9739

Employee Engagement Survey is vital in planning for stellar future around having all supervisors share and discuss survey results with their teams by the end of April. Many survey questions regarding executive leadership had improved since the 2018 survey. To see all the results, you can go to the main page of Unet and click on Employee Engagement Study near the top of the left hand navigation bar.

At the end of October, Mercer | Sirota sent out the Employee Satisfaction Survey on behalf of TPU, to all employees, as part of the bi-annual Employee Engagement Study. TPU’s goal for the study was to learn how you feel about your job, leadership, and matters relating to business effectiveness and your satisfaction working for the utility. The answers you provided in the survey will also help identify areas that are working well and the areas that need improvement.

“I want you to know we took your feedback to heart.” Throughout the last two years, we have continued striving to create a more positive, supportive culture where you feel inspired to do your best work,” stated Director Flowers.

Your responses to the survey are confidential and went directly to Mercer | Sirota. All reporting occurred in aggregate form, which maintains your confidentiality.

Mercer | Sirota compiled the data, analyzed it, and presented the aggregate, results to our executive leadership team (ELT) and managers. Director Jackie Flowers sent out detailed results to employees in January, and they were also made available on Unet.

There was a 77% participation rate overall, an increase of 15% since the last survey conducted in 2018. The highest rated areas of the survey for TPU were our community focus (87% positive), the handling of COVID-19 (80% positive) and safety (80% positive).

The lowest rated areas were operational effectiveness (58% positive), communication (63% positive and rewards & recognition (70% positive).

“We want to know what is going well, what has improved, and where you feel we still have work to do.

The survey presents an opportunity for your voice to influence our organizational focus.”

The results of the Employee Engagement Study help inform decisions at TPU about training needs, create new communications, initiate new budget authority processes, increase collaboration with General Government, and continue to improve the culture of feedback within the utility.

Our ELT strives to make our workplace engaging and safe. The Employee Engagement Survey is an invaluable resource for improving the culture of our utility. Therefore, the ELT set a 2021 Strategic Goal

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