Ubits Spring 2023
p Employees applaud during one of the TPU Connects presentations in the auditorium.
Employees gather at TPU Connects, our first all-employee meeting and conference Early this spring, TPU held its first all-employee meeting and conference, TPU Connects. Hundreds of employees joined the inaugural event in person or virtually at the administrative campus. The event refreshes the former pre-pandemic allemployee meetings by making them more robust. The day included updates from the utility’s Executive Leadership Team, a keynote address from Dr. Wendy Fraser, a researcher and the author of Trust Repair: It IS Possible, breakout sessions led by utility staff, an information fair, time to network, and the day’s pinch hitter, a visit from the Tacoma Rainiers mascot, Rhubarb the Reindeer. Director of Utilities Jackie Flowers and the executive team held three all-employee meetings to reconnect with employees in person for the first time in over three years. They each candidly shared the challenges endured over the past few years and the many things on the horizon for our utilities.
p TPU Connects attendees listen to a panel discussion, TPU’s Big Projects, during one of the day’s nine break out sessions.
Jackie kicked off the three all-employee meetings by thanking employees, recognizing their work and endurance, acknowledging the ongoing efforts to complete the Class & Compensation Study adjustments, increases in threats and crime impacting those working in the community, the increasing number of retirements, customer arrearages, supply chain issues, and more.
“
All of that means we have a continuously changing work environment. If you feel frustrated, burnt out or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. It’s been a tough few years. Given all that transition, we’ve had a chance to exercise our adaptive muscle…,” stated Jackie. “Employees are our most valuable resource. We could not do what we do without you. Everyone in the organization, no matter their role, is critical to our mission of providing services vital to quality of life.” Continued on next page...
In this issue 3
4
6
Welcome Deputy Director Yoon
Grants support water line replacements
Service Awards Honorees
TPU Connects Survey results A post-event survey highlighted people were engaged and felt informed by the sessions and content of the day. Many also look forward to gathering again for the conference at least once a year. p Left to right: Lisa Millius, Courtney Rose, and Christina Chew vist with Alan Matheson at the Emergency Management booth during the Information Fair at TPU Connects.
Continued from previous page
Jackie also noted that in addition to safety being our top priority for the organization, in response to your feedback in the Employee Survey, the utility is also firmly focused on strengthening communication and enhancing connectedness. The director’s priorities fall into three areas for 2023:
Strengthen the total employee experience.
Elevate the customer experience.
Enhance operational excellence.
Tacoma Rail Superintendent Dale King shared that although the rail utility has not gone without struggles, including a 10-year low for international business involving freight containers from Asia, it also had the best first and second quarter financially in its 109-year history. Power Superintendent Chris Robinson commented on the challenges of the changing power industry, including electrification, decarbonization and getting away from some traditional types of power, and moving to an age of increased cleaner power.
“
It’s a huge but welcome challenge in particular around maintaining affordability.”
Customer Services Manager Francine Artis touched on the two-and-a-half-year moratorium on disconnections noting almost $31 million in delinquent balances. The new challenges and extensive work created for Customer Services became astronomical. Millions of dollars in assistance became available for our customers, which created additional new challenges. At the end of 2022, we disbursed an extraordinary $14.1 million in grant assistance to our customers within a month. One of many new and exciting changes also happened for Customer Services. The team enhanced our Bill Credit Assistance program, providing increased assistance opportunities for customers who struggle to pay their bills. The day continued with two opportunities to listen, learn, and join the conversation with Dr. Fraser about the changing work environment and fostering trust through challenging times. Some went even deeper with further roundtable discussions led by Dr. Fraser about what makes TPU special and how to preserve its uniqueness. Breakout sessions were packed full of thoughtprovoking content delivered by expert utility peers. For those seeking additional time to connect, the Information Fair allowed people to interact with a variety of other departments at their booths to ask questions, chat with colleagues, take selfies with Rhubarb, grab snacks or lunch at the Taste of TPU (the Community Connection potluck fundraiser for the TPU Senior Assistance fund), which raised over $3,000.
2
u Nikki Abernathy and Shannon Carmody capture a moment with Tacoma Rainiers mascot Rhubarb the reindeer.
42% attended in person
22% attended virtually
22% attended in a hybrid format
82% were satisfied or very satisfied with the event overall 74% were satisfied or very satisfied with the content offered 83% were satisfied or very satisfied with the All-Employee Meeting 64% were satisfied or very satisfied with the keynote speaker
Warm welcome for new Deputy Director/Chief Administrative Officer Alex Yoon Alex Yoon joined TPU in May as the Deputy Director/Chief Administrative Officer to oversee our Management Services Office and fill Jim Sant’s vacancy after his retirement. Alex has over 25 years of experience, most recently as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Director of the Administrative Services division of the Seattle Public Library. Previously, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Public Health – Seattle and King County and the Finance Manager for the King County DES Finance and Business Operations Division. In her role with the Seattle Public Library, Alex incorporated a racial and social justice (RSJ) lens into her operations work, such as analyzing policies for impacts to marginalized populations and ensuring new policies incorporate voices of the community in policy changes. She also has a deep bench of LEAN process-improvement experience, using key performance metrics and continuous improvement to bring efficiencies to financial and administrative processes.
“
My immediate priority is to learn about TPU’s goals through the lens of continued process improvements. My next top priority is enhancing the transparency of the TPU shared services and the City of Tacoma’s internal governmental services. I look forward to supporting TPU public servants and customers.”
Director of Utilities Jackie Flowers shared her thoughts on replacing Jim’s position. “We had a very competitive candidate pool for the position. I believe Alex’s particular strengths and accomplishments with strong financial acumen will lead our organization to the next level of operational excellence,” Jackie said. “Her experience with shared services and process improvement will lend themselves to my top priorities for the near future and beyond. I am excited to welcome her to the team.”
Alex has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Washington and is a Washington State CPA.
Get to know the Customer Energy Programs operations team Tacoma Power’s Customer Energy Programs (CEP) operations team facilitates a range of energy services to help residential and business customers save on their utility bills, get rebates and loans on energy-efficiency products, obtain information about electric vehicle charging, and more. In addition to supporting our residential and business customers, the team creates performance metrics, completes program reports to the Bonneville Power Administration and Washington State Department of Commerce, and coordinates on-site audits for regulatory authorities.
p The CEP operations team from left to right: Christy Hansen, Ramona Walker, Paige Kelling, Ali McKinney, Tina Cline, Anna Larrabee, and Britanny Broyles. Not pictured: Emily McIntosh and Abbie Sunich.
CEP work also requires careful tracking and maintenance of large datasets and databases. CEP helps develop and enhance data infrastructure tools to implement programs, track projects, and report on them. Additionally, the team provides frontline administrative and customer support for the acquisition of residential and business customer energy savings. They ensure customer satisfaction by processing timely and accurate incentive applications and payments. A variety of key services also support important TPU incentive work. CEP always has customer experience in mind.
3
Water grants support replacement of leaking water lines Tacoma Water expanded its water grant and loan program eligibility to residential customers with active service line leaks last year. Since 2019 over $111,000 in repair funds were distributed and now more customers can apply for assistance. The water line isn’t an asset many people regularly service, but replacement ensures reliability and prevents leaks from occurring on deteriorating pipe. The need for a grant and loan program arose during the planning stages of the advanced meter (AM) project. Multiple stakeholders expressed concern about the impact of AM upgrades on customers’ water service lines. The program was developed to provide unanticipated service line replacements for income-eligible households. Few customers qualified due to the narrow criteria of the program’s original design. In June 2022, the program was approved to expand eligibility, and the team immediately extended assistance to customers who weren’t previously eligible.
p An existing advanced meter connected to a new service line. q A new service line connects to a meter, where the meter box is partially set into a driveway.
The TPU Customer Solutions Office (CSO) is responsible for approving incomequalifying applicants for payment assistance on their utility bills. By applying the same income guidelines for water bill grant assistance, CSO approves applicants for replacement assistance and ongoing bill credits. Since the program’s inception, over $39,000 in grant funds and over $72,000 in loans supported 17 water line replacements. This also resulted in seven new utility assistance program enrollments, three for the Discount Rate Program and four for Bill Credit Assistance Plans. The payment terms are focused on affordability by giving the customer options based on replacement costs. Tyler Cummings, program manager, appreciates connecting with customers in what may be an emotionally trying moment in their lives.
“
The greatest reward working with this program is offering solutions for customers, assuring them we have assistance available, and, that we have a list of contractors to help with repairs,” he said. “I also show them how to monitor their monthly water usage. This helps conserve water for the customer and the utility, so it’s a win-win.”
Most minor leaks would not have been brought to customers’ attention without the hourly consumption data that advanced metering provides through MyAccount. The team shifted from a reactive to proactive approach and follows up with customers who previously received advance meter data-driven continuous water use letters. The letters offer resources ranging from ways conservation can help lower water bills, to handy tips for finding leaks, and information about the grant and loan program. Corey Bedient, project manager, shared his gratitude for the program.
“
The program has excelled in creating a positive experience for customers navigating challenging situations,” Corey said. “One area performing well is expediting the collection, review, and approval of required program documents. To date, the record turnaround time is three hours, which is remarkable for a grant and loan program.”
By expanding the water service line grant and loan program, we support conserving water while protecting our most vulnerable from unforeseen, unaffordable continuous leaks. Tyler estimates 17 of the repairs saved nearly 22 million gallons of water, based on the assumption that each leak would continue for a year if not addressed. That makes a beneficial impact on our community and reflects positively on our commitment to environmental stewardship.
4
President authorizes downstream fish passage completion at Howard Hanson Dam p Storage tank construction underway.
New Tehaleh water storage tank and pump station construction underway
The tank is being constructed in rings from the inside out using a crane inside. Construction of the fifth ring began in early June. As the steel panels for the floor and walls are positioned, they are hammered into place before welding them together. This process is a standard construction practice for a steel tank. Additional site grading also took place in June as the pond structure on the north end of the property began to take shape.
In addition to environmental benefits, the downstream fish passage will also increase our water storage capacity. Increased storage will allow us to look after and manage our water resources for the future, ensuring everyone in the communities we serve have a reliable water supply.
bits & pieces
Tacoma Water broke ground last December for a new storage tank and pump station on a two-acre parcel of land in the Pinnacle Ridge neighborhood of the Tehaleh community in Bonney Lake. The project ensures water service reliability, including adequate supply for firefighting and other emergencies. A vital component of the project is to control and maintain water pressure to enhance comfort for the community. Initial work included site grading for the tank’s foundation. In May, construction of the steel tanks began.
In late December 2022, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Biden signed, major water resources legislation, which authorized spending $878.5 million to complete the long-planned downstream fish passage facility at the Howard Hanson Dam. The federally owned dam is located on the Green River, our utility’s primary source of drinking water. Once fully funded and complete, the downstream fish passage will complement our prior investment in an adult trap and sort facility. Plus, it will open more than 100 miles of river and tributary habitat for salmon spawning and rearing, making the downstream fish passage at Howard Hanson Dam potentially the largest salmon production opportunity in the Puget Sound region.
p An aerial view of the Howard Hanson Dam.
Tacoma Water installs bottle-filling stations for people and pets Water was flowing in late spring as our utility celebrated the recent installation of a new water bottle filling station in the McKinley Hill neighborhood. Over the past year, our water utility worked with area partners to install new water bottlefilling stations in local parks and neighborhoods, then wrap them with fresh artwork. The stations also feature bowls to provide water for pets. New signs at several locations direct people to refill reusable bottles and be water smart at home and outdoors. The fountains symbolize our commitment to supplying Tacoma with reliable drinking water. tu Water bottle-filling stations around Tacoma also feature pup bowls.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: A WATER BOTTLE-FILLING STATION PHOTO CONTEST Participate in the Dog Days of Summer photo contest this summer. While out and about, look for these colorful hydration stations and snap a photo of you and your pet, just your pet, or someone else’s, and qualify for a prize and bragging rights! Find more information, including filling station locations in Newsline through August or email a photo of your pet or you with your pet at one of the water bottle-filling stations to Communications@CityofTacoma.org by Aug. 31.
5
10 20 20
Annual Service Awards celebrate employees’ dedication to public service In April, we celebrated 185 employees who reached a milestone in their years of service at TPU in 2022. A ceremony and reception gathered employees, managers, and leadership to recognize each honoree with a certificate of achievement, gift, and a photo with their superintendent and Director Flowers. Recognition began with 10 years of service and then every five years following. Below is the list of our 2022 honorees.
35 Years Monique M Wells
Cust. Svcs.
Ronda L Martin
Power
2022 service honorees
30 Years Richelle Krienke
Cust. Svcs
William Kroll
Power
Thomas Carroll
Power
Michael McDonough
Power
Gordon Cavanaugh
Power
Troy Newman
Water
Glen George
Water
25 Years Robert Hill Sr.
Cust. Svcs
Marifel Flores
Cust. Svcs
Jeffrey Christian
Cust. Svcs.
Troy Wells
Power
Roland Jones
Power
Richard Barrutia
Power
Renee Thompson
Power
Patrick Eckroth
Power
Nicholas Tomanelli Jr. Power Marie Chong
Power
Kirk Sloan
Power
Kenneth Ostrus
Power
Joseph Gilbert II
Power
John Martinson Jr.
Power
Hollis Tamura
Power
Gordon Caudill
Power
Eric Green
Power
Douglas Hefley
Power
Catharine Hall
Power
Bernadette Peterson
Power
Michael Frank
PAC
Wade Green
Water
Scott Hallenberg
Water
Mary Hasty
Water
Douglas Reed
Water
20 Years
6
Valeriy Vlasenko
Power
Vitaliy Zaychenko
Power
Susan Cearley
Power
Travis Stanley
Power
Roy Yeates
Power
Tina Lyons
Power
Theodore Hoiland
Cust. Svcs.
Roger Kaiponen
Power
Timothy Myton
Power
Ricardo Ferrell
Cust. Svcs.
Roberta Cox
Power
Terry Coggins
Power
Jeremy Sleeker
Cust. Svcs.
Power
James Gannon
Cust. Svcs.
Rachel Allen
Patricia Mylan
Cust. Svcs
Gregory Reda
Cust. Svcs.
Cathy Molino
Cust. Svcs.
Power
Sheryl Brown
10 Years
Pam Hefley
Power
Sean Veley
Power
Hollie Coates-Seamster Cust. Svcs.
Micheal Davis
Power
Rudy Antonowicz
Power
Eileen Foraker
Cust. Svcs.
Power
Cheryl Baker
Cust. Svcs.
Power
Catherine Violette
Cust. Svcs.
Power
James Sant
Mng. Svcs.
Power
Troy Langford
Power
Power
Scott Fannin
Power
Power
Ruly Parikesit
Power Power
Michael Ross Michael Jahner Lena Bentley Landon Taylor Keith Brown Jon Sigafoos
Stephanie Salscheider Cust. Svcs
p Ronda Martin accepts her years of service certificate for 35 years, alongside Director of Utilities Jackie Flowers and Tacoma Power Superintendent Chris Robinson.
Power Power Power Power Power Power
Richard Tevis Jr. Rebekah Bunker Raymond Santanna Paul Shilley Michael Robinson Michael Davis
Power
Michael Ruiz
Power
Robert Lewis
Jacob Johnson
Power
Mark Dean
Power
Rick Applegate
Power
Elaine Hettick
Power
Lisa Dill
Power
Matthew Wilson
Power
Curtis White
Power
Khanh Thai
Power
Lindsay Durham
Power
Christopher Soikowski Power
Kenneth Murphy
Power
Kerry Cameron
Power
Aulani Crawford
Power
John Glover Jr.
Power
Johnny Rivera
Power
Audra Schindler
Power
Jerry Doolittle
Power
Gregory Horodyski
Power
Carrie Mantle
PAC
Jeffrey Rusler
Power
Daniel Wonderly
Power
Power
Britton Ruby
Power
Power
Angela Foster
Power
Power
Abigail Sunich
Power
Power
Aba Frimpong
Power
Power
Monika Sundbaum
PAC
John Merrell
Philip Schwiesow Marcus Mazique Kirk Sides Daniel McCabe Anthony Sigler
Rail Rail Rail Rail Rail
Jason Fanning James Russell Harley Johnson Eric Dodgen Doug Milke
Salina Fleischer
Water
Dean Stickles
Power
Clark Brunkow-Mather PAC
Richard Libby
Water
Daniel Reed
Power
Todd Vincent
Rail
Power
Shelley George
Rail Rail
Michael Washington
Water
Cory Hillman
Jeremy Kaiser
Water
Christine Lewis
Power
Rick Lopez
Jennifer Routh
Water
Chad Edinger
Power
Richard Drury
Rail
Jason Moline
Water
Chad Chalmers
Power
Patrick Alder
Rail
James Goodman
Water
Breanna Chance
Power
Luis Banterrez
Rail
Heather Croston
Water
Blake York
Power
Joshua Delp
Rail
Dain Woodworth
Water
Alice Massara
Power
John Kennedy
Rail
Valerie Lorfeld
PAC
Gregory Seifert II
Rail
Sonja Bert
PAC
Andrew Ison
Rail
Tyler Patterson
Water
Aaron Schwarz
Rail
Water
Michael Huber
Water
Water
Larry Shenk
Water
Benjamin Schuetz
Water
15 Years Wayne Birdsell
Cust. Svcs
Nicole Wanner
Cust. Svcs
John Boerner
Cust. Svcs.
Jennifer Treece
Cust. Svcs.
Kyle Wicks
Water
Dennise Terry
Cust. Svcs.
Kelly Peters
Water
Bret Bidinger
Cust. Svcs.
Kathleen Colgan
Water
Vladimir Yerokhin
Power
Joseph Albert
Water
Stuart Vaughan Sara Best
A fond farewell to our recent retirees RETIREES FOR DEC. 2022 – APRIL 2023 Richard Barrutia, a Tacoma Power systems engineer, retired after 25.5 years.
Mary Glenn, a Tacoma Power business services analyst, retired after 25 years.
Mike Moran, a Tacoma Power term energy trader, retired after 10 years.
Stan Strand, a Tacoma Power assistant section manager I, retired after 29.5 years.
Danny Belton, a Tacoma Power hydro project mechanic, retired after 33 years.
John Glover, a Tacoma Power engineering project manager, retired after 16 years.
Gina Munson, a Tacoma Power business services analyst, retired after 28.5 years.
Kurtis Turner, a Tacoma Power machinist, retired after 7 years.
Roberta Cox, a Tacoma Power business services manager, retired after 20 years.
Greg Greenhouse, a Tacoma Power line clearance tree trimmer, retired after 40 years.
Marc Robertson, a Tacoma Rail operations manager, retired after 36 years.
Vivian deZwager, a Tacoma Power grounds maintenance worker, retired after 17 years.
Robert Miller, a Tacoma Power custodian, retired after 18.5 years.
Glenn Savitz, a Tacoma Power real-time energy trader, retired after 14 years.
John Walkowiak, a Tacoma Power conservation manager, retired after 10 years. Wanda Walloe, a Customer Services representative, retired after 16 years.
Welcome new employees
THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE BEGAN WORK FROM DEC. 2022 - APRIL 2023
Aaron Atkins Hydro Project Electrician Tacoma Power
Patrick Boudreau Systems Power Dispatcher Tacoma Power
Joseph Bronder Communications Systems Tech I Tacoma Power
Rodney Brown Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Greg Brunkhorst Principal Data Analyst Tacoma Power
Emmanuel Carter Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Donald Colpitt Line Clearance Tree Trimmer Tacoma Power
Mark DiBenedetto Senior Associate Power Systems Engineer Tacoma Power
Kevin Eucker Line Electrician Tacoma Power
Jenai Fields Senior Data Analyst Tacoma Water
Paul Fitzgerald Chief Of Party Tacoma Power
John Flores Communications System Tech II Tacoma Power
Carlos Galeana Management Analyst II Customer Services
Mason Gaul Survey Technician III Tacoma Power
Sedric Green Heavy Equipment Mechanic Tacoma Power
Brock Hansen Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Marydee Herring Financial Assistant Tacoma Water
Doug Houghtelling Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Doug Lane Civil Engineer, PE Tacoma Water
Nick Laudenglos Line Electrician Tacoma Power
Ellisa Lim Power Engineer III Tacoma Power
Paul Martin Power Engineer III Tacoma Power
Ruben MartinezBarrientos Engineer Tacoma Water
Sean Melton Principal Power Audit & Compliance Analyst Tacoma Power
Sally Mohr Power Section Assistant Manager II Tacoma Power
Christopher Morgan Electrical Meter & Relay Technician Apprentice Tacoma Power
Mike Olson Machinist Tacoma Power
Joe Powell Senior Utilities Economist Tacoma Water
Stan Sayenko Engineering Project Manager Tacoma Power
Shawn Schultz Line Clearance Tree Trimmer Tacoma Power
Ken Shaffer Power Supervisor III Tacoma Power
Sean Sherrard Senior Power Field Operations Supervisor Tacoma Power
Andre Simon Heavy Equipment Mechanic Tacoma Power
Terra Thelen Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Nick Ulacia Watershed Inspector Tacoma Water
Shana Williams Customer Services Senior Manager Customer Services
Not pictured: Ben Martin, Assistant Hydro Parks Supervisor, Tacoma Power
hellos & goodbyes
John Amoo-Otoo Power Systems Engineer, PE Tacoma Power
7
Tacoma Public Utilities PO Box 11007 • Tacoma WA 98411
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TACOMA WA PERMIT NO 2
Ubits is a publication for Tacoma Public Utilities employees and provided as a courtesy to retirees. • Communications@CityofTacoma.org • 253-254-9739
Bigger, better activity book expands the story of water Tacoma Water recently completed a more robust 16-page interactive version of its award-winning children’s educational activity booklet, Hello Water! The updated version includes a wildlife search, filtration maze, secret message decoder, and highlights water utility professions. It even shares information about employees and water safety. The idea started in 2019 with a small four-page booklet as a test to see if the utility could engage our community with the material. When it became clear they could, the team moved to expand the booklet. The collaborative project took over 15 months to finish and involved more than 20 staff across Water sections and the TPU Communications Office. Many other City of Tacoma employees reviewed the booklet to offer feedback.
“
It was interesting to hear people talk and think through how their day-to-day water use works,” said Natalie Schmidt, a Tacoma Water restoration biologist and reviewer of the booklet. “The result is beautiful and highlights so much of the great work we do as a utility and makes it fun and accessible.”
The large version tells a full story about how we get water from the mountains to the forests to the tap. It also introduces the people who work to make our drinking water possible. Finally, it engages children in fun activities and helps them explore different aspects of our water system and the careers that support it. Late local artist Chandler O’Leary once again brought detail and fun to the hand-drawn illustrations. Before doing that work, the Source Water and Treatment Operations team took her on a tour of the Green River Filtration Facility, the Green River Watershed, and the utility’s in-town assets so she could use the visuals for drawing reference. Employees explained their roles, the system’s functions, and safety protocols.
“
“It was great how everyone was involved from concept to finished product. The attention paid to the finest detail of how safety equipment is used or where a water service line connects were represented,” said Operations Manager Jeff Bolam.”
The book is a model of responsible asset management and demonstrates how the utility shares water with wildlife. Safety is represented on every page, and the last page encourages readers to find ways safety is demonstrated. In addition, it emphasizes home conservation and offers specific hands-on actions to help save water. The Water outreach team distributes the free new resource at events and in local classrooms. The booklet is also available for download on MyTPU.org, and educators may request class sets by emailing Tacoma Water at Conservation@CityofTacoma.org. 5341 0723