Ubits Fall 2023
p Water employees gather on the Green River Filtration Facility filter deck for Tacoma Water Day in September.
Water employees connect at inaugural Water Day celebration Tacoma Water Day provided staff an opportunity to explore the origins of our water, gain insights into the treatment process, and foster a deeper connection and understanding of their roles. It also served as a platform for employees to engage in knowledgesharing, witness developments in our assets and processes, and receive updates on upcoming projects, such as the Howard Hanson Dam downstream fish passage. Approximately 240 employees attended to familiarize themselves with the source of our water and the efforts required to supply water to the City of Tacoma and its surrounding areas. The day kicked off at 7 a.m. as employees boarded buses and departed for Headworks. Each group embarked on tours of the watershed and plant, followed by a communal lunch and a safety recognition session. Employees learned about land management within the watershed and how the environmental stewardship team collaborates with partners and landowners to safeguard our water source and forests. Additionally, they learned about the operations of the Green River Filtration Facility from a treatment operator and water treatment and quality engineers, ensuring the provisions of safe, clean, reliable water.
Jeff Bolam, operations manager of our treatment facility, led the tour of our intake system and shared his thoughts on the event.
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I was especially proud to show off the legendary Headworks to our employees,” said Jeff. “I hope folks can see clear evidence of the commitment to excellence and dedication our staff bring to work every day at the pinnacle of our water system.”
Almost a year ago, the Water Leadership Team had the idea to bring everyone together. A few months later, it became a reality through teamwork across the division. The planning process began in July and included 60 employees across 10 committees meeting for nine weeks to formulate and execute the event. Volunteer committees were responsible for coordinating transportation, food, cleanup, and site logistics, as well as planning the tours and informing staff about the big day. The Entertainment and Education Committee arranged engaging activities, including trivia on the bus ride, a scavenger hunt, and a boat float competition at lunch.
“I enjoyed seeing everyone interact and connect while learning about and appreciating an essential part of our water system,” said Scott. “It has always been my desire that we do our best to understand and explain our incredible Tacoma Water system to our customers and neighbors. Congratulations to everyone who came out and the volunteers who made the first annual Water Day a success,” he added. Scott also appreciated the staff who provided customer continuity and made it possible for their coworkers to attend. Claire Litsky, who led communications for the event, summed up the time together. “I left the day proud to be a part of Tacoma Water not only for the incredible product we provide to our community, but to be surrounded by coworkers invested in protecting, maintaining, and learning our system.” Everyone walked away with a better understanding of what it takes to provide clean, reliable water and how they are a part of making that happen, whether at Headworks, in town, in the office, or out in the field. Their work connects them, making them better together.
Scott Dewhirst reflected on the day.
In this issue 2
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TPU Strategic Plan unveiled
New Deputy Director
APPA and NWPPA Awards
TPU STRATEGIC PLAN TPU STRATEGIC PLAN
Our Mission
We deliver clean, reliable services essential to quality of life.
Our Vision
We will be a trusted community partner, where employees are proud to deliver equitable, affordable utility services.
Our Values
SAFETY
BELONGING
p Director Jackie Flowers and the Executive Leadership Team chart TPU’s future, emphasizing a clear vision centered on safety, belonging, customer focus, integrity, and respect.
TPU Strategic Plan unveiled at All-Employee Meetings On Oct. 2, more than 800 TPU employees attended the All-Employee Meetings, virtually and in the Auditorium. Director Jackie Flowers introduced two new members of the Executive Leadership Team: Alex Yoon, Deputy Director/Chief Administrative Officer, and LaTasha Wortham, who took on a new role as the Deputy Director of Customer Experience and External Affairs.
Jackie and her Executive Leadership Team shared the TPU Strategic Plan during the presentations. She unveiled our refined mission, vision, and values to guide our organization in the coming years. Jackie also discussed key objectives that will influence our work and provide measurable outcomes to achieve our vision. The intent behind the TPU Strategic Plan is to address employee survey feedback. In our 2022 Employee Engagement Study, only 54 percent of employees agreed that the Executive Leadership Team gives employees a clear picture of the direction TPU is headed, while in a follow-up Communications Preferences Survey, 62 percent of employees believe their work requires them to know about TPU’s strategic direction. Both scores show a need to ensure more employees understand the direction TPU is headed to do their jobs. Alex Yoon also walked attendees through the framework for implementing the Strategic Plan initiatives. LaTasha Wortham discussed her plans for leading us toward the Customer Experience “North Star,” which is related to one of the objectives in the Strategic Plan. Each of the Superintendents also shared the objectives and key projects for the divisions.
CUSTOMER FOCUS
RESPECT
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INTEGRITY
During part of the day, an open house in the Cafeteria featured activities related to the mission, vision, and values highlighted in the presentations. Attendees were prompted to consider how the strategic plan relates to their work and how each individual contributes to delivering clean, reliable services essential to quality of life. Activities encouraged reflection on actions that can be taken in the coming year to help TPU become a trusted community partner, fostering pride in delivering equitable, affordable utility services. Emulating TPU values in interactions was also emphasized. Various activities and giveaway items facilitated a deeper understanding of the mission, vision, and values and their practical application.
p Employees peruse an open house during the break between All-Employee Meetings on Oct. 2, gaining insights into the TPU Strategic Plan and various utility updates.
LaTasha Wortham assumes role as Tacoma Public Utilities’ new Deputy Director of Customer Experience and External Affairs On October 9, 2023, LaTasha (LT) Wortham took on the position of Deputy Director of Customer Experience and External Affairs at our utility. LT oversees customer experience, customer services, communications, and government and community relations in this newly appointed executive position. Together, their efforts support Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water, and Tacoma Rail in serving the City of Tacoma and numerous communities in Pierce and King Counties. An accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in public relations and government, LT has a diverse background spanning nonprofit, congressional, state, and local government sectors. Formerly, she served as TPU’s Regional Relations Manager for several years, cultivating relationships with local elected officials, government representatives, Native American tribes, and community members within and around the TPU service area. As a Tacoma native, LT possesses an intimate understanding of the communities served by TPU.
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My love for Tacoma–specifically the people in this community–drives me to want to ensure the best customer experience possible,” said LT. “I am excited to contribute my passion for a customer-centric approach to reflect TPU’s values and goals and to continue working with policymakers and external partners to ensure equitable service delivery.”
Previously, LT served as the chief of staff for former Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib and held leadership positions in the Office of former Congressmen Norm Dicks and Denny Heck. LT is a graduate of Western Washington University, holding a BA in Political Science. She also studied in the university’s Law and Diversity Program.
p Employees express their commitment to TPU’s values as they pose in the photo booth.
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Emergency management is… Ensuring our employees are prepared and ready to respond during emergencies The Importance of Personal Emergency Preparedness Natural disasters, catastrophic accidents, and emergencies happen, and by nature, aren’t expected. These situations are difficult to consider, but failing to plan for them can make the difference between life and death. You can plan now and benefit from being prepared for an emergency. Being prepared: Reduces fear and anxiety during highly stressful times so you’ll know what to do when an emergency or disaster happens.
Provides the confidence to know that you and your family can take care of yourselves until help arrives.
Allows you to take protective actions to reduce the impact on life and property.
Increases your resiliency and ability to recover quickly.
About Our Employee Emergency Preparedness Program Created in early 2022, the Employee Emergency Preparedness Program (EEPP) supports our utility’s Mission, the Public Utility Board’s Guiding Principle 7: Reliability and Resiliency, and the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). Our COOP outlines policies and guidance to ensure we continue providing essential services during an emergency or disaster. The COOP states,
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All employees…are strongly encouraged to have a Family Emergency Plan and adequate supplies for selfsufficiency for at least 72 hours; however, it’s strongly recommended to extend supplies to last 14 days for all family members.”
The EEPP, led by TPU Emergency Management Analyst Lisa Millius, provides employees with the information and resources they need to prepare for emergencies and disasters. “Preparing for a disaster is like preparing for any other important event in life,” said Lisa. She explained that preparedness activities fall into three categories: be informed, build a kit, and make a plan. A fourth category, get involved, is provided at the City of Tacoma and Pierce County level. Below is a look at the first three categories.
Be Informed Being informed is knowing the hazards where you live, work, and play. Hazards are often due to natural events we see often, such as severe storms, flooding, wildfires, and landslides. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, lahars, and tsunamis are less likely to happen, but their impact and recovery time are more severe. Technological dangers include hazardous material spills, dam and levee failure, and pipeline accidents. And we also need to be prepared for human-caused threats, such as active shooters, cyberattacks, and terrorism. Be informed by signing up for emergency notifications from TPU, the city, and the counties where you live and work. Opting into these alerts allows you to receive messages about road closures, evacuations, wildfires, storms, floods, and more. You can sign up for alerts on the Unet Security page. Hover over “TPU Divisions” and 4 go to “Security.”
Build a Kit After an emergency or during a disaster, you may need to survive on your own for a few days or several days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. Emergencies may cause essential services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones to be cut off for days or weeks. Or, you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. The EEPP provides information on what items to include in basic “go-bags,” vehicle kits, and household kits.
Make a Plan Develop a family communication plan. Your top priority during an emergency is finding your loved ones. When a disaster strikes, your family might not be together. It is crucial to plan how to contact one another during an emergency and discuss how you will communicate in different disaster situations. During stressful times following emergencies and disasters, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for recovering quickly and efficiently. The EEPP has resources to assist you in safeguarding critical documents.
TAIDNAPAM PARK
SEATTLE
NORTH
Directions
TACOMA
P.O. Box 277 117 Cayuse Lane • Glenoma, WA 98336 Latitude: N 46 28 06.2 • Longitude: W 122 09 51.2 From Tacoma, take I-5 South to Highway 12 East (Exit 68). Drive approximately 37 miles (five miles past Morton) and turn right on Kosmos Road, then left onto Champion Haul Road. Drive about four miles to the park entrance.
OLYMPIA Yelm Eatonville
Alder Lake Park Centralia
To avoid the blind corner on Hwy 12 when leaving the park, take a left onto Champion Haul Road, and take a right on Glenoma Road. This will bring you to a straight stretch of Hwy 12.
Mount Rainier
Mayfield Lake Park
Please be respectful Patrons are to treat everyone with dignity and respect to help create an environment of belonging for all, no matter their backgrounds, cultures, or abilities.
Morton
Taidnapam Park
Mossyrock Park
Mount Saint Helens
Visit all our parks Alder Lake Park
Mossyrock Park
50324 School Road
202 Ajlune Road
180 Beach Road Mossyrock, WA 98564
117 Cayuse Lane Glenoma, WA 98336
Play all day
Stay all night
Information Reservations | 833-290-8180 or MyTPU.org/Parks Park office | 360-497-7707
WA 98328 p Senior Communications and Marketing manager Rebekah Eatonville, Anderson and Principal and Marketing Mossyrock, WACommunications 98564 Fishing and recreation line | 888-502-8690 Lake levels and river flows | MyTPU.org/LakeLevels Analyst Sonja Bert showcase the regional awards presented by Lake NWPPA September. Mayfield Park in Taidnapam Park Assistance for the deaf and hard of hearing Washington Relay Service | 711 or 800-833-6388
Riffe Lake levels | To protect public safety, Tacoma Power will hold Riffe Lake’s elevation down approximately 30 feet lower than full (778 ft.) at least into the next decade. Learn more at MyTPU.org/RiffeLake.
TPU Communications receives accolades from APPA and NWPPA
Need this brochure in another format? | Call 253-278-7775.
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Tacoma Power Parks’ rebranding effort has earned Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) and Tacoma Power national recognition, securing a prestigious American Public Power Association (APPA) Award of Merit in the Print & Digital category within class A (utilities with gross revenue of $400 million or more). The APPA bestowed awards upon 67 utilities for excellence in communications during their Customer Connections Conference in mid-November in San Antonio, Texas. Recognizing outstanding achievements in communications, the awards spanned three categories: Print & Digital, Web & Social Media, and Video.
Play Stay
Sonja Bert and Carrie Mantle in Public Affairs and Communications were instrumental to the development of the winning project. In a separate celebration, the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) marked the 30th anniversary of its Excellence in Communications Awards (EIC) and acknowledged efforts by NWPPA member utilities and associations. TPU, positioned in the largest utility category, “Group D,” received multiple awards at the Northwest Innovations in Communications Conference banquet in Santa Rosa, California. “We are so excited to have once again received a record-breaking number of entries, even with only eight categories this year,” said 2023 NIC Chair Sharon Scheidt of the Copper Valley Electric Association.
hookups, and everything in between.
TPU Communications excelled in several categories:
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1st place
3rd place
3rd place
3rd place
Special Publication category for the Tacoma Power Parks rebrand.
Advertising Campaign category for the “Knowing Your Water Heater’s Birthday” campaign.
Internal Communications category for the 2022 Service Awards.
Serious about fun?
Get serious about
If someone’s in trouble
Social Media Throw the person something that floats—a category for crisis floatation ring, cushion, ice chest, or ball. communications Extend a towel or paddle and pull response to them out of the water. the December 25, 2022 Don’t damage. reach with your hand because the substation victim could pull you under.
Water safety
More information
Speaking of the five awards TPU Communications received from the APPA and NWPPA this Call 911 in the event of an emergency. year, Senior Manager of Communications and Marketing Rebekah AndersonLewis says, County Sheriff’s Department:
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360-748-9286
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department: 253-287-4455
Our team is dedicated to delivering impactful communications to customers and employees. We align our work to TPU’s priorities, and use industry research, survey data, and metrics from our communications channels to inform and optimize our work. It means a lot to us to have that work acknowledged by other experts in our field and peers in our industry.”
Lake levels and river flows: MyTPU.org/LakeLevels Fishing and recreation line: 888-502-8690 Alder Lake Park office: 360-569-2778
Mayfield Lake Park office: 360-985-2364 Mossyrock Park office: 360-983-3900 Taidnapam Park office: 360-497-7707
Reservations: 833-290-8180 or MyTPU.org/Parks Assistance for the deaf and hard of hearing Washington Relay Service | 711 or 800-833-6388
Need this brochure in another format? | Sonja and Carrie, Jenae Elliott, Rebecca King, and Steven Shortt in Public Affairs and Communications were integral to the NWPPA Awards projects. 253-278-7775.
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p The first in-person meeting of the Director’s Mentoring Circle took place in September. Left: Chris Juchau, Anna Hudson, Julie DeYoung, Emily Woodward, and Tammy Smith. Right: Jackie Flowers, Roberta Haegele, Richelle Krienke, Megan Davis, and Jenni Chadick Not pictured: Aimee Higby
Director’s Mentoring Circle offers unique opportunity for employees The Director’s Mentoring Circle and Mentor Program are integral components of our utility’s expanding Employee Development programs.
bits & pieces
Commencing in 2020, the Director’s Mentoring Circle provides a distinctive opportunity for 10 employees from across the utility’s divisions, spanning field and office roles, to engage in three 90-minute consecutive group mentoring sessions with the director of utilities. TPU recently initiated the fifth series of sessions, with another set scheduled for January 2024. What sets the program apart is that employees can shape the meeting topics based on their interests, covering areas including equity and belonging, hybrid work arrangements, and business operations. The ensuing rich conversations, posed questions, shared insights, and realities contribute to a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives and individuals within our organization. Simultaneously, participants gain insights into the director’s responsibilities, decision-making process, and challenges faced. Running annually from April to December, the Mentor Program enables employees to engage in monthly discussions with a colleague on topics of their choice. Topics encompass career progression, leadership principles, networking, learning about different parts of the organization, troubleshooting work situations, having a confidante and someone to bounce ideas off, getting advice, and more.
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Since piloting the program in 2019, we have been building a expanding community of employees who share similar goals: to grow and share,” explained Alice Massara, strategic people programs manager in Power Shared Services.
Alice regards the Mentor Program as a form of professional self-care, fostering a sense of belonging and connection amid our often isolated and busy lives. Any employee can participate as a mentor, mentee, peer, or part of a group mentor experience. This year, the group mentor option is a new addition and currently being piloted. “Employee feedback is essential to sustain value in the program, and we take it seriously, evolving the program from year to year,” Alice added. While the program’s primary benefit is the exchange of job-related organizational knowledge, peer mentoring also serves as a means for employees to offer psychosocial support, building alliances, cohorts, or a posse with shared organizational culture and work experiences.
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My experience within the TPU Mentorship Program has been one of true personal and professional growth,” expressed Rachel Dicken, a business services analyst in the Power Shared Services section. “Along with diverse opinions and experience, my mentor was also able to bring joy, a positive outlook, and a safe place to bring up current challenges I experience in the workplace. I truly value this program and look forward to participating again!”
Registration for the 2024 Mentor Program will open in February.
Advanced meter installations progress despite supply chain impacts Our utility continues to make steady progress on advanced meter installations despite challenges in the supply chain affecting the availability of electric meters. To adapt to the constraints, we revised our installation plan and prioritized the installation of water meters. Tribus, our meter installation vendor, strategically shifted operations to our wateronly service area, enabling the conversion of those customers to monthly billing. Following the completion of installations in that area, they returned to Tacoma and concluded installations in the north end.
By October, water meter upgrades exceeded 91 percent of our system. Tribus is currently concentrating on northeast Tacoma, and we anticipate completing water meter upgrades in early Q1 of 2024. While we have begun receiving small quantities of electric meters, Tribus successfully completed upgrades in University Place and transitioned into our power-only service area. Once those meters are installed, we will closely monitor the network to assess the need for additional base stations, ensuring seamless communication of usage data for all meters. As of the end of October, over 188,400 advanced meters have been installed, covering 64 percent of our service areas. Tribus has upgraded over 167,800 residential and small commercial electric and water meters. Simultaneously, our Tacoma Power meter shop is continuing upgrades to our solar meters, and Tacoma Water is making strides in installing modules, assisting Tribus with complex residential meters, and meter box improvements.
A fond farewell to our recent retires Mitchell Berreth, a Tacoma Power communications system tech III, retired after 23 years.
Patricia Mylan, a Customer Services technical representative, retired after 21 years.
Marifel Flores, a Customer Services representative lead, retired after 26 years.
Jeff Simons, a Tacoma Power hydro utility worker, retired after 25.5 years.
Barbara Manglona, a Tacoma Power day-ahead energy trader, retired after 25.5 years.
Patrick Urain, a Tacoma Power senior conservation analyst, retired after 14 years.
Merri McHugh, a Customer Services advanced meter field investigator, retired after 45.5 years.
Greg Volkhardt, a Tacoma Water division manager, retired after 15.5 years.
Welcome new employees
DeVon Brown Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Hugh Caufield Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Gordon Cooper Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Jerrod Davis Water Utility Division Manager Tacoma Water
Lee Dunayski Business Systems Analyst Tacoma Water
Hollie Filbey Businses Systems Analyst Tacoma Water
Samuel Gibbons Principal Natural Resources Analyst Tacoma Power
Catherine Gould Administrative Assistant Tacoma Water
Ben Kaija Grounds Maintenance Worker Tacoma Power
Jessica Lopez-Garcia Office Manager Customer Services
Ryan Miller Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Tammie Miller Hydro Project Electrician Tacoma Power
Fred Nelson Network Construction Technician Tacoma Power
Robert Noel Senior Associate Power Systems Engineer Tacoma Power
Todd Norris Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Amanda Powell Financial Assistant Tacoma Power
David Rempe Associate Power Systems Engineer Tacoma Power
Madeline Rumbaugh Senior Business Services Analyst Tacoma Power
Derek Schneider Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Joshua Scott Principal Data Analyst Tacoma Power
Zachary Springer Associate Power Systems Engineer Tacoma Power
Sina Stennes Natural Resources Field Technician Tacoma Power
Jonathan Storvick Power Energy Conservation Analyst Tacoma Power
Ryan Thompson Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
Connor Tompkins Principal Associate Electrical Engineer Tacoma Power
David Whitney Railway Conductor Tacoma Rail
Tyler Wofford Water Utility Worker Tacoma Water
hellos & goodbyes
Brianne Ballard Administrative Assistant Tacoma Power
Remembering Greg Volkhardt Greg Volkhardt, who left a tremendous impression on many at TPU, especially within Tacoma Water, passed away on Oct. 2. Greg recently retired as the utility’s Source Water and Treatment Operations section manager and is remembered for the kind, compassionate individual and leader he was. Many took the time to share memories and thoughts of Greg in the Employee News blog on Unet. Most noted were the number of people who commented on what a friendly and caring person Greg was and the time he took to get to know others personally. “I will always remember him first and foremost as a kind, thoughtful person. He was a leader amongst leaders at work, gently but successfully bringing people and multiple projects along. The progress that Tacoma Water, the Corps of Engineers, and the entire region are realizing now on downstream fish passage at Howard Hanson Dam is the direct result of Greg’s expertise and impactful leadership,” said Clark Mather, government relations manager for TPU. “When that project is completed, it will only be the latest example of Greg in action – ensuring water storage for hundreds of thousands of people while making a tremendous impact on the recovery of salmon – the latter being a cause he dedicated much of his professional life to.”
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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
WestRock’s closure increased drinking water rates by 5 percent The Public Utility Board and the Tacoma City Council approved a five percent drinking water rate increase starting on Jan. 1, 2024. This increase offsets the increased costs to maintain and operate Tacoma Water’s systems after the WestRock pulp mill closed in the fall of 2023. Customers will also see an already-approved system average rate increase of 4 percent. This 5 percent increase was applied equally to all customer types and affects both the fixed and consumption-based parts of the water bill. The average residential customer inside the City of Tacoma limits will see their monthly average bill increase from $43.75 to $47.83. The WestRock-related rate adjustment is associated with $2.28 of this increase.
As part of the WestRock rate increase, TPU is going to provide enhanced residential assistance programs for customers who need it most. These enhancements will offset the rate increase for qualifying income thresholds. Customers eligible for the Bill Credit Assistance Plan will see their automatic credit increase from $4 to $7, and their achievable credit will remain at $5. In August 2023, the Atlanta-based packaging manufacturer WestRock Company announced the closure of their Tacoma paper mill effective September. WestRock has been among Tacoma Public Utilities’ largest industrial customers for
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nearly a century, using around $25 million of power and water annually. WestRock’s usage accounted for approximately one-third of the overall daily use of our water, equal to the water use of more than 100,000 homes and is a significant revenue loss for our water utility.