Please welcome our newest Associate Member - GIS Workshop.

GIS Workshop strives to create Simple Solutions for Smarter Government and Stronger Communities. To that end, SimpleCity™ is an online Asset Management System developed specifically for smaller cities and utility systems to easily and efficiently manage critical assets. SimpleCity™ improves speed, efficiency, and access to information for utility departments through a single web-based platform. The system helps utility departments to mitigate risk, proactively manage assets by tracking maintenance activities, increase accessibility, and improve decision making. GIS Workshop also offers a variety of data collection services, mobile inventory management applications, and mobile resource management solutions. Experience, local knowledge, and high quality simple solutions make GIS Workshop a true industry expert.

Presented by Nelson Technologies

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Gas Department and Nelson Technologies will offer a one-day Natural Gas Odorizer Training Workshop.  The class will take place on Wednesday, December 13 at the IAMU Training and Office Complex.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Why You Should Attend:
In recent years, the ability to maintain and/or correct deficiencies with odorizers has been difficult. The lack of company support systems, parts, and knowledge of “older” odorizers has been a common problem among municipal gas systems.  This workshop will provide hands-on training from industry experts specific to odorizers and odorization. Operators will gain a better understanding of principle odorizer functions and will also be provided with replacement options for possible Capital Improvement Projects.

The following topics will be covered in detail, as well as additional hands-on training:

• Overview of Odorization
  
• YZ Systems of LVO (Low Volume Odorizer) Injection System
• Principals of Operation
• Breakdown of parts/components (Actual demo will be present)
• Discuss transfer of odorant from bulk storage tank to day tank
• Slideshow of past & current LVO installations
• Hands-on, 6000B pump seal rebuild
• YZ LVO Spec Sheet (Walkthrough how to fill out spec sheet)
• Nelson Technologies Commissioning & Services provided
• Q & A Session

Who Should Attend:
All gas operating personnel who are responsible for the periodic maintenance, troubleshooting, and PHMSA required testing of natural gas odorization systems.

November is the beginning of the holiday season, but it’s also the start of the most dangerous time of year for slips and falls. As you might suspect, the bulk of slip and fall accidents occur between December and March.
 
To learn more about slip-and-fall prevention, check out this Insights article by EMC Insurance.

Helping to take some of the work and risk out of creating job descriptions.

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) has developed six Job Description Templates for members when creating job descriptions for position postings and for general use.

The new job description templates include ones for:

• Electric Lineworker
  
• Water Plant Operator/Technician
  
• Power Plant Operator
  
• Telecom/ Broadband Technician
  
• Gas/Water/Wastewater Superintendent or Technician
  
• Public Works/Streets/Maintenance Worker
  

The intent of providing Job Description Templates is to allow IAMU members to develop, enhance, or replace existing job descriptions.

The detailed job descriptions allow for:

• Better recruitment – enables you to identify the right person for each job. Detailed job descriptions clarify employer expectations for job candidates and identify essential job functions and physical requirements.
• Better compensation systems – allows for accurate job and skill comparisons so you can create fair and logical pay and grading systems. Detailed job descripitons can also serve as a reference tool in employee/employer disputes.
  
• Better performance evaluation – enables you to make evaluations based on objective versus subjective criteria.
  
• Better people planning – allows you to make skill-based hiring and succession planning decisions.
  
• Better legal compliance – helps your utility to stay in compliance with many laws and help defend lawsuits related to hiring or termination.
  
• Objective criteria for managing return-to-work situations – following both workplace and non-work injuries and illnesses
  

The templates are available to all IAMU members for free. Safety Group Insurance Program participants can also receive complimentary consulting assistance in using the templates from Dave Eaton, IAMU Risk Improvement Representative. If you are not an insurance program participant, there is a nominal fee for the added consulting services.

To access the templates, go to www.iamu.org, sign in as a member*, go to the “Resources” section, and then to “Job Description Templates.” There you will find instructions on how to use the templates as well as the editable templates.

*If you need your member sign-in information, contact Josh Trout at [email protected].*

Although we are still a few months away from the start of the 2018 Iowa Legislative Session and a year away from the Gubernatorial Election, it’s not too early to begin thinking about and talking about state issues related to utilities.

To get the discussions started, the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) has invited Fred Hubbell to speak at the 5th Annual Energy Conference on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 11:10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The Energy Conference is being held at the Prairie Meadows Casino Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa.

Fred will take a look at state issues during his presentation. As chairman of the Iowa Power Fund, Fred was tasked with investing state funds in the renewable energy sector, investments that helped spur Iowa’s growth into a leading producer of clean energy. Fred was also called upon to serve as interim director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. While interim director, he promoted economic growth in every corner of the state. Fred is currently a Democratic candidate for Iowa governor.

For more information on Fred, click here.

For more information on the Energy Conference, click here.

The 23rd Annual Water and Wastewater Operator’s Training Workshop will be held November 14 – 16, 2017, at Holiday Inn Northwest, Des Moines. To register, click here.

This yearly training is a must for any water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. The three-day workshop includes basic and advanced topics on water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn up to 1.2 CEUs toward certification, plus get a chance to connect with other municipal water professionals from around the state as well as check out products and services from water-related vendors.

Early registration deadline is Friday, November 10th! Don’t wait!

An Added, Pre-Workshop Bonus:
Water Audit Seminar, presented by Steve Cavanaugh of Cavanaugh Solutions
Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. until noon
Space is limited to 50. Those who attend the seminar can earn 0.3 CEUs for WT/WD.
There is an additional cost of $50 to attend this pre-workshop seminar.

Provided by EMC Insurance

No one wants an employee to be injured on the job, but accidents happen. When they do, immediate treatment is often essential. A nearby first-aid kit helps with basic needs during an emergency. To learn more about first-aid kits, check out this Insights article by EMC Insurance.

The American Public Power Association's Academy is offering a series of two webinars on FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program. The program provides reimbursement of costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair and restoration of damaged facilities. But, this disaster assistance is subject to eligibility rules applicable to the applicant, facility, work, and cost. Through this series, attendees will learn about procurement requirements, how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to disallowance of funding, what to expect if you are targeted for an audit, and about FEMA's appeals process.

• Webinar #1: FEMA Basics for the Municipal Utility (Nov. 14)
  This webinar will explore issues faced by public power utilities when recovering from a major disaster, the process of documenting your damages, and the steps that can be taken before a disaster strikes that will make recovery efforts easier for your utility.

• Webinar #2: Avoid Disaster after a Disaster: FEMA/Federal Procurement Guidelines (Nov. 28)
  In this webinar, hear about FEMA and federal procurement guidelines that will help you avoid procurement mistakes that could result in the deobligation of FEMA funding. Learn ways to improve regulatory compliance when designing and executing procurement and contracting processes involved in FEMA disaster grant funding.
  

Series Speaker

• Bill Riley, Managing Director, Witt O'Brien's, Washington, D.C
  
  

Registration

• Individual webinars: $99 for Association members; $199 for nonmembers

• The entire 2-part series: $150 for Association members; $300 for nonmembers

Contact

• Questions contact [email protected].