TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 19, 2016
COMMITTEE ON PENSION, HUMAN RESOURCES & cIVIL SERVICE
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for participation in a job exchange visit per the Memorandum of Understanding with Aarhus Vand A/S of Denmark for engaging in a Knowledge Exchange Program
Body
Dear Sir:
On October 16, 2014, the Board authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aarhus Vand A/S of Denmark to engage in a knowledge exchange program. The MOU is for a three year period beginning November 1, 2014. The purpose of the program is to share knowledge, experience and thoughtful discourse about the water sector and wastewater industry for the mutual benefit of the District and Aarhus Vand, an independent regional waste and wastewater enterprise located in southern Denmark that is owned by the municipality of Aarhus.
Job exchange visits, where District employees can visit Aarhus Vand’s water treatment facilities, are an important part of the MOU. Jane C. Schipma, a Treatment Plant Operator I at the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, has been invited by Aarhus Vand to visit its water treatment facility in Ega, Denmark from October 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016. The facility is in the process of expansion and renovation to become 150% energy self-sufficient. Among other processes being implemented, the treatment facility will begin their deammonification process in October. As the District will also be implementing a deammonification process at the John Egan Water Reclamation Plant, the knowledge and experience gained by Ms. Schipma will be of great value to the District.
Ms. Schipma would not be working for Aarhus Vand during her visit. Salary and benefit continuation, and airfare would be the responsibility of the District. Airfare is estimated at $1,500.00. Aarhus Vand would provide housing for Ms. Schipma.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to participate in the job exchange visit with Aarhus Vand A/S of Denmark.
Requested, Denice E. Korcal, Director of Human Resources
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Chairman Committee on Pension, Human Resources & Civil Service
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 19, 2016.