Trailblazer hires Sand Creek to help with workplace issues
A long, closed session held by the Trailblazer Transit Joint Powers Board Thursday resulted in a series of motions, including one to write a letter of reprimand to Executive Director Gary Ludwig, and another to hire Sand Creek to help implement workplace changes to improve the working environment.
No reason for the reprimand was given.
Most of the discussion of the open portion of the meeting focused on the report presented by Sand Creek’s Susan Herreid regarding an assessment of the transit system’s workplace environment.
Herreid stressed that many positive things were stated in her conversations with current and past employees, the board and agencies that contract with Trailblazer for transportation.
She also noted that her interviews were not a “fact-finding mission,” but to assess how employees and others perceive the workplace at Trailblazer.
Some common issues came forward at the interviews, including policies and procedures, communications, leadership, consistency in implementing policies, training, the board’s role, and many others.
Herreid said her firm can offer coaching and other help to make employees feel they have “the opportunity to have a voice, both as a group and individually.” That coaching will be for all involved with Trailblazer, from the Joint Powers Board to management to employees, she said.
Sibley County Commissioner Bill Pinske said it’s important for the board to set a “drop dead” deadline for implementing any changes or improvements, probably a six-month mark.
“We need to go to work on some issues so that employees know, in fact, that something is going to be done,” Pinske said. He also noted that the make-up of the board could change Jan. 1, 2017, because this is an election year.
Both Sibley County Commissioner Jim Swanson and Wright County Area Transit (WCAT) member Lynn Kissock, mayor of Maple Lake, felt that the board needs to create a series of monthly goals to make sure it meets its six-month deadline.
“We need to set up deadlines that are sooner than six months,” said Swanson. “We need 30-day, 60-day status reports. I want the staff to see that changes are being made.”
“We definitely need a structure plan that both the staff and the board can refer to,” agreed Kissock.
McLeod County Commissioner Ron Shimanski, who chairs the Joint Powers Aboard, also said that the board should get started on “certain hot-button issues” right away.
Julie Latzig, Trailblazer’s new human resources director, introduced herself and asked for the opportunity to take on the task of implementing the changes recommended by Sand Creek.
Latzig said she has had over 20 years of experience in human resources.
“You’ve got me in position here,” said Latzig. “Give me six months to work on these issues … make me your front line of defense. I’m here to champion your employees.”
Latzig said that after six months, the board could reassess the progress.
Latzig also pointed out the cost to hire Sand Creek, which included $100 an hour for planning and document, $75 an hour for transportation and direct services at $250 per hour.
Mark Lauer, a recently hired operations manager, echoed Latzig.
“You have five people in this room to take care of this,” said Lauer. “Our goal is to make things better. Give us a chance; let us do our job.”
For more, see the May 25 print edition of The Chronicle.
