Newsletter Keeps Members Up to Date
The MCIT Bulletin is published nine times a year. It covers issues important to MCIT members, such as program developments, legislative and case law changes, risk management and loss control advice, training opportunities and more.
Bulletin, March/April 2021
MCIT News
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MCIT Welcomes New Board Members: The MCIT Board of Directors vacancy was filled by appointment during the Feb. 12 board meeting. Becker County Commissioner Ben Grimsley takes the seat previously held by Don Diedrich, who retired from his Polk County commissioner position last year. Grimsley joins Roseau County Commissioner Jack Swanson and Washington County Administrator Kevin Corbid as new board members for 2021. Read more … |
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Board Leadership Changes for 2021: During its organizational meeting Jan. 8, the MCIT Board of Directors selection its officers, assigned members to committees and determined their meeting schedule. Read more … |
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Turn in 2021 EDP Inventory by April 30: Each member’s annual inventory of electronic data processing (EDP) equipment (items that accept and manipulate data or are connected to a computer system) must be submitted to MCIT by April 30. The inventory needs to include all EDP equipment that the member wants covered. Read more … |
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Reminder: Watch 2021 Coverage Update: The recording of the 2021 MCIT Coverage Update webinar is available to watch on demand at MCIT.org/coverage-reviews/. Members are encouraged to view this to learn about coverage changes effective this year, as well as key features of coverage. 2021 coverage changes include modifications to cyber suite limits and the addition of a communicable disease exclusion for property and liability, among others. Read more ... |
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Minnesota Supreme Court: Decision May Require Personnel Policy Revisions: The Minnesota Supreme Court issued its decision in Hall v. City of Plainview Feb. 3. One of the two legal issues considered by the Hall court was whether the paid time off (PTO) payout policy in the city’s employee handbook was an enforceable contract, despite language earlier in the handbook disclaiming the creation of the contract. Read more … |
Services and Products News
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Resources Guide Members Through Managing Risks: MCIT has developed over the past several years a number of guides that focus on hazards of specific service areas. Each resource can be used by managers or supervisors to learn about the various risks in their areas and strategies to minimize them. Sections can be used to train employees about safe work practices, as well. Read more … |
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Reduce Slips, Falls from Large Equipment: Getting in and out of large equipment and vehicles (e.g., snow plows, dump trucks, motor graders, front loaders) is a year round exposure that can lead to serious injuries. To help keep people from being hurt, MCIT offers members awareness materials for this issue through the Step Wisely program at no cost. Read more …
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Tips to Manage, Reduce Risks
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Elected Officials: Take Care to Act Ethically, Manage Conflicts of Interest: In Minnesota, many elected local officials have a choice between using a government entity-provided e-mail account or using a personal e-mail account for conducting government business. Whether officials should use government-entity or personal e-mail accounts for conducting official business is ultimately a policy decision for the governing body and the elected official. When making this decision, there are a few issues to keep in mind, such as security of the account and preservation of the government data in a personal account. (These considerations also apply to employees using personal e-mail accounts for government business.) Read more …
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Minnesota Government Data Practices Act: Discussing Personnel Issues: When seeking advice or a second opinion regarding a personnel issue, it is important to keep the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) in mind. Read more … |
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Municipalities Required to Defend, Indemnify Employees, Officials: Historically, employers have agreed to indemnify, defend and and hold an employee or official harmless for claims arising from acts performed while carrying out duties within the scope or at the direction of his or her employer. Indemnification ensures that the employee or official can act in good faith to perform his or her duties without the risk of being personally responsible for costs associated with defending his or her actions. Read more … |
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Safety Culture Corner: Departmental Tool Box Talks Benefit Staff: General explanation of MCIT’s public employees liability coverage and workers’ compensation for elected officials. Read more … |
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New Guidance: Posting DOL-required Employment Notices Electronically: As more employees are working remotely due to COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued guidance regarding the use of e-mail or postings on and Internet of intranet site (including a shared network drive or file system) for providing required federal notices, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) posters. Read more … |
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Chain Saw Use and OSHA Compliance: Employees performing work that includes cutting trees or branches, chipping branches or moving felled trees and logs are subject to the OSHA Logging Operation Standard 29 CFR 1910.266. Article explains the requirements of the standard, including safety practices for chain saw use. Read more … |
