Wayland gas qualifications updated

WAYLAND - Wayland Public Works staff will be required to do more to prove their ability to work with gas.

During the Wayland City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 6, the city adopted an updated municipal gas system operator qualification plan.

According to Wayland City Clerk Beverly Conrad, the qualification plan is in place to 'ensure the safe and reliant delivery of gas.” Provided by The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), the organization offers classes to ensure city workers who work on gas lines are properly trained.

Whereas IAMU has previously trained staff in groups, they will now be testing the skills of individuals. Furthermore, workers were previously required to travel to take the classes, but IAMU will now send their instructors to Wayland when training is required.

Other changes to the program include evaluating staff on an individual basis as opposed to in a group, and more written exams.

'They've revamped it,” said Conrad. 'Made it a little more strict with hands-on procedures.”

According to Conrad, no city staff will have to take the class until 2020, but the city still pays a yearly $125 membership fee. When classes are required it will cost $750 per person.

The council will meet again on March 20.