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Duluth personnel committee interviews UMD professor for Resource Renewal board seat
Summary
The Duluth personnel committee interviewed Dr. Nathan Johnson, a University of Minnesota Duluth environmental engineering professor, for appointment to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) board, branded Resource Renewal.
The Duluth personnel committee interviewed Dr. Nathan Johnson, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth, for a seat on the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District board, newly branded Resource Renewal.
The interview took place during the committee meeting and was led by Azrael, an at-large city councilor who serves as personnel committee chair. Azrael gave an overview of the board’s structure and mission, saying the WLSSD is governed by a nine-member citizen board whose makeup is defined in Minnesota statutes: four members are appointed by the city of Duluth, three by the city of Cloquet and one is elected by Carlton County cities and townships in the service area.
Dr. Johnson told the committee his academic and professional background fits the technical work of the wastewater and solid-waste system. “I have a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in environmental engineering,” he said, and described about 15 years at UMD studying contaminants in natural and engineered systems and working with state agencies.
Committee members asked about how Johnson’s experience would translate to board service. He said his research experience informs the technical aspects of wastewater management but that he expects to learn more about organizational and administrative matters from other board members if appointed. He also described participating in faculty searches and committees aimed at broadening department diversity.
The personnel committee did not vote on the appointment during the interview. Azrael told the committee the appointment would be brought forward on the city council agenda at the upcoming council meeting on Aug. 1.
Why it matters: The WLSSD/Resource Renewal board plans and provides for wastewater collection and treatment and for solid-waste management across the agency’s service area. Appointees shape investments, engineering priorities and intergovernmental agreements.
Next steps: The council will consider the appointment at a forthcoming council meeting; the personnel committee interview is part of the council’s appointment process.
