Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 16, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, General Counsel John Eldridge, Senior Communications Manager Heather Allmain, Human Resources Generalist Abby Olbrich, Customer Service Manager Robert Hill, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Financial Analyst Shelly Peebles, Accounting Manager Bryan Johnson, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts, Manager of Construction Design David Tetz, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, and Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander.
Staff via digital conference (phone or video): Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Peter Harrison, James Oneil, Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Don/Alona Steinke, Randal Friedman and Tom Gordon.
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided a summary of the cap and invest program in Washington and of the 2024 supplemental Washington State Budget.
Randal Freidman shared his concerns and predictions regarding regional dependence on the Bonneville Power Administration and higher rates of poverty in other states.
Peter Harrison shared detailed output and return on investment information about his planned personal solar arrays.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 2, 2024
The minutes were approved as presented.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated April 16, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,834,133.73
Water Revenue Fund – $204,955.86
Generating System Fund – $943,143.95
For a total of $21,982,233.54
Employee Service Award Recognition
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny recognized Financial Analyst Shelly Peebles for her 20 years of service in the Finance department (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 672 – UG Trenching & Conduit Installation – SE 1st St
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated April 16, 2024 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 672 be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, City Electric Co. in the amount of $274,000 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Water System Plan Update
Director of Operations and Interim Director of Water Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated April 16, 2024 (Materials F). Mr. Morris referenced the presentation on April 2, 2024, which outlined the updates to the Water System Plan. Public input and commission approval is required prior to final acceptance of an updated plan. As of April 11, 2024 there were not any public comments received and staff requests approval of the Water System Plan as presented.
Commissioner Malinowski opened the public hearing and there were not comments. Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve the Water System Plan as presented, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Uncollectable Debt Second Half 2023
Customer Service Manager Robert Hill provided the board with an overview of the uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2023 (Materials G). Net losses to revenue remain low and recoveries increased for the first time since 2018. Mr. Hill requested approval to charge $521,843 to uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2023.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved charge $521,843 to uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2023, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke congratulated the Utility on its Safety Award from the American Public Power Association.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler shared that Earth Day events will be held at Columbia Springs on April 20, 2024.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:04 a.m.