Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 6, 2021
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Business Applications Manager Julie Landry and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Mellissa Ahern, Rick Marshall and Kristin Edmark.
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Don Steinke shared his opposition to the calculation the council is using to determine the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency and his support for Clark Public Utilities to look for conservation measures for mobile homes.
Alona Steinke shared her concern for the health of the air along Mill Plain and suggested Clark Public Utilities consider that area when appropriating Clean Energy Transportation Act monies, along with a consideration of planting trees.
If members of the public have provided the utility with written comments, copies of these comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of March 16, 2021
There were no changes.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated April 6, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $24,403,923.55
Water Revenue Fund – $185,239.63
Generating System Fund – $876,361.33
For a total of $25,465,524.51
Consideration of Resolution of Establishment of LUD No. 1405
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District No. 1405.
Resolution No. 7652 – LUD No. 1405 – Kebelas Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7652 be adopted (Materials C).
Consideration of Emergency Community Response Extension
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reviewed the memo dated April 6, 2021 (Materials C) requesting board approval to extend the temporary guidelines for the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through August 31,2021.
Commissioner Barnes moved to extend the Emergency Community Response measures under the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through August 31, 2021. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
February Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials D). February weather was cooler and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. February residential sales were 112.8% of budget, commercial sales were 102.9% and industrial sales were 102.8% of budget. February ended with a net income of $6.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $3.7 million. Year-to-date net income is $13.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $10.4 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date on Conservation spending.
The Water System ended February with 156 new customers, which is a growth rate of 2.47%. February ended with a net income of $195,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $287,000. Year-to-date there is a net income loss of $65,000 compared to a budget net income of $7,000.
February Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials E). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 4 aMW and above budget forecast by 36 aMW. The monthly load was 54 aMW above the budgeted forecast. Power and gas prices were very volatile for most of the month, likely in response to the events in Texas.
Mr. Haymaker reported on the short unplanned outage that occurred at the River Road Generating Plant February 13-14.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meetings and the Columbia Springs Board meeting.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Washington PUD Association Legislative update and the American Public Power Association Policy Makers meeting.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings.
Staff Reports
Business Applications Manager Julie Landry provided the board with an update on the customer bill credit that was applied on April 1, 2021 (Materials F). Ms. Landry reported that at last check customers had collectively donated nearly $45,000 of their bill credit back to Operation Warm Heart.
Commissioners thanked staff for all their hard work, especially for making it so easy for customers to donate all or a portion of the credit back to Operation Warm Heart.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:23 a.m.