Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
August 20, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Security Manager Greg Eckhart, Financial Analyst Shelly Peebles, Customer Service Executive Assistant Abby Hutcheson and Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander.
Staff/Commissioners via digital conference (phone or video): CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler and Director of Engineering Cal Morris.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Peter Harrison, Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, Colin Cameron, Christine Reynolds, James O’Neil, Catherine Chudy, Greg Labbe 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
There were no public comments.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of August 6, 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 August 20, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $40,978,538.23
Water Revenue Fund – $939,838.54
Generating System Fund – $699,569.85
For a total of $42,617,946.62
Consideration of Approval of D118 – Surplus Vehicles and Equipment
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 20, 2024 outlining the accumulated vehicles and equipment identified as surplus due to high mileage or hours, and/or years of service and increased repairs leading to increased cost and downtime (Materials D).
Commissioner Barnes moved to declare the vehicles and equipment identified in the presentation as surplus and approved for disposal through J Stout Auctions during various auction sales. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 677 – Utility Tree Trimming
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 20, 2024 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 677 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC for the estimated 3-year contract amount totaling $5,933,348.40 based on the estimated total hourly charges for the crews and equipment required per year under contract. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Adoption of the 2024 Integrated Resource Plan
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen provided the board with an overview of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) schedule and key components (Materials F). Mr. Andersen reviewed the load/resource balance, capacity deficits and the impacts of Western Resource Adequacy Program compliance requirements on capacity deficits. The IRP identified the least cost solution to capacity deficit using the required IRP considerations to be 4-hour lithium-ion batteries.
An update on the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract was provided and Clark Public Utilities will be moving to a load following product beginning in October of 2025. This change provides an alternative to the battery capacity solution and the final draft of the IRP has been updated to reflect the product change.
Mr. Anderson reviewed additional considerations including Clark Public Utilities’ Conservation Potential Assessment and associated targets, utilizing the flexibility product at River Road Generating Plant, continued demand response pilot programs and community solar.
Public comments received during the comment period were reviewed by staff and provided to the board; in addition, Gordon Matthews shared his concern regarding BPA projections on water and hydropower and the effects of climate change.
Commissioner Barnes moved to adopt and approve the final 2024 Integrated Resource Plan for submission to the State of Washington as a means of compliance for 19.280 RCW. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
The board thanked utility staff and The Energy Authority for their work on the IRP and for being especially nimble with the last minute confirmation of the BPA product switch to load following in 2025.
Consideration of Resolution for the Electric System Bond Sale and Updated Master Resolution for Future Bond Sales.
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny noted who was on the bond sale project team and introduced Christine Reynolds with Orrick, Clark Public Utilities bond council, to review the two resolutions under consideration.
Ms. Reynolds reviewed Resolution No. 7857 authorizing the issuance of the 2024 bonds following the existing format. Resolution No. 7858 will modernize the issuance process for Electric System bonds with a Master Resolution for issuances going forward. Ms. Ankeny reviewed the bond-financing schedule, projected capital improvements and the purpose of the revenue and refunding bonds.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to adopt Resolution No. 7857 providing for the sale, issuance and delivery of the Clark Public Utilities Electric System Revenue and Refunding Bonds, 2024, in the principal amount of not to exceed $120,000.00. The Resolution delegates authority to the General Manager or the Director of Finance to sign the bond purchase agreement. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Commissioner Barnes moved to adopt Resolution No. 7858 providing for the Master Resolution as presented. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland shared that during the course of the Clark County Fair our employees served 2,730 gallons of water to thirsty fair attendees.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler thanked staff for the extensive work required to complete both the IRP and the Electric System bond issuance and noted the swift revisions following BPA approval to return to load following in 2025.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.