Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
December 17, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Present: Commissioners President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke; Staff CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Public Information Officer/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Senior Buyer Shiree Smith, Materials Specialist Katie Carter, Administrative Assistant – Purchasing Adrienne Friesen, Contract Administrator/Buyer Melissa Kleiser, P&C Foreman Ramon Tapani and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Avatar, Cathryn Chudy, Peter Harrison 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 thanked Commissioner Malinowski for his 12 years of service. Mr. Steinke provided comments on building electrification, CO2 emissions reporting and the future of electric vehicles.
Cathryn Chudy provided comment regarding frustration with Small Modular Reactor projects in Washington and the support public utilities have provided to them.
Peter Harrison thanked Commissioner Malinowski for his service and provided comments on his support for nuclear power.
Full written comments, if provided, are available upon request. Please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of December 3, 2024
The minutes were approved as presented.
Consideration of Payable Accounts
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated December 17, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $7,456,938.75
Water Revenue Fund – $1,110,472.27
Generating System Fund – $141,595.63
For a total of: $8,709,006.65
Employee Service Awards
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris recognized Senior Buyer Shiree Smith for 20 years of service. Director of Engineering Cal Morris recognized P&C Foreman Ramon Tapani for 20 years of service (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUDs Nos. 1454 and 1483
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility Districts Nos. 1454 and 1483.
Resolution No. 7873 – LUD No. 1454 – The Vales Cottage Community
Resolution No. 7874 – LUD No. 1483 – Rachels Ranch PH 2
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened the public hearing for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7865 and 7866 be adopted (Materials E).
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement: Overhead Electric Line Relocation – Clark County Public Works NE 179th St. and NE 29th Ave. Road Improvement Project
Director of Engineering Cal Morris reviewed the memo dated December 9, 2024, outlining the interlocal agreement with Clark County for the Overhead Electric Line Relocation on the NE 179th St. and NE 29th Ave. Roundabout Project (Materials F). This agreement will memorialize construction and payment responsibilities for the project and which portions will be reimbursable.
Commissioner Barnes moved to give the CEO/General Manager the authority to sign the interlocal agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Clark County for the overhead electric line relocation on the NE 179th St. and NE 29th Ave. Roundabout Project. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of a Resolution to Update the Personnel Policy Manual
General Counsel John Eldridge reviewed the memo dated December 17, 2024, outlining significant updates to the Personnel Policy Manual (Materials G). A full review was completed by internal staff, a Human Resources contractor and outside counsel. Mr. Eldridge noted that the Personnel Policy Manual (PPM) had not be updated in six years, and since that time there have been several changes to employment law and modifications to various utility practices. The introduction section of the PPM was also rewritten to reflect the current strategic priorities of the Utility. Staff is requesting approval of the updated PPM as presented.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve Resolution 7875 updating the Personnel Policy Manual as presented. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her virtual attendance of the Washington State Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee meeting. She thanked Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen for participating.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Legislative Outlook Breakfast.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at Energy Northwest meetings. He thanked Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke for their support over the last 12 years. He said working with CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler has been a pleasure.
Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke both expressed their pleasure in working with Commissioner Malinowski and thanked him for his commitment to the customers of Clark Public Utilities. Both said he will be missed.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reported on her attendance of the Large Public Power Council’s Post-Election Forum in Washington D.C. Ms. Wittler thanked Mr. Andersen for his presentation at the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee meeting.
Mrs. Wittler thanked Commissioner Malinowski for his service to the utility and its customers and said she will miss working with him.
As a reminder, the Commission Meeting on January 7, 2025, will begin at 10:00 a.m., incoming Commissioner Sherry Erickson will be sworn in that morning at 9:30 a.m.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.