Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
February 15, 2022
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke and Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Business Applications Manager Julie Landry, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Marketing and Events Specialist Maxie Mayer and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, Garry Carpenter, Cathryn Chudy, Dianna Gordon, Charlene Shelfer and Randal Freidman
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Barnes noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
The following represents a summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Member of the public Garry Carpenter shared his thoughts on how Clark Public Utilities could provide Broadband Service to rural Clark County. Mr. Carpenter provided the Board and staff with a written outline summarizing his request.
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy thanked the board for their support of HB 1767. Ms. Chudy shared her thoughts regarding the Utility’s non-binding letter of intent with the UAMPS NuScale proposed project and the Clean Energy Transformation Act’s requirement to pursue renewable energy at the lowest reasonable cost. Ms. Chudy summarized an assessment “Three Myths About Renewable Energy and the Grid, Debunked” she will forward the link to the Board.
Member of the public Don Steinke thanked staff for the latest energy adviser column regarding a carbon free future. Mr. Steinke shared his thoughts on the future of electric vehicles both in the private sector and large commercial fleets such as Amazon and FedEx. Mr. Steinke looks forward to Phase 2 of Clark Public Utilities Transportation Electrification plan.
Member of the public Randal Friedman shared his frustration with Clark Public Utilities’ public comment process and the record of those comments in minutes. Mr. Friedman reiterated his support of potential flexibility at the River Road Generating Plant and his desire for Clark to use surplus funds to transition to renewables. Mr. Friedman renewed his request for a written answer and agenda item to discuss a power needs assessment.
Members of the public Garry Carpenter, Cathryn Chudy, Don Steinke and Randal Freidman provided 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 February 1, 2022
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 February 15, 2022 from the District Auditor
(Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $6,024,509.81
Water Revenue Fund – $172,873.65
Generating System Fund – $217,550.83
For a total of $6,414,934.29
Consideration of Bid Award No. 625 – UG Connect Services
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated February 15, 2021 detailing the bid results (Materials C). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 625 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder DJ’s Electrical Inc., in the amount of $1,180,650.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
December Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials D). December weather was colder and wetter than normal, which resulted in electric revenues coming in above budget and off system sales above budget. December residential sales were 105.4% of budget, commercial sales were 101% and industrial sales were 100.6% of budget. December ended with the budgeted net income of $4.8 million. Year-to-date net income is $36.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $26.8 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year end update on Conservation, Electric System and Generating System capital spending.
The Water System ended the year with 1,052 new customers, which is a growth rate of 2.71%. December net income was a loss of $693,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $449,000. Year-to-date net income is $4.8 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.6 million. Water system year end capital spending was 63% of budget.
Ms. Ankeny provided the board with a summary of the rate stabilization fund for the Electric and Water Systems. The Electric System ended 2021 with a surplus of $30.0 million and the Water System ended with a $4.0 million.
A detailed discussion surrounding the use of the Electric System and Water surplus will occur at the board meeting on March 8, 2022.
December Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials E). Mr. Andersen updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 25 aMW and above budget forecast by 59 aMW. The monthly load was 17 aMW above the budgeted forecast due to colder than normal temperatures.
Year-to-date Clark Public Utilities’ load was 24 aMW above the budget forecast and annual Slice generation was 4 aMW below budget forecast. The River Road Generating Plant had an all-time high annual average of 222 aMW, the plant was not displaced for economics in 2021.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski had nothing to report.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Staff Reports
Business Applications Manager Julie Landry provided the board with a recap of the Pandemic Relief Program. Ms. Landry shared that the program went live on December 6 and all of $5.0 million in funds allocated by the Commissioners were allocated to qualifying customers by February 3. A summary of outreach efforts, fund distribution and customer demographics was provided.
The Commissioners thanked Ms. Landry for the recap and praised staff, including customer service representatives working with our customers 24/7 to get the funds allocated as soon as possible.
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on January COVID Accounts Receivables.
Marketing and Events Specialist Maxie Mayer provided the board with a recap of the virtual Race for Warmth. Ms. Mayer shared there were 825 virtual racers that included 86 pets. A total of $41,000 was raised in 2022 including $11,437 in donations from customers making donations at local Burgerville restaurants. Since its inception in 2015, the Race for Warmth has raised $393,600 for Operation Warm Heart.
Public Comment
There were no additional public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:14 a.m.