Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
July 16, 2024
A special meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, 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 Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Security Manager Greg Eckhart, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Industrial Key Accounts Manager Aaron Frechette and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff via digital conference (phone or video): Water Operations Manager Andrew Holmes
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Peter Harrison, James Oneil, Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, James Oneil, Chris Thobaben, Colin Cameron, Greg Labbe and Tom Gordon.
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Barnes was excused from the meeting and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke shared his thoughts on the potential for solar projects on local warehouse rooftops.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of July 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 July 16, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $21,914,174.49
Water Revenue Fund – $3,190,947.95
Generating System Fund – $2,277,979.93
For a total of $27,383,102.37
Consideration of Resolution for Unauthorized Connection Charges for Water Services
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated July 16, 2024 (Materials D). Mr. Morris shared that there has been an increase in the number of unauthorized connections to the utility’s water system. These connections use staff resources to investigate the theft, increase costs in order to replace damaged equipment, and jeopardize water pressure, quality and safety. Staff is requesting the revised charges be approved as presented.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve the resolution revising the charges for unauthorized connection or unauthorized use of water service as presented. Commission Malinowski seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Draft 2024 Integrated Resource Plan Review
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen and The Energy Authority Account Manager Colin Cameron provided the Board with a review of the 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (Materials E). Mr. Anderson outlined the schedule, and Mr. Cameron reviewed the purpose of the plan and provided a summary with supporting data.
Members of the public Peter Harrison, Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, Gordon Matthews and Chris Thobaben all provided comment on the Integrated Resource Plan.
The plan will be posted to Clark Public Utilities’ public website July 17 for public comment through August 16; the final plan will be presented for Board approval at the August 20 meeting. Once approved, the update will be submitted to the Department of Commerce on or before September 1.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Employee Appreciation Events and congratulated employees who received All-Star Awards for exceptional performance above and beyond expectations.
Staff Reports
Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris introduced Aaron Frechette; Aaron is the new Industrial Key Accounts Manager.
Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland provided a summary of the maintenance work done at the River Road Generating Plant in May and June. Mr. Toland shared that this was the longest outage in plant history and included the installation of new technology allowing flexibility with output.
Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland provided a summary of the community events that have taken place recently and are planned this summer as part of the utility’s customer awareness and engagement strategy, sharing that employees are excited to be out in the community representing Clark Public Utilities and sharing information about electrical safety and the utility’s educational PowerZone website with customers.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.