Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
June 18, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, 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 Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Water Quality Manager John Roth, Engineering Manager – Water Tyler Clary, Engineering Manager – Water Russ Knutson, Business Applications Manager Michael Nino, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff via digital conference (phone or video): Director of Engineering Cal Morris, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti and Manager of Engineering and System Planning Ryan Kerr.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Peter Harrison, James Oneil, Gordon Matthews, Sherry Erickson, Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, Chris Thobaben and Colin Cameron.
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
Valerie Dewitz provided comment on the impacts of Clark Public Utilities discontinuing customer owned water meters for hydrant filling, and the impacts to their business.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of June 4, 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 June 18, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,280,929.29
Water Revenue Fund – $298,166.84
Generating System Fund – $5,334,268.25
For a total of $25,913,364.38
Consideration of Bid Award No. 674 – East Hockinson Reservoir No. 2
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated June 18, 2024 detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 674 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder T Bailey, Inc. in the amount of $3,637,639.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution for the Water Use Efficiency Program Update
Water Quality Manager John Roth reviewed the memo dated June 18, 2024 (Materials E) outlining the Water Use Efficiency Program and the reasons behind the requirement to update Clark Public Utilities’ program. The program description was posted on Clark Public Utilities’ public website for the required two-week period, no comments from the public were received. Staff is requesting approval of the proposed update to the Water Use Efficiency Program.
Commissioner Barnes moved for approval of the Water Use Efficiency Program Goals for Clark Public Utilities’ water system as required under the state municipal water law and regulations. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Bonneville Power Administration Product Choice Review
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials F) and began with a review of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) product change opportunity. Mr. Andersen provided a summary of the potential impacts to the Provider of Choice Contract, the historic benefits and current challenges of the Slice/Block Product, shared future Northwest regional load forecasts, provided a history of capacity/call option purchases and load/resource balance opportunities, and offered a summary of load following product considerations and preliminary power cost projections. Mr. Andersen noted River Road Generating Plant risks regardless of which product is selected.
Following the presentation, staff is recommending a switch to the load following product for the final three years of the current BPA power contract, October 2025 through September 2028.
Commissioner Barnes moved for staff to proceed with the steps necessary to switch from the BPA Slice/Block product to the BPA Load Following product for the period October 2025 through September 2028, including sending a letter to BPA by June 30 informing them of our intention to switch products. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioners thanked staff for their quality and thoughtful work to inform this decision.
Executive Session
The meeting was recessed into executive session at 10:15 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. RCW 42.30.110 (1)(g) – to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. Commissioner Malinowski stated the Executive Session would end at 11:00 a.m.
Commissioner Malinowski reconvened the public meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Association annual meeting sharing that CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler had been nominated to the Board of Directors.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Association and shared she was looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.