Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
June 4, 2019
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Loss Control Manager Sharon Crouch, Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Engineering Manager – Water Russ Knutson, Fleet Manager Paul Chamberlain, System Operator Dwayne Dalby, Quality Manager Mike McClean, Senior Customer Service Representatives Debbie Winkelman and Jason Hutcheson, Communications Services Manager Heather Allmain, Marketing and Communications Specialist Martha Foley and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: Jeff Mize-Columbian
Others Present: Lisa Thatcher, Judy Malinowski, Rick Syring, Dameon Pesanti, Joe Nelson, Marybeth Nelson (Materials A)
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 (Materials B) was approved as submitted.
Consideration of the Minutes of May 7, 2019
There were no changes or corrections.
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
There were no public comments.
Consideration of Resolution Appointing Lena Wittler as Chief Executive Officer/General Manager
Commissioner Van Dyke read Resolution 7542 (Materials C) appointing Lena Wittler as CEO/ General Manager following the retirement of CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson. Mr. Nelson will remain Clark Public Utilities General Counsel for an appropriate length of time to ensure an orderly transition of duties. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated May 30, 2019 from the District Auditor (Materials D):
Electric Revenue Fund – $23,313,486.51
Water Revenue Fund – $478,478.61
Generating System Fund – $892,309.21
For a total of $24,690,274.33
Employee Service Awards
Director of Operations Gene Morris recognized Fleet Manager Paul Chamberlain and System Operator Dwayne Dalby for 20 years of service.
Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix recognized Quality Manager Mike McClean and Senior Customer Service Representatives Jason Hutcheson and Debbie Winkelman for 20 years of service (Materials E).
Legislative Review
Utility Lobbyist Lisa Thatcher provided a recap on the recently concluded legislative session and anticipated future policy proposals. CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler noted that we will talk about policy implications more in depth during the power supply workshop this fall.
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1234, 1364 and 1367
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1234, 1364 and 1367.
Resolution No. 7543 – LUD No. 1234 – Gordon Short Plat
Resolution No. 7544 – LUD No. 1364 – Kensington Lane Short Plat
Resolution No. 7545 – LUD No. 1367 – Tamarack Terrace
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7543 through 7545 be adopted (Materials G).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1365, 1366, 1369 and 1370
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1365, 1366, 1369 and 1370
Resolution No. 7546 – LUD No. 1365 – Raymond’s Addition
Resolution No. 7547 – LUD No. 1366 – Cottage 53
Resolution No. 7548 – LUD No. 1369 – Palmer Valley Estates Cluster
Resolution No. 7549 – LUD No. 1370 – Moonlight Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7546 through 7549 be adopted and a public hearing was set for July 2, 2019 (Materials H).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 573 – Transmission Wood Poles for Enterprise
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated June 4, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials I). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 573 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder, McFarland Cascade Holdings, Inc., in the amount of $247,674.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 574 – Enterprise Transmission Line Construction
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated June 4, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials J). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 574 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder, DJ’s Electrical, Inc., in the amount of $1,185,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 580 – Utility Service Truck Bodies, Water & Facilities
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated June 4, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials K). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 580 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder, Pacific Truck Colors, Inc., in the amount of $249,293.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 581 – Water Main Replacement Knowles Dr.
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated June 4, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials L). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 581 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder, Advanced Excavating Specialists, LLC in the amount of $321,000.00. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
April Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials M). April had warmer and wetter weather resulting in electric revenues coming in above forecast. Ms. Ankeny reported that system sales were below budget and off system sales were above budget for the month. April residential sales were 96.0% of budget, commercial sales were 101.1% and industrial sales were 99.8% of budget. April ended with net income of $2.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $739,000. Year-to-date net income is $8.4 million ahead of budget.
The Water System ended April with 314 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.6%. There was a net income loss of $70,000 for April, compared to a budgeted net income loss of $120,000. Year-to-date net income is a $336,000 loss compared to a budget net income loss of $729,000.
April Wholesale Operations
Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials N). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 75 aMW but 12 aMW below budget forecasts. Loads were 8 aMW above budget for the month of April. Power and gas prices remained steady through the month, but there were wide swings in the precipitation and wind generation.
Mr. Haymaker provided an update on the repair process and timing of repairs on the Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
River Road Generating Plant was taken offline on April 22 in preparation for the May maintenance.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Northwest Public Power Association annual meeting, Energy Northwest voting and recent meeting with The Middle Class Alliance.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Columbia River Economic Development Council meeting.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the State of the Port meeting.
Staff Reports
General Counsel Wayne Nelson reported he approved an emergency declaration for the water main replacement in front of Columbia River High School and Director of Water Doug Quinn provided a timeline for full repairs.
The board recessed to executive session at 10:55 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meeting 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. It was noted that no action would be taken and the session would last until 11:15 a.m.
Commissioner Barnes reconvened the public meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Public Comment
There were no additional comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.