Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
March 16, 2021

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, March 16, 2021.

Present: Information Services Executive Assistant – Colleen Mulligan.

Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Business Applications Manager Julie Landry, Accounting Manager Jackie Maddux, Senior Civil Engineer – Water Barry Lovingood and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.

Press representatives: None

Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Jean Avery, Mellissa Ahern, Cathryn Chudy, Rick Marshall and Mark Hughey.

At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).

Public Comment
Don Steinke shared his opposition to the use of natural gas.

Alona Steinke shared her support of vehicle electrification and how it helps the environment.

Cathryn Chudy provided comment on the electrification of buildings and eliminating the use of all natural gas.

If members of the public have provided the utility with 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 March 2, 2021
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 March 16, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):

Electric Revenue Fund – $7,181,394.74
Water Revenue Fund – $209,227.79
Generating System Fund – $360,309.87

For a total of $7,750,932.40

Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1408 and 1410
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1408 and 1410.

Resolution No. 7650 – LUD No. 1408 – Si-Ellen Farms PH 1
Resolution No. 7651 – LUD No. 1410 – Si-Ellen Farms PH 2

After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7650 and 7651 be adopted and a public hearing was set for April 20, 2021 (Materials C).

Consideration of Bid Award No. 610 – Iron and Manganese Filters – Paradise Point Treatment Plant
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated, March 16, 2021 detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 610 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder ATEC Systems Associates, Inc., in the amount of $420,600.00, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Consideration of Disposal of Surplus Vehicles & Equipment
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated March 5, 2021 (Materials D) which detailed the vehicles and equipment to be deemed surplus. Staff is recommending that the vehicles and equipment outlined be declared as surplus for disposal through a public auction sale with JJ Kane Auctioneers to be held on April 15, 2021. Commissioner Barnes moved to surplus vehicles and equipment to be auctioned by JJ Kane Auctioneers as presented on April 15, 2021. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Consideration of use of 2020 Surplus
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board regarding the 2020 cash surplus for the Electric and Water Systems (Materials E), Ms. Ankeny provided the board with staff’s recommendation for the $33 million Electric System surplus, $15 million for customer bill credit, $5 million for COVID/Limited Income assistance, $9 million for Generating and $4 million for discretionary electric construction improvements. The recommendation for the $2 million Water System surplus was to transfer it to the capital discretionary fund for Phase 4 of the AMR meter project.

Following discussion, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to allocate the $33 million 2020 surplus as follows; $20 million for the customer bill credit, $5 million for COVID/Limited Income assistance, $6 million for Generating System capital expenditures for 2021/2022 and $2 million for discretionary electric construction improvements. In addition to the approved allocation of 2020 surplus, Commissioner Van Dyke moved for the approval of a $2 million transfer from the Electric System revolving fund to the Electric System capital discretionary fund, and in 2020 increase regulatory revenue to $31 million by reducing Electric System sales to be used as the board directed. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Commissioner Van Dyke moved to transfer the $2 million Water System surplus from the Water System revolving fund to the capital discretionary fund for Phase 4 of the AMR meter project. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

January Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials F). January weather was warmer and wetter than normal, which resulted in electric revenues coming in below budget and off system sales above budget. January residential sales were 93.8% of budget, commercial sales were 95.9% and industrial sales were 104.8% of budget. January ended with a net income of $7.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $6.7 million.

The Water System ended January with 76 new customers, which is a growth rate of 2.41%. January ended with a net income loss of $257,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $280,000.

January Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 18 aMW and above budget forecast by 40 aMW. The monthly load was 28 aMW below the budgeted forecast. Power and gas prices remained mild across the month.

Mr. Haymaker reported that runoff at The Dalles looks normal for the rest of the 2021 Water year.

Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Association online Legislative Rally and her participation on a climate change panel with Columbia River Economic Development Council.

Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Washington PUD Association Meetings and the Columbia Springs Board Meeting.

Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on COVID Accounts Receivables.

Public Comment
There were no public comments.

Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:24 a.m.