Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 19, 2020
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, May 19, 2020.
Present: CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via conference call: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, General Counsel John Eldridge, and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via conference call: Don Steinke, Rick Marshall, Pat Freiberg, Kristin Edmark, John Latta and Terry Oliver.
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Van Dyke noted a quorum was present and the agenda (Materials A) was approved.
Consideration of the Minutes of May 5, 2020
There were no corrections.
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
Member of the public Don Steinke provided his thoughts on conservation with control systems in commercial buildings, Clark Public Utilities legislative agenda for the next session and integrating renewables.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated May 19, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $7,731,215.51
Water Revenue Fund – $683,606.13
Generating System Fund – $1,897,891.53
For a total of $10,312,713.17
Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD No. 1391
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District No. 1391.
Resolution No. 7601 – LUD No. 1391 – Wren Heights
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7601 be adopted and a public hearing was set for June 16, 2020 (Materials C).
Consideration of Declaring Property Surplus – Jones Substation
Director of Engineering Cal Morris reviewed the memo dated May 19, 2020 outlining the details of the proposed declaration of surplus property near the Jones Substation. Clark County would like to acquire 132 square feet of property in order to install a sidewalk and ADA curb ramps at the corner of the substation.
Commissioner Barnes moved to declare the 132 square feet of property near the Jones Substation surplus, allowing Clark County to purchase the property at $5.50 per square foot for a total of $730 and authorizing the general manager to execute the necessary documents to transfer ownership of the land to the county. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 597 – NE 14th St & 102nd Ave
Director of Engineering Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated May 19, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 597 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Magnum Power LLC., in the amount of $208,500.00, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke asked for feedback from Commissioners Barnes and Malinowski regarding her upcoming voting for the Energy NW Participants Review Board and Washington PUD Association.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Washington PUD Association Strategic Planning meeting and inquired about the new NW RiverPartners commercials.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Legislative Review meeting.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Washington PUD Association Water Roundtable meeting.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler provided updates on outreach to customers who are struggling to pay their utility bill, River Road Generating Plant maintenance, Cayenta upgrade and the virtual utility-wide leader’s forum that was held last week.
Ms. Wittler also provided the board with a broad overview of the utility’s continued response to COVID19 with regard to employees and customers.
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 10:05 a.m.