Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
November 19, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Public Information Officer/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Transmission and Distribution Manager Brian Roden, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Construction Services Manager Dana Allen, Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts, Energy Services Residential Programs Manager Trevor Frick, Key Accounts Manager Lori Froehlich, Program Coordinator – Clean Energy Ashley King, Business Data Analyst Jeff Peterson, Foremen Cory Larkin and Jesse McClellan, Journeyman Linemen Eric Mills, Derek Shaffer, Daniel Hebblethwaite and Jason Shefchek, Heavy Equipment Operator Brian Nguyen and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Gordon Matthews, Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Peter Harrison, Gordon Matthews, Effie Peterson, Cathryn Chudy, Tom Gordon and Penny.
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
Don Steinke provided comment on the solar side of the utility business.
Tom Gordon commented that he is a supporter of solar and not Small Modular Reactors.
Peter Harrison provided comment on the recent election results surrounding energy-related initiatives.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of November 5, 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 November 5, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $19,511,264.61
Water Revenue Fund – $431,244.89
Generating System Fund – $188,170.81
For a total of $20,130,680.31
Employee Service Award
Director of Information Services Jeff Groff recognized Business Data Analyst Jeff Peterson for 25 years of service (Materials D).
Florida Mutual Aid Crew Introductions
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris introduced the two Foremen leading our crews in Florida, Cory Larkin and Jesse McClellan. They went on to introduce or acknowledge Journeyman Linemen Eric Mills, Derek Shaffer, Daniel Hebblethwaite and Jason Shefchek, Heavy Equipment Operators Mike Covert and Brian Nguyen who traveled as part of mutual aid crews to help with restoration efforts near Orlando, Florida following hurricane Milton.
The board thanked the team for making the trip to the southeast to help with the efforts.
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1454 and 1483
Manager of Construction Services Dana Allen addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1454 and 1483.
Resolution No. 7868 – LUD No. 1454 – The Vales Cottage Community
Resolution No. 7869 – LUD No. 1483 – Rachels Ranch PH 2
After the presentation by Ms. Allen, 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. 7868 and 7869 be adopted and a public hearing was set for December 17, 2024 (Materials F).
Community Solar Projects Proposal
Clean Energy Programs Manager Matt Babbitts reviewed the presentation (Materials G). Mr. Babbitts shared a summary of community solar lessons learned, future project proposals, customer participation options, deployment plans and potential site host partners. Following the presentation, Mr. Babbitts indicated he would be coming before the board with specific projects and bid award requests in the future and would like to use this template as a model moving forward.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler shared that she hoped staff would be able to bring multiple projects to the board for approval to take advantage of bulk pricing with vendors.
Presentation and Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025 Electric, Generating and Water Systems Budget
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the proposed 2025 budgets for the Electric, Generating and Water Systems (Materials H). Ms. Ankeny noted that the budget principles continue to be customer service, reliability and cost control while staff remains committed to balancing revenue requirements and bond covenants.
Ms. Ankeny reviewed with the board the staff recommended use of the low income tax credit and requested approval when approving the budget on December 3, 2025 for the Clean Energy Transformation Act program funding with $1.35 million prior year surplus.
Commissioner Malinowski opened the public hearing at 10:25 a.m. for public comment
Don Steinke asked about climate commitment act allowances and Ms. Ankeny acknowledged that the utility is legally not able to speak to that.
With no further comments, Commissioner Malinowski closed the public hearing at 10:28 a.m.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee and RiverPartners meetings.
Commissioners Van Dyke and Malinowski reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Staff Reports
Energy Services Residential Programs Manager Trevor Frick provided the board with an update on the Low Income Pilot Program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates programs (Materials I).
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.