Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 17, 2017
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held in the Operations Education Center, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, the 17th day of October at the hour of 9:00 a.m.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson, Director of Operations Dan Krebs, Director of Finance Rick Dyer, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Customer Service Manager Robert Hill, ComCare Manager Gretchen Alexander, Transmission and Distribution Manager Ben Feliz, Construction/Maintenance Superintendent Todd Hall, Technical Services Expediter Mark Casteel, Civil Engineer-Water Nick Flagg, Key Account Manager Bill Hibbs, Communications Services Manager Heather Allmain and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Rick Syring (Materials A)
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business.
Consideration of the Meeting Agenda
There were no changes or corrections (Materials B).
Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
There were no comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of October 3, 2017
There were no changes or corrections.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated October 17, 2017, from the District Auditor:
Electric Revenue Fund – $6,007,329.73
Water Revenue Fund – $692,436.99
Generating System Fund – $53,647.84
For a total of $6,753,414.56
September Service Award Presentation
Director of Operations Dan Krebs introduced Todd Hall, Construction/Maintenance Superintendent. Todd was recognized for 30 years of service.
Director of Engineering Cal Morris introduced Mark Casteel, Technical Services Expediter. Mark was recognized for 30 years of service.
Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury introduced Bill Hibbs, Key Accounts Manager. Bill was recognized for 20 years of service (Materials C).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1297 and 1301
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1298 and 1303.
Resolution No. 7399 – LUD No. 1298 – Parker’s Abby PH 2
Resolution No. 7400 – LUD No. 1303 – Peach Springs PH 1
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7399 and 7400 be adopted and a public hearing was set for November 21, 2017 (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment for LUD Nos. 1297 and 1301
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District No. 1297 and 1301 for street lighting.
Resolution No. 7401 – LUD No. 1297 – Cougar Creek Heights
Resolution No. 7402 – LUD No. 1301 – Blueberry Meadows Estates
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and it unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7401 and 7402 be adopted (Materials E).
Consideration of Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated October 17, 2017 (Materials F). Over the past twelve months, the utility has accumulated vehicles and equipment that have been identified as surplus due to high mileage, years of service or increased repairs. For these reasons staff is requesting these items to be declared as surplus for disposal through a public auction sale in December with US Fleet Services.
Commissioner Barnes moved to declare the vehicles and equipment outlined in this presentation as surplus and sold at auction using the services of US Fleet Services. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Senior Rate Credit Updates
ComCare Manager Gretchen Alexander reviewed with the board the current and proposed income guidelines for the Senior Rate Credit Program (Materials G). During the review, Ms. Alexander shared the program history, participation data, and the effects of the current income threshold on the program. She noted the income threshold had not been updated since 2004.
Staff is proposing to amend the income threshold to 200% of the federal poverty level to mirror the 30% increase in cost of living adjustments made to social security income since 2004. This guideline matches that of the low income weatherization program and captures households not eligible for other social service benefits.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to approve Resolution 7403 to update the Senior Rate Credit program income eligibility standards from $24,000 to follow 200% of the federal poverty level for a household of two beginning in 2018 and adjusting annually along with the federal poverty guidelines. Resolution 7403 will repeal and replace Resolution 7098. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Uncollectable Debt
Customer Service Manager Robert Hill addressed the board regarding the uncollectable debt for the first half of 2017 (Materials H). Mr. Hill stated the percentage of net losses from closed accounts to revenue is .27% for the first half of 2017; the ten-year average is .41%, which is below the industry standard of .56%. The year-end projection is $1.4 million, which is the same as 2016. The utility continues to compare favorably across the industry in regard to account delinquency.
Following the presentation, staff recommended the board approve charging $692,840 to uncollectable debt for the first half of 2017. Commissioner Barnes moved to transfer $692,840 to uncollectable debt for the first half of 2017. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Malinowski and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Association Legal and Regulatory Conference.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 am.