Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
September 21, 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, September 21, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): Vice President Nancy Barnes and Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Accounting Manager Bryan Johnson, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Energy Resources Project Manager Matt Babbitts, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Senior Civil Engineer – Water Barry Lovingood, and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Eric Peterson, Jesse James and Rick Marshall.
At 9:00 a.m., Vice President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Barnes noted a quorum was present, excused Commissioner Malinowski from the meeting and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke asked Clark Public Utilities to provide support for the City of Vancouver’s efforts to reduce emissions, pursue conservation opportunities more aggressively and to prepare for an increase in electric vehicle use in Clark County.
Member of the public Rick Marshall shared his thoughts on Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and expressed his concern that Clark Public Utilities is undervaluing DERs. Mr. Marshall asked the board to review an article he emailed earlier that provided additional insight regarding DERs.
Member of the public Eric Peterson shared his thoughts regarding the City of Vancouver’s Climate Action Plan and urged Clark Public Utilities to align its energy goals with that plan. He also asked the Utility to plan its infrastructure future for growth in the county.
Member of the public Kristin Edmark provided written comments urging the Utility to move to 100% clean energy as soon as possible and to work with the City of Vancouver to promote clean energy.
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 September 7, 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 September 21, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $24,111,529.34
Water Revenue Fund – $405,935.03
Generating System Fund – $347,889.41
For a total of $24,865,353.78
2021 First Half Customer Research Recap
Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline presented customer research for the first half of 2021 (Materials C). His presentation included many insights into customer sentiment. Despite the ongoing issues of the pandemic, customers still place a high value on electric service.
Mr. Daline shared that almost half of customers believe electric service is the best value of all utilities, three-quarters say we deliver a quality product at a good price and customers are overwhelmingly familiar and satisfied with our service.
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1416, 1418, 1419 and 1424
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1416, 1418, 1419 and 1424.
Resolution No. 7683 – LUD No. 1416 – Melbourne Estates
Resolution No. 7684 – LUD No. 1418 – JKM Short Plat
Resolution No. 7685 – LUD No. 1419 – Kuokka PUD Subdivision
Resolution No. 7686 – LUD No. 1424 – 130th Avenue 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 Barnes and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7683 – 7686 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 614 – Paradise Point Finished Water Tank No. 2
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated September 21, 2021 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 614 be awarded to the low responsive and responsible bidder T. Bailey, Inc. in the amounts of $1,128,500.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Request for Proposal for Professional Audit Services
Accounting Manager Bryan Johnson shared the details of the Request For Proposal (RFP) results (Materials F). Based on the RFP criteria and the firm responses received, staff is recommending the audit services contract for the years of 2021-2023 be awarded to Moss Adams. Commissioner Van Dyke moved to award audit services to Moss Adams for the years 2021-2023 and authorize the General Manager to sign the professional services contract. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of the 2022 and 2023 Avoided Cost Rate Resolution
Energy Resources Project Manager Matt Babbitts provided the board with a history of the avoided cost rate and a summary of the analysis for the 2022 and 2023 avoided cost rate (Materials G). Staff is recommending three options to calculate the wholesale market cost of overgeneration. Customers can choose from monthly, daily or hourly calculations.
Following the review, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to adopt the resolution establishing the district’s avoided cost rate for the power purchases from qualified facilities under PURPA 210 as presented. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler updated the board on a meeting with Anna Lising from the Governor’s office, the clean audit results from the CARES Act funding and our planned observation role in the City of Vancouver Climate Action Plan roundtable meetings.
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 10:50.