Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 15, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, General Counsel John Eldridge, Corporate Communications Manager/Public Information Officer Dameon Pesanti, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Customer Service Manager Chiharu Russell, Accounting Manager Jackie Maddux, Warehouse Manager Pat Slawson, Journeyman Lineman Larry Jones and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Rick Marshall, Thomas Gordon, Peter Harrison and Gordon Matthews.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. The agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
There were no comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 1, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated April 15, 2025 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $10,319,510.84
Water Revenue Fund – $378,052.85
Generating System Fund – $101,335.66
For a total of $10,798,899.35
Employee Service Awards
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris recognized Journeyman Lineman Larry Jones for 20 years of service and Warehouse Manager Pat Slawson for 25 years of service. (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1475 and 1486
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1475 and 1486
Resolution No. 7888 – LUD No. 1475 – 90th St. Subdivision
Resolution No. 7889 – LUD No. 1486 – Stones Throw PH 3
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 Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7889 and 7890 be adopted (Materials E).
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Erickson and Barnes reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council meetings and the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee meeting.
Commissioners Barnes, Van Dyke and Erickson all reported on their attendance at the Arbor Day Event where Clark Public Utilities was recognized for its Tree Line Award.
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Columbia River Economic Development Council APEX event.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings and discussed a letter that Energy Northwest would like to send to the Bonneville Power Administration in support of the Columbia Generating Station upgrade project. The board agreed that Commissioner Barnes would vote in support of Energy Northwest sending the letter.
Commissioner Van Dyke reminded the board and staff that the Washington PUD Association Annual meeting is being held next week at Ilani.
Staff Reports
Customer Service Manager Chiharu Russell provided the board with a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program update.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler announced that the utility has been approved for $11 million in construction loan grant funding for the Yacolt extension project. Ms. Wittler also shared that recruiting at the utility is back to record numbers with 1,000 applicants for the recent Customer Service Representative openings.
The Communications team will be leading a tour of Home and Garden Idea Fair setup process for interested Washington PUD Association annual meeting attendees. The tour will be on Friday following the conclusion of the meeting.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.