Regular Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 21, 2026
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Sherry Erickson, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Engineering Ryan Kerr, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Water Tyler Clary, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Construction Services Manager Dana Allen, Energy Services Counselors Mike Wood, Bryan Wren, Anthony Jefferies and Mike Johansen, Energy Solutions Manager Robert Hill, Accounting Manager Jackie Maddux, Financial Analyst Shelly Peebles, Executive Assistant – Finance Jacie Kimberling, Manager of Construction Design David Tetz, Work Group Leader – Customer Service Nathan Treisch, Security Manager Greg Eckhart, and Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Senior Customer Service Representative Lauren Kruger and Executive Assistant – Engineering Hosanna Shergill.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Russ Schneider, Amber Gschwend, Rick Marshall, Carol Matthews, Petina Gee, Jim Malinowski, Michael (no last name) and Gordan Matthews.
At 9:09 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 7, 2026
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 21, 2026 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $11,505,241.34
Water Revenue Fund – $711,968.96
Generating System Fund – $459,000.43
For a total of $12,676,210.73
Employee Service Award
Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix recognized Customer Service Workgroup Leader Nathan Treisch for 20 years of service (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1503, 1505, 1512 and 1513
Construction Services Manager Dana Allen addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1503, 1505, 1512 and 1513.
Resolution No. 7942 – LUD No. 1503 – Ramble Creek PUD PH 6
Resolution No. 7943 – LUD No. 1505 – Mountain Estates Cluster
Resolution No. 7944 – LUD No. 1512 – Mountain Estates Cluster
Resolution No. 7945 – LUD No. 1513 – Four Creeks South
After the presentation by Ms. Allen, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7943 – 7946 be adopted and a public hearing was set for June 2, 2026 (Materials E).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 718 – Water Main Replacement – NE Axford Road
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated April 21, 2026, detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 718 be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder KKLA Contractors in the amount of $856,946.50 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (Materials F).
Review of Electric and Water System Development Charge Study
Director with consulting firm GDS Russ Schneider reviewed with the board the current Electric System Development Charge (SDC) structure in place since 1999, with the most current resolution increasing SDC’s approved in 2015 (Materials G). Mr. Schneider reviewed a peer utility SDC comparison and the historical SDC-setting methodology.
The analysis considered three methods to evaluate and set SDC charges: replication of existing framework, buy-in benchmark method, and an adjusted method for net position, contributions and inflation. The study findings indicate a need to increase charges for electric system development from $9.85 to $19.63 per kVA in 2026. This increase reflects updated costs, retains the existing panel charge structure and retains non-SDC system requirements for customer contributions.
GDS Director Amber Gschwend then reviewed the SDC analysis of the current Water System Fee structure (Materials H) and recommendations. Current fees include Meter/Service Install fees and Hydrant service fees. Ms. Gschwend summarized the history and methodology for establishing these fees and development charges, reviewed a peer utility cost comparison, and presented recommendations for updated charges.
The GDX analysis included a recommendation for an annual charge escalation for both the Electric and the Water Systems, based on the Producer Price Index, that was presented to the board for consideration.
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny then shared a proposed timeline for next steps (Materials I).
The board thanked staff and consultants for the analysis and recommendations for both the Electric and Water System Development Charges and plans for discussion and a public hearing at the next regular board meeting, May 5, 2026.
Consideration of Conservation Annual Report for Compliance Years 2024-2025
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris presented the 2024-2025 Conservation Achievement Report (Materials J). The report, required by the Energy Independence Act, detailed the Utility’s conservation results as they compared to the biennial target of 8.43 aMW adopted in December of 2023.
For the 2024-2025 biennium, Clark Public Utilities will report a total conservation savings of 13.48 aMW.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution 7847 adopting the Utility’s conservation achievement annual report for compliance years 2024-2025 in accordance with the Energy Independence Act and instructed staff to submit the report to Commerce by the reporting deadline of June 1, 2026. Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2024 and 2026 Renewable Energy Target Compliance Reporting
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen reviewed the presentation outlining Clark Public Utilities’ 2024 revised compliance plan and the preliminary compliance plan for 2026. The annual reporting is required under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act (Materials K). Mr. Andersen reviewed the three compliance options; Clark Public Utilities will use the Renewable Portfolio Standards as the revised compliance plan for 2024 and is planning for the 4% Cost Cap for 2026.
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the policies, data and methodology for reporting Clark Public Utilities’ compliance for 2024 and establishing the path to compliance in 2064 under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act, RCW 19.285, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The revised compliance report for year 2024 renewable targets and the 2026 preliminary compliance report will be submitted to the Department of Commerce by June 1, 2026. After completion of a reporting audit, the 2024 compliance report will be finalized.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee E3 Study webinar
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee E3 Study webinar and the Tree Planting at Columbia Springs.
Staff Reports
Energy Solutions Manager Robert Hill provided the board with an update on the Energy Counselor team’s activity including a high volume of customer in-home energy reviews and small business conservation support.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reminded the board and members of the public that the Home and Garden Idea Fair will be April 25 – 26.
Final Board Comments
There were no additional comments and the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.