Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 4, 2023
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Present: Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nance Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland, Engineering Manager – Water Russ Knutson, Senior Communications Manager Heather Allmain, Education Program Specialist Amber Hall and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Commission President Jane Van Dyke and PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Others present via digital conference (phone or video) or in person: Christine Reynolds-Orrick, Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Bryan Kast, Becca Kempton, Brendan Scully, Sherri Erickson, Miguel, and Thomas Gordon.
Press representatives: None
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved (Materials B).
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Don Steinke shared that he looked forward to hearing about the Solar Car Challenge and shared comments about electric vehicle events he had coordinated with the Sierra Club.
Rick Marshall shared a few words about his trip up the Gorge and into Richland and his look at Horse Heaven Hills and Lund Hill solar farm.
If written comments are submitted, they may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of March 21, 2023
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 April 4, 2023 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $9,699,614.15
Water Revenue Fund – $347,312.82
Generating System Fund – $952,639.40
For a total of $10,999,566.37
Consideration of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1458 and 1455
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1458 and 1455.
Resolution No. 7779 – LUD No. 1458 – NE 68th St. Short Plat
Resolution No. 7780 – LUD No. 1455 – Trails at Whipple Creek
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened the public hearing for comments. There being none, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7779 and 7780 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 646 – Heye Meyer Substation Rebuild
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated April 4, 2023 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 646 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder DJ’s Electrical, Inc., in the amount of $992,340.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 651 – Distribution Wood Poles
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated April 4, 2023 detailing the bid results (Materials F). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 651 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Bell Lumber and Pole company, in the amount of $772,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Waiver of Competitive Bidding Requirements (CCI – Inter-stage Attemperator Valves)
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated March 30, 2023 outlining the bid process for the installation of these valves (Materials G). Since no bids were received by the bid deadline, staff is requesting a waiver of the competitive bidding requirements. Commissioner Barnes moved to waive the competitive bidding requirements for the installation for the attemperation control valves at River Road Generating Plant. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it pass unanimously.
Consideration of Line of Credit Bank Change
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny review the memo dated April 4, 2023 outlining the line of credit replacements and the subordinate lien revenue line of credit notes (Materials H). Ms. Ankeny outlined the background surrounding the use of the lines of credit, who participated in the request for proposal process and the final contract terms with the new recommended bank, Bank of America.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution No. 7769 authorizing the establishment of an Electric System line of credit with Bank of America, N.A., determining the maximum amount of the line of credit; authorizing and directing the District’s Director of Finance/Treasurer to determine the amount of credit to be drawn from time to time; authorizing the authorized District’s representatives to execute a credit agreement; and providing for other matters properly related thereto. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution No. 7770 authorizing the establishment of an Generating System line of credit with Bank of America, N.A., determining the maximum amount of the line of credit; authorizing and directing the District’s Director of Finance/Treasurer to determine the amount of credit to be drawn from time to time; authorizing the authorized District’s representatives to execute a credit agreement; and providing for other matters properly related thereto. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution No. 7771 authorizing the establishment of an Water System line of credit with Bank of America, N.A., determining the maximum amount of the line of credit; authorizing and directing the District’s Director of Finance/Treasurer to determine the amount of credit to be drawn from time to time; authorizing the authorized District’s representatives to execute a credit agreement; and providing for other matters properly related thereto. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
February Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials I). Weather was colder and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. February residential sales were 115.8% of budget, commercial sales were 109.3% and industrial sales were 99.9% of budget. February ended with a net income loss of $2.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.4 million. Year-to-date net income is $1.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $6.5 million.
The Water System ended February with 96 new customers, which is a growth rate of 1.45%. February ended with a net income loss of $8,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $241,000. Year-to-date net income is $106,000 comparted to a budgeted net income loss of $440,000.
February Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials J). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that Slice generation was 14 average MW below budget and loads in February were 71 average MW above budget.
Mr. Andersen reviewed volume run-off, Combine Hills production, February pricing and the benefits of Clark’s gas hedging program.
Review of 2022 Second Half Customer Survey Data
Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline reviewed his presentation of customer research results with the board (Materials K). Mr. Daline shared transactional and sentiment survey results for the second half of 2022. Key takeaways included the continuing impacts of COVID-19, improving employment but ongoing financial struggles in the community, 76% of customers believe electric service is the best value of utilities and almost all customers are familiar with the utility. Overall, customers are still overwhelmingly satisfied with the utility and the service they receive and price sensitivity seems to be lessening.
Commission Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his virtual attendance at the Washington PUD Association Water Committee meeting and the Energy Northwest meetings.
Staff Reports
Education Program Specialist Amber Hall provided the board with a recap of the Solar Car Challenge held March 11 at Hudson’s Bay High School.
Public Comment
There were no additional public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:13 a.m.