Special Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
April 5, 2022
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 5, 2022.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke and Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Education Engagement Specialist Amber Hall, Communications Coordinator Michael O’Loughlin and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Cathryn Chudy, Marc Berg, Rick Marshall, and Diana Gordon.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Barnes noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A). CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler was excused from the meeting.
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Cathyrn Chudy reviewed the recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the comments made by the U.N. Secretary General. Ms. Chudy also summarized a presentation given to the Vancouver City Council on the HQ Quarry/Fishers Landing Master Plan application.
Don Steinke provided comments on his personal home building experience in the 1970’s and his desire for more energy efficient building codes to promote conservation.
Alona Steinke provided comments on the bills recently signed into law by Governor Inslee, the community solar bill and the transportation budget she is looking forward hearing from Clark Public Utilities explaining the impacts of these soon. Ms. Steinke is pleased with the investment in Advanced Metering Infrastructure.
Members of the public Don Steinke, Alona Steinke and Cathryn Chudy provided 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 March 22, 2022
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 April 5, 2022 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,138,908.10 Water Revenue Fund – $205,183.46 Generating System Fund – $1,568,880.69
For a total of $21,912,972.25
Consideration of Resolution of Intent to Establish LUD No. 1400
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1406, 1425 and 1435.
Resolution No. 7715 – LUD No. 1406 – Felida Village Cottages Resolution No. 7716 – LUD No. 1425 – Legacy Village
Resolution No. 7717 – LUD No. 1435 – 21st Avenue Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7715-7717 be adopted and a public hearing was set for May 3, 2022 (Materials C).
February Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials D). February weather was colder and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget and power supply costs were below budget. February residential sales were 104.8% of budget, commercial sales were 108% and industrial sales were 106.1% of budget.
February ended with a net income of $4.8 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.6 million. Year-to-date net income is $14.9 million compared to a budgeted net income of $5.9 million.
The Water System ended February with 124 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.91%. February ended with a net income loss of $237,000 compared to a budgeted loss of $290,000. Year-to-date net income is a loss of $526,000 compared to a budget net income loss of $560,000.
February Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials E). Mr. Andersen updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 14 aMW and above budget forecast by 37 aMW. Loads in February were 36 aMW above budget. Mr. Andersen reviewed the current snow water equivalent % normal, showing the change from December.
Combine Hills generation saw an improvement of 13.2 aMW in February in comparison to January. Mr. Andersen also shared the value of hedged gas prices, Clark Public Utilities saw a savings of nearly $2.2 million dollars in February having hedged gas at $2.52 MMBtu.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke had no reports.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings. Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meeting.
Staff Reports
Director of Operations Gene Morris provided the board with an update on the recent wind storm and the Utility’s restoration efforts.
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 10:00 a.m.