Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
August 18, 2020

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, August 18, 2020.

Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.

Present via digital conference (phone or video): Vice President Jim Malinowski, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Business Applications Manager Julie Landry, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, General Counsel John Eldridge, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris, ComCare Manager Gretchen Alexander and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.

Press representatives: None

Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Monica Zazueta, and Rick Marshall

At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Van Dyke noted a quorum was present and the agenda (Materials A) was approved with the additions of Consideration of Transfer of a Portion of the Operation Warm Heart Principal Fund as an action item and Commissioner Reports and Comments.

Consideration of the Minutes of August 4, 2020
There were no changes.

Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke provided his thoughts on the need for local governments to take the lead on climate change and asked about incentives for heat pumps in new construction.

Member of the public Monica Zazueta introduced herself to the board and provided her thoughts on climate change and her concerns regarding America’s climate pollution.

Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated August 18, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):

Electric Revenue Fund – $6,124,621.13
Water Revenue Fund – $588,490.17
Generating System Fund – $428,802.39

For a total of $7,141,913.69

Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1389, 1392 and 1397
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1389, 1392 and 1397

Resolution No. 7610 – LUD No. 1389 – Meadows at Heritage Place
Resolution No. 7611 – LUD No. 1392 – Minnehaha Meadows PH 2
Resolution No. 7612 – LUD No. 1397 – Miller Flats

After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7610 – 7612 be adopted and a public hearing was set for September 15, 2020 (Materials C).

Consideration of Bid Award No. 600 – Commercial Revenue Meters
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 18, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 600 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder General Pacific, Inc. in the amount of $291,274.56 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Consideration of Bid Award No. 601 – OH and UG Construction Services
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 18, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 601 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Yates Line Construction Co. for the estimated annual contract amount of $1,175,059.60 in the amount of $334,950.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Customer Care Task Force Update
Business Applications Manager Julie Landry reviewed the new program ideas created by the customer care task force (Materials F). The team’s goals were to increase participation in existing energy assistance programs; brainstorm new programs to support customers who are impacted by COVID-19 while using data driven insights and internal system capabilities.

Ms. Landry presented many ideas for increasing customer engagement in assistance programs, making application processes more convenient and flexible, and described how existing programs may be adjusted to increase participation. Other possible ideas were reviewed such as solutions for small business owners, including payment arrangements, easier access to EqualPay and potential balance forgiveness programs.

The board thanked Ms. Landry and the entire team for providing such an in-depth and thoughtful review of potential expansions to current programs and several new program ideas to help support our customers even more during the pandemic. Commissioners look forward to hearing recommendations for next steps in the near future.

Consideration of Transfer of a Portion of the Operation Warm Heart Principal Fund
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler provided the board with a brief summary of how the OWH Principal Fund started and where the money for this fund came from (Materials G). The current balance in the fund is $597,180.51. Ms. Wittler requested the board approve a transfer of $200,000.00, based on current identified funding needs, to our active OWH fund for immediate use.

Commissioner Barnes moved to authorize utility staff to transfer $200,000 from the Operation Warm Heart Principal Fund to the active fund for immediate use under the Operation Warm Heart Program. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the UAMPS pre conference session.

Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Columbia Springs Board Meeting and the Public Power Council’s Members’ Forum.

Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee.

Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the accounts receivables through the month of July (Materials H).

Director of Information Services Mike Harris provided the board with an overview of the technology measures put into place allowing our employees to securely and effectively work remotely during the pandemic response (Materials I).

Public Comment
Member of the public Rick Marshall cautioned the board to not draw the wrong conclusions regarding renewable energy from California’s current energy emergencies.

Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.