Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
August 3, 2021
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 3, 2021.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes and Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Operation Gene Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Energy Resources Program Manager Matt Babbitts and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Cathryn Chudy, Rick Marshall, Jean Avery and Mike Paruszkiewicz
At 9:05 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy provided comments on the Clean Energy Transformation Act, Clean Energy Implementation Plan and the City of Vancouver’s Climate Action Plan.
Member of the public Don Steinke encouraged Clark Public Utilities to hire more staff to work on conservation, renewables and workforce development. Mr. Steinke also provided his thoughts on capacity planning and conservation.
If members of the public have provided the utility with 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 July 20, 2021
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 August 3, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,421,259.99
Water Revenue Fund – $596,765.53
Generating System Fund – $643,306.28
For a total of $21,661,331.80
Consideration of Disposal of Surplus Vehicles & Equipment
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 3, 2021 (Materials C) The Utility has accumulated vehicles and equipment that have been identified as surplus due to high mileage or hours, years of service, and increased repairs that led to increased cost and downtime. Staff is recommending declaring these items surplus for disposal through a public auction sale with JJ Kane Auctioneers.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to declare the vehicles and equipment outlined in the presentation as surplus for disposal through a public auction sale with JJ Kane Auctioneers to be held on August 17, 2021. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Clean Energy Implementation Plan Update
Energy Resources Program Manager Matt Babbitts provided an update on the Clean Energy Implementation Plan (Materials D). Mr. Babbitts reviewed the CEIP requirements and Clark Public Utilities planned timeline for these requirements.
During the presentation the public participation process was also outlined. This process will include creation of a CEIP webpage on our website, engagement with local community based nonprofit groups focused on low and limited income populations, public comment collection and transparency with participants and stakeholders throughout the process.
June Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials E). June weather was warmer and drier than normal. This resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. June residential sales were 139.2% of budget, commercial sales were 98.0% and industrial sales were 105.1% of budget. June ended with a net income of $2.0 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $2.3 million. Year-to-date net income is $26.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $12.4 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date summary of conservation spending and year-to-date updates on electric and generating system capital spending.
The Water System ended June with 548 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.86%. June ended with a net income of $116,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $151,000. Year-to-date the net income is $1.5 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $427,000.
June Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 11 aMW and below budget forecast by 51 aMW. June 2021 saw our all-time high summer one-hour peak set three days in a row. The old record was 863 MW from August 3, 2018 when high temperature was 95 degrees. The new summer peak is 1016 MW with a high temperature of 116 degrees. An overview of regional historical loads and 2021 estimates was also provided.
Mr. Haymaker let the board know that Clark Public Utilities would be signing a letter of confidentiality with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems to gain access to data and information; this is for informational purposes only and is non-binding.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on the recent Water Bond sale.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler let the Board know that Mr. Haymaker would be providing an update at the upcoming PNUCC meeting regarding the recent heat wave.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
With no public comments to come before the board, the meeting was recessed into executive session at 11:00 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. RCW 42.30.110 (1)(g) – to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. The executive session was expected to last no longer than 45 minutes and no action was taken during the executive session.
Commissioner Malinowski reconvened the public meeting at 11:55.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.