Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
December 1, 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, December 1, 2020.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, 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, General Counsel John Eldridge and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Cathryn Chudy, Chris Martin 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.
Consideration of the Minutes of November 17, 2020
There were no changes.
Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on his desire for the utility to pass a resolution regarding the reduction of emissions, Mr. Steinke would like the utility to shut down the River Road Generating Plant.
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy provided comment on the recent presentation to the Mayor and the City of Vancouver Council members regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Vancouver and the City’s strategic plan as it relates to climate and energy. Ms. Chudy urged the utility to support clean fuels legislation.
Member of the public Chris Martin provided comment on his support of expanded broadband in rural Clark County, Mr. Martin would like Clark Public Utilities to do a feasibility study on the subject.
Member of the public Rick Marshall thanked utility staff for the recent Energy Advisor regarding net metering. Mr. Marshall would like the utility to explore supporting local development of renewable energy and purchase power agreements that have some 100% clean options.
Copies of written public comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated December 1, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $22,642,067.57
Water Revenue Fund – $331,941.50
Generating System Fund – $509,910.60
For a total of $23,483,919.60
Consideration of Resolutions to Approve the 2021 Electric, Generating and Water Budgets
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the proposed 2021 budgets for the Electric, Generating and Water Systems (Materials C). Ms. Ankeny noted that there were no rate increases for the Electric or Water Systems for 2021 and that the budget principles continue to be customer service, reliability and cost control while staff remains committed to balancing revenue requirements and bond covenants.
Ms. Ankeny reviewed with the board the staff recommended use of the low income tax credit and the revenue requirements for the Electric and Water Systems in 2021.
Commissioner Barnes moved to use the low income tax credit as presented, $35,000 for emergency heat repair, $35,000 for weatherization related repairs, $56,466 for Operation Warm Heart and $25,000 for miscellaneous energy or water related repairs. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2021 Electric System budget as presented and to include use of the low income tax credit as approved in the previous motion. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2021 Generating System budget as presented. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2021 Water System budget as presented. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The Board thanked Ms. Ankeny, the finance team and the entire staff for the work that went into preparing and presenting the 2021 budgets.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Van Dyke, Malinowski and Barnes reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the audit exit conference.
Commissioners Van Dyke and Barnes reported on their attendance at the utility diversity and inclusion training.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.