Special Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
December 16, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, General Counsel John Eldridge, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Technical Innovation Project Manager Julie Landry, Accounting Manager Jackie Maddux, Security Supervisor Steve O’Neal and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Peter Harrison, Gary Lee, Carol Matthews, Jeff Evens, Austin, Gordon Matthews, and Don Steinke.
At 11:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business, and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided comments on the state Comprehensive Climate Action Plan and his goal to get plug-in solar approved during this legislative session.
Consideration of the Minutes of December 2, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated December 16, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $16,100,689.79
Water Revenue Fund – $415,141.57
Generating System Fund – $120,047.66
For a total of $16,635,879.02
Consideration of Resolution Reorganizing the Board of Commissioner Chairs for 2026
Commissioner Barnes moved to nominate Commissioner Van Dyke as President, Commissioner Erickson as Vice President and Commissioner Barnes as Secretary effective January 1, 2026. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Erickson and passed unanimously (Materials D).
Consideration of 2026 Committee Assignments
Commissioners reviewed current committee assignments and following discussion, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to keep assignments the same for 2026, Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously (Materials E).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 701 – Metalclad Switchgear
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated December 16, 2025, detailing the bid results (Materials F). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 701 be awarded to Crown Technical Systems, Inc., for the base bid (Schedule A) of $1,784,936.41 and an optional PT portable lift with forks for an additional $9,363.00 for the total award amount of $1,794,299.41 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 704 – UG Cable Replacement – SE Blairmont Dr &SE 152nd Ave
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated December 16, 2025, detailing the bid results (Materials G). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 704 be awarded to Maven Utilities, LLC., in the amount of $683,655.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement: Bulk Filling Station 11608 NE 149th Street
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated December 16, 2025 (Materials H) outlining the agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Clark County for the administration and delivery of water for the bulk filling station located at 11608 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie, WA 98606.
Commissioner Erickson moved to give the CEO/General Manager the authority to sign the Interlocal Agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Clark County for the Bulk Filling Station at 11608 NE 149th Street. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Updates to the Public Records Policy
General Counsel John Eldridge reviewed the memo dated December 16, 2025 (Materials I) outlining the updates to the policy. Mr. Eldridge summarized the updates, noting most changes were to be in line with the current state laws.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve the Resolution updating the Public Disclosure Policy, Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Consideration of Authorizing the CEO/General Manager to Sign Grid Modernization Contracts with SmartWorks and Sensus
Technical Innovation Project Manager Julie Landry reviewed the presentation outlining the contract highlights with SmartWorks and Sensus (Materials J). Ms. Landry reviewed the project duration, equipment/software lifecycle, warranties and cost summaries for each contract. Part of the cost summary review was a description of what will be included in the professional services line item. A flexible deployment plan was outlined, and an adjusted Grid Modernization timeline was shared.
Commissioner Erickson moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager to sign the agreements with Sensus and SmartWorks for Grid Modernization in substantially the form presented. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it unanimously passed.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Columbia River Economic Development Council and their visits to local city council meetings, and the Columbia Springs budget approval meeting.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Western Public Agencies Group meeting.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler thanked staff for all work leading up to the approval of the Grid Modernization contracts.
Final Board Comments
There were no additional comments and the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.