Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
December 3, 2019
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 3, 2019.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke and Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Human Resources Manager Nichole Reitzenstein, Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Water Operations Manager Oscar Maciel, Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Marcella Chandler, Dale McLain and Pat Freiberg (Materials A)
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 (Materials B) was approved as submitted.
Consideration of the Minutes of November 19, 2019
There were no changes or corrections.
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
Member of the public Don Steinke shared his thoughts on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and asked the utility to officially support it in the upcoming legislative session.
Member of the public Alona Steinke shared her views as a retired healthcare professional on the human health impact of carbon.
Member of the public Rick Marshall provided the board with his thoughts on electric vehicle adoption and the benefit he believes it would have for the environment, the utility and ratepayers.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated December 3, 2019 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $13,039,885.37
Water Revenue Fund – $907,737.48
Generating System Fund – $548,327.94
For a total of $14,495,950.79
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1314 and 1378
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1314 and 1378.
Resolution No. 7578 – LUD No. 1314 – Harris Town Village
Resolution No. 7579 – LUD No. 1378 – Hazel Dell Landing
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. 7578 and 7579 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 586 – Water Services Crew Truck
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated December 3, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 586 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Pacific Truck Colors, Inc. for the total contract amount of 125,235.00, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Adoption of the 2019 Budgets for the Electric, Generating and Water Systems
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with a review of the proposed 2020 Electric, Generating and Water System budgets (Materials F). At the end of the presentation, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to allocate the low income tax credit as recommended by staff, Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes opened the public hearing for the 2020 Electric, Generating and Water systems budgets, member of the public Don Steinke asked the utility to consider joining the Northwest Energy Coalition and to consider the trailer park communities with our conservation spending. There being no further comment, Commissioner Barnes closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend adoption of the 2020 Electric System operating and capital budgets as presented. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend the adoption of the 2020 Water System operating and capital budgets as presented. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend adoption of the 2020 Generating System operating and capital budgets as presented. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
October Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials G). October had cooler temperatures and drier weather resulting in electric revenues coming in above forecast. Ms. Ankeny reported that both system sales and off system sales were above budget for the month. October residential sales were 121.4% of budget, commercial sales were 100.1% and industrial sales were 94.6% of budget. October ended with a net income of $4.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $66,000. Year-to-date net income is $29.0 million compared to a budgeted net income of $13.4 million.
The Water System ended October with 845 new customers year-to-date which is a growth rate of 2.76%. There was a net income of $311,000 for October, compared to a budgeted net income of $600,000. Year-to-date net income is $2.7 million compared to a budgeted net income of $2.0 million.
October Wholesale Operations
Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials H). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 9 aMW and 14 aMW below budget forecasts. Slice was 6 aMW below budget forecast for the water year, first time since the Slice product started in 2012 that Clark fell below the water year forecast. Loads were 45 aMW above budget due to cooler than normal temperatures. Power and gas prices showed strength toward the end of October.
Mr. Haymaker reported that Enbridge returned to 100% capacity this week and he provided an update on the Integrated Resource Plan progress to date.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Climate Solutions dinner.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on the renewal of the utility line of credit.
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 10:55 a.m.