Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
December 7, 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, December 7, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes and Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris, Senior Key Account Manager Zeecha Van Hoose, Energy Services Project Manager Matt Babbitts, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Power Manager Steve Andersen, ComCare Manager Chiharu Russell, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Key Account Manager Bill Hibbs, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Mark Hughley, Cathryn Chudy, Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Randal Freidman, Laurie Kerr, Heidi Cody, Diana Gordon, Rick Marshall and Ted Light.
At 9:00 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
The following are comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Cathryn Chudy provided comment on Washington PUD Association’s suggestion regarding the need for more gas plants and the potential need for nuclear without mention of conservation. Ms. Chudy shared her concern about small modular nuclear reactors.
Don Steinke shared his concern about seismic and air quality standards surrounding the River Road Generating Plant when and if the flexibility option is added. Mr. Steinke hopes that an additional SEPA review will be done at the plant if that is added.
Alona Steinke shared her concerns about emissions at the River Road Generating Plant and urged the utility to give more consideration to that prior to investing more money in the plant.
Heidi Cody thanked the utility for the interactive process with the Clean Energy Implementation Plan and encouraged the utility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move to 100% clean energy as soon as possible.
Randal Friedman thanked the utility for the many assistance programs it has for customers. Mr. Friedman would like the Utility to focus on EV charging stations across the county, prepare a renewable energy plan and to stay competitive with employer needs for consumption growth.
If members of the public have provided 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 November 16, 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 December 7, 2021 from the District Auditor
(Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $23,747,704.14
Water Revenue Fund – $569,281.89
Generating System Fund – $619,746.92
For a total of $24,936,732.95
Consideration of Emergency Community Response Extension
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reviewed the memo dated December 7, 2021 (Materials C) requesting board approval to extend the temporary guidelines for the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through March 31, 2022.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to extend the Emergency Community Response measures under the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through March 31, 2022. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Energy Assistance Program Resolution Updates
Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix presented proposed updates to the Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service Plans (D).
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to revise Clark Public Utilities’ Senior Rate Credit program to increase the program benefit from 50% to 75% of the January through April bills from the previous year, not to exceed $500. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to revise Clark Public Utilities’ Guarantee of Service Program to increase the income limit for Guarantee of Service Plans 1 and 2 from 125% of the Federal Poverty Level to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level to match the income limit for LIHEAP. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1426 and 1430
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1426 and 1430.
Resolution No. 7701 – LUD No. 1426 – 124th Street Properties
Resolution No. 7702 – LUD No. 1430 – Goldfinch Lane Townhomes
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7701 and 7702 be adopted. (Materials E).
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement with Clark County for Overhead Electric Line Relocation – NE 99th Street Road Improvement Project
Director of Engineering Cal Morris reviewed the memo dated December 7, 2021 outlining the proposed agreement with Clark County (Materials F).
After review, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to give the General Manager the authority to sign the Interlocal Agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Clark County for the overhead relocation on the NE 99th Street Road Project. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 620 – 115kV Circuit Breakers
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated December 7, 2021 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 620 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder General Pacific Inc., in the amounts of $312,948.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Conservation Potential Assessment and I-937 Conservation 2020-2021 Biennial Targets
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris and Ted Light with Lighthouse Energy NW addressed the board (Materials F). After a review of the presentation and supporting data, Ms. DePetris recommended the approval of the 2021 Conservation Potential Assessment and the 2022-2023 I-937 conservation target of 9.37 aMW and the 2022-2032 ten-year potential of 50.07 aMW. These targets were established using the Utility Analysis Option 3 from the Conservation Potential Assessment.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved for the adoption of the Clark Public Utilities 2021 Conservation Potential Assessment and the 2022-2023 I-937 conservation target of 9.37 aMW and 2022-2032 ten–year potential of 50.07 aMW per Chapter 1494-37-070 WAC of 41.83 aMW as established using the Utility Analysis Option 3 (WAC 194-37-070-6). Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
2021 Demand Response Pilot Potential Assessment
Senior Key Account Manager Zeecha Van Hoose provided a review of the Utility’s 2021 Demand Response Pilot outlining the details of the heat pump water heater and the EnerNoc BPA demand response pilot. Following the review of the programs, Ted Light with Lighthouse Energy NW provided the board with the results of the 2021 Demand Response Potential Assessment. (Materials G).
Consideration of Resolution of Waiver of Competitive Bidding Requirements for River Road Generating Plant Generation Flexibility Upgrades
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker review the memo dated December 7, 2021 outlining the request to waive bidding requirements for the flexibility upgrades to River Road Generating Plant (Materials H).
After discussion, Commissioner Barnes moved to waive the competitive bidding requirements for the purchase and installation of power generation flexibility upgrades at the River Road Generating Plant. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Energy Assistance for the Safe Stay Vancouver Project
Director of Communications Erica Erland provided an overview of the City of Vancouver project (Materials I) and the request made to Clark Public Utilities. The requests include waiver of system development charges and miscellaneous aid to constructions costs, donation of three street lights and donation of site electrical use expenses for duration of site occupancy. Ms. Erland explained the requested assistance would not exceed $20,000 and fits within the Energy Services Project Development budget in 2021 and 2022.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to provide $20,000 of energy assistance to the City of Vancouver toward estimated infrastructure and electric installation costs, and to offset estimated energy use for the City of Vancouver Safe Stay pilot project. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution Revising the Boundaries of the Commissioner Districts
General Counsel John Eldridge reviewed the memo dated December 7, 2021 outlining the redistricting process (Materials J). Mr. Eldridge noted proper public notification and public hearings had taken place and comments from the public were made at the November 16, 2021 board meeting and were in support of the changes.
Commissioner Barnes moved to revise the boundaries of the Commissioner Districts as presented. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolutions to Approve the 2022 Electric, Generating and Water Budgets
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the proposed 2022 budgets for the Electric, Generating and Water Systems (Materials K). Ms. Ankeny noted that there were no rate increases for the Electric or Water Systems for 2022 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 2022.
Commissioner Barnes moved to use the low income tax credit as presented, $40,000 for emergency heat repair, $40,000 for weatherization related repairs, $50,863 for Operation Warm Heart and $20,000 for miscellaneous energy or water related repairs. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2022 Electric System budget excluding the renewal of the Pacific Northwest Waterway Association membership 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 Van Dyke moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2022 Generating System budget as presented. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2022 Water System budget as presented. Commissioner Van Dyke 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 2022 budgets.
October Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials L). October weather was wetter than normal. This resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. October residential sales were 107.7% of budget, commercial sales were 102.4% and industrial sales were 105.2% of budget. October ended with a net income of $2.5 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.4 million. Year-to-date net income is $25.5 million compared to a budgeted net income of $18.6 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date summary of conservation spending.
The Water System ended October with 849 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.6%. October ended with a net income of $315,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $419,000. Year-to-date the net income is $5.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $2.2 million.
October Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials K). Mr. Andersen updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 20 aMW and below budget forecast by 21 aMW. Loads were 27 aMW above budget, temperatures were colder than normal.
Mr. Andersen provided the board with an update on projected weather patterns for December and the BPA Reserves Distribution Clause.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes, Malinowski and Van Dyke all reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association Meetings and the BPA Public Meeting discussing the un-declaration of a portion of the River Road Generating Plant.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on accounts receivables during
COVID-19.
Director of Information Services Jeff Groff provided an update on the Pandemic Relief Program.
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 12:26 p.m.