Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
February 21, 2023
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes, Commissioners, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Transmission and Distribution Manager Brian Roden, Foreman Steve Jones, Foreman Dave Autrey, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Senior Communications Manager Heather Allmain, Water Quality Manager John Roth and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, General Counsel John Eldridge and PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Others present via digital conference (phone or video) or in person: Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Charlene Shefler and Thomas/Dianne Gordon.
Press representatives: None.
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved (Materials B).
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Rick Marshall shared his appreciation for the value our rates provide and thinks the surplus should be used to protect those rates and infrastructure rather than a customer bill credit.
Don Steinke provided comments on the conservation report, updated building codes and the 2022 budget surplus.
Written comments were submitted by Don Steinke and a copy may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of February 7, 2023
The minutes were approved as presented.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated February 21, 2023 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $24,142,113.28
Water Revenue Fund – $330,410.61
Generating System Fund – $385,158.14
For a total of $24,863,682.03
Employee Service Award
Director of Operations Gene Morris introduced Foremen Steve Jones and Dave Autrey, both were recognized for 25 years of service (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1436, 1441, 1442 and 1452
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1436, 1441, 1442 and 1452.
Resolution No. 7763 – LUD No. 1436 – North Haven PH 4A
Resolution No. 7764 – LUD No. 1441 – North Haven PH 1B & 6
Resolution No. 7765 – LUD No. 1442 – North Haven PH 3 & 5
Resolution No. 7766 – LUD No. 1452 – Caldwell Estates
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7763 through 7766 be adopted and a public hearing was set for March 21, 2023 (Materials E).
Consideration of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1438 and 1444
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1438 and 1444.
Resolution No. 7767 – LUD No. 1438 – Martin Meadow
Resolution No. 7768 – LUD No. 1444 – Villagio Mixed Use
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened the public hearing for comments. There being none, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes seconded by Commissioner Malinowski and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7767 and 7768 be adopted (Materials F).
December Financials – 2022 Surplus
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials G). Weather was colder and wetter than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. December residential sales were 110.2% of budget, commercial sales were 103.8% and industrial sales were 101.3% of budget. December ended with a net income loss of $1.2 million compared to budgeted net income of $3.4 million. Year-to-date net income is $31.3 million compared to a budgeted net income of $12.9 million.
The Water System ended 2023 with 802 new customers, which is a growth rate of 2.02%. December ended with a net income loss of $399,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $419,000. Year-to-date net income is $2.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $874,000.
Year-end updates on electric, generating, water capital and conservation spending were provided.
Ms. Ankeny reported that the 2022 surplus is $25.0 million for the electric system and $1.0 million for the water system. Customer bill credit, resource adequacy, discretionary capital improvements and rate stabilization fund were suggested as options for use of the surplus. Staff will bring recommendations to the board for action at the March 7 meeting.
December Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials H). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that Slice generation was 14 average MW above budget and loads in December were 51 average MW above budget.
Mr. Andersen reviewed year-end loads and resources and market prices. Clark Public Utilities’ annual load was 36 average MW above budget, Slice generation was 23 average MW above budget. The River Road Generating Plant generation was 194 average MW for 2022.
Commission Reports and Comments
Commissioners Van Dyke and Malinowski reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Public Comment
There were no additional public comments.
Other Business before the Board
The board recessed to executive session at 10:40 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, RCW 42.30.110 (1)(b) – To consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase. It was noted that no action following the executive session was expected to be taken and the session would end at 11:00 a.m.
Commissioner Van Dyke reconvened the public meeting at 11:00 a.m. and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m.