A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held in the District offices, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, the 12th day of January at the hour of 9:00 a.m.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Jim Malinowski, Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson, Director of Operations Dan Krebs, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Finance Rick Dyer, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Communications Lena Wittler, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Energy Resources Manager Terry Toland, Street Light Specialist Justin Andrews, Water Quality Specialist John Roth, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: John Nelson (Materials A)
The order of business recorded below reflects the published agenda. (Materials B)
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business.
Consideration of the Minutes of December 22, 2015
There were no changes or corrections.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The Board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated January 12, 2016 from the District Auditor:
Electric Revenue Fund – $40,157,590.98
Water Revenue Fund – $4,465,312.15
Generating System Fund – $20,544,576.62
For a total of $65,167,479.75
Discussion of 2016 Committee Assignments
The next order of business was a discussion of committee assignments for 2016 (Materials C). Commissioner Van Dyke moved for the following assignments: Commissioner Barnes will represent the utility with the American Public Power Association and Northwest Public Power Association; Commissioner Malinowski will represent the utility at the Washington PUD Association and Energy Northwest, with Commissioner Van Dyke representing the utility at the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Columbia Springs. CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson will be the representative with the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and Pacific NW Waterways Association. Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury will be the utility representative for the Public Power Council and on the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion.
A discussion regarding the specific committee assignments for the Washington PUD Association will take place at a future board meeting.
Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1216, 1227, 1228 and 1229
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the Board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1216, 1227, 1228 and 1229 for street lighting.
Resolution No. 7241 – LUD No. 1216 – The Gardens
Resolution No. 7242 – LUD No. 1227 – Avalon Grand PH 4
Resolution No. 7243 – LUD No. 1228 – Avalon Grand PH 5
Resolution No. 7244 – LUD No. 1229 – Kramer’s Corner PH 1
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Barnes and it was unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7241 – 4244 be adopted and a public hearing was set for February 9, 2016, 2016 (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award #975 – UG Primary Upgrade Installation
Materials & Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated January 12, 2016, which detailed the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 975 be awarded to Magnum Power, LLC, in the amount of $282,700 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award #976 – LED Acorn Decorative Light Fixtures
Director of Engineering Cal Morris provided a summary of the LED decorative acorn street light selection process. Mr. Morris outlined the price and color temperature differences in addition to the physical differences in the fixtures. A physical display of the lights was made available for the board to review after the meeting.
Materials & Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker then reviewed the memo dated January 12, 2016, which detailed the bid results (Materials F). It was noted that General Pacific Inc.’s bid was rejected, as it did not meet the bid specifications: the glass globe poses a public safety hazard and other potential hazards with the increased weight. Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 976 be awarded to King Luminarie, Inc., in the amount of $308,250 plus applicable taxes ($685.00/ea. X 450 units), Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
IBEW Letter of Agreement for Field Services
Director of Operations Dan Krebs reviewed the Letter of Agreement with IBEW Local 125 (Materials G); the letter outlines the specific agreed upon contract modifications. Mr. Krebs stated that this agreement provides the utility with the flexibility it needs to integrate the Field Service personnel into the union with minimal disruption to the department. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to enter into this Agreement.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to allow the General Manager to enter into the Letter of Agreement with IBEW Local 125 integrating the Field Service personnel into the current collective bargaining agreement. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Nancy reported on her attendance at the PPC meetings.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson reviewed the details of the recent Emergency Declaration for the River Road Generating Plant purchase (Materials H). Commissioner Barnes asked if there was any concern for failure prior to the planned May maintenance. Energy Resources Manager Terry Toland stated that they have reduced their output slightly so they are confident they should be fine until May.
Director of Communications Lena Wittler provided an update on the legislative session and plans to keep the board updated regularly during the session. The board was looking forward to the Friday updates.
Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury reviewed the Clean Air Rule proposal from Department of Ecology. Mr. Bedbury assured the board that staff was actively engaged with the rule making process and would continue to update the board as the process moved forward.
Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury reviewed with the board a potential for grant funding to do a battery storage program and perhaps some solar offsite. The grant money would be a match using the $1.4 million already invested in community solar. Mr. Bedbury also reviewed a potential project that would combine Green Lights and solar; this project is in its infancy and will need more specific details and work done before seeking board approval.
Other Business before the Board
John Nelson, a member of public, asked the board about its stance on the proposed oil terminal coming to the Port of Vancouver. The board let Mr. Nelson know that was not a responsibility of the board to take a stand on such matters. Mr. Nelson asked if there was any potential impact to our water source during the proposed construction at the site, and Director of Water Doug Quinn let him know there were no concerns.
Mr. Nelson then asked if there were safety concerns regarding the River Road Generating Plant and the site construction and operation. CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson said that from a physical loss perspective, we were covered; however, the loss of electrical load would cause us to be purchasing from market and there is no way to predict what that would be at that time.
The Board thanked Mr. Nelson for his time today and his thoughtful and respectful participation in the meeting.
There being no further business before the Board, Commissioner Barnes adjourned the meeting to executive session to discuss personnel matters at 11:30 a.m. It was not expected to last longer than 30 minutes and no formal action would be taken.
Commissioner Barnes reconvened the public meeting at 12:10 p.m. She stated no formal action was taken during the executive session, and there being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.