Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
January 18, 2022
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, January 18, 2022.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): 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 Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, General Counsel John Eldridge, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, ComCare Manager Chiharu Russell, Office Manager – Water Sarah Robinson, Business Applications Supervisor Michael Nino and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Rick Marshall, Jean Avery, Kristin Edmark, Cathryn Chudy, Thomas Gordon, Don Steinke and Alona Steinke.
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 was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
The following are comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Jean Avery shared her thoughts about SHB 1114 regarding tree planting and heat island mitigation.
Kristin Edmark shared her thoughts about Washington residents wanting a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and her desire for the Utility to look for more clean energy opportunities.
Cathryn Chudy shared her thoughts on HB 1767 and the role the Utility could play in helping with fuel switching in Clark County should the bill pass.
Don Steinke provided his thoughts on solar incentives, home batteries and how they could support high peak use and recent electric vehicle purchases that will increase electric use.
Alona Steinke shared her support of HB 1767 that would allow public utilities to help fund programs for customers wanting to convert to electric heating equipment. Ms. Steinke also provided her thoughts on California’s proposed Advanced Clean Fleet regulations.
Rick Marshall shared his ideas surrounding capacity factors and encouraged the Utility to not exaggerate the merits or demerits of any one type of resource. He encouraged the board and staff to read Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future.
Tom Gordon shared his support for more community solar projects and provided information about cooling white paint that is being developed.
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 January 4, 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 January 18, 2022 from the District Auditor
(Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $30,033,301.16
Water Revenue Fund – $5,665,107.42
Generating System Fund – $18,031,011.94
For a total of $53,729,420.52
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement with Clark County – Home Water Assistance Program
Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix reviewed the memo dated January 18, 2022 (Materials C). Ms. Fix shared the details of the Home Water Assistance Program and how the Utility would facilitate the grants for water and wastewater utilities in Clark County. Staff is requesting the board to approve the CEO/General Manager signing the agreement with Clark County.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager to sign and enter into the interlocal agreement with Clark County that would allow Clark Public Utilities Community Care to administer the funding for the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program to eligible households within Clark County. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
2021 ESource Business Customer Satisfaction Survey Results
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris provided the board with the results of the 2021 ESource Business Customer Satisfaction Survey (Materials D). Ms. DePetris shared a brief history of previous studies before sharing the 2021 results for small and midsize businesses.
Clark Public Utilities placed second in the satisfaction study, behind Pennyrile Electric, by one tenth of a point. Utility performance gaps were reviewed along with key takeaways for the Utility to focus on going forward.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes, Malinowski and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Green Business Network meeting and complimented staff on their presentation regarding Electric Vehicle Charging and Solar in Clark County. Ms. Van Dyke asked for regular updates on legislative items during the session.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on COVID Accounts Receivables.
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 10:35 a.m.