A regular 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 27th day of January at the hour of 9:00 a.m.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke, Commissioners; Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Finance Rick Dyer, Director of Energy Resources Pat McGary, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Communications Lena Wittler, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Senior Manager of Customer Accounts and Energy Services Larry Blaufus, Energy Resources Manager Terry Toland, Risk and Power Manager Lynn Latendresse, Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Environmental Resources Manager Jeff Wittler, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Jim Windus, Steve Kern
The order of business recorded below reflects the published agenda (Materials B)
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business.
Consideration of the Minutes of January 6, 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 6, 2015 from the District Auditor:
Electric Revenue Fund – $30,542,684.47
Water Revenue Fund – $978,136.77
Generating System Fund – $405,685.72
For a total of $31,926,506.96
Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD No. 1198
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the Board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District No. 1198 for street lighting.
Resolution No. 7162 – LUD No. 1198 – Cosgrove Short Plat
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7162 (Materials C) be adopted and the public hearing was set for February 24, 2015.
Appointment of Torts Claim Agent
Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge addressed the board regarding formalization via resolution (Materials D) of the Tort Claim Agent Designation. Mr. Eldridge explained that CEO/General Manager had always been designated as the utility’s Tort Claim Agent and there were no changes in the process but it is necessary to formalize that designation with a resolution. Commissioner Van Dyke moved to identify CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson as the person designated to receive Tort Claim Notices on behalf of the utility. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Waiver of Competitive Bidding Requirements for Certain Chemical Purchases for the River Road Generating Plant
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker addressed the board (Materials E). Ms. Wannamaker reported that the River Road Generating Plant (RRGP) requested “Sole Source” designation for the purchase of certain chemicals that are vital to the plant’s operation. These particular chemicals are only available from a vendor named ChemTreat. The designation will allow these materials to be purchased directly from the vendor without competitive bidding, pursuant to RCW 39.04.
CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson explained the recent contract changes with General Electric and audit findings by the State of Washington are prompting the RRGP to make the request. After some discussion surrounding the benefits of this designation to the plant and feedback from the members of the public, Commissioner Barnes moved to waive the competitive bidding requirements for the purchase of chemicals for the River Road Generation Plant’s heat recover steam generator system and cooling tower system pursuant to RCW 39.04-280. This motion was made with the understanding that no purchases will be made until the utility is in receipt of a letter from ChemTreat clearly stating its competitive pricing commitment to Clark Public Utilities. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Columbia Springs Contract Discussion
Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge addressed the board regarding the Columbia Springs Hatchery Agreement (Materials F). In the presentation, Mr. Eldridge outlined the sections of the agreement that he required feedback on from the board before sending the agreement to Columbia Springs for review. During the presentation, Commissioner Barnes provided a detailed summary showing amendments she would like to see in the new agreement and outlined her concern with the utility’s role in the operation of the hatchery. Commissioners Malinowski and Van Dyke are in favor of moving forward to revise the funding agreement with the hatchery. A proposal incorporating the board’s feedback will be drafted and presented to the board for review, then forwarded to Columbia Springs for their review.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the CREDC meetings in January.
Commissioner Malinowski reported he would be attending the Energy Northwest meetings in the coming days and was looking forward to getting started with that organization.
Commissioner Barnes requested that at the next meeting staff bring forth a proposed meeting schedule for the remainder of the year.
Staff Reports
Community Solar
Senior Manager of Customer Accounts and Energy Services Larry Blaufus updated the commissioners on the Community Solar projects (Materials G). He recapped the extremely successful launch of the program to-date, with three projects now fully sold out and a growing waiting list for a fourth project. Bid award recommendations for projects 2 and 3 will be brought to the board at the meeting on February 10. A bid request for a fourth project will be developed based on the feedback from the board. The fourth project is likely to be smaller than the other three due to site limitations and located in the fourth quadrant of the south lawn at Operations.
Legislative Update
Director of Communications Lena Wittler and Director of Energy Resources Pat McGary updated the board on recent legislative activities. Modifications to the Washington PUD Association tracking list will be made weekly and provided to commissioners, these modifications will reflect input and priorities specific to Clark Public Utilities.
Race for Warmth
Director of Communications Lena Wittler then gave a brief update on the Race for Warmth that will be held Sunday, February 8. All proceeds from the race will benefit Operation Warm Heart, and to date there are more than 300 participants signed up to run or walk. Commissioner Van Dyke indicated that she would be participating in the race.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.