Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
January 4, 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 4, 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 Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Power Manager Steve Andersen, and Media Specialist Dameon Pasanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Heidi Cody, Rick Marshall, Thomas Gordan, Randal Freidman, Mark Hughley, Cathryn Chudy, Don 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:
Randal Freidman shared his thoughts on the River Road Generating Plant flexibility, California’s path to 100% green energy and Norway’s successful reliance on hydropower.
Cathryn Chudy shared her thoughts on two recent Columbian editorials, one on broadband equity across the county and the other on Governor Inslee’s Climate Proposal to the legislature that includes fuel switching incentives.
Rick Marshall congratulated the Utility on its 14th JD Power Award, and encouraged the Utility to see what it could learn from the Chattanooga Utility that tied with Clark Public Utilities for the overall highest score across all utilities in the nation.
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 December 21, 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 4, 2022 from the District Auditor
(Materials B):
- Electric Revenue Fund – $15,461,499.92
- Water Revenue Fund – $437,702.99
- Generating System Fund – $506,043.98
For a total of $16,405,246.89
Consideration of 2022 Committee Assignments
Commissioners reviewed current committee assignments (Materials C) and following discussion, Commissioner Van Dyke moved to keep committee assignments the same as in 2021, Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Consideration of Resolution of Intent to Establish LUD No. 1433
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District No. 1433.
Resolution No. 7710 – LUD No. 1433 – Lincoln Ridge
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7710 be adopted and a public hearing was set for February 1, 2022 (Materials D).
November Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials E). November weather was wetter and warmer than normal. This resulted in electric revenues coming in below budget and off system sales coming in above budget. November residential sales were 94.0% of budget, commercial sales were 103.5% and industrial sales were 107.0% of budget. October ended with a net income of $5.9 million compared to a budgeted net income of $3.3 million. Year-to-date net income is $31.3 million compared to a budgeted net income of $21.9 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date summary of conservation spending.
The Water System ended November with 927 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.6%. November ended with a net income of $58,000 compared to a budgeted loss of $150,000. Year-to-date the net income is $5.5 million compared to a budgeted net income of $2.0 million.
November Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Andersen updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 15 aMW and above budget forecast by 4 aMW. Loads were 9 aMW below budget, due to warmer than normal temperatures. November power prices were 73% greater than November 2020, and Sumas gas prices were up 47%, continuing the trend of higher market prices in 2021.
Mr. Andersen provided the board with an update regarding snow pack in the Northwest. So far, through December 2021, it compares favorably to December of 2020 and the trend is expected to continue.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
There were no Commissioner reports, but the following conversations occurred.
Commissioner Malinowski asked that regular updates occur surrounding staff’s work on resource adequacy. Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury provided a brief update on the current process with The Energy Authority.
Commissioner Van Dyke asked for a staff report on the recent storm activity.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler shared that our recent storm-related outages were small in number and primarily caused by trees and wildlife. A more detailed summary will be sent to the Commissioners with the weekly report.
Ms. Wittler also shared with the public that a visit to Chattanooga was planned in March of 2019 right when the pandemic hit. Once things settle down, staff will visit their utility.
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 10:20 a.m.