Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
July 2, 2019
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Alona Steinke and Cathy Cudy (Materials A)
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler was excused from meeting. Commissioner Barnes noted a quorum was present and the agenda (Materials B) was approved as submitted.
Consideration of the Minutes of June 18, 2019
There were no changes or corrections.
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
Rick Marshall provided comments regarding utility scale solar and storage that is occurring now in California, prices of renewables are decreasing. Mr. Marshall also urges the utility to move to 100% renewables.
Don Steinke asked the utility to post information on its website regarding our plans to respond to recent legislation. Mr. Steinke would like us to form committees to include members of the public to work on conservation in the commercial sector and utility response to recent legislation.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated June 27, 2019 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $18,155,606.59
Water Revenue Fund – $415,237.31
Generating System Fund – $326,084.40
For a total of $18,896,928.30
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1365, 1366, 1369 and 1370
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1365, 1366, 1369 and 1370.
Resolution No. 7550 – LUD No. 1365 – Reymond’s Addition
Resolution No. 7551 – LUD No. 1366 – Cottage 53
Resolution No. 7552 – LUD No. 1369 – Palmer Valley Estates Cluster
Resolution No. 7553 – LUD No. 1370 – Moonlight Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7550 through 7553 be adopted (Materials D).
May Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials E). May had warmer and drier weather resulting in electric revenues coming in below forecast. Ms. Ankeny reported that system sales were below budget and off system sales were above budget for the month. May residential sales were 97.9% of budget, commercial sales were 96.1% and industrial sales were 98.6% of budget. May ended with net income of $1.8 million compared to a budgeted net loss of $644,000. Year-to-date net income is $10.8 million ahead of budget.
The Water System ended May with 392 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.6%. There was a net income of $259,000 for May, compared to a budgeted net income loss of $54,000. Year-to-date net income is a $77,000 loss compared to a budget net income loss of $783,000.
May Wholesale Operations
Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed above prompt month by 26 aMW and 8 aMW above budget forecasts. Loads were 11 aMW below budget for the month of May. Power and gas prices remained mild through the month, but there were a couple of days with negative pricing for off peak power.
Mr. Haymaker provided a historical review of natural gas prices and summarized the forward pricing for 2021 and 2022.
River Road Generating Plant returned to service on June 3.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest Executive Committee meetings held in Portland, Oregon.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Annual Science Summit.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an update on the utility’s upgraded credit rating with Moody’s.
Public Comment
There were no additional comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.