Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
March 18, 2025
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Corporate Communications Manager/Public Information Officer Dameon Pesanti, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts, Business Process Specialist Grace Babas, Information Services Executive Assistant Melisa Valjevac, Work Group Leader – Customer Service Jascelynn Struthers, Senior Customer Service Representative Nicole Brothers and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Rick Marshall, Thomas Gordon, Gordon Matthews and Avatar.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
There were no comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of March 4, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated March 18, 2025 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $16,780,778.43
Water Revenue Fund – $653,152.37
Generating System Fund – $150,741.91
For a total of $17,584,672.71
Employee Service Awards
Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix recognized Customer Service Workgroup Leader Jascelynn Struthers and Senior Customer Service Representative Nicole Brothers for 20 years of service.
Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris recognized Business Process Specialist Grace Babas for 20 years of service (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1475 and 1486
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1475 and 1486.
Resolution No. 7887 – LUD No. 1475 – 90th St. Subdivision
Resolution No. 7888 – LUD No. 1486 – Stones Throw PH 3
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 Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7887 and 7888 be adopted and a public hearing was set for April 15, 2025 (Materials E).
Transportation Electrification Updates and Infrastructure Pricing
Clean Energy Program Manager Matt Babbitts provided an update on Transportation Electrification Programs, Clark County Electric Vehicle Adoption in Clark County and Washington Clean Fuel Standards (Materials F).
Mr. Babbitts also provided an updated on utility-owned public electric vehicle chargers, infrastructure and current pricing for use of these public chargers. Staff provided a recommendation to adjust pricing for public charging at a rate that recovers the cost to the utility and requested authorization for the Director of Energy Resources to adjust pricing without Commission action if needed to continue full cost recovery, with pricing changes reported to Commissioners when adjusted.
Commissioners Van Dyke and Erickson suggested that staff consider increasing the proposed charging prices to more closely align with market rates and to further investigate potential for time of use pricing. The Board asked staff to return with alternative pricing options after this further analysis.
2024 Customer Research Update
Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline provided the board with an update on customer research and satisfaction survey results in 2024 (Materials G). Mr. Daline reviewed why we measure, how we measure, what we measure and the additional data resources we use to evaluate customer satisfaction. Nearly half of Clark Public Utilities customers have financial concerns and approximately 20% of customers reported feeling that rates are unreasonable.
A review of customer priorities and preferences indicates that nearly all customers prioritize reliable service and reasonable rates and the trend of cost sensitivity continued through 2024. Overall customer service satisfaction remains high, at or above 90% annually, and customers appreciate the quality of service as well as the friendliness and convenience of Clark Public Utilities when help is needed.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Erickson and Barnes reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council and Pacific Northwest Utility Conference Committee meetings.
Commissioners Erickson and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Solar Car Challenge.
Staff Reports
Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland provided a legislative update and noted that HB 1329 would be heard in Senate committee the following day. The board requested that the Clark Public Utilities lobbyist sign in in support of 1329.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.