Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
March 19, 2024
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Present: President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Accounting Manager Bryan Johnson, Business Applications Manager Michael Nino, Facilities Manager Wade Hammerstrom and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff via digital conference (phone or video): Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland and PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jeff Harris – Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Becca Yates – Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Mike Brown, Rick Marshall, Peter Harrison, James Oneil, Tom Gordon, Chris Thobaben and Don Steinke.
Media: Sarah Wolfe, Columbian
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal
business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided comment on two new laws, the Clean Fuels Standard and the Zero Emissions Mandate.
Peter Harrison provided comment on leveraging batteries to help manage peak loads and how Clark Public Utilities could support that.
Full written comments if provided are available upon request – please email [email protected] for a copy.
Consideration of the Minutes of March 5, 2024
The minutes were approved as presented.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated March 19, 2024 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $28,743,176.09
Water Revenue Fund – $311,530.43
Generating System Fund – $540,841.55
For a total of $29,595,548.55
NEEA Presentation
Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris introduced the Executive Director of Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Becca Yates who provided a brief overview of the work NEEA does and its longstanding relationship with Clark Public Utilities. Ms. Yates introduced NEEA’s Chief Market Transformation Officer Jeff Harris who provided a summary of the Cycle 6 (2020 – 2024) funding and efficiencies earned during that time (Materials D).
Mr. Harris went on to review the strategic goals for the next funding cycle, Cycle 7 (2025-2029). These goals include Transform Markets for Energy Efficiency, Grid-Enabled End-Use Technologies, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Equitable Delivery of Energy Efficiency Benefits. Planned focuses that were shared included peak demand savings, energy technology studies, commercial and residential code adoption and end-use load flexibility.
Forecasted benefits and savings for Clark Public Utilities during Cycle 7 are 2.7-3.3 aMW, 11,268-13,002 tons in carbon reductions, 5.6-6.9 MW winter peak load reduction and 4.9-5.8 MW summer peak load reduction. NEEA is asking Clark Public Utilities to continue the partnership with Cycle 7.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager to sign a 2025-2029 Regional Energy Efficiency Initiative Agreement with NEEA for a five-year funding commitment of $3,059,722. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD No. 1469
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment Local Utility District No. 1469.
Resolution No. 7839 – LUD No. 1469 – Crossing at Pleasant Valley
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7839 be adopted (Materials E).
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement: Overhead Electric Line Relocation – City of Vancouver SE 1st Street Road Improvement Project (Phase 2)
Director of Engineering Cal Morris reviewed the memo dated March 19, 2024 outlining the road project and the agreement with the City of Vancouver (Materials F). These agreements outline the project and memorialize the construction and payment responsibilities for Clark Public Utilities work performed. Staff is recommending approval of this interlocal agreement.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to approve the CEO/General Manager signing the interlocal agreement with the City of Vancouver for the Overhead Electric Line Relocation for the SE 1st Street Road Improvement Project (Phase 2). Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement: Overhead Electric Line Relocation – City of Vancouver NE 137th Avenue Road Improvement Project
Director of Engineering Cal Morris reviewed the memo dated March 19, 2024 outlining the road project and the agreement with the City of Vancouver (Materials G). These agreements outline the project and memorialize the construction and payment responsibilities for Clark Public Utilities work performed. Staff is recommending approval of this interlocal agreement.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the CEO/General Manager signing the interlocal agreement with the City of Vancouver for the Overhead Electric Line Relocation for the NE 137th Avenue Road Improvement Project. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 670 – OH & UG Line Work – NE 137th Ave
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated March 19, 2024 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 670 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder DJ’s Electrical Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $786,350.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee Meetings and the Community Leader Education Series session three.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council Meeting and the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler took time to recognize Energy Resources Director Dan Bedbury, congratulating him on his retirement at the end of March. Ms. Wittler thanked him for his commitment to Clark Public Utilities and the utility industry as a whole.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.