Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
March 4, 2025
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, 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 Information Services Jeff Groff, Technical Innovation Project Manager Julie Landry, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Corporate Communications Manager/Public Information Officer Dameon Pesanti, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Customer Service Supervisor Leah Veitenheimer, Senior Human Resources Generalist Faye Hansen, Business Data Analyst Leah McInnes, and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff and Commissioners present via digital conference (phone or video): Board Vice President Jane Van Dyke and Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix.
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 February 18, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Employee Service Awards
Director of Information Services Jeff Groff recognized Business Data Analyst – Leah McInnes for 20 years of service (Materials C).
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated March 4, 2025 from the District Auditor (Materials D):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,65,443.61
Water Revenue Fund – $2,275,690.56
Generating System Fund – $989,167.97
For a total of $23,916,302.14
Consideration of Bid Award No. 687 – UG Cable Replacement – NE 27th Ave & NE 153rd St
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated March 4, 2025 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 687 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder DJ’s Electrical, Inc., in the amount of $684,930.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Uncollectable Debt Second Half 2024
Customer Service Supervisor Leah Veitenheimer provided the board with an overview of the uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2024 (Materials F). Net losses to revenue lower than last year and recoveries are down significantly from previous years. Ms. Veitenheimer requested approval to charge $633,462.00 to uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2024.
Commissioner Erickson moved to charge $633,462.00 to uncollectable accounts for the second half of 2024, Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2024 Surplus
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny reviewed the revenue requirement prior to the surplus transfer in the Electric system and the Water system. (Materials G).
Following the presentation, Commissioners discussed the options presented. Commissioner Erickson expressed interest in transferring the surplus to the rate stabilization fund, Commissioner Van Dyke suggested a transfer of $500,000 to the rate stabilization fund and $3.5 million to 2025 electric sales to offset market price excursions and possible tariffs. Commissioner Barnes supported transferring the full $4 million to 2025 electric sales through regulatory revenue, as recommended by staff. Following discussion, Commissioner Erickson moved to allocate $4 million of Electric system surplus in 2024 to 2025 by transferring in 2024, increase regulatory revenue by $4 million by reducing electric sales and in 2025 increase electric sales and reduce regulatory revenue. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Erickson moved to allocate $1 million in Water system surplus to discretionary rate funded capital. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
January Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials H). The weather was cooler and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues being above budget and off system sales below budget. January residential sales were 110.3% of budget, commercial sales were 104.7% and industrial sales were 96.4% of budget. January ended the month with a net income of $6.67 million compared to a budgeted net income of $7.125 million.
The Water System ended January with 67 new customers, which is a growth rate of 1.94%. January ended with a net income loss of $28,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $376,000.
January Wholesale Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials I). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that December Slice generation was 17 aMW below budget and loads in December were 45 aMW above budget. January Slice production was 193 aMW, 17% less than the budget of 210 aMW and 14% less than The Energy Authority forecast of 207 aMW.
Combine Hills I generation was 3.04 aMW, which was 73% less than the budgeted 11.3 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 74% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 6.5 aMW, 62% more than the budgeted 17.1 aMW, and generation was 0 MW approximately 73% of all hours.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Columbia River Economic Development Council Executive Board meeting.
Commissioner Jane Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Association and Washington PUD Association Legislative Rallies in Washington D.C.
Staff Reports
Technical Innovation Project Manager Julie Landry provided the board with an update on the Grid Modernization Project that included a project timeline review (Materials J).
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler provided the board with a brief legislative update.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.