A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held in the District offices, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, the 8th day of March at the hour of 9:00 a.m.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Secretary Jim Malinowski, Commissioners; Director of Finance Rick Dyer, Director of Operations Dan Krebs, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Energy Planning and Operations Manager Tom Haymaker, Water Operations Manager Oscar Maciel, Civil Engineer-Water Russ Knutson and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Cassi Marshall and John Nelson (Materials A)
The order of business recorded below reflects the published agenda (Materials B)
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business.
Commissioner Jane Van Dyke and General Manager/CEO Wayne Nelson were excused from the meeting.
Consideration of the Minutes of February 23, 2016
There were no changes or corrections.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The Board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated March 8, 2016 from the District Auditor:
Electric Revenue Fund – $10,997,287.49
Water Revenue Fund – $237,138.80
Generating System Fund – $464,514.30
For a total of $11,698,940.59
Consideration of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1221, 1232 and 1240
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the Board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1221, 1232 and 1240 for street lighting.
Resolution No. 7256 – LUD No. 1221 – Gaiser Estates
Resolution No. 7257 – LUD No. 1232 – Jessie Hollow
Resolution No. 7258 – LUD No. 1240 – Avery Lane
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened the public hearing for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7256 – 7258 (Materials C) be adopted.
Consideration of Bid Award #983 – Residential Water Meters
Materials & Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated February 29, 2016, which detailed the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 983 be awarded to General Pacific, Inc. for the purchase of Badger e-Series meters in the amount of $302,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Labor Agreement with IBEW
Director of Operations Dan Krebs addressed the board (Materials E). Clark Public Utilities has successfully negotiated a new labor agreement with IBEW Local 125. Mr. Krebs stated that the agreement is a wage only agreement and has been ratified by the members. Staff is requesting board approval of the new labor agreement, if approved it will be effective retroactively to March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2019. Commissioner Malinowski moved for approval of the new labor agreement with IBEW Local 125, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The board thanked Mr. Krebs and his employees for their continued hard work and the good relationship they have built with IBEW Local 125.
January Financials
Director of Finance Rick Dyer addressed the board (Materials F). January had warmer and wetter weather on average. System sales were below budget, off system sales were above budget resulting in electric revenue coming in over forecast. January residential sales were 97.4% of budget; commercial sales were 102% of budget and industrial sales were 108% of budget. For the month of January, the Electric System showed a net income of $5.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $4.6 million. Residential customer growth for January was 1.84%.
The Water System added 66 new customers in January resulting in a growth rate of 2.41%. There was a net income loss in January of $82,000 against a budgeted income loss of $81,000.
January Wholesale Operations
Energy Planning and Operations Manager Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials G). Slice performed slightly above the prompt month forecast but just a bit below budget forecast. Loads were right on with forecasts despite temperatures being above average.
River Road Generating Plant will be displaced in April and June for economic purposes and in May for scheduled maintenance. Gas transportation for May and June was released which netted a slight reduction in transport costs.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Malinowski and Barnes reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Rick Dyer alerted the board to an upcoming FEMA application the utility will be submitting. This application is to recoup some costs associated with the December 2015 storm. The application requires staff signatures on behalf of the utility; Mr. Dyer will bring the request for approval to designate staff to sign the applications to a future board meeting.
Other Business before the Board
Member of the public Cassi Marshall took a moment to thank Clark Public Utilities for the community solar project, noting that it has allowed her and her husband the opportunity to participate in solar even though a rooftop system would not work on their home. She also took the opportunity to thank the utility for the programs that helped them update her mother’s heat pump and windows. Her mother’s electric use has decreased dramatically and it would not have been possible without utility programs.
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m.