Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 16, 2017
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held in the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, the 16th day of May at the hour of 9:00 a.m.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Wayne Nelson, Director of Finance Rick Dyer, Director of Operations Dan Krebs, Director of Communications Lena Wittler, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Corporate Communications Manager Erica Erland, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Communications Services Manager Heather Allmain and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Rick Syring, Randy Gregg – The Energy Authority (Materials A)
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business.
Consideration of the Meeting Agenda
There were no changes or corrections (Materials B).
Public Comment on Non Agenda Items
There were no comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of May 2, 2017
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 May 16, 2017, from the District Auditor:
Electric Revenue Fund – $24,881,004.84
Water Revenue Fund – $196,285.49
Generating System Fund – $1,866,783.28
For a total of $26,944,073.61
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1271, 1290 and 1292
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1271, 1290 and 1292, for street lighting.
Resolution No. 7369 – LUD No. 1271 – Prairie Park Townhomes
Resolution No. 7370 – LUD No. 1290 – NE 65th Street Short Plat
Resolution No. 7371 – LUD No. 1292 – Orchards Rowhomes
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for comment. There being no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and it unanimously carried that Resolution Nos.7369 – 7371 be adopted and a public hearing was set for June 20, 2017 (Materials C).
2017 Energy Independence Act Renewable Compliance
Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury reviewed the memo dated May 9, 2017, outlining Clark Public Utilities’ 2017 annual reporting under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act (Materials D). Mr. Bedbury reviewed the three compliance options; Clark Public Utilities will use the 4% cost cap option for 2017.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the policies, data and methodology for Clark Public Utilities’ reporting compliance for 2017 under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act, RCW 19.285. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Change of Operations – The Energy Authority Resource Management Agreement
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker reviewed the proposed amendment to the Resource Management Agreement Clark Public Utilities has with The Energy Authority (Materials E). Mr. Haymaker reported that these changes would streamline both parties’ processes and would reduce the utility’s overall credit exposure.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager to sign the amended documents in the Resource Management Agreement with The Energy Authority. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
April Financials
Director of Finance Rick Dyer addressed the board (Materials F). April had cooler wetter weather resulting in electric revenue above forecast. Mr. Dyer reported that both system sales and off system sales were above budget. April residential sales were 102.8% of budget; commercial sales were 102.9% and industrial sales were 104.7% of budget. April ended with $3.3 million in net income, compared to $460,000 budgeted. Year-to-date net income is $21.8 million compared to a budget of $6.9 million.
The Water System has added 271 new customers year-to-date resulting in an annual growth rate of 2.4% to date. The net income in April was $78,000 against a budgeted net income loss of $187,000. To date the annual net income for the Water System is $117,000, compared to a budgeted net income loss of $748,000.
April Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt but well above budget forecasts. Due to continued colder than normal temperatures, loads remain above budget for the fifth month in a row. Power prices remain very low with oversupply events and abundant available renewables and hydropower in the Pacific Northwest and California.
River Road Generating Plant completed maintenance on April 22 and staff is waiting for economic opportunities to return it to operation.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported that he continues to receive anonymous letters regarding operations at Energy Northwest.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Northwest Public Power Association annual meeting that was held in Sunriver Oregon.
Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Staff Reports
Communications Services Manager, Heather Allmain, gave a demonstration of the new Clark360 online employee communication platform. The new dashboard provides employees with timely news, work tools and quick access to regularly used internal systems.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.