Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 2, 2023
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Senior Communications Manager Heather Allmain, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Energy Resources Program Manager Matt Babbitts, Transmission and Distribution Manager Brian Roden, Foreman Cory Larkin, Lead Applications Analyst/Developer Morgan Chestnut, Water Operations Manager Oscar Maciel, Civil Engineer – Water Tonya Dow, Manager of Construction Design David Tetz and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Power Manager Steve Andersen, PIO/Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Others present via digital conference (phone or video) or in person: Rick Marshall, Don Steinke, Becca Kempton, Gordon Matthews, Peter Harrison, Energy Northwest Executive Board Chair-John Saven, Jared Knode, Sherry Erickson, Bryan Kast, Tracy Ceravolo, Kenneth Langdon, Jason Herbert-Energy Northwest and Thomas Gordon.
Press representatives: Lauren Ellenbecker – Columbian
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved (Materials B).
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Tracy Ceravolo encouraged the utility to use electric golf carts at the Home and Garden Idea Fair in the future.
Don Steinke shared his experience at the Home and Garden Idea Fair and that he is still working to digest the final state budget and all the new legislation that was passed.
Tom Gordon shared his concerns regarding new nuclear programs, especially small modular reactors and their waste.
Peter Harrison shared his perspective on nuclear waste disposal.
If written comments are submitted, they may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 18, 2023
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 May 2, 2023 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $24,504,924.51
Water Revenue Fund – $287,540.68
Generating System Fund – $546,828.27
For a total of $25,339,293.46
Employee Service Awards
Director of Information Services Jeff Groff introduced Morgan Chestnut, Lead Applications Analyst/Developer. Morgan was recognized for 20 years of service. Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris introduced Cory Larkin, Foreman. Cory was also recognized for 20 years of service (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 653 – Water Transmission Main NE 182nd Ave & NE 159th St
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated May 2, 2023 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 653 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Odyssey Contracting LLC of Yacolt, in the amount of $1,125,187.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of the Community Solar East Interlocal Agreement with the Port of Camas Washougal
Energy Resources Program Manager Matt Babbitts reviewed the memo dated May 2, 2023 that summarized the interlocal agreement (Materials F). The interlocal agreement allows the utility to place the planned community solar project on five of the Port’s buildings for the next 25 years at no charge to the utility.
Commissioner Barnes moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler to sign the interlocal agreement with the Port of Camas Washougal for the Community Solar East Project. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Energy Northwest Small Modular Reactor Development
Energy Northwest Executive Board Chair John Saven provided the board with his work history and how it applied to his gubernatorial appointment to the Executive Board at Energy Northwest. Mr. Saven went on to provide some background regarding the proposed small modular reactor project, estimated funding and a timeline needed to build new nuclear capacity by 2030.
Energy Services and Development Consultant Jared Knode reviewed his presentation that highlighted the small modular reactor X-Energy technology that Energy Northwest is pursuing, the funding framework through Phase 3 and the estimated funding needs for the next two years (Materials G).
Commissioner Malinowski shared his support for this project and his desire for Clark Public Utilities to participate and tasked staff with reviewing options associated with this project.
Commission Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at Take Your Child to Work Day and the StreamTeam Earth Day tree planting celebrating the one-millionth tree planted.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m.