Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 5, 2020
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
Present: CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via conference call: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, General Counsel John Eldridge, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via conference call: Steven Andersen – EES and Rick Marshall
At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Van Dyke noted a quorum was present and the agenda (Materials A) was approved.
Consideration of the Minutes of April 21, 2020
There were no corrections.
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
There were no comments.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated May 5, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $3,295,699.14
Water Revenue Fund – $931,145.88
Generating System Fund – $268,535.81
For a total of $4,495,380.83
Consideration of Bid Award No. 591 – Fleet Building “C” Re-Roof
Director of Engineering Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated May 5, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials C). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 591 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Weatherguard Inc., in the amount of $377,096.00, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 594 – LED Acorn Post Top Luminaires
Director of Engineering Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated May 5, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 594 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder General Pacific, Inc., in the amount of $247,920.00, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of 2018 Final Renewable Target and 2020 Established Target
Steve Andersen with EES Consulting reviewed the memo dated May 5, 2020, outlining Clark Public Utilities’ 2020 annual reporting under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act (Materials E). Mr. Andersen reviewed the three compliance options; Clark Public Utilities will use the 4% cost cap option for 2020.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the policies, data and methodology for reporting Clark Public Utilities’ compliance for 2020 under Renewable Energy Target requirements of the Washington State Energy Independence Act, RCW 19.285.050. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Andersen also reviewed the final compliance year 2018 renewable targets which is due to the Department of Commerce by June 1, 2020.
Consideration of 2020 Conservation Report for Compliance Year 2019
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris presented the 2018-2019 Conservation Achievement Report (Materials F). The report, required by the Energy Independence Act, detailed the utility’s conservation results as they compared to the biennial target adopted in 2017. The utility’s 2019 conservation target of 9.79 aMW was established using the Utility Analysis Option.
For the 2018-2019 biennium, Clark Public Utilities will report a total electricity savings of 14.63 aMW in addition to utility expenditures of $18,261,351.00. This savings is well above the target of 9.79 aMW.
Commissioner Barnes moved to approve Resolution 7600 adopting the Utility’s conservation achievement annual report for compliance years 2018-2019 in accordance with the Energy Independence Act and instructed staff to submit the report to Commerce by the reporting deadline of June 1, 2020. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
March Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials G). March was cooler and drier than normal which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above forecast. March residential sales were 107.9% of budget, commercial sales were 102.3% and industrial sales were 94.9% of budget. March ended with a net income of $6.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $4.5 million. Year-to-date net income is $16.3 million compared to a budgeted net income of $15.3 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided year-to-date updates on the utility’s conservation spending and capital spending.
The Water System ended March with 227 new customers which is a growth rate of 2.45%. There was a net income loss of $140,000 for March, compared to a budgeted net income loss of $221,000. Year-to-date net income loss is $394,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $628,000.
March Wholesale Operations
Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials H). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month and budget forecasts by 9 aMW. Clark’s monthly load was 32 aMW above budget. Power and gas prices showed strength in the first part of the month then weakening in the second half of the month.
Mr. Haymaker reported on operational, financial and contractual observations so far during the COVID-19 pandemic as they relate to power and gas purchases and sales.
The River Road Generating Plant was taken off-line on April 29 for scheduled maintenance.
An updated timeline for the Integrated Resource Plan was provided and Mr. Haymaker encouraged interested parties to visit Clark’s website to see the process and comments received to date.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Van Dyke, Malinowski and Barnes reported they all attended portions of the Washington PUD Association virtual meetings.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler shared that the crews are back to work and are working staggered shifts and when possible are dispatched from home.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Other Business Before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:57 a.m.