Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
November 1, 2022
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, November 1, 2022.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Construction Services Manager Dana Allen, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Executive Assistant – Engineering Hosanna Smith and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Director of Operations Gene Morris, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti and Marketing Communications Specialist Martha Foley.
Others present via digital conference (phone or video) or in person: Rick Marshall, Charlene Shelfer, Robert Mash, Cathryn Chudy and Alona Steinke.
Press representatives: None
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved with that addition. (Materials A).
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Cathryn Chudy provided a brief overview of the J.D. Power Sustainability Index and her desire for Clark Public Utilities to participate.
Written comments were submitted by Cathryn Chudy and a copy may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of October 8, 2022
A change was made to the public comments made by Ben Richards. The minutes were approved following that change.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated November 1, 2022 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $19,798,004.96
Water Revenue Fund – $1,102,954.57
Generating System Fund – $437,355.86
For a total of $21,338,315.39
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1439, 1443, 1446 and 1449
Construction Services Manager Dana Allen addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1439, 1443, 1446 and 1449.
Resolution No. 7740 – LUD No. 1439 – 119th Street Cottage Subdivision
Resolution No. 7741 – LUD No. 1443 – Barberton Cottages
Resolution No. 7742 – LUD No. 1446 – Lalonde Park
Resolution No. 7743 – LUD No. 1449 – Felida Vista
After the presentation by Ms. Allen, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7740 – 7743 be adopted and a public hearing was set for December 6, 2022 (Materials D).
Sole Source Resolution for River Road Generating Plant – Attemperator Valves
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated November 1, 2022 (Materials E) outlining the request to waive the competitive bidding requirements for the Attemperator Valves for the River Road Generating Plant. These valves are a vital component for facilitating the turbine upgrade in 2024. They are supplied by IMI-Control Components, Inc. and they are the only valves that will fit under the HRSG without a costly redesign.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to approve the sole source designation for the purchase of the Attemperator Valves from IMI-Control Components, Inc. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
September Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials F). September weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. September residential sales were 104.9% of budget, commercial sales were 108.6% and industrial sales were 102.7% of budget. September ended with a net income loss of $5.5 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $180,000. Year-to-date net income is $23.4 million compared to a budgeted net income of $5.2 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided third quarter updates on conservation spending, Electric System capital spending, Generating System capital spending and accounts receivable balances.
The Water System ended September with 657 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.22%. September ended with a net income of $1.3 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.0 million. Year-to-date net income is $1.6 million compared to a budgeted net income of $916,000.
September Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that Slice generation was 17 aMW above budget and loads in September were 27 aMW above budget. Mr. Andersen noted that September was the final month of the water year, and that annual slice generation was near 201 aMW well above last year’s 172 aMW and above the budget of 175 aMW.
Combine Hills production at 12.7 aMW was 10% less than the budgeted 14.1 aMW and was zero MW for 48% of all hours.
Mr. Anderson reviewed September daily and month-to-date purchases and sales in addition to providing a market-pricing outlook, River Road Generating Plant outlook and an update on the Utility’s year-to-date savings of $26.8 million due to its gas-hedging program.
Review of 2022 First Half Customer Survey Data
Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline reviewed his presentation of customer research results with the board (Materials H). Mr. Daline shared transactional and sentiment survey results for the first half of 2021. Key takeaways included the continuing impacts of COVID-19, improving employment but ongoing financial struggles in the community, nearly half of customers believe electric service is the best value of utilities and almost all customers are familiar with the utility. Overall, customers are still overwhelmingly satisfied with the utility and the service they receive but continue to mention reduced rates as the most common area for improvement.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings and the Public Power Forum.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Energy Northwest Public Power Forum.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her virtual attendance at the Energy Northwest Public Power Forum, her participation in the Make a Difference Day event and a tour of the Port of Vancouver as part of the Columbia River Economic Development Council Executive Committee.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an introduction of the 2023 Budget.
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler provided the board with updates on the recent Key Accounts Meeting, Leaders Forum and the upcoming Public Power Council Executive Committee vote.
Public Comment
There were no additional public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.