Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
November 2, 2021
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, November 2, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes and Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, General Counsel John Eldridge, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland, Energy Services Project Manager Matt Babbitts, Power Manager Steve Andersen, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Customer Service Experience Manager Cameron Daline and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Cathryn Chudy, Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Jean Avery, Kristin Edmark, Martin Roth, Thomas Gordan and Rick Marshall
At 9:00 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Member of the public Jean Avery provided comment on electrical charging stations in Clark County.
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy commented on Clark Public Utilities’ recent Power Supply Workshop, the Utility’s proactive approach regarding the Clean Energy Transformation Act and she thanked Clark Public Utilities for listening to the public’s voice.
Member of the public Alona Steinke asked Clark Public Utilities to partner with the City of Vancouver on their Climate Action Plan, invest in electric vehicle charging stations and more conservation.
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on the Build Back Better Plan, Washington State’s 2030 Emission Standards and Electric Vehicle Transportation.
If members of the public have provided the utility with written comments, copies of these comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of October 19, 2021
There were no changes.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated November 2, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $148,436,039.37
Water Revenue Fund – $715,691.56
Generating System Fund – $772,778.94
For a total of $16,924,509.87
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1426 and 1430
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1426 and 1430.
Resolution No. 7694 – LUD No. 1426 – 124th Street Properties
Resolution No. 7695 – LUD No. 1430 – Goldfinch Lane Townhomes
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7694 and 7695 be adopted and a public hearing was set for December 7, 2021 (Materials C).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1384, 1414 and 1429
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1384, 1414 and 1429.
Resolution No. 7696 – LUD No. 1384 – Heron Short Plat
Resolution No. 7697 – LUD No. 1414 – Robin’s Ridge Subdivision
Resolution No. 7698 – LUD No. 1429 – University Park at Salmon
Creek
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7696 – 7698 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Disposal of Surplus Vehicles & Equipment
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated November 2, 2021 (Materials E), which detailed the vehicles and equipment to be deemed surplus. Staff is recommending that the vehicles and equipment outlined be declared as surplus for disposal through a public auction sale with JJ Kane Auctioneers to be held on November 16, 2021. Commissioner Van Dyke moved to surplus vehicles and equipment to be auctioned by JJ Kane Auctioneers as presented on November 16, 2021. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of River Road Generating Plant Flexibility
Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland and Power Manager Steve Andersen presented the board with River Road Generation Plant flexibility options (Materials F). Mr. Toland reviewed the possible installation timeline along with the cost and benefits of the flex product. Mr. Andersen provided the board with examples of generation with the flex product installed, budget impacts and projected reduction in CO2 emissions. A full review of alternative resources was also presented to the board. Following the presentation, staff asked the board for approval to pursue the flexibility options.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved for approval for staff to pursue the technology to implement flexibility turndown capabilities at the River Road Generating Plant. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Clean Energy Implementation Plan Update
Energy Services Project Manager Matt Babbitts provided a review of Clark Public Utilities’ draft Clean Energy Implementation Plan (Materials G). Mr. Babbitts provided a timeline update for posting to the website and taking public comment. The draft plan will be available for public comment through December 3, 2021 and the finalized plan will be adopted by the board on December 21, 2021.
Review of Smart Energy Provider Designation by the American Public Power Association
Energy Services Manager Debbie DePetris reviewed with the board the criteria for the Smart Energy Provider Designation (Materials H). Clark Public Utilities applied for and received the designation in 2021 scoring 93, which is higher than the score in 2019. This designation remains in effect for two years; staff is expecting to score higher in 2023 with the inclusion of the Transportation Electrification Plan.
Introduction of 2022 Budget
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with a timeline for the 2022 budget process (Materials I).
September Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials J). September weather was warmer and wetter than normal. This resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. September residential sales were 105.7% of budget, commercial sales were 103.1% and industrial sales were 105.8% of budget. September ended with a net income of $115,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $395,000. Year-to-date net income is $22.8 million compared to a budgeted net income of $17.3 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date summary of conservation, Electric System and Generating System spending.
The Water System ended September with 803 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.8%. September ended with a net income of $1.0 million compared to a budgeted net income of $840,000. Year-to-date the net income is $5.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.7 million. Ms. Ankeny provided an update on Water System capital spending.
September Wholesale Operations
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials K). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month by 13 aMW and above budget forecast by 2 aMW. Loads were 22 aMW above budget as temperatures continue to be above average.
Mr. Haymaker provided the board with an update on the year-end water generation; it ended the year slightly below budgeted forecast for the second time in three years.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes, Malinowski and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Energy Northwest Public Power Forum.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided an update on accounts receivables during
COVID-19.
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 11:35 a.m.