Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
November 3, 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, November 3, 2020.
Present: Commission President Jane Van Dyke, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via digital conference (phone or video): Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Mike Harris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Mark Gassaway – Clark County Director of Finance, Larry Stafford – Clark County Audit Manager, Don Steinke, Cathryn Chudy 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 October 20, 2020
There were no changes.
Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on preparing for increased Electric Vehicle use for residential and commercial fleet in Clark County. He also encouraged utility outreach to commercial and industrial customer to discuss conservation.
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy provided comment regarding her opposition to nuclear power and the use of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
Copies of written public comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated November 3, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $4,612,919.18
Water Revenue Fund – $471,842.15
Generating System Fund – $222,936.86
For a total of $5,307,698.19
Consideration of Emergency Community Response Extension
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reviewed the memo dated November 3, 2020 (Materials C) requesting board approval to extend the temporary guidelines for the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through December 31, 2020.
Commissioner Barnes moved to extend the Emergency Community Response measures under the Operation Warm Heart, Senior Rate Credit and Guarantee of Service programs through December 31, 2020. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Interlocal with Clark County for Distribution of CARES Act Funding
Customer Experience Manager Cameron Daline reviewed with the board the planned interlocal agreement with Clark County (Materials D). Clark Public Utilities requested CARES Act funding from Clark County to disperse to our customers who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. The interlocal agreement makes up to $4.0 million available that must be distributed by November 30, 2020. Mr. Daline shared that 32,000 active customers have eligible past due balances and the grant per account would be their past due balance not to exceed $500 per account.
Commissioner Barnes moved to authorize CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler to sign the interlocal agreement with Clark County to assist customer’s experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
September Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials E). September was warmer and wetter than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales above budget. September residential sales were 110.8% of budget, commercial sales were 95.5% and industrial sales were 93.8% of budget. September ended with net income of $887,000 compared to a budgeted net income of $1.3 million. Year-to-date net income is $24 million compared to a budgeted net income of $17.9 million.
Ms. Ankeny provided a year-to-date update on the utility’s conservation spending.
The Water System ended September with 698 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.48%. September ended with net income of 1.0 million, compared to a budgeted net income of $869,000. Year-to-date net income is $1.9 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.5 million.
September Wholesale Operations
Manager of Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker addressed the board (Materials F). Mr. Haymaker updated the board on power supply noting that Slice performed below prompt month and budget forecast by 8 aMW. The 2020 water year ended in September at 96% of normal water and annual slice generation was in line with water. Power and gas prices showed extensive volatility early in the month.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Energy Northwest Forum, Key Accounts Forum and the Columbia River Economic Development Council meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with a 2021 budget timeline (Materials G).
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 10:47 p.m.