Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 15, 2019
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, October 15, 2019.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke and Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Water Doug Quinn, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker, Human Resources Manager Nichole Reitzenstein, Senior Legal Counsel John Eldridge, Civil Water Engineer Barry Lovingood, Customer Service Manager Robert Hill, Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Press Representatives: None
Others Present: Sam Wick, Patty Page, Rick Marshall, Terry Oliver (Materials A)
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Barnes noted a quorum was present and the agenda (Materials B) was approved as submitted.
Consideration of the Minutes of October 1, 2019
There were no changes or 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 October 15, 2019 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $6,230,375.47
Water Revenue Fund – $238,055.67
Generating System Fund – $173,518.61
For a total of $6,641,949.75
Consideration of Bid Award No. 582 – Paradise Point Water System and Well House 1&4 Construction
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated October 15, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Malinowski moved to recommend that Bid No. 582 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Cat Works, LLC., in the amount of $1,230,001.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 585 – Enterprise Substation: Feeder Getaways
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated October 15, 2019, detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend that Bid No. 585 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Magnum Power, LLC., in the amount of $440,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Transfer of Uncollectable Accounts
Manager of Customer Service Robert Hill presented an overview of uncollectable debt for the first half of 2019 (Materials F). Mr. Hill stated the percentage of net losses from closed accounts to revenue is .32% for the first half of 2019. Net losses to revenue are up slightly from last year’s historic low. The utility continues to compare favorably across the industry in regard to account delinquency.
Following the presentation, Commissioner Malinowski moved to transfer $819,189 to uncollectable debt for the first half of 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution to Update the District’s Power Supply Risk Management Policy
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny and Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker reviewed the proposed update to the district’s Power Supply Risk Management Policy (Materials G). The policy was last updated in 2013 and the changes bring the policy in line with current practices.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to update the district’s power supply risk management policy as presented and to repeal any motion or resolution in conflict with the updated policy. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at Dean Dahlin’s memorial service.
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council meetings and the Resource Adequacy symposium.
Staff Reports
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker provided the board with a summary of the Resource Adequacy Symposium.
Director of Operations Gene Morris reported on his attendance at the recent Western Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee meeting.
Public Comment
Member of the public Patty Page asked the commission to take a bigger stand on climate change and have less concern for keeping rates low. Ms. Page asked that the utility update our website to make access to commission meeting information easier to find.
Member of the public Rick Marshall provided comments on our low income customers’ inability to pay their bills and the energy inefficiency of housing for low income folks in Clark County.
The board thanked both members of the public for the comments and for attending the meeting.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:47 a.m.