Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 20, 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, October 20, 2020.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Jim Malinowski, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, 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 Water Doug Quinn, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Emergency Coordination Manager Ben Feliz and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke 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 6, 2020
There were no changes.
Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on Clark Public Utilities obligation to acquire all cost-effective energy conservation.
Member of the public Rick Marshal provided comment on Clark Public Utilities’ expansion of the Opower program, using local renewables and backup generation for resiliency and his recent tour of the Vancouver Innovation Center.
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 October 20, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $20,514,586.56
Water Revenue Fund – $568,030.93
Generating System Fund – $712,758.83
For a total of $21,795,376.32
Consideration of Public Power Council Bylaws Vote
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler shared with the board that the utility will be required to cast their vote regarding the proposed changes to the Public Power Council bylaws on November 5, 2020 at their Annual Meeting. Following discussion amongst the Commissioners, Commissioner Malinowski moved for Clark Public Utilities to vote no on the proposed changes to the Public Power Council bylaws, Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion. Commissioners Malinowski and Van Dyke voted in favor of the motion and Commissioner Barnes voted to oppose the motion. With a vote of 2-1 the motion passed.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 603 – Utility Tree Trimming
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated October 20, 2020, detailing the bid results (Materials C). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 603 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Asplundh Tree Expert Co. for the 3-year contract amount totaling $5,534,095.20 based on the estimated total hourly charges for the crews and equipment required per year, plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Business Continuity Plan Update
Emergency Coordination Manager Ben Feliz provided the board with an update about the utility’s emergency management and utility resiliency plan. Mr. Feliz shared the developments to address the immediate challenges associated with the pandemic, outages and other emergencies, as well as long-term preparation for future events of varying sizes.
The Board thank Mr. Feliz for the work he and his team have done to be sure the utility is prepared for any emergency. Commissioner Malinowski encouraged him to continue to develop the relationship with CRESA to ensure fluid information sharing regarding emergencies of all sizes and locations.
Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1401 and 1402
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1401 and 1402.
Resolution No. 7625 – LUD No. 1401 – Hockinson Brook
Resolution No. 7626 – LUD No. 1402 – Orchards Hideaway
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7625 and 7626 be adopted and a public hearing was set for November 17, 2020 (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1381, 1382, 1393, 1394, 1396 and 1399
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1381, 1382, 1393, 1394, 1396 and 1399.
Resolution No. 7627 – LUD No. 1381 – Austin Heritage PUD PH 5
Resolution No. 7628 – LUD No. 1382 – Austin Heritage PUD PH 2
Resolution No. 7629 – LUD No. 1393 – 58th Avenue Infill Short Plat
Resolution No. 7630 – LUD No. 1394 – NE 12th Avenue
Resolution No. 7631 – LUD No. 1396 – 25th Avenue Subdivision
Resolution No. 7632 – LUD No. 1399 – 87th Avenue Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Malinowski, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 1381, 1382, 1393, 1394, 1396 and 1399 be adopted. (Materials E).
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Columbia Springs Board Meeting.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Washington PUD Association Education Committee meeting.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the accounts receivables through the month of August (Materials F).
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 10:31 a.m.