Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
September 15, 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, September 15, 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 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, Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander, ComCare Manager Chiharu Russell 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 September 1, 2020
There were no changes.
Public Comment
Member of the public Don Steinke provided comment on building and transportation electrification. Mr. Steinke also encouraged the board to increase staff to be prepared for load growth in the coming years.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated September 15, 2020 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $6,960,849.35
Water Revenue Fund – $247,789.18
Generating System Fund – $443,573.66
For a total of $7,652,212.19
Consideration of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1381, 1382, 1393, 1394, 1396 and 1399.
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1381, 1382, 1393, 1394, 1396 and 1399.
Resolution No. 7613 – LUD No. 1381 – Austin Heritage PUD PH 5
Resolution No. 7614 – LUD No. 1382 – Austin Heritage PUD PH 2
Resolution No. 7615 – LUD No. 1393 – 58th Avenue Infill Short Plat
Resolution No. 7616 – LUD No. 1394 – NE 12th Avenue
Resolution No. 7617 – LUD No. 1396 – 25th Avenue Subdivision
Resolution No. 7618 – 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 Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7613 – 7618 be adopted and a public hearing was set for October 20, 2020 (Materials C).
Consideration of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1389, 1392 and 1397
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1389, 1392 and 1397.
Resolution No. 7619 – LUD No. 1389 – Meadows at Heritage Place
Resolution No. 7620 – LUD No. 1392 – Minnehaha Meadows PH 2
Resolution No. 7621 – LUD No. 1397 – Miller Flats
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. 7619 – 7621 be adopted. (Materials D).
Consideration of Energy Assistance Program Resolution Updates
Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander presented an overview of the current Energy Assistance Programs and utilization details for this past year (Materials D).
Following the presentation, staff recommended making the following updates by plan to better meet the needs of our customers in the current community emergency. Operation Warm Heart – Amend the program to follow the heating season of October through September, adjust the program eligibility to 200% of Federal Poverty Level and set the program benefit to $500 per household. Senior Rate Credit – Allow for auto renewal for eligible customers annually, re-verification every four years and implementation of a standard benefit calculation when usage history cannot be calculated. Guarantee of Service Program – Lower the payment calculation to 6% of household income.
Commissioner Barnes moved to update the Operation Warm Heart Program Resolution to follow the heating season of October through September. Ability to amend the program eligibility and benefit to meet the needs of the community and available budget by adjusting the program eligibility from 150% to 200% of Federal Poverty Level and the program benefit from $300 to $500 per household. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to update the Senior Rate Credit Resolution to allow for auto renewal for eligible customers annually and only require re-verification once every four years. Implement a standard benefit calculation to apply the average benefit from the prior years when the usage history cannot be determined. Commission Barnes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barnes moved to update the Guarantee of Service Program Resolution to lower the payment from 9% to 6% of household income to increase completion of the program. Commissioner Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Columbia Springs Board Meeting.
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Northwest Power Pool Resource Adequacy Webinar.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the Public Power Council and Northwest Power and Conservation Council Meeting.
Commissioners Barnes and Van Dyke both reported on their attendance at the Northwest Public Power Association Annual Meeting. Specifically noting how much they appreciated and enjoyed CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler’s participation in the CEO Panel discussion.
Commissioner Van Dyke thanked utility employees that participated in the recent storm efforts, it was a large event and our employees worked diligently to take care of our customers and get powered restored as quickly and as safely as possible.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board with an overview of the accounts receivables through the month of August (Materials F).
Director of Operations Gene Morris provided a summary of the recent storm event.
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 10:29 a.m.