Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
September 2, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, General Counsel John Eldridge, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti, Manager of Energy Services Debbie DePetris, Key Account Energy Solutions Manager Bill Hibbs, Key Account Manager Michael Wallace, Customer Service Manager Community Care/Credit Chiharu Russell, Program Coordinator – Energy Services Staci Henrichsen, Residential Planner Julie Jolma, Senior Construction Coordinator Deborah Kainu and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Commissioners and/or Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Vice President Sherry Erickson, Commissioner and Security Manager Greg Eckhart.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Don Steinke, Cathryn Chudy, Petrina Gee, Tom Gordan, John Rudat, Libby Rudat and Gordon Matthews.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Don Steinke provided comment on the draft Climate Action Plans for Oregon Metro and Washington State.
Cathryn Chudy provided comment on Clark Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Implementation Plan process and changes she would like to see implemented in the process.
Consideration of the Minutes of August 26, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated September 2, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $5,697,426.59
Water Revenue Fund – $437,995.07
Generating System Fund – $244,497.99
For a total of $6,379,919.65
Employee Service Award
Director of Engineering Cal Morris recognized Residential Planner Julie Jolma with 30 Years of Service and Senior Construction Coordinator Deborah Kainu with 25 Years of Service (Materials D).
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1497 and 1502
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1497 and 1502
Resolution No. 7900 – LUD No. 1497 – Legacy Village II
Resolution No. 7901 – LUD No. 1502 – Prairie Glen
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7900 and 7901 be adopted and a public hearing was set for October 7, 2025 (Materials E).
Consideration of Uncollectable Debt First Half 2025
Customer Service Manager Community Care/Credit Chiharu Russell provided the board with an overview of the uncollectable accounts for the first half of 2025 (Materials F). Net losses to revenue are up from last year and recoveries are up slightly from last year. Ms. Russell requested approval to charge $985,031 to uncollectable accounts for the first half of 2025.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to charge $985,031 to uncollectable accounts for the first half of 2025, Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
July Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials G). The weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off-system sales being above budget. July residential sales were 112.6% of budget, commercial sales were 98.2% and industrial sales were 89.2% of budget. July ended the month with a net income loss of $993,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $390,000 for a year-to-date net income of $19.2 million compared to a budgeted year-to-date net income of $8.0 million.
The Water System ended July with 431 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.77%. July ended with a net income of $1.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $956,000 for a year-to-date net income of $770,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $803,000.
July Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials H). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that July Slice generation was 37 aMW below budget and loads in July were 21 aMW above budget. July Slice production was 151 aMW, 24% less than the budget of 188 aMW and 2% less than The Energy Authority forecast of 154 aMW.
Combine Hills I generation was 7.8 aMW, which was 33% less than the budgeted 11.6 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 39% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 18.1 aMW, 4% higher than the budgeted 17.5 aMW, and generation was 0 MW approximately 31% of all hours.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes, Van Dyke and Erickson all attended the Washington Public Agencies Group meeting. Commissioner Erickson provided a recap of the meeting.
Commissioner Van Dyke encouraged staff to read the Up to Good article on the utility’s tree trimming department.
Staff Reports
Key Accounts Manager Michael Wallace provided the board with a recap of the Commercial/Industrial Lighting Incentive Program.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:26 a.m.