Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
September 6, 2022
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, September 2022.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Jim Malinowski Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, General Counsel John Eldridge, Community Engagement Specialist Morgan Van Fleet, Engineering Manager – Water Russ Knutson and Training and Development Manager Gretchen Alexander, Power Manager Steve Andersen and Assistant to the CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti and Director of Water Doug Quinn, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland and Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker.
Others present via digital conference (phone or video) or in person: Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Rick Marshall, Jeff Fuller, Bryan Kast and Peter Harrison.
Press representatives: None
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and noted a quorum was present. Commissioner Barnes noted an Executive Session would be held after staff reports to discuss potential litigation and the agenda was approved with that addition. (Materials A).
Public Comment
The following represents a brief summary of comments made by members of the public in attendance:
Rick Marshall shared his thoughts on the Utility’s transition to clean energy and the importance of using what he referred to as fact based analysis on the value of the River Road Generating Plant.
Peter Harrison shared his thoughts on what he considers difficult choices for the Utility regarding future energy purchases to meet clean energy standards.
If members of the public have provided written comments, copies of these comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of August 23, 2022
There were no changes.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated September 9, 2022 from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $8,376,825.15
Water Revenue Fund – $194,375.16
Generating System Fund – $528,906.69
For a total of $6,100,107.00
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1427 and 1434
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1427 and 1434.
Resolution No. 7734 – LUD No. 1427 – Lauren’s Landing Short Plat
Resolution No. 7735 – LUD No. 1434 – Woodbrook PH 1A & 1B
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 Malinowski, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7734 and 7735 be adopted and a public hearing was set for October 4, 2022 (Materials D).
Consideration of Safe Stay Program Update
Director of Communications Erica Erland provided the board with an update on the Utility’s contribution to the City of Vancouver’s first Safe Stay homeless community. Clark Public Utilities’ funding for the single location, approved as a pilot project for a potential community assistance program, was $20,000 back in December of 2021.To date the City has used $11,000 of that funding and predicts using an additional $4,000 by year-end. The City would like to use the remaining funds to help support a second Safe Stay site and Ms. Erland requested approval to allocate the funds toward eligible expenses at the other location.
Commissioner Malinowski moved to allow the City of Vancouver to use any remaining funds from the allotted $20,000 towards electric expenses at the second Safe Stay location. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Amendments to The Energy Authority Resource Management Agreement/Review of The Energy Authority Management Services
Manager of Energy Planning and Operations Tom Haymaker reviewed the presentation (Materials D) that outlined the changing staffing responsibilities in Energy Resources and how they aligned with The Energy Authority (TEA) and our Resources Management Agreement.
Mr. Haymaker worked with The Energy Authority to update the Resources Management Agreement to add the following elements.
• Power and gas forward term trading will transfer to TEA with Clark Public Utilities retaining the option to term trade if necessary.
• TEA to assume role as enabling agreement developer and operational manager
• Clark Public Utilities will utilize TEA’s operation capacities in counterparty credit rise monitoring services
• Clark Public Utilities will be set up for financial trading using TEA as agent while Clark Public Utilities retains options to trade financial products if deemed necessary
All transactions have had successful trial periods prior to presentation to the board, and staff is recommending changes to the Clark Public Utilities and TEA Resources Management Agreement and Clark Public Utilities Risk Documents be completed before October 1, 2022.
The board thanked Mr. Haymaker for the presentation and the work on continuing the good working relationship with TEA. Commissioner Van Dyke moved to authorize the CEO/General Manager to sign the amended TEA Resources Management Agreement as presented, Commission Malinowski seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
July Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials F). July weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off system sales coming in above budget. July residential sales were 118.5% of budget, commercial sales were 101.1% and industrial sales were 104% of budget. July ended with a net income of $4.6 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.4 million. Year-to-date net income is $26.2 million compared to a budgeted net income of $4.9 million.
The Water System ended July with 515 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 2.24%. July ended with a net income loss of $543,000 compared to a budgeted loss of $105,000. Year-to-date net income loss is $1.6 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $1.5 million.
July Wholesale Operations
Power Manager Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that Slice generation was 64 aMW above budget and loads in July were 52 aMW above budget.
River Road Generating Plant was was off line July 1-6 and was off line for a planned outage July 13-14.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Malinowski reported on his attendance at the Energy Northwest meetings.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at a Department of Commerce meeting that addressed the Clean Energy Transportation Act.
Commissioners Van Dyke and Barnes reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council meetings.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny provided the board a timeline for the Energy and Generating Systems upcoming bond sale.
The meeting was recessed into executive session at 11:05 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) – to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency in matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation.
Commissioner Barnes reconvened the public meeting at 11:48 a.m.
Public Comment
There were no additional public comments.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.