Meaghan Vibbert
Public Information Officer
(509) 881-2221
News Release – February 13, 2023
Douglas County PUD Commissioners Ronald E. Skagen, Aaron J. Viebrock and Molly Simpson executed the following actions during the February 13, 2023 Commission meeting held at the District’s East Wenatchee office:
Awarded Dan Gerber, Power Operations Programmer with his twenty-five year service award. Commissioner Skagen thanked Dam on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his years of service. He thanked the Commission and talked about various roles he has had at the utility. “It goes fast! I have a great career here. I’m thankful for the opportunity, it’s a blessing.”
Reviewed the bid opening results for Bid Document 22-62-D, construct the Douglas to Urban Industrial 230kV tie. All bids are evaluated prior to a recommendation for contract award.
Approved amendment No. 2 to Master Consulting Agreement 20-20-W, professional engineering support for the Generator Rebuild and Unit Refurbishment at the Wells Hydroelectric Project with Stantec. Necessary to cover the cost of doing business, this adjusts the rates of the contract as allowed. (23-022)
Authorized acceptance of work and final payment to KRCI under contract 20-27-W, 2021-2022 forebay debris removal services for the Wells Hydroelectric Project. All work is complete and determined to meet bid specifications. (23-023)
Approved acceptance of work and final payment to Garco/WEMCO under contract 21-57-W, Unit 7 spillway and gate repair at the Wells Hydroelectric Project. All work is complete and determined to meet bid specifications. (23-024)
Authorized change order No. 1 to contract 22-06-D, rebuild and reconductor Rocky Reach to Chelan Falls No. 1 phase 2. Equipment specifications and remobilization charges were added due to late arrival of materials at an increased cost of $36,217. (23-025)
Approved acceptance of work and final payment to Toshiba America Energy Systems under contract 22-44-W, rehabilitate Unit 5 trashracks at the Wells Hydroelectric Project. All work is complete and determined to meet bid specifications. (23-026)
Authorized award of contract 22-62-D, construct the Douglas to Urban Industrial 230kV tie to Wilson Construction Company, the lowest responsive bidder. (23-027)
Approved a call for bids under Bid Document 23-12-D, transmission and distribution dock crew. The 2023-2024 construction schedule calls for electrical and communication work which our District crews may not be able to complete in addition to their normal operating and maintenance activities. (23-028)
Authorized a call for bids under Bid Document 23-15-D, supply and deliver compact 1100 kcmil EPR Primary Underground Cable. Necessary for upcoming project and inventory. (23-029)
Approved amendment No. 1 to Professional Service Agreement for support on telemetry studies with LGL Limited. This will extend the contract three years to March 31, 2026. (23-030)
Approved land use permit 311E-02, Betty Jensen. The permit is for use of Project lands for existing stairs, access path, dock, bulkhead, lawn and landscaping. (23-031)
Authorized land use permit 333-02, James and Michelle Bearden. The permit is for use of Project lands for existing stairs, access path, fence, lawn and landscaping. (23-032)
Approved land use permit 491-02, Ricard and Suzan Turner. The permit is for use of Project lands for existing access path and landscaping. (23-033)
Authorized land use permit 679-03 (661), Tabatha Brownfield. The permit is for use of Project lands for existing irrigation pump and inlet. (23-034)
Approved renewal of non-owned aircraft liability insurance with Starr Aviation. (23-035)
Authorized purchase of ADSS tracking resistant fiber cable for the 230kV line from Irby Electrical Utilities which provided the lowest quote. (23-036)
Approved professional service agreement 23-04-W, with Columbia Research Specialists, LLC for Pikeminnow Removal. The three-year contract is in compliance with the Wells Habitat Conservation Plan. (23-037)
Authorized a professional service agreement with The DOH Associates, PS under RFQ 22-26-D, construction management of Hydrogen Facilities. The contract is not to exceed $800,000 and will expire December 31, 2024. (23-038)
Approved request for qualifications 23-13-W, Bathymetric Survey and ROV Inspection of Wells Dam as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (23-039)
Authorized Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with Energy Northwest for specialty, technical and or professional services as requested and Work Release Order No. 1. Energy Northwest is organizing utilities to provide a participant based Public Power Funding Program focused on pursuing federal and state grant funding. This agreement will not exceed $7,453.94 and will expire February 29, 2024. (23-040)
Declared Cummins Inc. a sole source for hydrogen electrolyzer equipment. Due to the unique compact design of the Cummins electrolyzer, it would be unrealistic and costly to use another manufacturer’s electrolyzer design for this specific building structure. The District will purchase of a second 5MW electrolyzer to advance the green hydrogen project into phase two. (See press release here) (23-041)
Authorized renewal of professional service agreement with Marsh USA Inc. for insurance brokerage services through December 31, 2025. (23-042)
Heard a report on the Douglas County Community Network. The network currently has 7,632 end users.
The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 13, 2023 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.