Commissioner Viebrock, Lisa Keane, Commissioner Simpson, Commissioner Skagen
Meaghan Vibbert
Public Information Officer
(509) 881-2221
News Release – December 13, 2021
Douglas County PUD Commissioners Aaron J. Viebrock, Molly Simpson and Ronald E Skagen executed the following actions during the December 13, 2021 Commission meeting held at the District’s East Wenatchee office:
Reviewed bid opening results for Bid Document 21-56-D, control and relay panels for Urban Industrial Substation. All bids will be reviewed prior to recommendation for contract award.
Affirmed change order No. 2 to contract 21-10-D, supply and deliver tubular steel poles for the Lincoln Rock Switchyard. This change decreased the number of anchor bolt cages resulting in a credit of $3,224 and a time extension to December 6, 2021. (21-204)
Approved acceptance of work and final payment to MICA Steelworks, Inc. under contract 21-10-D, supply and deliver tubular steel poles for the Lincoln Rock Switchyard. All work is complete and determined to meet bid specifications. (21-205)
Authorized a call for bids under Bid Document 21-51-D, fiber optic cable installation – unit price contract. Due to high demand for broadband connections, contract crews are necessary to complete the work in a timely fashion. (21-206)
Approved a call for bids under Bid Document 22-08-W, construction of Methow Hatchery residence. Necessary to house staff working at the hatchery. (21-207)
Awarded contract 21-56-D, control and relay panels for Urban Industrial Substation to Crown Texas, Inc. the lowest responsive bidder. (21-208)
Approved renewal of general liability and automobile insurance with Everest National Insurance Company and Markel American Insurance Company. (21-209)
Renewed aviation insurance for unmanned aircraft systems with Global Aerospace. (21-210)
Authorized District purchase of pollution legal liability insurance with Markel. (21-211)
Approved the renewal of excess liability insurance coverage with AEGIS Insurance Services and Energy Insurance Mutual. (21-212)
Declared meter reading devices to be surplus and authorize return to Itron for credit. The equipment is no longer useful to District operations. (21-213)
Authorized Railroad Permit RR 57-10, Erik and Robyn Saathoff. The permit is for use of Columbia Cascade Railroad Right of Way. (21-214)
Approved engagement letters with Cordell, Neher & Company for deferred compensation plan administration. (21-215)
Closed the budget hearing for the Distribution System and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2022.
Opened the public hearing to accept input on the Clean Energy Implementation Plan. No public comment was received. The hearing was closed.
Awarded Lisa Keane, Confidential Secretary with her twenty year service award. Commissioner Viebrock thanked Lisa on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for her years of service. Lisa thanked the commission and said “It’s been awesome. I enjoy working here with all the nice people.”
Approved a professional service agreement with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the 2022 HCP hatchery monitoring and evaluation (M&E) implementation program. The Wells Habitat Conservation Plan requires the development and annual implementation of an M&E plan for the District’s hatchery programs. The agreement is not to exceed $1,069,242 and will conclude December 31, 2022. (21-216)
Approved a professional service agreement with Donnor Inc. DBA Badger Mountain Productions. Douglas PUD has a need to document District activities on an ongoing basis. (21-217)
Authorized a professional service agreement with The DOH Associates, PS under RFQ 22-01-W, general architectural services. (21-218)
Adopted the 2022 Distribution System budget which includes a previously approved 3% increase in KWH charge for the highest two usage tiers of the General Service schedule (over 25,000 KWH). Data Centers will see a 5% increase January 1 and July 1 and Cryptocurrency customers a 10% increase January 1 and July 1 for their rate schedules. Working capital is expected to decrease $35 million. The capital budget is $100 million, of which $57 million is for electrical facilities. The balance of capital spending is for the Hydrogen Project, improvements and new connections to the Douglas County Community Network and new equipment. (21-219)
Adopted the 2022 Wells Project Revenue Budget estimate is equal to the Operating Expense Budget at $54 million. The preliminary Capital Budget totals $38 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, 450T Gantry Crane replacement, Motor Control Center replacement, GUS Transformer replacement and Governor Controls upgrade. (21-220)
Approved the Environmental Reviews for the 2022 Distribution System Capital Budget and the 2022 Wells Hydroelectric Project Operating, Capital and Extraordinary Expense Budget. (21-221)
Authorized use of Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for employees retiring in 2022. This allows the deposit of a percentage of the employee’s accrued personal leave at retirement into the HRA-VEBA. (21-222)
Heard a report on the Douglas County Community Network. The network currently has 6,936 end users.
The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. December 20, 2021 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.