Thursday, March 28, 2024

Valencia and Sorensen elected to Manson Community Council

Council hears from PUD

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MANSON – Due to the Holiday season soon approaching, the Manson Community Council met on Dec. 11, the same day as voting took place for the two positions open on council.

During the last meeting of the year, it was announced who will be joining the council in 2019.

After the community cast their votes and such were counted, Vice Chair Kathy Blum informed those in attendance that Jorge Valencia and Kari Sorensen were elected by the community to represent them in the council.

Valencia was running for re-election and with his win, he will be part of the council for another two years. On the other hand, Sorensen will be a brand new member and will take part in the council starting in January of 2019.

During the time being, the current members, heard updates on Chelan PUD’s strategic process and upcoming efforts in 2019 from Managing Director Justin Erickson.

Erickson mentioned that the starting strategic plan was adopted in 2015, that night he reviewed key metrics with the council and went ahead an described what is next for PUD based on what they have identified so far.

As a review, he went over the goals of the 2015 strategic plan. One of them being reducing debt by 35 percent, which they have met. “We have made a lot of progress in the last four years paying off debt, which is extremely important,” he said.

The plan also focused on investing in assets and people. Erickson mentioned that PUD faced some challenges when they uncovered signs of wear on some of their facilities. “What we know is that we have a lot of work to do … we will continue those efforts,” explained Erickson.

At the same time a public power benefit program was started, “primary investment has been in expanding broadband service, providing park passes for customer owners and investing in hydro research.” PUD has also been dealing with rapidly evolving industries such as cryptocurrency in the last four years.

**  Erickson highlighted some important key metrics. “Rates have remaintained constant the last seven years … rates are three times lower than the state average and the U.S. average.”

PUD also surveyed customers to get feedback on their customer satisfaction in the Spring of 2018, “we had 97 overall satisfaction rate, compared to two years ago which was 92 percent,” said Erickson.

He also informed that the PUD Board of Commissioners has been very active looking at the mission, vision and values of PUD and minor updates have been done to such.

Up next, PUD will explore key questions regarding topics such as rates, Rock Island relicensing/early action, wholesale vs. retail marketing, growth, aesthetics and the public power benefit program with the community and customers. Towards the summer of 2019, the goal is finalize the strategic plan.

In other business, the council approved to write a letter of support for the Manson Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is looking into purchasing two electronic speed radar signs which collect data from drivers for Manson. According to councilmember Kathy Miller the Chamber asked for a letter to be send to the County. The signs will cost $5,499 each.

The council also agreed on drafting a letter which will be send off to the county planning director and county commissioners inviting them to attend a Manson Community Council meeting. Chris Willoughby will be writing the letter as asked by the rest of the members.

On January 8,2019 the Manson Community Council along with Klate Road neighbors will be hosting an informational meeting regarding the Master Planned Resort 'Antheia of Chelan - Magic Earth' planned for Manson’s rural neighborhoods. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Manson Grange Hall, 157 Wapato Road. All Lake Chelan Valley residents are welcome to attend.
 




 

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