Thursday, March 28, 2024

Douglas County Public Utility District - Dec. 14 meeting

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EAST WENATCHEE - Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Ronald E. Skagen and Aaron J. Viebrock executed the following actions during the Dec. 14 Commission meeting held at the District's East Wenatchee office:
Closed the budget hearing for the Distribution System and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2021.
Opened bids under bid document 20-26-W, 2021-2022 heavy equipment services for the Wells Hydroelectric Project. The bids will be evaluated prior to a recommendation for contract award.
Heard bid opening results for bid documents 20-24-D, Supply and Deliver 144 Count 600ft Span ADSS Fiber Optic Cable; 20-25-D, Supply and Deliver 144 Count Squirrel and Fire Resistant ADSS Fiber Optic Cable and 20-12-W, Rebuild the Limitorque Fish Ladder Collection Chamber Entrance Gate Operators at the Wells Hydroelectric Project. All bids will be evaluated prior to a recommendation for contract awards.
Awarded and recognized promotion of Assistant Manager – Natural Resources and Dam Safety Shane Bickford with his twenty-five year service award. Commissioner Simpson thanked Shane on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his years of service. Shane thanked the Commission and said "It has been humbling to be able to work on complex and challenging projects. I appreciate the District entrusting these projects to me and I am looking forward to the next chapter."
• Adopted the 2021 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 $14.4 million. The capital budget is $41.6 million, of which $21.3 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.
• Adopted the 2021 Wells Project Operating Expense Budget which totals $50.9 million. The Capital Budget totals $40.7 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, 450T gantry crane replacement, recreation action plan items, fire protection system upgrade (Phase 2), and generator circuit breaker replacements.
• Approved the Environmental Reviews for the 2021 Distribution System Capital Budget and the 2021 Wells Hydroelectric Project Operating, Capital and Extraordinary Expense Budget.
• Authorized a legal services agreement with the law firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn and Aylward, P.S. Effective January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2022.
• Approved acceptance of work and final payment to Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC for the first year under contract 19-04-D, provide Distribution tree trimming services. All work is complete and determined to meet bid specifications. (20-218)
• Authorized change order No. 1 to contract 20-18-D, supply and deliver 115 kV and 230 kV instrument transformers to Lincoln Rock Switchyard. Due to design changes, an additional set of transformers are required which increases the not-to-exceed cost $21,270.
• Approved change order No. 1 to contract 20-19-D, supply and deliver 230 kV and 115 kV breakers to Lincoln Rock Switchyard.  Due to design changes, one of the 230 kV breakers originally requested is not needed which reduces the not-to-exceed cost $98,752.50.
• Authorized a request for qualifications 20-31-D, professional engineering services for General Civil Engineering Services. The District has project specific needs for general civil engineering work related to the transmission and distribution systems which include roadway and site design.
• Approved change order No. 90 to contract 06-41-W, generator rebuild for unit refurbishment for the Wells Hydroelectric Project. This change incorporates the additional base work necessary for units 6-10. This will increase the contract $2,500,944 for the 6th unit and bring the total not-to-exceed amount to $215,207,284. (20-222)
• Authorized award of contract 20-01-W, replace battery bank 2 at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to Olsson Industrial Electric.
• Affirmed addendum No. 1 to bid document 20-27-W, 2021-2022, forebay debris removal services for the Wells Hydroelectric Project. The addendum adds a crane and barge to the bid schedule and extends the bid opening date two weeks.
• Approved professional service agreement 20-21-W, professional land survey and land use consulting services to 48 Degrees North LLC.
• Authorized professional service agreement 20-22-W, engineering services, Wells Project recreation facilities with Pacific Engineering and Design, PLLC.
• Approved professional service agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for on-call archaeological services. The District has a continuing need for technical assistance in the management of Wells Hydroelectric Project archaeological resources. The three year agreement is not-to-exceed $75,000.
• Authorized professional service agreement with Anchor QEA, LLC for HCP Policy and Coordinating Committees Chairperson and administrative services and reporting for all HCP Committees including the HCP Annual Report. This two year contract is not-to-exceed $190,000.
• Approved professional service agreement with Columbia Research Specialists, LLC for white sturgeon monitoring and evaluation. Necessary to implement the White Sturgeon Management Plan as required by the Aquatic Settlement Agreement. This two year agreement is not-to-exceed $167,580.
• Authorized professional service agreement with the Okanagan Nation Alliance for the operational deployment and assessment of the Okanagan Fish Water Management Tool as required by the Wells HCP. This three year agreement is not-to-exceed $810,000.
• Approved a request for proposals 20-32-W, customer website redesign.
• Authorized agreement with North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) in the amount of $34,401.17 for the 2020-2021 school year.  In effect since 1988, agreements between Douglas PUD and NCESD have been established to provide educational curriculum for every kindergarten through fifth grade student in Douglas County.  Classes pertain to electrical generation, electric distribution, conservation, safety and wise use of water resources. This funding also provides for fourth grader participation in the River of Power program.
• Approved use of Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for employees retiring in 2021.  This allows the deposit of a percentage of the employee's accrued personal leave at retirement into the HRA-VEBA.
• Authorized an employee assistance program agreement with KEPRO Acquisitions, Inc. For several years Douglas PUD has offered the service of an Employee Assistance Program to all employees and their immediate families.  The cost to Douglas PUD is $3.49 per employee per month.
• Approved engagement letters with Cordell, Neher & Company for deferred compensation plan administration.
• Authorized District purchase of pollution legal liability insurance with Markel.
• Approved the renewal of excess liability insurance coverage with AEGIS Insurance Services and Energy Insurance Mutual.
• Authorized renewal of general liability and automobile insurance coverage with Everest National Insurance Company and Markel American Insurance Company.
• Renewed aviation insurance for unmanned aircraft systems with Global Aerospace.
• Authorized land use permit 57A-03 and Railroad Permit RR 57-09, Chad and Carrie Stalder. The permit is for use of Project lands for existing boat dock, gangplank, buoy , lawn and landscaping. (20-240)
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 28, at the District's East Wenatchee Office. The District Office is closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 guidance from Governor Inslee. To comply with the Open Public Meetings act, a conference phone line number will be provided at the top of the Draft Agenda posted on our website under Latest News the Friday before the meeting.
 
 

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