Natalie Asher

The meeting addressed several resolutions and reports. Key actions included the approval of resolutions to declare a Honda Big Red UTV surplus and authorize its trade-in (Resolution No. 25-098), and to renew aviation insurance for unmanned aircraft systems (Resolution No. 25-099). The Board adopted resolutions authorizing the acquisition of an easement from the Marker Estate (Resolution No. 25-100) and a Professional Service Agreement with 48 North, LLC, for land surveying services (Resolution No. 25-101). Additionally, Contract 25-32-W-BID was affirmed with WEMCO for Gantry Crane Fall Protection (Resolution No. 25-102), and Amendment No. 4 to a Professional Service Agreement with Schnabel Engineering, LLC, was authorized (Resolution No. 25-103). The Board approved the transfer of uncollectible delinquent accounts totaling $190 to the Reserve for Uncollectible Accounts. Financial and compliance reports were reviewed, including the Internal Audit Report (July-September 2025), FERC and NERC Compliance Reports, and various Financial and Statistical/Budget Reports for October and November 2025. An electrical disturbance report from December 3rd was discussed, and the Board was informed of receiving the first IRA tax refund of $401,573 related to EV charging projects. Finally, approval was granted for subsequent trips.

The Board approved a consent agenda including vouchers and bid results for Overhead ACSR Conductor, leading to the award of Contract 25-38-D-BID to American Wire Group, LLC, and affirmed a change order to Contract 21-44-W-BID. Public comment included discussion regarding an email encouraging fiber network upgrades to support multi-gig services and a letter thanking the District for storm outage support. A new Information Systems Support Specialist was introduced, and an Executive Assistant received her 20-year service award. Resolutions were adopted authorizing an amendment to a Professional Service Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. and adjustments to Customer Service Policies Rate Schedule 4. The Board authorized the transfer of uncollectible delinquent accounts to reserve and appointed representatives to various trade organizations, renewing memberships in NWPPA, Northwest RiverPartners, and WPUDA. A preliminary report on an electrical disturbance was reviewed. Following a discussion on a generator interconnection request, the Board instituted an indefinite moratorium on new large load requests to prioritize critical infrastructure improvements for existing customers. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss legal matters.

The Commission Meeting Agenda included a morning workshop followed by a Regular Meeting. The Regular Meeting addressed several consent agenda items, including the approval of vouchers and resolutions authorizing the renewal of Land Use Permit 10A-01 for the City of Pateros and approval of Land Use Permit 58C-01 for Shawn and Jennifer Isenhart concerning residential use on project lands. Additionally, Change Order No. 6 to Contract 22-57-W-BID for spillway and spillway gate maintenance at the Wells Hydroelectric Project was considered. Regular agenda items included authorizing Change Order No. 115 to Contract 06-41-W for generator rebuilds and refurbishment, and authorizing a Professional Service Agreement with Terracon Consultants Inc. for geotechnical drilling and investigation work, not to exceed $625,000.00. The commission also reviewed memberships, preliminary disturbance reports, and other general items.

The meeting addressed various topics, including a hearing for adopting budgets for the Electric Distribution System, the Wells Hydroelectric Project, and Hydrogen Facilities for Calendar Year 2026. The board also discussed and authorized an Amended and Restated Retail Interconnection and Service Agreement with Microsoft Corporation, as well as amendments to professional service agreements. Additionally, the board reviewed financial reports, electrical disturbance incidents, and customer complaints, and discussed plans for establishing a conservation program and market rates. They also considered requests related to water access for fire suppression and fiber optic attachments.

The meeting agenda includes a flag salute, followed by a consent agenda covering meeting minutes, vouchers, and resolutions for declaring a Honda Big Red UTV surplus and renewing aviation insurance for unmanned aircraft systems. The regular agenda features resolutions authorizing an easement acquisition from the Marker Estate, a professional service agreement with 48 North, LLC for land surveying services, affirming the award of a contract to WEMCO for gantry crane fall protection, and authorizing an amendment to a professional service agreement with Schnabel Engineering, LLC. Additional topics include a write-off to the reserve for uncollectible accounts, internal audit and compliance reports, financial and statistical reports for the distribution system and Wells Project, treasurer's reports, preliminary disturbance reports, and discussion of other matters and trips.