PUD commission adopts code of conduct

The Wahkiakum Public Utility District board of commissioners adopted a code of conduct for board members at its meeting July 19.

While the resolution does not contain penalties, board members are required to conduct themselves ethically and lawfully, and with proper decorum.

The board also passed a resolution reducing required reserves of the Western Wahkiakum Water system to $20,000 from $40,000 for the next three years. The water system required an updated comprehensive plan expected to cost $21,500 and requires expensive work to fix a leak flowing under the Grays River. Newly appointed commissioner Gene Healy asked staff for a plan to replenish the reserves for the 319-customer system.

“A monthly increase of $3 could take care of it,” commissioner Robert Jungers said.

The resolution describing board member’s code of conduct requires members to conduct themselves with civility, to adhere to the Open Public Meetings Act, to disclose investments in businesses that contract with the district, and to declare conflicts of interest.

The policy prohibits board members from attempting to exercise individual authority over the district or its staff.

“But the policy would not stop board members from advising the general manager of a problem they observed with PUD staff driving a truck inappropriately, for example,” said PUD Attorney Tim Hanigan.

“Funny you should use that example; we’ll talk,” Jungers said.

General Manager Dave Tramblie said workers have isolated the leak under the Grays River to a 400 feet-long stretch of pipe.

Plans for repair call for sending a camera into the pipe, and solutions will depend on the types of joints found.

The board discussed a staff evaluation form for Tramblie. Commissioner Dennis Reid brought a sample from Chelan PUD to use as a start. Healy said he had found examples from the US Department of Agriculture that could be tailored to fit.

"We’ve had documents floating around over the past 14 years. I can look for one of those,” Tramblie said.

PUD auditor Erin Wilson added that the last board had requested job descriptions from various PUDs and she might be able to locate those.

Healy said, “I have the skill set and so do you all. I don’t need to be going to some other PUD to get a job description. (The managers appraisal form) needs to fit this job; this job is like none other on earth.”

The commissioners agreed an evaluation process is needed; Healy agreed to draft a form for the next meeting.

“The board of commissioners that fails to appraise is neglecting its duty,” Healy said.

Wilson reported that the funds the PUD received from Enron for overcharges in December of 2009 have been exhausted. The PUD used the approximately $4300 for energy assistance and helped 33 customers.

Wilson also reported the utility is currently receiving donations from ratepayers of a few hundred dollars a month toward low income assistance. Healy requested an on-going balance on energy and water assistance.

Healy said he has been visiting ratepayers such as Columbia View Care Center, Diking District No. 1 on Puget Island, and he attended two senior lunches in Rosburg.

Reid attended a Washington Public Utility District Association meeting in Okanogan County and, Jungers reported he had attended the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.