PUD sees promotion, varied activities

The electric crew was on hand as Tuesday’s Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioner’s meeting opened to join the commissioners in congratulating PUD employee Kevin Vik on his promotion to journeyman lineman. Vik rose to the position after four years of hard work and giving up many Saturdays for classes.

“The journeyman lineman is probably the backbone of our industry,” said Commissioner Gene Healy. “We thank you for your hard work.”

PUD Counsel Tim Hanigan reported that he would be attending the Washington Society of Municipal and PUD Attorneys conference in Chelan this week where they would be discussing cases around the state, water law and disclosure obligations.

“It’s a very good group and this PUD has gotten a lot out of it by attending and seeing what other PUDs are doing,” Hanigan said.

General Manager Dave Tramblie gave an update on projects around the county.

Tramblie has been giving some thought to beginning the water part of the Shannon Road project the third week of June and adding the electric component the next week. He shared that there would be a power outage at the courthouse today (Thursday) from noon until 2 p.m., for a project on Una and River Street.

According to Tramblie, the new excavator should arrive soon, and the PUD had received a new chlorine pump for the Western Wahkiakum Water System.

“The old one was failing,” Tramblie said. “Just routine maintenance.”

He shared his concern about the state of the road to the Deep River reservoir.

“It isn’t really a road, it’s more of a path,” Tramblie said. “I have a bid from a contractor to upgrade it. It’s money I don’t really want to spend, but we don’t have much choice.”

Auditor Erin Wilson shared what she had learned about cyber security and went over financials.

Commissioner Robert Jungers touched on the ongoing negotiation regarding the water contract with the Town of Cathlamet.

“I would like to reiterate my position that if and when we ever do successfully renegotiate the contract with the Town of Cathlamet, I am adamant that it includes the rescission of the clause that requires us to purchase all of our water from them, due to the fact that they are not willing to withdraw their resolution of two years ago that says they are going to terminate giving water to us in 2037. I think quid pro quo would require that we are released from the must buy clause of our contract.”

“I agree,” Commissioner Dennis Reid said. “Hopefully they would just rescind that.”

“That is what I was promised by a councilman a year and a half ago and it hasn’t happened,” Jungers said.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 16 at 8:30 a.m. in the PUD meeting room. Scott Wilson, a Power Services Account Executive for BPA will be on hand.