High winds cause PUD power outages

The Wahkiakum PUD Board of Commissioners discussed recent outages, broadband, and a few other miscellaneous items at their meeting on Tuesday.

General Manager Dave Tramblie said that a couple recent outages in Skamokawa and the Elochoman Valley had been caused by numerous tree limbs brought down by high winds.

“Your crew did an excellent, excellent job getting us back on,” Skamokawa resident Kay Walters said.

Tramblie shared some more praise that a customer had called in regarding the water department.

“We’re pretty proud of our crews,” Commissioner Dennis Reid said.

Tramblie said that Brown and Kysar, Inc., had adjusted an engineering bid for the design of spill containment for a catchment at the Cathlamet substation to $10,900.

“I would like to move forward with that,” Tramblie said.

Commissioners authorized Tramblie to enter into the agreement.

Tramblie said he had sent letters to Skamokawa residents about an outage on Wednesday which would allow the PUD to perform some required system improvements.

He also noted that he had received a draft document for the design of the Skamokawa Water System consolidation.

“I think it’s going to be fine,” Tramblie told the commissioners. “It’s not completed yet, but we’re getting there.”

Tramblie said that all the mapping for the broadband project had been completed and that the PUD was waiting for Noanet, who was doing the feasibility study, to provide project estimates. He also said that he had signed an agreement with Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments to provide grant writing services for $1,000.

“They are a good group, I really think they want to help us,” Tramblie said.

Tramblie reported that he had sent a letter to Cascade Networks asking them to amend their service area with USDA. Cascade Networks has received funds from USDA to provide broadband to a portion of the east side of the county, including half of Puget Island and half of Cathlamet, which currently means that the PUD cannot receive federal funding from the USDA for that area.

Finally, Tramblie said that he had driven around the Skamokawa area last week and decided that the PUD should set aside some time to do tree trimming.

Travel to an engineering and operating trade show in Reno was approved by commissioners for PUD employees Mark Elliott and Kevin Vik.

The meeting was then closed for an executive session to review the performance of a public employee and discuss possible litigation.