...a community-owned and governed utility, created to provide safe, reliable and cost-based electric and wholesale telecommunication services...
P.O. BOX 2148
SHELTON, WA 98584
SHELTON, WA 98584
(360) 426-8255
Search
Learn more about
and what you can do to help.
To Report Outages
360-432-1533 (Shelton)
360-275-6518 (Belfair)
360-861-4247 (Elma)
360-432-1533 (Shelton)
360-275-6518 (Belfair)
360-861-4247 (Elma)
Mason PUD News
PUD 3 Commission Report for September 29, 2009
Posted September 30, 2009
The Mason County PUD No. 3 Board of Commissioners approved vouchers in the amount of $778,000.
PUD 3 Commissioners approved the sale of surplused equipment (a small, used backhoe and utility trailer) in the amount of $2,265.
Commissioners approved a bid award in the amount of approximately $1.2 million to Mountain Power Construction of Post Falls, ID for the Mountain View substation rebuild. The bid amount was 21 percent less than the engineer’s $1.5 million estimate for the work. Linda Gott, commission president, stated that this bid process reinforced news from throughout the region that contractors are hungry for work and have presented aggressive bids.
It is expected that construction on the Mountain View substation upgrade will begin in October, with completion by March 2010. The upgrade will provide for separate circuits for the Mountain View, Mason and Johns Prairie substations. This will improve reliability and flexibility when responding to system maintenance or outages.
The total cost of the project, including prior purchases of equipment is estimated at approximately $2.3 million.
Commissioners adopted resolution 1485, establishing a working/revolving fund. This will allow for additional cash trays for customer service representatives as a way to improve balancing procedures.
Commissioners approved a billing adjustment in the amount of $6,400 for a large commercial customer to reconcile the initial reading when a new electrical meter was installed.
Commissioners adopted resolution 1486, an energy conservation agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). This will allow for continuation of current conservation programs as BPA transitions to new energy efficiency efforts under a recently signed long-term wholesale power contract.
Manager Wyla Wood reported on a meeting with representatives of the Squaxin Island Tribe to discuss progress on extension of municipal water to the site of the proposed PUD 3 operations center on Johns Prairie. Wood stated that the meeting was cordial and that both sides will continue their communication on the project.
Wood requested commission authorization to enter into an agreement with JW Morrissette & Associates for the purpose of evaluating the use of “Equivalent Residential Units” as a method of determining charges for a latecomers’ agreement to connect to the proposed Johns Prairie water line extension. The agreement cost would not exceed $5,000. The commission voted two in favor, one abstention.
Wood reported that long-time PUD 3 employee Russ Baskin will be retiring as of September 30. Baskin, the PUD general foreman, has worked for the utility 38 years. The manager praised his work and commitment to the customers of PUD 3.
Annette Creekpaum, finance manager requested authorization from the commission to enter into a contract with John Trueman Appraisal to determine the fair market value of the PUD 3 downtown Shelton campus including the parking lot on Grove Street, but excluding the customer service building. The appraisal will allow the PUD to move forward in discussions with the Mason County Senior Activities Association for the possible sale of the PUD property to the organization. The contract cost would not exceed $8,000. The authorization was approved by the commission on a 2-1 vote.
Commissioner Tom Farmer announced that he has been elected to the board of the Allyn Community Association.
Commissioner Gott pointed out that the Washington Public Utility District Association (WPUDA) will be holding meetings October 14-16 at Alderbrook Resort in Union. The meeting will coincide with recognition of the 75th anniversary of the formation of Mason County PUD No. 1.
The next PUD 3 commission meeting takes place October 6, 2009 in the PUD 3 auditorium at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton at 10:00 a.m.