EWEB Board of Commissioners — September 8, 2026

0:04 Agenda item before we start is I'm going to read the facility safety and awareness meeting and logistics briefing. I'd like to thank everyone for attending tonight's board meeting. Ewed management, subject matter experts are present in the room and virtually. The meeting is being streamed live and recorded. Please speak loudly and clearly so everyone can hear you. Public testimony is welcome. Signup forms are available at the back of the room. Visitor access is limited to the board meeting room and restrooms. Restrooms are located on the first floor. exit the the right hand door at the front of the room and cross the hallway. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or security incident, follow all instructions given by staff. If evacuation is required, please call me proceed to the nearest safe exit as identified and directed by staff and evacuate away from the building to the farthest points in the parking lots to allow clear and immediate access for first responders. So, the first agenda item this evening is the agenda check. Does anybody have

0:50 anything um about the agenda? You know, we have a very short meeting this evening and there is a small break in there, but if we want to blow right through it, we can. I mean, that's that'll be our discretion. If somebody wants a break, I we we kept it, but it's only for five minutes, but if the board consensus is we move, we just go home a little earlier. So, thank you. Um, with that, then the next agenda item is item from the board members and the general manager. I'll start with Mindy. Um, this past month I was able to take a trip with both John Barovski and John Brown up to the Tri Cities area to visit the Colombia generating station that was put on by the public power associ >> PPC. >> Yeah, PPC put that on. Um and we um were

1:37 given a presentation on um the um nuclear power plant that they have up there and their plans to build um a small modular nuclear reactor. Um it was really very interesting. Um I don't want anybody to think that we're up there scouting out new nuclear energy. It was just um one of the things that PBC offers um uh participants in public power every few years is to go and visit um a facility that is part of the BPA um infrastructure. So a few years ago we went up to Grand Coulie and this year we went to the Columbia generating station. So I found it very interesting and um uh

2:23 yeah and that's it for me too. >> Yeah thank you president. Um so one of the items that I had brought at the July meeting was a uh backgrounder on uh how data centers are affecting uh customers and how the pricing are uh and we were expecting a correspondence here in September that hadn't come. I want to mention that this is a pretty preient day because uh just earlier the Oregon state legislature had a conversation around AI data centers uh that I really want to point our commissioners towards just to hear what our state is talking about and how we're looking um and also I believe it was today that it was reported uh that the city of Eugene zone verification had uh they had made a decision on that as well. So, um, from my perspective, I'm still interested in

3:09 that question, uh, that that the city of Eugene zone verification was largely irrelevant to that, uh, particular thought that I was having, but, um, that, uh, this is still an ongoing conversation. I know it's still top of mind for our community. I don't know about the rest of you commissioners, but, uh, 100% of the conversation I'm having with with constituents are around data centers. I'm no longer talking about second source or anything else that we're working on. So, um, uh, I I think that it's it's an important conversation that we should have and one that we we should set aside time for, uh, in the near future. Thanks. >> Thank you, Sonia. >> Nothing for me. Thank you, >> John B. >> Thank you. Um, yeah, I would just like to echo what Mindy said about our trip to Tri Cities. It was interesting.

3:56 Anytime I can learn about uh the infrastructure that keeps these lights on is uh fascinating to me. Um, again, we're not looking to bring a small modular nuclear reactor to the Wamtt Valley. That was nothing that was even breached, but it is an exciting new technology that is out there and uh just learning about it was was fascinating. Um, and to what Tim said, yes, I think that this it's a conversation that this this body definitely uh is right in the bullseye of. water and power are two of the main main uh things that that data centers rely on and and we would be the ones that would be supplying those. So figuring out where we're at, what we are

4:41 at and and being able to communicate that to uh our rateayers and the community is an important part. And so being brought up to speed and being knowledgeable on that because we are the part of the forward- facing part of the the organization. It will definitely be something that we'll need to lean into. So thank you. >> Yeah. And I'll just add my what Mindy and John said about that trip. The other thing was a very eye opening. They left the remnants of whoops of the Washington public supply the their bones so to speak. And there's all these one one reactor the site was 80% complete and it's still there. It'll be there, you know, longer than the pyramids. I mean, it's amazing to see that graveyard, but it's a reminder of what happens when you get ahead of technology and uh and

5:28 hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars were wasted on that. It's just still sitting there. So, uh it is there. So, John. >> All right. President Brown, Vice President Carlson, commissioners, good evening. Um just a couple items as you noted with the um noteworthy community um interactions. spent a lot of time with our largest customers, IP um University of Oregon. Thought those um conversations were very um effective and and I thought fruitful. So really appreciate getting out there and as you can see, we continue to meet with city officials and other stakeholders um to advance what we're doing here at Eb from a policy perspective as well as just our day-to-day operations. Um what I will note just um to mention um kind of

6:14 response to your comment uh Commissioner Morris, the um the paper that uh we're putting together on data centers is still in progress. Um the reason why it didn't u show up this today um is that we were letting the process with the city uh run its course. Um we didn't want to get ahead of that um process. Um, but we also have uh materials as well as uh where we're at in terms of our policy um on our website also. And so uh we will um in future dates be able to engage the board and have a little bit more intimate discussion about the policy and make sure that you all are up to speed on that. That's it. >> Next agenda item is uh correspondence.

7:06 >> Yeah. So, as you can see, there's two items uh for correspondence that were included in your briefing packet. Um I don't need to go through them unless there are questions, but really the first one was focused on our um annual organizational goals update that I had shared some of that information with you. We're not removing any of those goals. We're just linking them out into the next year. Um make them more manageable and um achievable. And then I think the other was a question that we had regarding the um College Hill landscape and amenities um kind of initial findings. Uh we wanted to make sure that you were aware of that um information and that we're continuing on that process. >> Thank you, John V.

7:51 >> Thank you. Um just speaking to the the college hill um after reading that correspondence I was out on a bike ride yesterday and I rode up to the east 40th and toured it walked it walked it and there's a nice path around it and I think it would be probably something similar that may be happening at College Hill and it's a very nice amenity that they that they put up there. That was one of the real push backs we got up there was oh this was a natural area and you're we're going to lose it all. um going up there and walking it, I ran into people using it, walking their dogs and using it in the way the means that we had anticipated get used and so I'm uh very encouraged by the work that we did there and and think that that will

8:37 translate to to College Hill as well. So, thank you. >> Thank you, President. Um uh on both of the items, one uh the organizational update on the goals, uh I really appreciated that there was uh uh a continued acknowledgement of uh not quite reaching some of those goals and then where they are at in the process and uh updated timeline. So I do appreciate that quite a bit. Um so thank you to staff for for that. And then the the college hill landscape as well. Um, I was desperately trying to find the exact wording in here, but there was an acknowledgement of uh the large pavement pathway that had been removed that uh may not be going back in. Um, that was understood and expected, but that's still a a particular part of this conversation. And I I just want to thank staff uh quite a bit for that continued

9:24 engagement that there's uh that this has changed. the project did uh change and and remove that, but um it's still part of the conversation and folks are still interested in something like that. So, it still is part of the thought process. But, you know, in other words, thank you for hearing the community and thank you for continuing to be receptive to these conversations and continuing to explore that. Um, uh, I know where it is, uh, and and where folks are at, but uh, I know that there was a lot of historical love for, uh, the old College Hill reservoir and and, uh, uh, I I just see a lot of the the oversight here and and the a lot of intent that's behind it. So, um, I just on both of these fronts, I just want to thank staff for continued commitment and and, uh, uh, really

10:11 working with the community. So, thanks. >> Yeah. Then, >> uh, two things came to mind for me. one uh on the organizational goals update. I assume this isn't replacing our quarterly update that has the dials and that sort of thing. This was just a a brief interim update. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah, I was going to say that's correct. This isn't replacing that. This is just updating those specific goals and saying that we're carrying some of those over into the next year. Um and and resetting the milestones for those. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. I just want to make sure because I I know that it's lengthy, but I I do appreciate the information that comes from those and I I know there was uh some discussion at one point about pairing it down and and I am supportive of pairing down in ways

10:56 that make sense. That one is one that's particular to me that is very valuable. So, um just wanted to double check on that. And then on the College Hill landscape and amenities amenities update, I um a a couple of you know mixed feelings. I do appreciate one that that the outcome that we came to was prioritizing the environmental and cost benefit. I think that that is really important for the community. Um the the mixed side of it is we have so many different areas in this community that are flat and it seems like there could be a partnership with I don't know perhaps the schools so that students could come and use a parking lot or use a ball court like I mean there's very there's several flat structures in place

11:41 and maybe we could work with our um 4J or other school district partners to create spaces at certain times so that students can come and ride their bikes on that because that really is the biggest benefit to me is that these, you know, students in this one particular area are losing out on it when we have lots of flat spaces. So, I appreciate that we're prioritizing the natural environment. Thanks. And >> I'd just like to add on it. I know I gave a premeating question to staff about because I don't apparently how to read. He taught me how to read a few minutes ago about about the decision. And so I apologize for staff for running you through those rigomearrows about about the questions on the the cost and you know the environment and all of that other things. Had I read it completely I wouldn't have asked those questions. So I hope you won. Sorry about that.

12:28 Anything else for the good of the order for uh correspondence? If not then the next agenda item is going to be public input. And before send I open um I will open public input but I would certainly like to read the preamble. Welcome to the public input uh session for this meeting. Eb is a public nonfor-profit organization whose charter is to deliver drinking water and electricity to our community. While this forum is not used for an open back and forth dialogue, commissioners and staff value hearing diverse perspectives and receiving community input. Speakers are asked to keep their testimony relevant to e webb business and request that anyone everyone share their comments in a productive and respectful manner. Should speakers or audience members become disruptive, they may be muted and or removed from the meeting. This time we have um one caller and three people in person signed up. And so I will um after I've opened up public testimony

13:14 and um the first one is on on the line will be Kathy Ging. Kathy, are you there? it looks like you're muted. If you can press star six to unmute. you there Kathy? If not, can we just skip her and then come back? I don't know how long we want to wait.

14:04 >> Yeah, I'm I'm just going to skip. >> Maybe we can circle back at the end. We'll circle back at the end of at the end, but we'll see if we can get Kathy back on. The next next person is uh Jordan Warkey Roatilli. I sorry if I pronounced that. I tried. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone for hearing my comment today. Um just want to say good afternoon. My name is Jordan Warkey Robbitai. I'm a secondyear law student at the University of Oregon in Eugene where I study natural resource law. One of the reasons I chose to attend the University of Oregon was its proximity to some of the most beautiful and impact public riverways and forests in the country. And I'm here today to express my deep concern about fish passage at the Carmen Smith Hydroelectric Project on the upper Mackenzie River. Federally

14:50 listed Chinuk salmon and bull trout populations in the Mackenzie River are declining. And since 1963, the Trailbridge Dam has stood as an absolute barrier to migratory fish species and prevented salmon from accessing the highquality cold wabitat up river. Ew Webb has promised to provide fish passage at the Trailbridge Dam as part of its compliance with hydro power license and the endangered species act for over 20 years, but has yet to keep its commitments and legal obligations. Ew Webb began the process to relicens the facility in the early 2000s through though its ultimate license was not issued and by FK until 2019. The license requires EW web to complete upstream and downstream fish pastures facilities at

15:35 the trail bridge dam by May 2022. Unfortunately, by May 2022, EWB had yet to even begin construction. In late 2023 and 2024, both VIK as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service expressed serious concerns about EWB's compliance with its license adherence to the terms and conditions of the wildlife protection requirements and threatened steep and threatened steep penalties and regulatory action due to these failures. E Webb had previously worked to amend its requirements to build a fash fish ladder, but instead elected to go with a trap and haul fish around the dam. The agencies also questioned why Eweb's pretext stated as economics um was not

16:21 adequately supported. The agencies specifically contended that the economic analysis had proven inaccurate and required further study. To date, e webb has failed to provide analysis or justification for its position that valitional fish passage is more expensive than the trap and hall over the lifetime of the license. I'm here today because e webb has recently filed another draft application for its license amendment and e webb seeks to gain and to again amend and delay its requirements to provide fish passage at the trail bridge dam. My concerns are heightened because the proposal includes no economic analysis, costbenefit analysis of available fish pastures measure measures or an assessment of how the new trap and hall plan will not fail

17:06 for the similar reasons as the old one such as lack of access due to fire season. I'm here today to urge e webb to follow through on its original commitment to provide permanent valitional fish passage past the trail bridge dam. I further request that e webb transparently explain its decision to the community and its rateayers by providing a costbenefit analysis for the lifespan of the license. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Alejandro Gar Garcia Ibol President Brown and web commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. My name is Alejandra Garcia

17:52 Boa and I am a resident in Ward 8. E Web is an integral part of our community and I know that you care about the well-being and the quality of life of everyone here. Today, I come here to ask that you put the community first by expanding limited income assistance programs, institute stronger protections for customers from footing the bill for AI hyperscaling data centers, and to expand the incentives for energy efficiency and conservation, specifically the live green program. I am a son, a brother, a cat dad, and an uncle to two nieces and a nephew who are growing up way too fast. Over the past couple years, I've been able to share with them some experiences that have really shaped uh my life as a whole. I have taken them on hikes up and down

18:39 Skinner's but I've walked along the riverfront with them on sunny summer days and you know whenever possible we go and swim in the Wamtt River because we always got to cool off. I've come to realize that I take a lot of things for granted. I take for granted the clean air, the clean water, and the clean energy. I take for granted the things that are now under threat by AI hyperscaling data centers. Some people say that the writing is on the wall uh for AI hyperscaling data centers that it's only a matter of time before they begin to take more than their fair share of our natural resources leaving us uh footing the bill. I'm here to tell those folks both in this room and online that more I'm here to tell those folks in this room and online that

19:26 uh far from being a foregone conclusion that we have the power to change that trajectory. We can and must protect what cost or protect what matters most to us which is our quality of life. clean air, clean water, a livable climate future, and an equitable and just energy system that does not shift the burden of corporations interests onto the backs of the communities that they actively harm. What we need now more than ever is for EW to put customer protections first. While we do our best to protect our friends, our families, and our community members, our neighbors from heat waves, natural disasters, and climate change, we need EW Webb to step up and protect residential customers and small

20:12 businesses from rising costs while incentivizing energy efficiency and conservation. The state has already put in place protections for customers when it comes to rate increases from data center development, but we need to do better. By making happy to wrap it up in 30 seconds. We had a trouble with the timer, but I've been timing it. Thank you. >> By making stronger protections and expanding limited income assistance programs for EW customers, you're setting a clear example and a clear signal for corporations who view cities like Eugene as a safe haven uh because of our lower energy costs and because of less regulation. um that they or that you all would not fall victim to their tactics. In order to enjoy those hikes at the but walks along the riverfront and the sunny

20:58 summer days spent in the river, we must envision a better world. >> Okay. Could we wrap it up, please? >> Yep. Where we allow for those things. Uh when it comes to creating a better future, we are all in this together, including you. >> Thank you. Next speaker is Josh Korn. Thanks. I am also here to speak out against the uh AI data center stuff that's that is percolating around and it seems like they obviously are going to want your power from ew webb and I I've spoken out previously uh for many years probably over a decade uh about other

21:43 surveillance topics and I just want to remind you that these AI data centers or or maybe inform you if you're not aware of it that the these AI data centers are not to power your chat GBT and claude they have plenty of computer inference with just a few of these data centers to to handle all that. This is for other purposes. And there are again just like there were with within the 5G infrastructure and in the uh smart meter infrastructure. These are all surveillance tools. These are agendas to uh track trace and database everything

22:28 that humans are doing everywhere they are doing it. and they this this agenda is not going to stop. So these every new little aspect of it that comes about it this is these are antihuman agendas and they uh they we we don't need them to utilize some of the features that we're already using in AI. So uh don't misconstrue these agendas of AI dentist data centers and winning against China and all this stuff. I'll tell you China's already beat us in terms of the AI technologies. Uh they beat us with far less AI data

23:14 centers than what we have already. So why then is there such a push for so much AI data centers all over this country? And we're there's obviously a lot of people here that are opposed to this this onslaught and um and and we know what we're talking about and we know what's going on. So don't give them our power. Don't give them our water. These are this is these are resources for the people and uh and and you know don't yeah I mean I could say a lot more but we'll save it for next time. So thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker uh Robin Bloomard.

24:07 >> I think going to start or you going to be chiming it? >> That'll do it right there. >> Okay. My name is Robin Bloomg Garden and I live in Ward 8 to Eb commissioners and welcome to the new manager. I assume you're that, but I can't read anybody's names on these things. It's kind of like not facing the public. Um, Eb operates a municipal utility system providing critical electric, water, and wastewater services to residents, small businesses, and industrial users. Electricity rates in Eugene have long been skewed lowest toward industrial users and then commercial users, leaving residential customers paying the highest rates in

24:52 town. My numbers come from three independent industry reports over a few years. How is this democratic and fair? Some industrial customers pay less than half of what residential customers pay. Large or hyperscale data centers looking to settle here require disproportionate amounts of electrical capacity and cooling water compared to traditional commercial users. The rapid expansion of these large load facilities necessitates significant public investment in grid infrastructure, electric substation upgrades, and water treatment capacity. Ew webb may or may not be able to accommodate the expanded

25:40 levels of water, electricity, and wastewater processing by any large data centers coming on board, especially as drought and climate change continue to stress this state. There will be legal ramifications if the city and ew webb cannot provide the levels of infrastructure guaranteed long-term in data center agreements. In that case, who is liable? Will this be another local government legal morass into the future? First, I would suggest that e webb not work with any company demanding an NDA in order to do business. It's very undemocratic and undermines the very public you claim to care about.

26:28 Second, enact a permanent ban or three-year moratorum against data centers coming willy-nilly into Eugene and its environs. Third, work with the city of Eugene to create rules now that may help you all to clearly delineate what you both expect from any large new energyintensive uses in E1 and other mixeduse and industrial zoning. Please do it now. Don't wait until after we have a mess on our hands. Thank you. >> Thank you. And next speaker is Susan Bleggy.

27:28 My name is Susan Pelgi. I'm a community member here. I live in W six and I didn't come tonight planning to speak but I um had expected more people to attend. So I want to make a few comments and regarding the data centers. So I uh heard someone earlier on the board mention that Eb's purview is water and energy and uh I have been to the board meeting a couple other times so that I understand that um the board feels that their job is to meet the energy demands. my concern with data centers and I just uh really um

28:14 you know want to validate what Robin said. She did a really great job. I think that our energy and water resources are limited and I think this is a changing world today than what we've lived in. I've been around for a while and I think it is not business as usual. I've said this before. We need and I understand how public employees have rules and regulations that they they feel that they must follow. But I do uh think it is time to think outside of the box and consider uh what demands we're putting on our water and the huge energy demands that are being put um on the infrastructure because of data

29:01 centers. I don't think that it's possible to say yes to everything and and find the energy to do it without having serious environmental impacts. And my just final thought is this is our system is based on capitalism and capitalism will drive our planet into climate crisis. We're in climate crisis. We see it around. We see melting uh glaciers in Nepal and Tibet. And it is predicted modeled that the Wamut Valley will suffer a major drought um within the next 50 years. So I think my request is that in

29:46 building a plan for how you're going to meet the requests that come to you from data centers that you consider limited resources and maybe instead of just more and more considering confining what kind of requests that you're considering and how to meet them. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Um, the last speaker we have is um, no, not the last. Yes, the last speaker is Eli. I'm having trouble with your last name, so help me. >> I'm describing Winski. >> Winsky. Okay, thank you. >> Hi, my name is Elijah Winski. I'm a resident of Ward 3 and a student of biology and chemistry at the University of uh, excuse me, University of Oregon.

30:33 Um, we've already had several very good speakers uh very poignantly talk about the issue of data center construction um and talk about the need to think outside of the box. Um, I don't mean to refute that in any way, but I think there are several inside of the box things that you can do, um, including clarifying some of the language used when talking about, uh, data centers and their impacts. Um, for the sake of brevity, uh, I'll only talk about one example. Um, but in the FAQ on this issue, every single question that could be answered by a yes or no is

31:18 answered with a no followed by a period except for one, the issue of whether or not data centers could lead data center construction could lead to rate hikes. Not only does it not start with a no, it does not try to give any opinion on the matter, however qualified. It doesn't say maybe or possibly. It does not say we believe it is relatively reasonable that they would not. It says nothing of the sort. What it does do is issue several uh statements, state several facts that might lead someone to imagine possibly that there will be no

32:05 effect or even that they will lower energy rates. which reads to me very much like this body is very much wants us to believe something that it is uncomfortable saying possibly for the reason that it is not true. Um and so I would like to request that going forward in all public statements uh don't bo like dodge the question of whether or not this will lead to my energy bill going up. The rent's already not great. Anybody else wants to address a board before I go back to >> Kathy? Kathy G. >> Kathy Ging >> just said I'm going back to Kathy G. I

32:51 asked if anybody else wanted to. Thank you. So, are we gonna try and get Kathy back on the line? >> Yes. We've exchanged an email and she's ready to go. >> She's ready to go. Okay. Kathy, are you there? >> Okay. I'm Kathy King. Are you ready for me? We're ready. We'll start the clock. Thank you, Kathy. >> Thank you. Okay. Yes. I will make uh suggestions to e webb and an announcement. Noticing the 10 million budget line for AI for the e webb budget year. I wanted to ask if you could have town hall meetings held at the halt or the former planning mill closer to downtown inviting rateayer owners to suggest innovative ideas for the AI money. One might consult with AI how much it would cost to supply water

33:38 conserving irrigation for one plus garden beds most efficiently and to research and ID original updated optimal drip irrigation systems overhead or in ground for keyhole garden beds and garden towers. Pictures at gardentowwerpro.com of the ladder. How to grow 50 vegetables in a 4x4 foot space with central perforated pipe compost holder. Amazing how much food can be grown here year round. You've heard about liberated sour.com an essay not a biz. It's an aimsa garden where one eats the outer leaves and lets the inner grow. any [laughter] busy person better aabled or single parent can grow to provide

34:24 abundant greens year round in our mild climate about which Rodell press from organic gardening magazine marveled when they visited here in the early 1980s. Lib Sao is a flexible seed mixture I developed with Dr. Alan Capular who graduated first in his class at Yale as an undergrad owner of Peace Seeds a planetary gene pool service. We developed this garden that thrives even uh light snow needs no protective coverings and the master gardener instructor Pat Patterson said it was the best winter garden she had ever seen. um reckoning time would come when lip sal would be greatly needed and the time is now when droughts have worsened and I

35:09 hear e I fear ew webb will raise water rates preventing a bit of food self-reliance from coming to fruition for homeowners and renters and to bring a little bit of sanity to people's minds when 80,000 industrial uh size batteries blew up in Marsh Landing California January 25 essentially really poisoning the salad ball of America where up to 70% of vegetables are grown consumed in the US. I thought that was the time. Recently I learned that 30% of farms are now poisoned here in the country from bioolid sewage sludge being used in 48 states. others from carpet manufacturing and other industry waste and some

35:55 contain federably federally mandated signage now and deed restrictions recorded saying no food for human or animal consumption can be grown here I sent you emails about that today or put in your search engine forever forever chemicals I hemp Michigan Jason Grastic J G R O Kathy Can you wrap it up, please, and make your point? You're out of time. Thank you. >> So, the point is I'm worried about the data centers, uh, and I'm worried about the water that's going to be used by them. And do you know that Hyundai had a permit to use up to three million gallons of water a day, but they never use that much. So, we need >> Thank you for your testimony, Kathy, for our food system. Thank you so much. Bye.

36:42 >> Yes. Thank you. Think >> nobody else wanted to address the board. I'm going to close the session and ask for comments. Bye. Cindy, >> thank you everybody for coming out for um public comment. So, we heard a lot of concerns about data centers and um if you were here at the beginning of the meeting, you heard that we are um staff is getting us the board some more information on data centers. there's going to be a memo and if I don't I don't know the um what the format of that is going to be and I don't know what other commissioners think but I think in addition to just a memo having a either a I don't know if it would be an agenda item but some kind of conversation about it so it's not just something that we read but that we have a chance to ask questions and get more

37:28 information from staff that would just be see some head nods that um and then lastly Robin I heard you ask um the gentleman back there what you're supposed to do with uh public comment. And so what people have done in the past if they want us to actually physically have their public comment, you can hand it to somebody back there who will um photocopy it and distribute it. Sometimes people bring copies and distribute it and other times people email it. So there is a way for you to get your um comments to us. >> The comments Tim. >> Uh yeah, thank you, President. Um yeah,

38:14 just want to say thank you for everyone who's coming out um and speaking on really important topics uh some of which are right in front of us uh and some of which are a little bit uh older um uh specifically on the Carmen Smith uh conversation. So, I appreciate uh continuing those conversations and uh truly what I like what I am hearing as a commissioner is affordability and resources are top of mind uh from from many of you. So, thank you for sharing. Uh thank you for coming out especially in person. Um that's always a delight to see you here. So, thank you. >> Any other comments, Sonia? >> Uh I also wanted to say thank you to those who came out. Um, I did uh actually go and pull up the uh information about our our uh rates and

38:59 data centers um to just see what exactly what it said. So, I I appreciated what it said. Um while it doesn't say no for a rate increases, it does say that um our rate structure specifically designed to prevent this kind of cost shifting. And that's just it's it's more kind of a generic across the board that the way that we try to create rates has been a value since I've I mean long before I've been on the board is that we don't try to um shift cost burden to others. Now it is challenging to see behind the scenes and how you know how that's done but that is the intent of the model that we use is that we don't try to shift those costs. So, I would expect as a commissioner personally that um if we were ever required to service a data

39:46 center that we would apply that same and they would have to pay for that 100%. And that would be something that I would um you know push for very specifically because that's um if it's a new customer coming on and they have a huge new load, they have to do that regardless. So that's something that I think we would continue to or I would continue to push for and you know it's it's been a long-held value at Eb. So I just wanted to make that known. Um I did also appreciate uh Robin's information about looking at the um business rates versus uh residential rates and am very curious about looking a little bit more. I did pull it up on there to just reconfirm that. So thanks for bringing it up. Thanks for all of

40:31 your um testimony. Um, I I would potentially um ask or um have the the gentleman who came and spoke about the fish passageway look at look again at at some of the work that we had done because we have gone back and worked with some of our partners at the federal level to make a new plan. Maybe you've already looked at it, but in in the intent of actually having um fish passage that has a higher likelihood of passing and our federal partners seem to be happier with that plan. So, I'm I'm encouraged by it. I think that we are, you know, we we had some challenges with uh the sink holes that delayed that and

41:16 that was not brought out in the testimony. So, I'm not sure if you're not aware of that fact, but that had a significant delay on what we were able to do and it sent us back to the the drawing board. So, our intent always here, especially, you know, as as EBA commissioners and and the staff that we work with is to protect our environment and what we work with. That's that's part of what makes us the gem of the community is that we are a public partnership. We are we are, you know, in service to the community. We're not here to make money off of anyone. So, um, we do have to remain in service and we do have to be good financial stewards of your rateayer dollars, but we are still here to do what's right for the community and that's part of the reason I'm continue to be involved here. Thank you. >> Any other comments? If not, then we'll

42:03 move on to the next agenda item. Thank you very much. >> Um, next agenda item is consent calendar. Uh, if anybody wants to move anything, you can say so. And if not, um, I'll entertain a motion. John, >> I'd like to pull item four. >> Item four is moved. Kaminsky construction on consent calendar A. Is there any other removals? If not, I'd entertain a motion to adopt consent calendar A minus item number four. >> Move to approve. >> Is there a second? >> Is there a second? All those in favor, I signify by saying I. >> I. Passes. Item number four. John, thank you. Um, I just had a couple questions about this contract with uh Kaminski Construction LLC. Uh, and the reason I'm asking is

42:50 it's a a new firm that we haven't done business with before. Um, which was noted in the in the AIS. Um, I looked it up and it seemed to me like this might be a stretch for this this company. when I looked at their website and the work that they'd done, it looked more like a a home renovation type of a contractor or tenant infill type of a contractor. Um, and so I'm just I just want to be reassured that they are up to the task of doing some of the complicated things that are involved with inwater work and and uh those types of things. It just it just kind of was a red flag that came up on that. Then I have a second question as to the scope of work

43:36 as well. >> Lisa, you want to respond or John, you go ahead. >> Well, I was going to respond, but um you know I I will say that the process the contract went through the appropriate processes. Um I would probably defer either to I don't know if Lisa, but um I Okay. >> Yeah, thank you. Good question, Commissioner Barrowski. It is a new firm that we're working for. I was not personally on the panel who evaluated the proposals, but uh the group felt very good about um Comm's ability to complete the work for us timely, efficiently, and accurately. So, um I appreciate you bringing it up. Um but we felt pretty good about it. >> Great. And and that's that's just kind

44:22 of like due diligence for me, a new a new thing. I love the fact that we are looking outside the box to new uh local contractors. Um I think that that's a valuable thing in our community. It just looked like when I saw it, it looked like the scope of work was a little bit outside of what their normal scope of work was. So uh having that reassurance is one. >> Yes. >> So even though there is in water in water plan, I'll put that in quotes. It's isolated because the the runners in the in as part of the powerhouse, right? So it's not your traditional inwater work you would see in a river, >> right? >> Yeah. River adjacent. I mean, one of the things was making sure nothing escapes and makes it into the river. Those types of things, you know, you know, normally don't get that when you're remodeling a

45:07 kitchen is the reason that I that I was bringing that up. The second part of this is um I note that this is uh to increase the flow capacity so that we're not putting it during high water storm in in incursions. We're not putting as much into the canal for for uh dam safety type of things. I just want to make sure that we're not moving the bar ahead of the possibilities of bringing those canal taking the whole canal out of service. You know, if we start doing pro little peace meal projects all along the way, that's okay. We spent $200,000 to make sure we could flow flush more water out so the the canal will be safer. And

45:52 then we have another one that might do this and another one that might do this that would prohibit us from having the economic uh viability of bringing Johnson Creek and the other creeks to the river. So, I just want to make sure that we're not I I understand that this is for near-term dam safety, but I also know that that's putting money in towards that. And it's like, okay, we've already committed this much to it. That makes this uh possibility less feasible. And so, this is a small amount. It's only a couple hundred,000, but if the next one is like, okay, well, let's do this and let's pull out the, you know, the whole generation things. I just want to make sure before any of those big things happen, we have that conversation of what is the final uh

46:40 disposition [clears throat] of the county going to be. So that's that's why I wanted to pull it. >> If I just um provided a little clarification, you're right. This is a near-term risk reduction measure and so it's we feel it's necessary in the short term while we're planning the long-term uh decommissioning and the ultimate disposition of the canal. uh it is uh a measure we feel has to be taken because we're still many years out from doing any real sort of on the ground work with the canal itself. We do have an update plan for the board, a Liber decommissioning action plan update in October. So, you'll be hearing more from us next month around where we're at with both the near-term planning and the longer term planning. >> Right. Thank you very much. >> I have a question about that as I will since you opened the can of worms. Um,

47:26 so historically we did not we [clears throat] did not allow a local qualified contractor in my opinion to work on the uh Leeberg uh intake uh at Hayden Bridge because he didn't have experience. It was Highland Construction. We said they couldn't do it because they've never done it before. And so I'm I'm looking at the price differential between, you know, 197 and 209 was state and construction that's decommissioned like six dams in Northwest. They've done more dams than anybody else and they have extensive service and experience and they're local and it's for $14,000. And so I'm just wondering about when we make these awards, we we give somebody has no experience over somebody that's also local that has extended extensive experience in this type of work. But in historically we

48:11 haven't done that. So has the policy changed? >> Have to defer to um purchasing group on that. And again, having not been part of this specific um review or proposals, uh I re I remember you brought up Stton before. >> No, I I gave you the background because they've got so much experience in removing dams and inwater work and they've done work for us all around and I have no present or future contemplated interest in the outcome of this just for the record. But I just want to make sure that if we have a imminently what I believe a highly qualified indiv company that's done a lot of dam removal work and in water work and and it's only a 10 12,000 differential and they're both local. Um I just wonder the award criteria is it just money or is it money

48:56 and experience >> because I don't see where the experience could out you could out experience state. >> Yeah. I guess this consent doesn't break down specifically what the point values were for the different buckets but it's it's not just money it there's you know experience ability to perform the work cost is of course part of it but um but certainly not the full picture >> and again having not been part of the the team that reviewed these proposals I can't speak to the specifics but I can say that I trust the team who looked at it that that they considered holistically across um the proposals we received Any other comments about this? If not, I'll call a question. All those in favor of approving item number four on consent calendar A signified by saying I. >> I oppose. Not carries unanimously.

49:43 Consent calendar B. Anybody want to remove anything? If not, I would entertain a motion. Says there are a second discussion. If not, the question, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Not. passes unanimously. Okay, the next one is agenda item eight, the legislative preview. Jason user

50:39 There we go. All right. Good evening everyone. Uh for the record, I'm Jason Huer, the public policy and government relations director here at the Gene Water and Electric Board. It's good to be with you all again. Uh we're here this evening to talk about the 2027 legislative session preview. Uh as you know, this far out, it's pretty tough to uh give a real guess of what we're going to be working on uh in four months. Um, but I think there's a great benefit to trying to give you the best snapshot I can right now here in September. Um, I know in past years, um, we occasionally would have the entire discussion about the legislative disc session and approved the agenda in a single board meeting in December. And the last two or three years, we've evolved with an approach that's incremental with the

51:24 September in-person update. There'll be correspondence in November uh and then the eventual uh board adoption of the agenda in December. I hope that feels like an improved process so you're not rubber stamping this and you're having time to digest this uh before that decision in December. Uh I'm going to jump right into I think what is clearly our top issue uh water right transfers. There were two bills in 2025 that would have made significant changes to the process for water right transfers in Oregon. Uh that's really a critical one for e webb because we have an urgent need um a fundamental need to change our existing WAMIT water right.

52:10 We need to change a point of diversion to match the future location of the WAMIT treatments uh plant and transfers are the only way to modify a water right. There's no other way to do it. Um in 2025 we asked the proponents of these bills um if there were any examples of municipal transfers that had a negative impact on fish or wildlife. No examples were given. uh there's already a lot of environmental review of these municipal water projects. It's very robust that it's just an unwarranted uh risk that would be created for any changes to the the transfer process. So I think it's a fundamental need for us to have uh a

52:55 municipal exemption. There may be issues with other types of water rights. Municipal water rights are not uh there's never been an identified issue. So, our fundamental request to the legislature is a municipal exemption. And I I can see how this may seem a little bit alarming uh to hear about this given the massive investment we're about to make in a new water treatment plant. Now, I really do believe that the Oregon legislature would not jeopardize such an important community project, but we got to do the work. We got to do the education and let them know why that municipal exemption is so important. Um it's something we'll be doing together uh in a team effort with our fellow water utilities around the state of Oregon. Uh the Oregon Water Utility Comm

53:42 uh Council is meeting later this month. I believe general manager Haristston might be attending that meeting uh along with Karen Kelly and I'm sure this will be the top of the agenda for us to all talk about. Uh moving along uh sticking with the Wamtt treatment plant for a moment. Uh it is a massive investment. We would love to do anything we can to alleviate the cost burden to our rateayers. There is one possible opportunity this session. The capital construction bill does include funding requests. Water infrastructure is an eligible use. Uh I think the largest award I can think of in recent memory was $20 million to the city of Salem in 2020. It is a highly

54:30 competitive process. So, we should be very cleareyed about our chances. Uh, but we should take our shot. A couple things we will have going for us this time around. Uh, there was a grassroots advocacy effort to assist EW Webb in getting approval for certain land use changes at the county and city level. The folks that assisted us, uh, citizens and community groups, they've indicated they're willing to reprise that role on behalf of the funding request. So, that's one feather we'll have in our cap this time around. And speaking of those land use changes, when you file the paperwork for a capital construction request, there are information fields asking about whether you've gotten the necessary land use approvals and permits. In the past, when

55:17 we've filed paperwork for this type of request, that's been put down as a pending type item or process. This year we would have a few boxes checked as completed and so that should strengthen uh the case for our project. Moving along, carbon capp trade legislation. This is a repeat for the third year in a row. It's a will they or won't they really uh take this up and pass a bill. It could be the year. So we should take it seriously and uh do our advocacy and public education on what makes for good policy. E Webb has adopted greenhouse gas policy principles. Those principles support carbon pricing including capp

56:04 trade as the least cost GHG reduction policy for the state of Oregon. Those principles also indicate design preferences in a few key areas. Number one, point of regulation. We support an upstream point of regulation. That's a method of creating the most pure carbon price signal up and down the electric industry from long-term procurement decisions to market transactions. It's the most effective way to regulate the electric sector and it also gives hydropower a fair shake and a premium which matters to us. Not every policy in the past has has done right by hydropower. So the point of regulation upstream is best. We support regional linkage. Uh that's

56:50 important because having as large of a regional carbon trading, excuse me, allowance trading market, the largest footprint you can have is best. It creates more liquidity, cost effectiveness, and stability. And furthermore, uh it's hard to imagine a state the size of Oregon handling the administrative burden of running a stateonly carbon cap and trade program. So being able to lean into a regional program linking to California, Washington uh would be optimal. A regional uh is best. We support free allowances being allocated to utilities. The allowances of course are permits to emit a ton of carbon. Uh the reason we think it's appropriate to hand out free allowances

57:36 to utilities is because we may have some increased costs, for example, through market purchases, and we'd like to be able to mitigate any rate impacts to our customers, especially low-income customers. Furthermore, there may be instances where if we're being asked to help decarbonize a different sector of the economy like transportation, those allowances can be of use to us by monetizing them to uh make investments in clean energy uh to support transport uh transportation electrification. So, uh there's a strong case for free allowances being granted to utilities. And lastly, we support revenue recycling. Revenue recycling is the idea that uh revenue collected under the program is then redistributed back to

58:22 the public to help them pay for actual GHG emission reduction measures. Uh revenue is really important because if there was an alternative say for example the funds were used to fund education. I know we'd all like to probably see some more investment in public education, but if we were to do that instead of revenue recycling, it greatly increased the compliance cost to society and to Oregon businesses at potentially as much as doubling the cost of compliance to uh from the program. So, revenue recycling is a very important way to reduce emissions, but also uh maintain affordability for Oregonians and households and keep businesses competitive.

59:09 Uh next, I think we can expect uh a bill that will establish a state transmission authority. The new chair of the House Energy Committee uh introduced this bill last session. I'm I'm sure now that he has the gavl in his hand. Uh he'll just uh be sure to double down on that. Simply put, it is another entity, a state entity in this case, that could plan, finance, and build transmission projects. Now, there's actually already a lot of folks working in this space. The Vonabil Power Administration, utilities, renewable developers are all at work trying to build new transmission that's needed in in the region. I'm not completely convinced that this bill is absolutely necessary. But with that said, um if nothing else, this would be one more additional funding source uh to support transmission buildouts.

59:55 Uh we do think it should be voluntary for utilities to participate in and it's important that we're shielded from unnecessary new oversight or red tape from the authority itself. Uh utilities uh should there should be voluntary for utilities and there should not be an oversight role. Lastly, it's really crucial that the state does tackle transmission sighting and permitting reform. That's the biggest hurdle to transmission bills. And if that's not addressed, the transmission authority will be just yet another entity grappling with the same hurdles that utilities and renewable developers are up against. Next up, uh we can definitely expect legislation on data centers. Um, as Commissioner Morris mentioned, there was

1:00:41 a a hearing in Salem on this topic, and the governor appointed a blue ribbon panel, an advisory committee that's been meeting throughout this year to make recommendations to her in a report due at the end of October. They've held eight meetings. They've heard from 63 expert witnesses on a whole host of issues ranging from land use, water and energy consumption, jobs, revenue, taxation, noise and light pollution, revenue for public services, and a whole host of other topics, very comprehensive. Former EWB general manager Roger Gray was one of the witnesses. Uh he did a great job. He did identify himself as a private citizen, speaking only for himself. um but did

1:01:26 note his work at EW Webb. Uh that group uh will be wrapping it up soon. Um for the people uh let me back up. Uh I think the big thing they're grappling with and the big task they have is evaluating current policies that pertain to data centers coming to Oregon. Data centers are not new to Oregon, but there has been a significant uptick very recently. It's all happening very fast. They're going to be evaluating whether existing policy is sufficient to deal with that influx. Most of these policies are at the local level or whether there is a compelling public interest that dictates some sort of statewide standard standardization uniform standards uh for the processes under which data centers

1:02:11 come to Oregon. That's that's the task they have. And uh they do have one final public listening session uh for any e webb customers or members of the public listening in that want to be heard. Uh the final public listening session for the advisory committee is September 23rd 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. That's on my slide but also it's in the memo online and we can help anyone find information about how they can participate in that. Uh rounding it out, wildfire liability. I don't have a whole lot to say about this one because I really don't know what to expect. There were multiple bills that went forward in 2025. None of them got anywhere and frankly it was a bruising political fight. Um there were

1:02:56 some very deeply entrenched interests and uh it was it was definitely a rough experience for the folks that were trying to forge consensus. I really don't think any of the legislators that involved themselves with these bills in 2025 actually want to try again. And there will need to be new legislators that come forward to try this. I do think there will be an ad hoc committee that's going to be meeting soon to try to come up with a proposal, but the odds are against them based on the way the last legislative session went. Eb, uh, this this is an important topic to e webb. Um, but I think there are going to be utilities with a much higher risk profile than we are that are going to be driving more of the conversation. But we'll be at the table because we need to ensure that any kind of policy that comes out of this is going to be

1:03:42 compatible with EW's interests. Wrapping it up, I'll note that uh there will be a November legislative update that will be in correspondence, but I will be at the meeting. So, if there's any topics that folks would like to pull for questions and discussion, I'll be here to help out for that. And then of course we'll have our December board meeting where I will give another presentation. Probably a little more real-time information that's more accurate about what to project uh in the upcoming session. Uh but at least you've you've had an opportunity to hear what I expect tonight and we'll have the November memo and uh I hope that incremental process is working well for you and I'd be happy to take any questions. >> Okay, I'll open the queue. I know we got about eight minutes left unless we have

1:04:28 an extension. Tim, >> thank you, President. Um, yeah, I wanted to uh on the data center uh meeting, we've I've mentioned it a few times. It's in the House Energy Committee, the House Climate and Energy Committee. So, it started today at 2:30. I really think it's a good source of information um just on that statewide conversation. And I think uh Chair Gamba uh even initiated it with this is not a political conversation, it's informationational one. So, just for anyone here who's listening, uh our commissioners especially really want to point to that. Um the cap and trade uh the past legislation was around cap and invest. Has that policy shifted or are you using those terms interchangeably? >> They're the same thing. Yeah, it's a it's probably a branding exercise to

1:05:15 call capital invest but they are the same policies. >> Got it. Got it. Got it. Wanted to make sure. And then on the transmission authority, um I'm a little new to this conversation, but uh if there's a push for voluntary uh utilities, is there a concern that there's going to be gaps in transmission lines or or is there is there is that a concern that we should be considering? >> Uh I I think the the the role of this authority is to be complimentary. Um I would say there are lots of people working very hard on transmission planning and construction. There's not a shortage. Um so I don't think the state would be coming in to tell any utility

1:06:00 what to do. It's more they would be considering themselves a resource. If there were a utility that for any reason uh was having trouble raising the capital to build a line, I think the state would be willing to offer themselves up as a potential seller of a bond to help with that. Um but they may they may come up with some inter interstate plans. A lot of transmission planning occurs on a regional level. There may be um a more granular level where for economic development reasons, say uh building out new clean resources, uh there may be reasons why a utility might not be interested in a line for load service, but a renewable developer may be interested in it for economic for reasons that the state would care about on economic development. The state could

1:06:45 help a developer, for example. Does that answer your question? >> It does. Thank you. Uh, and then a final point is not a question. I had a opportunity to talk to some state agencies and they all gushed about how great you are and how you're great to work with. So, I'm using this public moment to embarrass you publicly. So, >> thank you. >> But I wanted to pass that along as well. >> Appreciate that, Commissioner. >> John B. >> Thank you. Um, on the water rights bill, do we have a sponsor for that? Uh I know we have a fairly influential local uh contingency of legislators >> the the funding request. >> No. Yeah. No, the transfer of water rights. >> Oh. Uh we're playing defense on that one. Um I I do think I I don't think any

1:07:32 of those legislators would bring a bill forward. The status quo works for us. the status quo. We have a road forward uh that would allow us to complete the necessary water right transfer to change our point of diversion with the existing rules. We want that road to stay certain. So, it's playing defense, but but I maybe a segue would be if a bill comes forward and it does not exempt municipal water rights, I think I'm reading your mind. Yes, we have legislators that would draft an amendment that would exempt municipal water rights. They'd be happy to do it. >> Okay. And then also just a a second on the capital construction bond or bill. Yes, let's lean into that. But we could also lean into the Christmas tree, couldn't we?

1:08:17 >> I actually the same thing. The c the Christmas tree bill is a nickname for the capital construction bill. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And and if I didn't make this clear, I there are legislators that are happy to sponsor that funding request. I I don't want to name them by name until the paperwork is done, but um yes, we do have people lined up to help us with that. >> Bendy Sonia. >> Yeah, just a quick question. Um I know in the last session there was a bill for rooftop solar that didn't pass. Do you know if there's any or maybe it didn't even come forward, but do have you heard anything about a new bill for rooftop solar? >> You know, did it happen to be balcony solar that you're thinking? Yes. Uh I I just heard that there's a good chance we may see a balcony solar bill emerge

1:09:03 again. Uh especially after California just uh approved a version of balcony solar. Uh and that was a bill we did engage with uh we we actually talked to the uh the sponsor of that bill from Corvalis uh quite a bit uh Representative Finger McDonald and I we were neutral on the bill last session. There's there was some fine-tuning some technical aspects. wanted to be ensure that that bill did not co-mingle with net metering law. Um, for those that don't know the idea of balcony solar, it's an alternative to rooftop solar. It's something you can actually plug into a household outlet and it actually can generate energy that you consume, I guess you could say, on the customer side of the meter. Um, it's it's quite innovative. It's it started in Germany.

1:09:49 There's a lot of balcony solar installations in Germany. A couple of US states have now authorized it and made it legal with certain safety uh requirements. And one of the other requirements is typically that it cannot be utilized for net metering. And um generally people the proponents of the bill have been willing to live with those compromises on safety and net metering and they they still think there's a good use case uh for those devices um even without net metering. And so I that bill could come up again and I anticipate our starting place would be one of neutrality. Again I think there's some technical um issues that would need to be ironed out and I will tell you there there is high consumer interest in this topic. I I might even be interested. So thanks for

1:10:35 the questioner. >> Um well I know that we always do in I think in February or March a legislative day at the capital. I'm I'm just wondering if it might be beneficial to you if we did a local meeting with some of our legislators before bills are due or before um you know to to help especially with the uh the ways and means capital construction subcommittee type work and getting that funding because I think that is definitely the the top um item on our mind is trying to get that funding and knowing how competitive it is if there's anything that we could do. Not that I think that our legislators are not fighting for us in in that regard, but if if there is a

1:11:20 a benefit to doing something like that before bills are due, >> I I think it's an excellent idea. I think because of the funding requests and uh the the onetime opportunity could go for it, we should definitely consider a supplemental meeting and I'd be happy to talk to you all about your availability and schedule something like that. >> Um I don't have any questions. Um were you done? Yeah, I think Jason nailed all of the hot topics that I expected to be on there and then some. So, thanks. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much. Now, time to make a decision. Do we want to take a fiveminute break or do we want to roll on? We got one more agenda item. >> Well, >> keep on trucking. >> Keep on trucking. All right, John, you're up. Kelly

1:12:13 never driven a truck in my life. Here's the word for UPS. >> All right. Good evening. And um all right, so we're talked a little bit about strategic planning. Um I've got Kelly Hill up here. She's our director of strategic planning. And um I think what we wanted to do is just give you an idea of where things are headed along this line. Um, you know, with the current strategic plan suns setting in 2028, uh, we thought it would be good to begin to really focus on, um, developing our new strategic plan. And, you know, we've got a number of principles that we've laid out that Kelly will share with you, and then also the path forward, the kind of process we want to

1:13:00 go through. I don't want to take all of her thunder because she'll touch on all of the things that are important to this process. Um but what I will say is this is that uh we're going to lay out a really good process in developing this plan. Um you know the theme a key theme around it will be inclusiveness. I think that's something that is going to be different than um how the prior plan was developed. And I think it it goes without saying um I think there's an old adage where it says u you know culture will eat strategy for lunch. So, I'm really confident that we're going to come up with a a plan that um identifies the the key strategic objectives and needs for this utility moving forward in the community. Um I think it's going to be equally important for us to focus on

1:13:46 our culture as an organization to be able to successfully implement this plan over the next three to six years. So, um, just wanted to share that that while we are developing the plan and we're going to have a lot of engagement around that, um, we also are focused on our workforce, um, and making sure that we've got the, um, culture, the mindset to go out and and successfully achieve the things that we're laying out strategically over the next, like I said, three to six years. With that, I'll hand it over to Kelly. >> Great. Thanks, everybody. I'm really excited to be here tonight to talk to you about the direction we want to go with the development of the next strategic plan. We are here to seek your direction. There's no formal action that needs to be taken tonight, but we are

1:14:32 looking at um putting out a request for proposals for consulting support uh next week. So, this is perfect timing to get some uh of your feedback tonight. I wanted to cover four items. I wanted to describe some of those principles that were included in your board memo that um will guide our process. Then I wanted to explain um some of the expected deliverables. What are the outputs of the process that you can expect and we'll then go through what the um steps are in the process and a draft road map um so that you can kind of see both what are um the expected phases. Obviously that will um uh need to incorporate uh the proposals from the consulting support that will um you know that we'll

1:15:17 be procuring but um we'll be describing what those phases are and then uh where your engagement will be specifically uh where you can expect um that [clears throat] uh engagement with uh y'all as the board of commissioners and then we'll open it up for discussion. All right. So there are a number of those principles that we mentioned. Um as general manager Haristston was just talking about we really want to lead with a process uh that is guided in transparency and integrity. We want it to be a clear process uh open uh and engaging with the uh key audiences that um we were just talking about. And so that really is about authentic engagement. It's about um working with some key um audiences, specifically our

1:16:02 workforce because of the culture component that um we were just referring to, but also the board of commissioners, our broader community, which includes our customers uh and strategic partners. So, we'll be looking at different ways to engage those different groups throughout the process. uh we really want e webb employees to be able to understand how their daily work connects to the vision that will be pres pro provided in the strategic plan. So that's really important that people can see themselves and their work um in the plan and understand how the plan can guide their prioritization and their work process moving forward over the six years of the plan. We do want um to have a swift and simple process even with um the items that we're talking about here.

1:16:47 We want to maintain momentum uh and we want to minimize where possible our staff time because as you all know we have a lot of other projects that are happening at the same time. So to do that, we expect to utilize some of that consulting support I was just mentioning that will help us both support a swift process and bring in some needed expertise on a strategic foresight process to make sure that the strategies that e webb is selecting can be tested against different possible futures and make sure that we're creating a future ready planning uh environment. Uh and so that's part of what will be informed by long-term research. So even though general manager Harston was just talking about how the near-term actions in the plan will guide the next 6 years approximately, we do want to look ahead.

1:17:32 Um and so we'll be utilizing some of that um strategic foresight trend research on a longer time horizon to think about how the future might unfold under a 20-year time horizon, but then create strategies that are in the near term that we can actual, you know, operationalize and put into place. and we'll be building on our existing um e-web business management system that we developed back in 2025 to maintain momentum with a system that staff are becoming more and more familiar with. So, what can you expect um the process to produce? Ultimately, we're trying to produce a plan that will again cover approximately a six-year time frame with a major refresh at the midway point. Um, we expect the specific plan to um

1:18:19 refresh EW Webb's mission, vision, and values as well as identify those highest level business priorities and the multi-year themes that help um the organization move forward on those business priorities. Then the next stage would be developing um road maps for what those intended outcomes are of the multi-year themes. And then that would lead to in December uh of next year coming back to you as usual with the annual organizational goals selected for the first year of the plan that will ultimately support those long-term priorities and themes. And along the way, we'll be doing those engagement activities with those audiences we talked about. So you can envision that there would be some deliverables that would come to support those engagement activities. We'll be um exploring what

1:19:05 those exactly will be once we see the consultant proposals, but things could include things like interviews, public listening sessions. Uh we will be putting out our new uh or our customer survey um in 2027 and that will have both a residential survey component and a commercial uh survey component. Um and we are um planning to have a staff advisory committee um that uh the workforce can choose to participate in to guide some of the process. And we'll be once the uh draft plan is developed, we're planning for a public comment period both um for um workforce and the community to be able to u weigh in on the direction to make sure that it meets their needs. So, as we think about strategic planning in general, um we know that we want to

1:19:52 do this work in 2027 because our current plan will sunset in 2028. And we know that the ultimate plan will um be something that we want our employees to use to show how we will move from vision into reality. The typical flow of components here shows that once we articulate our mission, vision, and values, that organizational purpose stays enduring, and it falls into the long-term research and scenarios that look out into the future to see what might change in the future, both in our community and in our um industry. And that can then inform our strategic priorities and those priorities and themes and desired outcomes over the six years of the plans. That's what the plan will include and then the flowing out of

1:20:38 that will be the road maps to say how do we actually get there within that time frame of the plan and then that will lead to our first year's implementation of that with the annual organizational goals that y'all will approve at the end of the year and again that engagement will happen at each step along the way. So as we look at the um actual road map um there are a number of phases to the project uh we are doing the a planning phase right now through the fall um where we will be hiring a consultant team and we'll be bringing uh we're expecting to bring a contract to y'all for approval in December of this year. uh that'll lead us with enough time to kick off the process right at the beginning of 2027 and we'll start with a

1:21:23 data gathering phase. Um and the consultant will help lead a strategic foresight research component to that. That'll lead us into initial engagement. Uh and you see the board right there as one of those key audiences. So, we'll be coming to y'all um to engage you right off the bat. That will lead to a process to refine EWB's mission, vision, and values. and we'll be sure to bring an update back to the board as to um the executive team's work uh to refresh those existing statements. Then we'll be um looking at uh you know bringing in that strategic foresight research looking at different scenarios and using those to test our draft strategies for that future ready planning and that'll lead us into writing the plan. Uh and

1:22:08 we'll be bringing updates to the board at both of those stages. But um the board will be um approving the plan once we have gone through um the initial drafting and that public comment period where people can have an opportunity to weigh in. Uh we'll develop those road maps and then that'll lead us to bringing you all the goals um by the end of 2027. So with that, I'll uh love to hear questions or comments and get some direction. Thank you very much. I'll open it up to anybody that has questions or comments. Sonia, >> um it seems like a a thorough process. It's uh from what we did previously, it seems like it has um other additions that I think could be beneficial to our,

1:22:55 you know, community and to staff. And um I remember that we just I think we had maybe a work session or two that we went through. Um so it' be interesting to have a set of consultants instead of I don't believe that we had a professional um group actually facilitating it. I think it came more internally. Um, so I'd be interested to see how this process, you know, plays out and what kind of outcomes they come with different. I would hope that in the contract approval that we um look for, you know, others that have experience working specifically with utilities obviously because otherwise I don't think they can have the same level of [laughter] input and guidance that um might otherwise have. But I appreciate the update and the very very thorough road

1:23:42 mapap. Thank you. Um, yeah, I look forward to this process. I guess for me the the questions that I would have is, you know, I see touch points up there. Board update, board approval, board update. Um, for me, something that I would hope we can have and one of those red red spots on the one, two, three, four, or five um would be an actual just work session where it's a more of a free flowing type of a thing. I think that on something that's as important as this, that to me is the way that it works the best. Um, so I don't know where in that flowchart that would be. I also um I

1:24:27 also think it would be very important for us on number three when we are re refining the mission values that we're doing. It seems to me that that would be something that we would want to approve before it moves on, right? You know, there's board approval up on number five, but you're building on the the mission bill and the values. And to me, that's definitely a board le I mean, we take the input from the consultant and everything that's one, but say yes, we we align with what you've proposed for us. Now, move forward. So, um, I didn't see that as an approval of those, but I

1:25:13 think that that at least a head not approval at that point would be something that I would hope that board and and so for me, I just wanted a little bit more clarity of you say board board, but how the touch points are there and where the actual yes, I approve of that, but move on to the next step. And I think on number three is an important one for me. Yeah, Commissioner Rosski, I really appreciate that comment and the intent is to make sure as we take these steps, particularly as we refine, you know, mission, vision, values, um, that we're getting that that head nod. Um, you know, because it's going to be, you know, a number of progressions as we get to the end of it. But the main thing is

1:25:58 to be able to identify um those areas where we've got agreement so we can move forward and begin to really define what we want to accomplish through those objectives. >> And I'll just [clears throat] add to that um we did have a discussion about a possible board work session and we were thinking about that in that phase two of the initial engagement and yeah apologies about the word update. You know, I it was our intent that the um on the create clarity that there would definitely be an opportunity for y'all to weigh in. You'd get a chance to say what direction you want it to go before that and then we'd bring it back to you with uh what our uh initial thoughts were and you'd have an opportunity to approve. >> Mindy Jim,

1:26:43 >> thank you, President. Um yeah, I thank you for the thorough update and for the information. uh my my nonprofit, my day job, we just finished our strategic plan this year and it uh I was really excited for a bunch of new exciting fun things that are really shiny and and fun to do, but it actually just reaffirmed what we've been doing well. And I think that that's what I'm hoping to see out of this as well is is good things to work on and things to focus on in the future, but also just an affirmation of what is going well. Um and I think that that is is something that's always exciting in a a strategic plan. So, um I look forward to that. Um, and really I I hope that there's uh I'm just making uh value statements I guess today, but uh uh that there's an effort to really connect with

1:27:28 the public and and have uh community input. I think um that's something we hear occasionally from from public comment is is a connection issue, but also we have a a board member who's uh about to be outgoing and and her insights will be extremely valuable. Um and we have a new board member who's incoming who will have uh clearer eyes than than the rest of us too. So um just uh direct input for uh uh the public and and people who have been involved with us for for quite some time uh I think is where I'm looking towards but this is very thorough. I I have no other questions. This is great. Thanks so much. probably will not be part of this process. But um I guess I would just recommend to

1:28:13 really lean into our scheduled work sessions. We don't often use them. They're on the calendar. And perhaps uh with the exception of tonight's meeting, usually the stuff related to strategic goals or things like that are usually squeezed into a very busy meeting and it's usually at the end of the meeting and it can be really hard to like be present and focus. And so, and this is very important. So, I would just recommend looking at those um work sessions that are already on the calendar and see how they line up with the different stages here because I think it could be really helpful. I was going to ask um just a quick question about process. I've been getting some conversation from people from some of the bedroom communities and

1:28:58 you know Creswell is on a building moratorium. Junction City is on a bed building moratorium and they're exploring the opportunity the options of running services from those bedroom communities to MWMC to accommodate that. And if somebody comes to us and say well we're going to be doing that we might as well run a water line and become a regional water supplier. where or how or would that even come into this conversation? Um because that is a big long strategic thing, but it's in the works and those some of those bedroom communities are having problems with drinking water and they already have the problem with sewage disposal. They're they can't build anymore. So would that be something I mean you tell me where that would come in here if if at all. Is that something that we would look for or

1:29:44 we would wait to we'd be reactive rather than proactive? Well, no, I think uh that's that's a great u you know comment there, President Brown, because what you want to do, you want to be more proactive about what you're doing strategically. So, I would imagine or would foresee it coming up in the conversations that we have about where we want to take the utility in the long run. um it won't necessarily be that specific in my mind, but it would be something that could fit under a key theme or objective that gives us the the you know, kind of the leadway to be able to pursue something like that if we felt it was prudent down the road. Um but, you know, certainly that's something that we need to have um as part of the conversation. Uh the other thing I would

1:30:29 say is is to your um comment commissioner Morris is that um one you know we've got a set of mission vision and values and and you're right there's a lot of great stuff about it. So um you know my thinking going into this will be we'll look at it um you know we'll look at what we see in terms of the future landscape and um maybe it's just a refinement maybe it's great as is or maybe there's some areas where we need to do some some heavy um you know uh reconstruction and and and you know we'll decide that as we go through the process. Uh but for me the most important thing is that in conversations I've had with a lot of our um you know workforce is that they want to be able

1:31:15 to see what they do day in and day out reflected in this plan. Uh when they open it up they want to be able to see okay the things that I'm doing actually contribute towards us achieving these goals and helping the community. And so I think if we are able to nail this thing at the end of the day, uh we'll have a plan that not only leads this organization in the right direction, but our workforce is really engaged and they're seeing uh what they're doing every day um and supporting the goals that we've got in front of us and the community will also see the things that we're doing and supporting them. Uh so uh I'm excited about the process. It's um you know all these you know it's it's not easy getting into strategic planning um you know going through this process

1:32:00 and and I tell you Kelly will tell you our conversations have been pretty interesting in terms of process and trying to make sure that we're making the most with our time and our resources. uh but it is extremely important and um you know I'm looking forward to it and then like I said the companion to this is also the work that we're doing u Dedra Williams and and the team is doing on uh people and culture so it's just not strategic planning alone it's more holistic >> any other questions or comments do you have do you have from us what you need >> yes this has been incredibly helpful and uh it will just augment the RFP process. So, thank you for the direction you provided. >> Thank you very much. All right. Well,

1:32:45 the next agenda item is future board agendas. That's John's. >> Uh, yes. So, in the board packet, um, there weren't anything I think necessarily remarkable. The only question I did have on the future board I think was answered and that was whether you were going to be available um, October 6. And if you were going to be available, we're going to maybe move some things around. But um with you not being available, that's my understanding. I don't think there's anything that we need to try to rearrange on the future agendas at this time. >> I'm going to be in the wilderness that morning and I'm going to try and get back, but it's a 50/50 at best. I I don't think I'll be back for the meeting because it's just logistics and weather and, you know, 10-hour drive and all

1:33:32 that stuff. It just don't count on me. I'm going to try it. I may be a little grubby, but but I I'll try and show up, but I'll be able to move away, but uh I I would I would plan on Commissioner Carlson running the meeting and and me not being here and probably not even be able to call in. I don't >> Well, President Brad, I didn't mean to put you on the spot uh with that, but >> I'm going to make an effort, but you know, I'm >> You make the effort, that'd be great. >> I got my choices and I just so many trips left in my life, so I'm going to take one. >> Okay. So um you know absent that I don't think we have anything um on the future agenda items to to consider. >> Well next agenda item is board wrapup. Mindy >> Tim

1:34:17 >> Tonius John >> thank you for running a very efficient meeting this evening. President Brown >> free dinner for me. All right. Well, thank you very much and thanks for uh everything you guys do and I hope I hope to get back in October, but if not, I'll see you in November. Thank you very much.