PORT TOWNSEND — The new general manager of Jefferson County Public Utility District, Larry Dunbar, focused on three areas during his first public meeting with the utility’s commissioners.
Dunbar described the projects he termed “public extra-curricular:” a new addition to the PUD facility at the Four Corners location, a community solar installation and a fiber optic project in Port Townsend.
“This is only my second week and it has been a very busy time,” Dunbar said. “I have seven people who report to me and I have met with all of them to establish a rapport and share my basic management expectations.”
At a recent all-employee meeting, Dunbar listed his priorities for the PUD staff: incrementally improve safety and reliability provided to all customers.
Dunbar said he does not like email and prefers to have a chat over a cup of coffee or tea with each employee.
“My door’s open, I’m available. My preference is not email, I prefer a visit or a phone call. I find it easier to communicate that way.”
Dunbar said he has defined more than 60 projects, mostly staff-driven good ideas, that have been raised during his meetings. He admitted that there are more ideas than time and staff, but he plans to review each one carefully.
About his top priorities he said:
• Currently, the PUD operates out of three facilities: the Four Corners customer service building that was taken over in 2013, the Port Hadlock administration building that is outgrown and in need of repairs, and a satellite office in Port Hadlock that has a handful of offices that are filled. The PUD currently has 48 employees, with 14 working out of other locations.
PUD officials have been considering different ways to bring staff together, including building an addition to the facility in the next year. The project currently is in the exploratory stage with architectural schematic drawings being created. As an interim step, a triple-wide mobile office is being considered to house all staff on the same property.
• In the Community Solar Project, solar panels are slated to be placed next to the Dana Roberts memorial substation on Kearney Street in Port Townsend. Shares will offered to members of the public for purchase and buyers will, in turn, receive credits. It currently is in its permitting and exploration phase.
• Dunbar also gave an update on the Port Townsend Fiber Optic Pilot Project.
As part of Water Street project, PUD has worked with the city of Port Townsend to place all utilities underground and to guide installation of conduit for all electrical power. Concurrently, fiber optic cables are being installed in conduits. PUD has been in contact with businesses who are interested in the fastest speeds available, with the same upload and download speed. If the Water Street project continues on schedule, the service should be available this summer, Dunbar said.
Dunbar said he’s still in a transition though the end of June as he moves from Ellensburg but made himself available any time.
In addition to his other skills, Dunbar said that he is a certified parliamentarian, and that his father runs a business focusing on parliamentary procedure.
“If we need procedural advice, I know who to call,” he said. “And it will be free.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-3225 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
