MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Directors of the
Clean Power Alliance of Southern California
Thursday, February 3, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
The Board of Directors conducted this meeting remotely, pursuant to the Proclamation of the State of Emergency by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, AB 361, and enacting CPA Resolutions, and as a response to mitigating the spread of COVID-19
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Diana Mahmud called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and Susan Caputo, Interim Clerk of the Board, conducted roll call.
Roll Call
1 Agoura Hills Deborah Klein Lopez Director Remote
2 Alhambra Jeff Maloney Director Remote
3 Arcadia Sho Tay Director Remote
4 Beverly Hills Julian Gold Director Remote
5 Calabasas Michael McConville Alternate Remote
6 Camarillo Susan Santangelo Director Remote
7 Carson Reata Kulcsar Alternate Remote
8 Claremont Corey Calaycay Director Remote
9 Culver City Daniel Lee Director Remote
10 Downey Sean Ashton Director Remote
11 Hawaiian Gardens Ramie L. Torres Alternate Remote
12 Hawthorne Alex Monteiro Director Remote
13 Los Angeles County Sheila Kuehl Vice Chair Remote
14 Malibu Mikke Pierson Director Remote
15 Manhattan Beach Dana Murray Alternate Remote
16 Moorpark Janice Parvin Director Remote
17 Ojai Betsy Stix
Michelle Ellison
Director
Alternate Remote
18 Oxnard Bert Perello Director Remote
19 Paramount Vilma Cuellar Stallings Director Remote
20 Redondo Beach Ted Semaan Alternate Remote
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21 Rolling Hills Estates Steve Zuckerman Director Remote 22 Santa Monica Gleam Davis Director Remote
23 Sierra Madre Robert Parkhurst Director Remote
24 Simi Valley Ruth Luevanos Director Remote
25 South Pasadena Diana Mahmud Chair Remote
26 Temple City Fernando Vizcarra Director Remote
27 Thousand Oaks Kevin McNamee Director Remote
28 City of Ventura Joe Yahner Alternate Remote
29 Ventura County Linda Parks Vice Chair Remote
30 West Hollywood Lindsey Horvath Director Remote
31 Westlake Village Ned Davis Director Remote
32 Whittier Vicki Smith Alternate Remote
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
No general public comment was made.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Adopt Resolution Finding the Continuing Need to Meet by Teleconference Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 (e)
2. Approve Minutes from December 2, 2021 Board of Directors Meeting
3. Approve Minutes from January 6, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting
4. Approve and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between CPA and Electrical Training Institute for Program Implementation Services on the Clean Energy Workforce Development Investment Plan project with a total financial contribution of $225,500
5. Receive and File Community Advisory Committee Monthly Report Motion: Director Santangelo, Camarillo
Second: Director Parkhurst, Sierra Madre
Vote: The consent agenda was approved by a roll call vote, and a no vote from Director Perello on Item 2 only, as he was not present at the December 2, 2021 meeting.
REGULAR AGENDA
6. Public Noticing and Discussion of Proposed Amendments to CPA Bylaws Ted Bardacke, Chief Executive Officer, provided a brief oral report. Mr. Bardacke explained that the current requirements in the bylaws prevent the Vice-Chairs from holding officer positions after June 2022, due to either term expiration or choosing not to run for local elective office. To address the issue, one of the proposed Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors Page 3 of 5
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changes to the bylaws is to set the County Supervisors for each county Member Agency as Vice Chairs, rather than elected to the position. Mr. Bardacke invited discussion from the Chair and Board Members.
Chair Mahmud stated that the Executive Committee discussed and unanimously agreed that the proposed changes were appropriate.
Director Kulcsar proposed an additional amendment to the bylaws – removal of the eligibility requirement that candidates for at-large positions on the Executive Committee be Regular Directors only. Director Kulcsar noted that if given the opportunity, Alternate Directors would participate and engage even more, and are already allowed to serve on CPA standing policy committees. Several Directors expressed gratitude for Director Kulcsar’s participation and input but did not support the additional proposed amendment, citing concerns that Alternate Directors, in particular city staff, will not be accountable to the electorate like a Regular Director is. Directors pointed out that the distinction of CPA is that its leadership is accountable to its constituents. Vice Chairs Kuehl and Parks, and Directors Gold, Parkhurst, Zuckerman, Perello, Santangelo, and Calaycay all provided comments in support of the proposed amendments as presented by staff.
Chair Mahmud noted that the proposed amendments allow CPA to benefit from the continued leadership of both Vice Chairs Kuehl and Parks until their terms expire; and expressed gratitude for Director Kulcsar’s participation in the CPA Board and Committees. Chair Mahmud concluded the discussion by stating that accountability to constituents was a guiding principle in adding eligibility requirements for leadership positions.
In response to Director Torres’s comment about the attendance and participation of Regular Directors, Chair Mahmud clarified that there are attendance requirements for Regular Directors who would like to serve on the Executive Committee.
CLOSED SESSION
7. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1
Nancy Whang, General Counsel, stated that there was no reportable action taken.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Mr. Bardacke discussed a Southern California Edison (SCE) billing issue that CPA was made aware of only two days prior to the Board meeting. About 145,000 CPA customers received SCE bills without CPA charges in late December. The error originated in the new SCE billing system and although the error is fixed, a discussion has just begun to identify where both the system and communication breakdown occurred.
Directors Gold, Maloney, and Monteiro noted that they were affected by the error and that talking points will be helpful to explain the situation to residents in their communities.
Directors Semaan, Santangelo, Ramirez, and Perello also requested that talking points and customer communication be shared with member agencies so they can communicate the error to customers. Director Perello also expressed appreciation for CPA staff’s transparency when issues like this occur. In response to questions, comments, and Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors Page 4 of 5
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feedback from Board members, Mr. Bardacke confirmed that talking points will be shared with Board members and CPA will conduct outreach to its customers as well. Directors Ashton and Monteiro also suggested that CPA explore the feasibility of acquiring its own billing system.
Mr. Bardacke also provided an update on CPA operations. All active residential customers who are eligible for utility bill relief under the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) will receive amounts equal to 100% on their eligible past due amounts totally more than $15 million and credits will be automatically applied on customers’ bills over the next several weeks. The Hawthorne City Council voted unanimously to change their default rate to 100% Green and the City of Hermosa Beach voted unanimously to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of joining CPA. In the next 6-8 weeks, several CPA member agencies will consider the Power Ready MOU. Mr. Bardacke reviewed the process to join CPA, provided updates on the Power Response program, residential Time of Use transition, and member agency surveys on electrification reach codes and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Directors Parkhurst and Horvath thanked staff for their efforts in CPA-led initiatives, particularly in the areas of DEI and electrification. Director Ellison reported that Ojai recently passed an electrification reach code and banned natural gas in new build construction and offered advocacy assistance for cities interested in passing their own electrification reach codes. Director Monteiro thanked those who helped him build support for passing the 100% Green default rate change in Hawthorne.
COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES
Director Horvath, Legislative & Regulatory Committee Chair, announced that a virtual Lobby Day will occur in May to engage new representatives and find support on issues that affect CPA.
Director Gold, Finance Committee Chair, reported that CPA is in good financial health and the Committee recently discussed the CPA collections guidelines and will review it again in the coming months.
Director Parkhurst, Energy Planning & Resources Committee Chair, reported that the Committee recently discussed the Mid-Term Reliability RFO and shortlisted/waitlisted five projects that will help CPA meet about half of its long-term procurement requirements for long-duration storage and baseload renewables.
Each Committee Chair encouraged Board members to join and participate in the Committees of their interest.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Vice Chair Parks announced that the County of Ventura recently approved two measures; one to require city leases with other entities to use 100% clean energy and allowing the use of 100% clean energy as a GHG mitigation measure in CEQA documents. Director Ellison thanked cities that have opted for the 100% Green default rate as it created momentum for a statewide movement towards clean energy and mentioned several cities in Southern and Northern California that are also transitioning to 100% clean energy, citing CPA’s experience and success. Vice Chair Kuehl emphasized discussions happening throughout various county commissions, cities, and agencies about transitioning to zero- Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors Page 5 of 5
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emission energy and the use of electricity to eliminate dependency on fossil fuels; and suggested that CPA consider how it can collaborate and participate in that transition.
Director Santangelo announced that the Camarillo City Council will consider transitioning to 100% Green default rate on March 9th.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Chair Mahmud welcomed new Board members Ned Davis and Kevin McNamee; invited Board members to participate in the Power Response program; and reminded Board members that there are two different TOU rates and constituents can find out which program they are in by visiting the SCE website. Chair Mahmud said we would address Director Perello’s question regarding the pledge of allegiance.
ADJOURN
Chair Mahmud adjourned the meeting at 4:07 p.m.