TO :
FROM:
MEMORANDUM
Commissioner Newsha K. Ajami, Vice President
Commissioner Sophie Maxwell
Commissioner Tim Paulson
Moisés García, SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair SUBJECT: SFPUC CAC 2021-22 Annual Report to the Commission D
ATE: October 3, 2022
I
am pleased to present to the Commission the CAC Annual Report for FY 2021-22 and provide a summary of the CAC’s priorities for FY 2022-23. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for the city and San Franciscans that had significant impacts on the agency. The CAC has continued its virtual meetings to address the critical and essential work of the SFPUC on behalf of San Franciscans and SFPUC ratepayers.
1. SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee Priorities
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) is focused on establishing and advancing their priorities.
The overall goals for Full CAC are to support the Subcommittees’ priorities, address agency-wide priorities that affect the three Enterprises, recruit new members to fill the vacancies, and support leadership development for all members. CAC members have been identified for each CAC priority topic to work with their respective Chairs to agendize the topic, shape discussions, and work with SFPUC appropriate staff.
Full CAC Priority Topics for FY2022-23
The Full CAC will focus on the following priorities:
1. Support affordability programs and policies
2. Promote CAC priorities in the SFPUC’s budget
3. Support and advance SFPUC’s Racial Equity Plan
4. Understand SFPUC and civil service hiring practices to advance workforce equity
5. Increase investment and retention of workforce to ensure long term stability
6. Ensur e SFPUC real estate leases and policies benefit the public
7. Track infrastructure investments through the 10 Year Capital Plans
8. Follow up on CAC adopted resolutions
9. Learn and conduct outreach for SFPUC grants, rebates, and incentives Water CAC Priority Topics for FY2022-23
The W ater Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Drought and Water Conservation
a. S
FPUC Water Rate Charges
b. SF Groundwater Project
i. Green Infrastructure
2. Increase our understanding of the Bay Delta Plan and the Voluntary Settlement Agreements and their impact on our Water Sources and Environment a. Alternative Water Supplies
3. Advance Expansion of the Emergency Firefighting Water System
4. Water Enterprise Diversity Equity Inclusion Effort
5. Climate Change Report
Power CAC Priority Topics for FY2022-23
The Power Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Racial Equity Plan Implementation Updates (Hetchy and CleanPowerSF)
2. Climate Change Resiliency and Weatherization
3. Power Programs and Affordability
4. Strategic Investments in Power Infrastructure
5. Power Enterprise Hiring and Training
Wastewater CAC Priority Topics for FY2022-23
The Wastewater Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Wastewater Cost of Service Study to Inform 5-year Rates
2. Environmental Justice: Focus on air quality and multi-jurisdictional approach to large capital projects to bolster co-benefits
3. Level of Service Metrics and Reporting
4. Sewer Lateral Education and Outreach
5. Workforce Succession Planning, Hiring, Retention, and Impacts from the Capital Program Rebalancing Effort
2. Highlights of 2021-22 CAC Actions
The CAC has been meeting virtually through videoconference. Despite the disruption in the in-person meetings, the CAC was able to advance some of its priorities as listed below.
Please see the full text for all the resolutions in Appendix A.
1. Resolution in Support of SB 612 Electrical Corporations and other Load-Serving Entities: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on July 20, 2021. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) fee on CleanPowerSF customers, in order to recover the estimated above-market costs of power supply commitments made by PG&E prior to a customer's switch to CleanPowerSF generation service. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) endorses SB 612, which addresses PCIA inequities by ensuring all customers have access to the benefits of the resources they are paying for, and that the costs to all ratepayers are minimized. The CAC requests staff to return to the Power Subcommittee with periodic updates on the PCIA.
2. Resolution in Support of the Transition of CleanPowerSF Residential Customers to Time-of-Use Rates: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on July 20, 2021. In 2013, the
California legislature enacted AB 327 to reform residential electricity rates, which directed investor-owned utilities to implement time-of-use (ToU) rates for residential customers.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Resolution 19-0236 endorsed the transition of CleanPowerSF residential customers to ToU rates. The San Francisco Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) supports the transition of CleanPowerSF's residential customers to ToU as the default rate starting July 2021 and provides bill protection in the form of a one-time credit after the first year of service. This CAC requests staff to return to the Power Subcommittee in 2022 with an update on ToU rate implementation successes and challenges, and its impacts on customers.
3. Resolution in Support of Resilient Water Supply: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on August 17, 2021. The SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) urges the SFPUC to include in its 2023 Alternative Water Supply Program specific projects to meet the full amount of identified supply shortfall for the San Francisco Regional Water System, and provide those plans, with options, costs, and timelines, to the public in a timely manner in accordance with the SFPUC’s July 2023 schedule. Additionally, it urges the Commission, as part of that plan, to consider the reuse of the 65 mgd (million gallons per day) of effluent that is currently discharged from the City’s two wastewater treatment plants considering the results of the San Francisco Purified Water Opportunities Study. The CAC urges the SFPUC to identify and mitigate impacts on vulnerable communities. Further, the CAC also advises the SFPUC to invest in partnership with the CAC in an education and awareness campaign among its retail customers to emphasize the increasing impact of climate change on the City’s water supply and the need to diversify its water supply portfolio to reliably meet the needs of its customers amid growing climate uncertainty.
4. Resolution for Continued Support and Budget for SFPUC Racial Equity Plan and Community Benefits: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on September 21, 2021. The
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) reiterates its support for the SFPUC’s Racial Equity Plan, requests the SFPUC to fund and create positions to support the equity work, and requests the General Manager to fully comply, implement, and to report back monthly to both the Commission and the CAC on equity goals related to the resolution. The CAC also requests that the Commission implements fully the Community Benefits, Environmental Justice and Condemning Systemic Racism policies and requests continued improvements to mitigate impacts on vulnerable communities and that the Commission support the expansion of the budget for the Social Impact Partnership program to address growing community needs. Additionally, the CAC requests that racial inequities and disparities continue to be addressed, that the Commission ensures that leadership is diverse, and representative of the agency’s values as stated in the Racial Equity Action Plan, and also has a proven track record of doing work in/for the community. The CAC further requests the implementation of transparency and accountability measures to rebuild trust from the public and that the Commission ensures that all SFPUC employees are treated with respect and dignity, especially by senior leadership.
5. Resolution to Continue Online Meetings Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on February 15, 2022. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee finds as follows: (1) the State of California and the City remain in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the CAC has considered the circumstances of the state of emergency; (2) State and City officials continue to recommend measures to promote physical distancing and other social distancing measures, in some settings; (3) because of the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting meetings of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and its subcommittees in person would present imminent risks to the safety of attendees, and the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of members to meet safely in person. The CAC urges the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the General Manager, and the Board of Supervisors to advocate the Mayor’s Office to allow the continuation of virtual meetings or allow hybrid meetings until the State of California and the City are no longer in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That in the event the requirement to begin in-person meetings does take effect the Citizens’ Advisory Committee requests that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the General Manager provide rapid COVID-19 testing and a large meeting room that would allow social distancing to protect the health of the committee’s 16 members, their families, and our community.
Despite physical distancing and social isolation, CAC’s members continued to be ambassadors for the CAC and the SFPUC, engaging and educating their appointing officials from the Mayor to the Board of Supervisors, their constituents, and their networks. In some cases, CAC members have advocated to promote the work of the SFPUC CAC, and the agency including 1) SFPUC Commission meeting to urge the Commission to consider the CAC’s concerns expressed in the Resolution in Support of a Resilient Water Supply (September 2021); 2) SFPUC Commission meeting to present the CAC Annual Report and to urge the SFPUC to support the Community Benefits and Social Impact Partnership program (October 2021). CAC members continuously engage with SFPUC staff on a myriad of topics to learn more about issues that concern staff, and advocate for outcomes they think are in the public interest.
3. Appointments and Vacancies
There are currently 13 of 17 seats on the CAC filled. Anietie Ekanem was appointed the District 10 member on October 27, 2016, and he resigned in February 2022. On October 14, 2020, Marria Evbuoma was appointed the District 1 member and she resigned in April 2022. Member Wendy Aragon previously held that seat from 2013 to 2020. On October 20, 2021, the Office of the Mayor appointed Marissa Williams to the Engineering/Financial seat, and she resigned in June 2022.
Member Mark Tang previously held that seat from 2017-2021. These seats are currently vacant. On July 21, 2021, Barklee Sanders was appointed the District 6 member. Member Amy Zock previously held that seat from 2019-2021. On July 22, 2021, the Office of the Mayor appointed Maika Pinkston to the Regional/Statewide Environmental Organization seat. Member Austin Hunter formerly held that seat from 2020-2021. On February 1, 2022, Douglas Jacuzzi was appointed the District 4 member. Member Jim McHugh held that seat from 2018-2021. On November 1, 2021, Joshua Ochoa was appointed the District 7 member. All the CAC seat terms will end on May 8, 2024.
The CAC is actively working with appointing officials to fill four vacant seats. The four seats that we are actively recruiting for are:
1. Mayor appointed seat for Engineering or Finance (Vacant)
2. Board of Supervisors President appointed seat for Small Business (Vacant)
3. District 1 seat (Vacant)
4. District 10 seat (Vacant)
Appendix A:
2021-22 Resolutions Adopted by
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Resolution from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supporting SB 612 Electrical Corporations and other Load-Serving Entities:
Allocation of Legacy Resources
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Board of Supervisors established a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA), a local publicly owned energy provider to procure renewable energy, in 2004 (Ordinance 86-04) and has implemented CleanPowerSF (CPSF) through the work of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) in consultation with the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission (Ordinances 146-07, 147-07, and 232-09); and
WHEREAS, The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorizes Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) electric generation rates, and has authorized the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) fee on CPSF customers, in order to recover the estimated above-market costs of power supply commitments made by PG&E prior to a customer's switch to CPSF generation service; and
WHEREAS, The PCIA has risen more than 600 percent in the PG&E service area since 2013, and nearly doubled since the CPUC changed its rules in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Market participants have uncovered errors totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of their participation in CPUC cost recovery dockets on behalf of ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, Over the last decade, more than 11 million utility customers across California have transitioned from having Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU i.e., PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison) procure their energy to having CCAs procure their energy; and
WHEREAS, CCA customers continue to share with IOU customers cost responsibility for power supply commitments entered into by IOUs prior to their departure for CCA service, including expensive long-term renewable energy contracts with third parties and capital-intensive utility- owned generation facilities (e.g., nuclear, natural gas, hydroelectric plants); and
WHEREAS, Legacy resources account for billions of dollars in above-market costs in IOU energy portfolios—IOUs forecast $3.9 billion in combined above-market costs for 2021—and IOUs rely on ratepayers to pay the costs; and
WHEREAS, CCA customers continue to pay for legacy resources through the PCIA fee yet do not have fair and equal access to benefits, such as the renewable and greenhouse gas free attributes, associated with IOU legacy resources nor are those
resources actively managed to maximize their value for ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, SB 612 stems from a proposal supported by an IOU and CCAs that was developed in the CPUC’s Working Group 3 phase of the PCIA proceeding; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, This Committee hereby endorses SB 612 which addresses PCIA inequities by ensuring all customers have access to the benefits of the resources they are paying for, and that the costs to all ratepayers are minimized; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, This Committee hereby requests staff to return to the Power Subcommittee with periodic updates on the PCIA; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be forwarded to the General Manager, the Clerk of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the Mayor of San Francisco, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk of Local Agency Formation Commission, and San Francisco’s representatives in the state legislature.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on July 20, 2021.
Resolution from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supporting the transition of CleanPowerSF residential customers to time-of-use rates.
WHEREAS, In 2013, the California legislature enacted AB 327 to reform residential electricity rates; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to AB327, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) directed investor owned utilities to implement time-of-use (TOU) rates for residential customers, following the principles of: designing rates based on marginal cost, encouraging conservation and energy efficiency, reducing peak demand, designing rates that are stable, understandable, and provide customer choice, and transitions to new rates should emphasize customer education and outreach that enhances customer understanding and acceptance of new rates; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the CPUC directive, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) implemented TOU rates in October 2020; and
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Resolution 19-0236 endorsed the transition of CleanPowerSF residential customers to TOU rates while affirming alignment with CleanPowerSF’s complementary objectives of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and providing the City's energy consumers with renewable electricity supplies and related services at affordable and competitive rates with PG&E's; and
WHEREAS, Reduction in energy consumption during peak demand hours will decrease GHG emissions, reduce CleanPowerSF's energy supply costs, and encourage conservation; and
WHEREAS, This Committee recognizes the transition to TOU rates aligns with CleanPowerSF objectives and San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, This Committee hereby endorses the transition of CleanPowerSF's residential customers to TOU as the default rate starting July 2021 and providing bill protection in the form of a one-time credit after the first year of TOU service; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, This Committee hereby requests staff to return to the Power Subcommittee in 2022 with an update on TOU rate implementation successes and challenges, and its impacts on customers; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be forwarded to the General Manager, the Clerk of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the Mayor of San Francisco, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and the Clerk of Local Agency Formation Commission.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on July 20, 2021.
Resilient Water Supply Resolution
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and its wholesale customers have made significant and successful efforts over the past 15 years to reduce demand and diversify water supplies resulting in some of the lowest residential per capita water use in the state;
WHEREAS, in this critically dry year, communities around the state are experiencing serious water outages, fields are being fallowed, and entire runs of salmon are being lost due to low flows and high temperatures;
WHEREAS, the most recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reinforces the recent lived experience of Californians that climate change impacts are present and worsening;
WHEREAS, the SFPUC is finalizing a Long-term Vulnerability Assessment and Adaption Plan to identify potential impacts of climate change on its water supply;
WHEREAS, the SFPUC has identified a dry-year shortfall of up to 98 million gallons per day (mgd) in its regional water supplies that would result from the implementation of the Bay-Delta Plan adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in 2018;
WHEREAS, conservation remains a vitally important tool for reducing water demand, particularly during drought;
WHEREAS, the SFPUC’s Alternative Water Supply Program Quarterly Report of June 2021 identifies a potential for 35 mgd of new alternative water supplies to serve the regional water system, including 20mgd associated with increasing the overall size of the SFPUC’s existing Calaveras Reservoir;
WHEREAS, San Francisco, with an average usage of approximately 65 mgd, currently has plans for producing up to 2 mgd of recycled water under its proposed Westside Enhanced Water Recycling Project; and
WHEREAS, the SFPUC has committed to initiating environmental review necessary for implementation of projects associated with the Alternative Water Supply Program by July 2023.
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) urges the SFPUC to include in its 2023 Alternative Water Supply Program specific projects to meet the full amount of identified supply shortfall for the San Francisco Regional Water System, and provide those plans, with options, costs, and timelines, to the public in a timely manner in accordance with the SFPUC’s July 2023 schedule;
RESOLVED, that the SFPUC CAC urges the Commission, as part of that plan, to consider reuse of the 65 mgd of effluent that is currently discharged from the City’s two wastewater treatment plants considering the results of the San Francisco Purified Water Opportunities Study; Resolved that the SFPUC CAC urges the SFPUC to identify and mitigate impacts on vulnerable communities; and
RESOLVED, that the SFPUC CAC also advises the SFPUC to invest in partnership with the CAC in an education and awareness campaign among its retail customers to emphasize the increasing impact of climate change on the City’s water supply and the need to diversify its water supply
portfolio to reliably meet the needs of its customers amid growing climate uncertainty.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on August 17, 2021.
Resolution for Continued Support and Budget for SFPUC Racial Equity Plan and Community Benefits
WHEREAS, The Mayor of the city and county of San Francisco has urged “Each city department to develop a Racial Equity Action Plan in alignment with ORE Citywide Racial Equity Framework Per Ordinance No 188-19; and
WHEREAS, The SFPUC has done extensive work on their racial equity plan over the past 12 months to highlight needed changes and disparities, and develop solutions to combat them which includes hiring and investment in infrastructure to support the racial equity work; and
WHEREAS, A 2018 report by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program concluded that the national water and wastewater workforce is 85 percent white and two-thirds male, indicating a severe lack of gender and racial diversity within the industry; and
WHEREAS, The SFPUC’s senior management team is in flux, a number of BiPoc employees and women are leaving the field, management, and upper management, and the SFPUC leadership has only one person of color; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, The SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee reiterates its strong support for the SFPUC’s Racial Equity Plan; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the SFPUC Commission pledges to fully fund the needed changes, support the creation of positions to support the equity work, to quickly post the positions, and to fully staff them as soon as possible; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests the SFPUC Commission instructs the GM to fully comply, implement, and to report back monthly to both the Commission and the CAC on equity goals related to this resolution; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission implements fully the Community Benefits, Environmental Justice and Condemning Systemic Racism policies approved by the SFPUC Commission; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission continues to improve the SFPUC’s practices as a good neighbor to communities negatively impacted by the agency’s operations, particularly low-income communities, and communities of color; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission follows through, with all of the necessary resources, on promises made to the Bayview Hunter's Point community through the Mitigation Agreement and beyond; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission deepens the SFPUC’s pledge in inviting its partners/contractors, through the Social Impact Partnership program, to contribute in positive ways to local communities impacted by the agency’s projects and that the Commission support expanding the budget for the Social Impact Partnership program to address growing community needs; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission follows through on the agency’s commitment to addressing racial inequities and disparities both inside and outside the agency, for workers and the community; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission ensures that agency leadership is diverse, and representative of the agency’s values as stated in the Racial Equity Action Plan, and also has a proven track record of doing work in/for the community; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission implements measures for transparency and accountability across the agency to rebuild trust from the public; and, be it
RESOLVED, The CAC requests that the Commission ensures that all SFPUC employees are treated with respect and dignity, especially by senior leadership.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on September 21, 2021.
Resolution to Continue Online Meetings Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 54953(e) empowers local policy bodies to convene by teleconferencing technology during a proclaimed state of emergency under the State Emergency Services Act so long as certain conditions are met; and
WHEREAS, In March 2020, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency in California in connection with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic, and that state of emergency remains in effect; and
WHEREAS, In February 25, 2020, the Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco (the “City”) declared a local emergency, and on March 6, 2020, the City’s Health Officer declared a local health emergency, and both those declarations also remain in effect; and
WHEREAS, On March 11 and March 23, 2020, the Mayor issued emergency orders suspending select provisions of local law, including sections of the City Charter, that restrict teleconferencing by members of policy bodies; those orders remain in effect, so City law currently allows policy bodies to meet remotely if they comply with restrictions in State law regarding teleconference meetings; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 2021, the Governor signed AB 361, a bill that amends the Brown Act to allow local policy bodies to continue to meet by teleconferencing during a state of emergency without complying with restrictions in State law that would otherwise apply, provided that the policy bodies make certain findings at least once every 30 days; and
WHEREAS, While federal, State, and local health officials emphasize the critical importance of vaccination and consistent mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City’s Health Officer has issued at least one order (Health Officer Order No. C19-07y, available online at www.sfdph.org/healthorders) and one directive (Health Officer Directive No. 2020-33i, available online at www.sfdph.org/directives) that continue to recommend measures to promote physical distancing and other social distancing measures, such as masking, in certain contexts; and WHEREAS, The California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) has promulgated Section 3205 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which requires most employers in California, including in the City, to train and instruct employees about measures that can decrease the spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing and other social distancing measures; and
WHEREAS, Without limiting any requirements under applicable federal, state, or local pandemic- related rules, orders, or directives, the City’s Department of Public Health, in coordination with the City’s Health Officer, has advised that for group gatherings indoors, such as meetings of boards and commissions, people can increase safety and greatly reduce risks to the health and safety of attendees from COVID-19 by maximizing ventilation, wearing well-fitting masks (as required by Health Officer Order No. C19-07), using physical distancing where the vaccination status of attendees is not known, and considering holding the meeting remotely if feasible, especially for long meetings, with any attendees with unknown vaccination status and where ventilation may not be optimal; and
WHEREAS, On July 31, 2020, the Mayor issued an emergency order that, with limited exceptions, prohibited policy bodies other than the Board of Supervisors and its committees from meeting in person under any circumstances, so as to ensure the safety of policy body members, City staff, and the public; and WHEREAS, The Citizens’ Advisory Committee has met remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and can continue to do so in a manner that allow public participation and transparency while minimizing health risks to members, staff, and the public that would be present with in-person meetings while this emergency continues; and
WHEREAS, On December 17, 2020, the Mayor issued the Forty-First supplement to the Mayoral Proclamation declaring the existence of a local emergency dated February 25, 2020, requiring City committee members to meet in person, starting on February 28, 2022, and indicating that the public interest of in-person meetings has a priority over public health risks from the COVID- 19 pandemic; and,
WHEREAS, There are no vaccinations available for children under 5, and Citizen’s Advisory Committee members include parents of children under 5, and immune-compromised individuals; and;
WHEREAS, The Citizen’s Advisory Committee has met virtually for almost two years now, with increased attendance, maintaining public comment, and high productivity, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Citizens’ Advisory Committee finds as follows:
1. As described above, the State of California and the City remain in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this meeting, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee has considered the circumstances of the state of emergency.
2. As described above, State and City officials continue to recommend measures to promote physical distancing and other social distancing measures, in some settings.
3. As described above, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting meetings of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and its subcommittees in person would present imminent risks to the safety of attendees, and the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of members to meet safely in person; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Citizens’ Advisory Committee urges the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the General Manager, and the Board of Supervisors to advocate to the Mayor’s Office to allow the continuation of virtual meetings, or allow hybrid meetings, until the State of California and the City are no longer in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in the event the requirement to begin in-person meetings does take effect the Citizens’ Advisory Committee requests that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the General Manager provide rapid COVID-19 testing and a large meeting room that would allow social distancing to protect the health of the committee’s 16 members, their families, and our community.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on February 15, 2022.
Appendix B:
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee Overview
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee Overview
1. Mission and Purpose
The CAC provides recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the General Manager regarding the agency’s long-term strategic, financial, and capital improvement plans (Admin Code 5.140-5.42).
2. Meeting Times
Full CAC and Subcommittee meetings typically are on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00PM at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, Third Floor, Tuolumne Conference Room. Since June 2020, meetings have been held virtually through videoconference. The meeting times are as follows:
• Full CAC: 3rd Tuesday of the scheduled month
• Power CAC: 2nd Tuesday of the scheduled even month, typically every other month • Wastewater CAC: 2nd Tuesday of the scheduled month, typically every other month • Water Subcommittee: 4th Tuesday of the scheduled month, typically every other month
Meetings are open to the public and are subject to quorum. The Full CAC met quorum ten times in FY2021-2022, one more than the nine meetings that the CAC is required to hold per the CAC ordinance. The Full CAC had one meeting that was canceled due to lack of quorum (June 2022) Each Subcommittee is required to meet at least four times per year according to the CAC ordinance. The Water Subcommittee met six times during FY2021-22. The Wastewater and Power subcommittees each met five times during FY2021-2022. Meeting notices and agendas can be found on the website: http://www.sfpuc.org/cac.
3. Updated Membership List (as of July 2022):
Seat Current Member Subcommittee
Board of Supervisor Appointments
District 1 VACANT
District 2 Suki Kott Water
District 3 Steven Kight-Buckley Power
District 4 Douglas Jacuzzi Water & Wastewater
District 5 Emily Algire Power (Power
Subcommittee Chair &
Full CAC Secretary)
District 6 Barklee Sanders Power
District 7 Joshua Ochoa Power
District 8 Amy Nagengast Water & Wastewater (WW
Subcommittee Chair)
District 9 Moisés García Power & Wastewater (Full
CAC Chair)
District 10 VACANT
District 11 Jennifer Clary Water (Water
Subcommittee Chair)
Board of Supervisors President Appointments
Environmental Justice Michelle Pierce Wastewater
Small Business VACANT
Mayoral Appointments
Regional Water
Customer
Nicole Sandkulla/BAWSCA Water
Large Water User Eliahu Perszyk/UCSF Water (Full CAC Vice Chair)
Engineering/
Financial
VACANT
Regional or Statewide
Environmental Org.
Maika Pinkston Wastewater
(Please refer to Appendix C for member biographies.)
4. Orientation and Training:
All new members receive an onboarding binder. The binder includes the SFPUC 2020 Strategic Plan, Organizational Chart, Executive Leadership Bios, CAC Ordinance, CAC Rules of Order, information on public meeting laws such as the Brown Act and the Sunshine Ordinance, past minutes and resolutions, background on the SFPUC and the Raker Act.
Typically, CAC members are invited to attend or request a variety of facility tours to get to know the water, power, and sewer systems. In lieu of in-person tours, SFPUC Communications has initiated Virtual Explorations of the water, power, and sewer systems that serve our San Francisco and Bay Area customers. CAC members can attend these tours to get a behind the scenes look at the facilities.
5. Topics Covered in 2021-2022 Meetings:
The following presentations were given at Full CAC meetings:
o Waterfront Resilience Program Update
o Resolution in Support of SB 612
o Resolution in Support of transition of CleanPowerSF residential customers to time-of- use rates
o Balboa Reservoir Community Advisory Committee (BRCAC) Update o Consumer Confidence Report
o SFPUC’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program
o Resolution in Support of a Resilient Water Supply
o Annual CAC Survey Results Summary
o SFPUC CAC Priorities for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
o Resolution for Continued Support and Budget for SFPUC Racial Equity Plan and Community Benefits
o Resolution Making Findings to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings Under California Government Code Section 54953(e)
o Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans Update
o Discussion for Future Collaboration Between the Southeast Community Facility Commission and the SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee
o Public Power Expansion
o Interested Candidates for CAC Officer Positions
o Budget Priorities: Operating Budget Overview, Capital Plan Overview, 10 Year Financial Plan Overview,
o Overview of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island Electricity Service o CAC Officer Elections
o CleanPowerSF Overview, Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff and Community Solar Program
o Resolution to Continue Online Meetings Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic o Emergency Firefighting Water System 2050 Planning Study o Subcommittee Preferences and Reassignment
o Environmental Justice and Land Use Introduction
o Education Programs Update
o Accountability Measures, Dennis Herrera, General Manager, SFPUC o Long-term Vulnerability Assessment for the Regional Water System
The following presentations were given at Water CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o Drought Discussion: Water Resilience
o SFPUC Water Capital Programs Update
o Emergency Firefighting Water System Update
o Water Enterprise Budget
o Water Enterprise Racial Equity Action Plan
o Water Supply Status and Drought Public Outreach
o Non-potable Water Ordinance Update
o Natural Resources and Lands Management Update,
o Long-term Vulnerability Assessment for the Regional Water System o 2022 Public Health Goal Report
o Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Drinking Water 2022 Report
The following presentations were given at Wastewater CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o Biosolids Program Update
o Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans Update
o Upper Islais Creek Watershed
o Flood Water Grant Program
o Resolution Making Findings to Allow Teleconferenced Meetings Under California Government Code Section 54953(e)
o Stipulated Cleanup and Abatement Order R2-2021-0021, adopted by the City of San Francisco Regional Water Control Board
o Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project Update
o Update on Wastewater Enterprise Levels of Service
o Update to the CAC on PFAS, Microplastics, and BPA
The following presentations were given at Power CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o Power Rate Study Status Update
o Power CAC FY 2021-2022 Priorities
o Proposed Change of Scheduled Date for the Power Subcommittee Meetings o CleanPowerSF Participation in California Community Power Long-Duration Energy Storage Procurement
o Resolution in Support of Deepening Public Power Studies o CleanPowerSF’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan
o Resolution in Support of Electric Grid Reliability on Treasure Island
Appendix C:
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Member Biographies
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Citizens’ Advisory Committee Member Biographies
W = Water Subcommittee member
WW = Wastewater Subcommittee member
P = Power Subcommittee member
VACANT – Appointed by District 1 Supervisor
Suki Kott – Appointed by District 2 Supervisor (W)
Suki is a former software engineer having most recently worked for eMeter (now a Siemens business). For five years she worked on eMeter's EnergyIP application - a platform for smart grid deployments used by utilities around the world.
Suki has also done legislative work for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors where she worked on issues related to children, women, and technology. Her technical experience combined with her legislative experience gives her the ability to understand and clearly communicate the technical and social implications behind technology related policy issues, a subject that she has written about in online publications. Suki has also been an outspoken advocate for transparency and open government since 2007. She has a BA in English Literature from San Francisco State University, a certificate in computer programming from City College of San Francisco, and an MS in Software Engineering from Golden Gate University.
Steven Kight-Buckley – Appointed by District 3 Supervisor (P) Bio forthcoming.
Douglas Jacuzzi – Appointed by District 4 Supervisor (W and WW) Bio forthcoming.
Emily Algire – Power Subcommittee Chair, Full CAC Secretary, Appointed by District 5 Supervisor (P)
Emily is a fundraising associate at local nonprofits by day and an organizer for environmental and social justice by night. In 2017, the Democratic Socialists of America became Emily's political home. She organized and facilitated meetings, took on leadership roles, and honed her principles alongside a multitude of activists committed to fighting climate chaos, environmental injustice, and economic inequalities.
In the wake of the 2018 Camp Fire, California’s deadliest wildfire on record, Emily dove headfirst into the world of public utilities. She was quickly appointed as a co-chair of LetsOwnPGE.org, where she worked on direct action and coalition building toward public ownership of California's largest power utility. She subsequently co-chaired DSA San Francisco's Eco socialist Committee for two terms.
Emily has worked in fundraising and development for the last 14 years, at KALW Public Radio, the Berkeley Public Library Foundation, and Save the Redwoods League. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Pacific Lutheran University.
Barklee Sanders – Appointed by District 6 Supervisor (P)
Barklee Sanders is a current Treasure Island resident who moved to the area after getting back on his feet from being a homeless veteran. After persistent hard work and dedication, he started working for Facebook, that gave him the insight into how using innovative technologies can solve systemic problems. He is now dedicated to using his knowledge and expertise to help the community that he is a part of.
Barklee became aware of the long-term issue of power outages affecting the community after moving to the Island in 2017 when there were seven sporadic outages within the first eight weeks of him living there. He realized that the community being affected is statistically at risk as a great percentage of residents are aged-out youth from foster programs, formerly homeless, veterans, and others in need of supportive housing. With his background of being a homeless veteran himself, he knew that he wanted to use his voice to raise awareness of the issues that disrupt the Island and the lives of vulnerable citizens.
Joshua Ochoa – Appointed by District 7 Supervisor (P)
Joshua Rudy Ochoa currently serves as the student body President of Associated Students at San Francisco State University. He recently graduated from SFSU in Spring 2021 with a BA in Political Science, in addition to a minor in Urban Studies & Planning. Joshua is currently in progress for his master’s in public administration, concentrating in both Public Policy and Urban Administration. In his four years of student government experience, Joshua has served in multiple positions on the AS Board of Directors as the Vice President of External Affairs, LCA College Representative, and Residential Housing Association Representative.
Joshua's main priorities have been & continue to be fighting for basic needs resources, empowering student/young voices at every decision-making table, and holding leadership accountable to the needs of the people! In addition to this work, Joshua also dedicates time to political clubs and organizing members of our San Francisco community to push for progressive politics and policies that support working people, communities of color, and marginalized communities.
Amy Nagengast – Wastewater Subcommittee Chair, Appointed by District 8 Supervisor (W & WW)
Amy is the San Francisco International Airport’s Energy Manager on topics related to energy planning, analysis, commissioning, and management. Previously, Amy worked as a Senior Energy Engineer at Bright Power where she designed and implemented water and energy retrofits in large low-income and market rate multifamily properties throughout California. To support California’s Climate Goals, Amy has experience in retrofitting large central domestic hot water systems from natural gas to electricity using heat pump water heaters. Early in her career, Amy designed and oversaw capital improvement projects for water and wastewater treatment plants and distribution networks. Amy enjoys tackling problems using integrated data modeling and visualization to facilitate strategic decision making surrounding interrelated issues of climate, energy, resource planning, growth, building construction, and infrastructure systems.
As a proud resident of District 8, Amy is excited to contribute her knowledge and passion to advance important issues facing San Francisco’s power, water, and sewer services. Amy holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and also a registered Professional Engineer.
Moisés García – Full CAC Chair, Appointed by District 9 Supervisor (P and WW)
Moisés is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Democratic Party where he pursues the policy objectives of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and assists in electing locally endorsed candidates and ballot measures. Prior to joining the San Francisco Democratic Party, he worked for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the National Queer Arts Center focused on developing partnerships with community and arts organizations. With more than 10 years in the nonprofit sector he has worked for organizations focused on LGBTQ youth empowerment, providing healthcare and mental health services to under-served communities, and promoting and preserving Latino arts and culture. As the manager of the Latino Cultural District, he was responsible for implementing a community-driven economic development strategy which aimed to protect and strengthen residents, businesses, and community institutions. To ensure equity among cultural districts, he and other leaders co- founded the San Francisco Cultural District Coalition to advocate for their needs and provided technical assistance to burgeoning cultural districts. He is a member and secretary of Danza Azteca Xitlalli which preserves the indigenous traditions of Aztec dance while instilling and strengthening cultural pride and respect for Mother Earth. His parents immigrated from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and settled in Southern California where they raised six children. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in political economy and public policy focused on development and the environment.
VACANT – Appointed by District 10 Supervisor
Jennifer Clary – Water Subcommittee Chair, Appointed by District 11 Supervisor (W)
Jennifer Clary has served as the Water Program Manager for Clean Water Action’s California program since 2003 and was appointed California State Director in July 2020. She works to advance key water quality and funding policies in California; address barriers to safe and affordable drinking water in California communities; and serves on key stakeholder committees that advise state agencies on actions to monitor and protect groundwater quality and invest in water infrastructure. She currently coordinates the NGO Groundwater Collaborative, a coalition of groups that are working together to ensure the successful implementation of California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Jennifer is a well-known Bay Area environmental advocate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley.
Michelle J. Pierce – Appointed by the President of the Board of Supervisors, representing Environmental Justice (WW)
Bio forthcoming.
VACANT – Appointed by the President of the Board of Supervisors, representing Small Businesses
Maika Pinkston – Appointed by the Mayor, representing a Regional or Statewide Environmental Group (WW)
Bio forthcoming.
Eliahu Perszyk – Full CAC Vice Chair, Appointed by the Mayor, representing Large San Francisco Water User (W)
Eli Perszyk is the Conservation Program Manager at the University of California San Francisco, developing sustainability programs and implementing water and energy efficiency projects.
Before working at UCSF, he was the Facility Manager for the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley. He earned his M.B.A. from San Francisco State University in 2019 and received his B.A. in 2002 from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. Eli lives with his family in Walnut Creek.
Nicole Sandkulla – Appointed by the Mayor, representing SFPUC Regional Water Customers (W)
Nicole Sandkulla is Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), comprising 26 utilities that purchase water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for resale to their local service areas. The Agency represents its members’ collective interests in their relationship with the SFPUC on matters related to water supply, facility reliability, operations, water quality, and wholesale water rates.
Ms. Sandkulla joined the Bay Area Water Users Association, BAWSCA’s predecessor organization, in 1999 as Water Resources Planner and grew with the agency to become the Water Resources Planning Manager responsible for developing the agency’s first Long-Term Reliable Water Supply Strategy and securing a dry year water transfer option for the BAWSCA agencies with East Bay Municipal Utility District. She also successfully negotiated an agreement for drought supply allocation among the BAWSCA member agencies and secured over $1.5 million in grants to fund water conservation efforts by member agencies and their customers.