MEMORANDUM
TO: Tim Paulson, President
Anthony Rivera, Vice President
Sophie Maxwell, Commissioner
Newsha K. Ajami, Commissioner
Kate Stacy, Commissioner
FROM: Moisés García, SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair
SUBJECT: SFPUC CAC 2022-23 Annual Report to the Commission DATE: December 4, 2023
I am pleased to present to the Commission the CAC Annual Report for FY 2022-23 and provide a summary of the CAC’s priorities for FY 2023-24. The CAC returned to in-person meetings beginning March 1, 2023, as required by the state of California. Although the return to in-person meetings has posed some challenges the SFPUC CAC has continued 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 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 said topic, shape discussions, and work with SFPUC appropriate staff.
Full CAC Priority Topics for FY2023-24
The Full CAC will focus on the following priorities:
1. Capital Project Implementation
2. Rates & Customer Assistance Programs
3. Workforce Retention & Hiring
Water CAC Priority Topics for FY2023-24
The Water Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Groundwater
2. Infrastructure
a. Water Capital Plan (How has it changed)
3. Hiring Practices/Labor Force Turnover
4. Demand Projections
5. Bay Delta Plan and Voluntary Settlement
a. Water CAC Members
6. Water AGM
a. Visit
b. Budget/Priorities
Power CAC Priority Topics for FY2023-24
The Power Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Climate Change Impact and Weatherization
2. Strategic Investments in Power Infrastructure for Resiliency
3. Power Programs and Affordability
4. Equitable Power Reliability
Wastewater CAC Priority Topics for FY2023-24
The Wastewater Subcommittee will focus on the following priorities:
1. Job Creation & City Works Apprenticeship Programs
a. Succession Planning/Future Robust Workforce
2. Green Infrastructure Grants & Policy
3. Discharge Stewardship Nutrient Removal: Sewer Overflows
4. Capital Program
2. Highlights of 2022-2023 CAC Actions
The CAC continued to meet virtually through videoconference and began to meet in person beginning March 1, 2023. 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 Electric Grid Reliability on Treasure Island: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on July 19, 2022. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee urges the Mayor and Board of Supervisors to ensure that a full inspection of the electric distribution system on Treasure Island and Yerba Island is conducted by SFPUC and an independent third party; and in accordance with California Public Utilities Commission General Order 165, a plan is established to replace aged electrical infrastructures, and report on the inspection results and details of plans for improvement regularly. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supports upgrading the electric distribution system on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island to achieve a reasonable level of safety and reliability for pre and post DDA residents.
2. Resolution in Support of Deepening Public Power Evaluation: The Full CAC adopted this resolution on August 16, 2022. In the 2019 “SFPUC Preliminary Public Power Options Report” (“2019 report”) the SFPUC identified areas of further study to include “challenges in workforce recruitment and retention ... assuring that rates for customers would be affordable and stable ... equity considerations and any possible disproportionate impacts to communities and residents that could arise from the potential exit of PG&E’s electric services in the City. The SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission continue the work identified in the 2019 report and continue to share progress and findings of that work with the public, including written reports addressing the below. Further, this CAC requests that the progress and results of these evaluations be reported, as appropriate, by the SFPUC to the public regularly, and in a form, level of detail, and on a schedule that will help ensure timeliness, transparency, and accountability in the City’s pursuit of local public power.
3. Resolution in Support of Transparency, Environmental Accountability, and Labor Standards for California Community Power: This resolution was adopted on August 16, 2022. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens Advisory Committee recommends that the SFPUC adopt a resolution explicitly supporting staff leadership to develop and implement a Workforce and Environmental Justice Policy for Energy Procurement. This CAC recommends that the SFPUC direct its representative to the CCP Board to advocate for adoption of the attached proposed CA Community Power Workforce, and Environmental Justice Policy for Energy Procurement. Further, this CAC recommends the SFPUC direct its representatives to the CA Community Power Board to advocate to form a public advisory committee, including labor, environmental and equity representatives, to ensure transparency and public engagement in CCP’s operations and procurement practices.
4. Resolution in Support of Public Comment: This resolution was adopted on February 21, 2023. This CAC supports maintaining remote public comment at the meetings of all San Francisco Boards and Commission as a way to encourage civic engagement and participation with City government. This CAC intends to continue to allow remote public comment at its public meetings, and we urge the SFPUC to continue remote public comment to ensure engagement with community stakeholders. 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.
CAC’s members continue 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. 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 17 of 17 seats on the CAC filled. On September 29, 2022, The Board of Supervisors appointed Andrea Baker to the Small Business seat. Member Owen O’Donnell previously held that seat from 2016-2018. On March 28, 2023, Steven Lee was appointed the District 10 member.
Member Anietie Ekanem previously held that seat from 2016-2022. On March 28, 2023, the Office of the Mayor appointed Jodi Soboll to the Engineering/Financial seat. Member Marissa Williams previously held that seat from 2021-2022. On July 25, 2023, Sally Chen was appointed the District 3 member. Member Steven Kight-Buckley previously held that seat from 2019-2022. On August 17, 2023, Caroline Law was appointed the District 1 member. Marria Evbuoma previously held that seat from 2020-2022. On October 25, 2023, Elizabeth Steele Teshara was appointed the District 7 member. Member Joshua Ochoa previously held that seat from 2021-2023.
Appendix A:
2022-23 Resolutions Adopted by
SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Resolution in Support of Electric Grid Reliability on Treasure Island
WHEREAS, On February 18, 2022, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission confirmed that approximately 124 unplanned power outages have occurred on Treasure Island since January 2016; and
WHEREAS, The SFPUC has an Interconnection Agreement with the Port of Oakland and pays an annual fee directly to the Port to deliver electricity to Treasure Island; and
WHEREAS, currently residents and businesses (or their landlords) on Treasure Island pay electricity rates set by the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA); and
WHEREAS, Customers who will be served by the new infrastructure being deployed as part of the redevelopment project will become direct customers of SFPUC’s Hetch Hetchy Power program and will pay SFPUC-set electricity rates; and
WHEREAS, The existing electrical system on Treasure Island is owned and overseen by TIDA, is not part of PG&E’s transmission and distribution system, and does not fall under the regulatory oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission; and
WHEREAS, The SFPUC makes recommendations to TIDA to upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure, and those recommendations are reviewed and approved by TIDA based on priorities, budget, and other factors, and, upon TIDA approval, the SFPUC will implement the electrical infrastructure upgrades; and
WHEREAS, The City’s adopted approach to upgrading utilities on the island, such as power, water, and sewer services, has been to enter into a development agreement that binds the developer to finance the replacement of the utility systems over time; and
WHEREAS, The existing electrical distribution system has exceeded its expected life and, while TIDA has made some investments to enhance system reliability and serviceability, a broad upgrade utilizing long-term revenue bonds is not feasible; and
WHEREAS, SFPUC staff have stated that an ideal goal for reliable electrical service is no more than three power outages per year and one hour or less for each occurrence; and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supports the SFPUC’s recommendations to TIDA that will help improve reliability of the island’s current electricity grid in the next five years; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supports a study to determine necessary improvements and replacement of the power infrastructure on Treasure Island to improve the reliability of the services to all residential and business customers; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee urges the Mayor and Board of Supervisors to ensure that a full inspection of the electric distribution system on Treasure Island and Yerba Island is conducted by SFPUC and an independent third party; and in accordance with California Public Utilities Commission General Order 165, a plan is established to replace aged electrical infrastructures, and report on the inspection results and details of plans for improvement regularly; and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee supports upgrading the electric distribution system on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island to achieve a reasonable level of safety and reliability for pre and post DDA residents.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on July 19, 2022.
Resolution in Support of Deepening Public Power Evaluation
WHEREAS the SFPUC CAC previously passed a resolution in November 2020 supporting “the City’s continued efforts to evaluate and acquire PG&E assets,” and encouraging the City and the SFPUC to “continue negotiations with PG&E and other stakeholders to ensure a more reliable, safe, and clean electric grid for both San Francisco and California,” and
WHEREAS in the 2019 “SFPUC Preliminary Public Power Options Report” (“2019 report”) the SFPUC identified areas of further study to include “challenges in workforce recruitment and retention ... assuring that rates for customers would be affordable and stable ... equity considerations and any possible disproportionate impacts to communities and residents that could arise from the potential exit of PG&E’s electric services in the City,” and
WHEREAS the 2019 report states, “The City will evaluate the equity implications of a power independence business scenario” and lays out framework for further evaluation, and
WHEREAS the 2019 report states “the impacts on PG&E’s remaining customers because of separation would need to be considered. These elements require further engineering study,” but that work requires additional information from PG&E and has yet to be completed, and
WHEREAS these areas of further study have yet to be shared with the public, although a Power Enterprise analyst stated in a presentation September 27, 2021 that the SFPUC had started looking into studying workforce development, and
WHEREAS the San Francisco Planning Department on October 27, 2021 posted a Notification of Project Receiving Environmental Review studying impacts along the southern edge of the City were the City to purchase PG&E assets, and
WHEREAS the Citizens’ Advisory Committee recognizes that much of the work already conducted or contemplated is privileged and confidential and the City has commenced administrative litigation at the California Public Utilities Commission to obtain a valuation of the PG&E assets, and that some aspects of the PG&E acquisition proceedings may remain confidential to protect San Francisco’s interests; and
WHEREAS in the face of climate catastrophe, the City of San Francisco must act swiftly and deliberately to provide greener, safer, more reliable, and more affordable energy, yet the report states that “The transition from PG&E to City control would likely take many years and the full benefits will not be realized until the transition is complete,” and WHEREAS the City Planning Department is studying the impact on Native Peoples, including on their lands, through the CEQA process, but we do not currently know whether this process would include the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, and
WHEREAS the City’s goal is to have stable and enduring relationships with the Unions representing City workers, and have a long history of providing excellent health benefits, pension benefits and salaries, and seeks to retain a skilled workforce, and will seek to employ additional skilled workers to operate and maintain the electric grid in San Francisco, and
WHEREAS On November 8, 2021, IBEW 6, which represents San Francisco’s electricians, expressed its concerns about a potential takeover, focusing on the service and reliability implications of the City’s lower pay scale compared to PG&E, the extensive vacancies in electrical positions across the City, and staff scaling challenges; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that the SFPUC Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission continue the work identified in the 2019 report and continue to share progress and findings of that work with the public, including written reports addressing the below; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that these evaluations address the following recommendations from the 2019 Options report, including but not limited to the previously addressed workforce issues, rate changes, equity considerations, and effects on remaining PG&E customers; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that this work will include the following considerations should the City purchase PG&E’s assets to achieve full independence from PG&E within the City:
- Workforce considerations, such as job losses and gains, seniority implications, impacts on pensions and geographic flexibility, effects on collective bargaining, and other impacts to all potentially affected workers, with a focus on workers associated with the following unions:
SEIU 1021, IBEW 1245, IBEW 6, and IFPTE 21. These considerations shall include competitive wage and benefits levels for utility workers, and will address goals for recruiting existing PG&E employees, San Francisco residents, and specifically disadvantaged communities in San Francisco. This fact- finding should be conducted along with outreach to organized labor, including IBEW 1245 and Local 6, and so as not to conflict with or supersede any on-going or future workforce negotiations and related activities. - Potential for reinforcing a cleaner, equitable, localized, reliable and affordable future for San Francisco ratepayers through local grid acquisition that recognizes environmental costs and benefits, including jobs and air quality and Potential timelines for completion of assets transfer from PG&E, with an eye toward enacting climate-friendly changes in a timely manner
- Measures to make sure the preservation of CleanPowerSF’s mission, and commitment to carbon free energy as and when the program is integrated into the expanded utility
- Potential impacts on rates for ratepayers in San Francisco’s jurisdiction and in the remaining PG&E territory
- Potential fiscal impact from the purchase of PG&E’s assets, including potential litigation from the project’s opponents
- An action plan for negotiating free, prior, and informed consent from the ARO (Association of Ramaytush Ohlone) who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial and who know how best to approach ecological restoration in a way that protects Ohlone sacred sites and areas of ecological sensitivity or concern.
- Alignment with the goals of the City’s Climate Action Plan, including achieving 100% renewable energy and complete decarbonization, and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Citizens’ Advisory Committee’s intent is to enable the SFPUC’s further evaluations to proceed as rapidly as possible, while protecting the City’s ability to take the necessary steps to pursue the transaction and to fully evaluate the purchase, risk exposure, and risk mitigation strategies; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Citizens’ Advisory Committee requests that the progress and results of these evaluations be reported, as appropriate, by the SFPUC to the public regularly, and in a form, level of detail, and on a schedule that will help ensure timeliness, transparency, and accountability in the City’s pursuit of local public power.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on August 16, 2023
Resolution in Support of Transparency, Environmental Accountability, and Labor Standards for California Community Power
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Board of Supervisors (the Board) 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 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, CleanPowerSF and other interested CCAs formed a new joint powers authority, California Community Power Agency (CCP), to leverage their combined buying power to achieve economies of scale, lower costs, and more favorable terms and conditions for products and services; and
WHEREAS, The Commission by Resolution No. 21- 0023 and the Board by Ordinance No. 25- 21, authorized CleanPowerSF to become a member of CCP, and in April 2021 the CCP Board approved CleanPowerSF’s membership (Resolution 21-04-09); and
WHEREAS, The Commission by Resolution No. 20-0182 adopted CleanPowerSF’s 2020 Integrated Resources Plan, to achieve a 100% renewable electricity portfolio by 2025, five years sooner than San Francisco’s citywide goal (Resolution No. 20-0182) and which called for CleanPowerSF to procure long-duration energy storage (“LDS”) resources. LDS is a technology that can store and discharge energy for at least eight hours; and
WHEREAS, On June 24, 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) ordered retail sellers of electricity, which includes CleanPowerSF, to procure 11,500 megawatts of new resources, including 1,000 megawatts of LDS; CleanPowerSF’s share of the CPUC’s LDS requirement is 15.5 megawatts; and
WHEREAS, The Commission by Resolution No. 22-0041 and the Board by Resolution No. 22-0145 approved participation in CCP’s Tumbleweed Energy Storage long duration storage project over a twenty (20) year term to serve CleanPowerSF customers with approximately 11.1 megawatts of LDS; and
WHEREAS, The Commission by Resolution No. 22-0041 and the Board by Resolution No. 22-0331 approved participation in CCP’s Goal Line Battery Energy Storage System 1 long duration storage project over a fifteen (15) year term to serve CleanPowerSF customers with approximately 8.4. megawatts of LDS; and
WHEREAS, Labor, environmental and environmental justice advocates spoke up in CCP meetings expressing concern that CCP could potentially be misused to procure resources in a manner inconsistent with adopted labor policies of member CCAs; and
WHEREAS, Environmental justice organizations have broadly supported and have been closely involved with CCAs to help ensure access to cleaner energy, promote greater local control over energy sources, and build a more equitable and democratic energy system; and WHEREAS, In February 2021, the CCP Policy Ad Hoc Committee was tasked to develop a policy that supported member agency interests, while being responsive to the requests of stakeholders and Board members on a variety of issues including competitiveness, fair labor standards, environmental justice, environmental protection, community outreach, and transparency; and
WHEREAS, The CCP Board by Resolution 21-11-02 approved a Policy Approach for CC Power Project Requirements that will seek to award contracts and negotiate contract terms consistent with the local values and goals of each participating CC Power member; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens Advisory Committee recommends that the SFPUC adopt a resolution explicitly supporting staff leadership to develop and implement a Workforce and Environmental Justice Policy for Energy Procurement (Attachment A); and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends that the SFPUC direct its representative to the CCP Board to advocate for adoption of the attached proposed CA Community Power Workforce, and Environmental Justice Policy for Energy Procurement; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends the SFPUC direct its representatives to the CA Community Power Board to advocate to form a public advisory committee, including labor, environmental and equity representatives, to ensure transparency and public engagement in CCP’s operations and procurement practices; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be forwarded to the General Manager, the Clerk of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and the Clerk of Local Agency Formation Commission.
Attachment A to Resolution in Support of Transparency, Environmental Accountability, and Labor Standards for California Community Power Workforce and Environmental Justice Policy Framework for Energy Procurement
1. Competitive, low carbon power supply: CCP shall supply low carbon power supply and services to customers at competitive rates. CCP shall further the low carbon power supply and competitive rates of its Members.
2. Workforce: Whether or not a construction project is a public work as defined by the California Labor Code, contracting partners shall comply with California prevailing wage provisions applicable to public works projects, including but not limited to the Labor Code sections pertaining to employment of apprentices on public works projects.
All construction work that falls within an apprentice able occupation in the building and construction trades shall be performed by a skilled and trained workforce in accordance with Chapter 2.9 (commencing with Section 2600) of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.
A preference for a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) will be incorporated into the bidder evaluation ranking process: Work done under a PLA shall be deemed to meet the requirements of payment of prevailing wages and use of apprentices and shall supersede the skilled and trained workforce requirement.
For projects that do not implement a PLA, an audit will be required to ensure compliance with payment of prevailing wages, compliance with skilled and trained workforce requirements and to demonstrate any employment of apprentices.
Encourage the use of local labor with a deliberate emphasis on targeted hiring of women, minorities, gender non-conforming, residents of low-income communities, the formerly incarcerated and veterans.
CCP-developed projects shall be constructed through a multi-trade project labor agreement or through multiple such agreements, consistent with the Public Contract Code provisions authorizing such agreements by public agencies.
CCP shall first give a preference to projects that are located in a county or city that receives electric service from CCP, then to projects that are located within California, and then to projects whose first point of connection is within California.
3. Environmental: All projects must meet the permitting requirements of the appropriate governing authority/authorities.
CCP shall state a preference in the request for proposals for projects that avoid sensitive habitat areas and that comply with relevant conservation plans such as the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
CCP shall require in the request for proposals that developers of construction projects address how the project will avoid or mitigate, to the extent feasible, potential environmental and environmental justice impacts of the project.
The request for proposal shall request Global Electronics Council EPEAT ecolabel registration status and level for inverters and modules.
4. Environmental Justice: CCP shall meaningfully engage with “disadvantaged community” stakeholders residing within the CCP service area or proposed project area and incorporate input in the decision-making process.
CCP shall identify disadvantaged community stakeholders (DAC) from the vicinity of projects using a variety of tools such as Cal EnviroScreen and the State Department of Housing and Community Development’s opportunity maps.
CCP shall make information easily accessible to disadvantaged stakeholders using various outreach methods including workshops, virtual webinars, and presentations at existing community meetings or events.
CCP shall require in the request for proposals that developers of construction projects conduct a cost/benefit impact analysis with an emphasis on evaluating disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities.
CCP shall require in the request for proposals that developers of construction projects identify project benefits to communities in the project vicinity. Developers of construction projects shall state opposition to using forced labor in the supply chain.
5. Unbundled Renewable Energy Credits (RECs): CCP shall avoid projects involving the use of unbundled renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet its members’ renewable energy goals.
6. Project evaluation and selection: CCP shall evaluate and select energy projects with a structured, multi-criteria evaluation process which utilizes the policy principles discussed herein.
This evaluation process should holistically consider workforce, environmental justice, and community benefits balanced with technical and financial considerations.
CCP shall publicly publish detailed project evaluation and selection documentation during project approval.
As adopted by the Full Citizens’ Advisory Committee on August 16, 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. Beginning March 2023 meeting have been held in person at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. 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 eight times in FY2022-2023, one less than the nine meetings that the CAC is required to hold per the CAC ordinance. The Full CAC had two meetings that were canceled due to lack of quorum (March 2023 and April 2023). Each Subcommittee is required to meet at least four times per year according to the CAC ordinance. The Water and Wastewater Subcommittees each met six times during FY2022-
23. The Power subcommittee met five times during FY2022-2023. Meeting notices and agendas can be found on the website: http://www.sfpuc.org/cac.
3. Updated Membership List (as of November 2023):
Board of Supervisor Appointments
District 1 Caroline Law TBD
District 2 Suki Kott Water
District 3 Sally Chen 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 Elizabeth Steele Teshara TBD
District 8 Amy Nagengast Water & Wastewater (WW
Subcommittee Chair)
District 9 Moisés García Power & Wastewater (Full
CAC Chair)
District 10 Steven Lee Wastewater
District 11 Jennifer Clary Water (Water
Subcommittee Chair)
Board of Supervisors President Appointments
Environmental Justice Michelle Pierce Wastewater
Small Business Andrea Baker Wastewater
Mayoral Appointments
Regional Water
Customer
Nicole Sandkulla/BAWSCA Water
Large Water User Eliahu Perszyk/UCSF Water (Full CAC Vice Chair)
Engineering/
Financial
Jodi Soboll Power
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 2022-2023 Meetings:
The following presentations were given at Full CAC meetings:
o Collection System Upgrades
o Affordability and Accessibility Overview
o Resolution in Support of Deepening Public Power Evaluation o Resolution in Support of Transparency, Environmental Accountability, and Labor Standards for California Community Power
o Full CAC FY 2022-2023 Priorities
o SFPUC Hiring Overview
o Social Impact Partnership (SIP) Update
o Commissioner Update - Commissioner Sophie Maxwell
o FY 23-24 Budget Process and Priorities
o SFPUC CAC Subcommittee Reports
o Commissioner Update - Commissioner Tim Paulson
o Overview of the Muwekma Ohlone and SFPUC Partnership
o Commissioner Update – Commissioner Anthony Rivera
o Capital Planning and Delivery Program
o Resolution in Support of Public Comment
o SFPUC Land Use Presentation
o Minimizing Air Quality Impacts at the Southeast Treatment Plant a o Update on Air Quality Monitoring at the Southeast Community Center o Port of San Francisco Waterfront Resilience Program: Sea Level Rise and Draft Waterfront Adaption Strategies in Islais Creek/Bayview
The following presentations were given at Water CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o SF Purified Water Opportunities Study
o SF Local Groundwater Supply Project
o Emergency Firefighting System Update
o Water CAC FY 2022-2023 Priorities
o Water Conservation Presentation
o Water Capital Programs Update
o Climate Action Plan, Water Supply Chapter Briefing
o Environmental Stewardship Update
o SFPUC Groundwater Update
o Water Conservation Services Overview
o Alternative Water Supply Plan Overview
The following presentations were given at Wastewater CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o Wastewater Enterprise Competency Based Training System (CBTS) o Upper Islais Creek Watershed Approach
o SFPUC Stormwater Runoff Charge and Credit Program
o Wastewater CAC FY 2022-2023 Priorities
o SFPUC Algae Bloom Response
o SFPUC Air Quality - Future Odor Control Systems for Headworks and Biosolids Project o Sewer Laterals Management
o Proposed 2023 Water and Sewer Rates Adjustment
o Biosolids Update
The following presentations were given at Power CAC Subcommittee meetings:
o Resolution in Support Of Deepening Public Power Evaluation o Power CAC FY 2022-2023 Priorities
o CleanPowerSF’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan
o Update on Time of Use (TOU) Rates Implementation
o Resolution Regarding Emergency Authorization and Power Outages on Treasure Island o Proposed CleanPowerSF Rates
o Upcoming CleanPowerSF Marketing & Outreach Campaigns
o Overview of the Clean Energy actions included in San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan and recent public engagement about the Plan
o Treasure Island Map Update
o 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
Caroline Law– Appointed by District 1 Supervisor
Bio forthcoming.
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.
Sally Chen – Appointed by District 3 Supervisor (P)
Sally Chen is a passionate advocate on issues of economic justice and educational equity for working- class immigrant communities, with experience in nonprofit direct service, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy. She is currently the Education Equity Policy Manager at Chinese for Affirmative Action, where she advocates for universal, no-cost, and racially diverse K–16 education for all students. Before her current position, she managed a job center for Chinese immigrants and advocated for affirmative action policies in local hiring. As a first-generation college graduate from a working-class immigrant family, she is a proud alumna of Harvard College, where she also organized for racial justice issues. Most recently, Sally has been a Women in Leadership Fellow with Coro Northern California and an active community garden member at Francisco Park.
Douglas Jacuzzi – Appointed by District 4 Supervisor (W and WW) I grew up steeped in the pump industry. Jacuzzi pumps provided the whirl and bubbles in Jacuzzis, and powered US Navy patrol boats in Vietnam, San Francisco Bay’s ferry fleet, an unknown plethora of swimming pool filtration systems, and most notably, agricultural groundwater [well] pumping and irrigation systems worldwide. A lifelong surfer, skier, swimmer, fisherman, and waterfowler—all things water-related—it is the pumping of aquifers that became my passion focus when deciding how and where to apply my ardor for the natural environment.
My education in architecture and forty-plus years designing, building, and developing trained me to become a dot-connecter/problem solver. In 2020 I founded the non-profit Westside Water Resources, dedicated to solving water issues for people and all the plants and critters that depend upon it.
My favorite activity is getting out in the ocean with my beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters.
Emily Algire – 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 Ecosocialist Committee for two terms.
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.
Elizabeth Steele Teshara – Appointed by District 7 Supervisor (P) Bio forthcoming.
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 University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and a registered Professional Engineer.
Moisés García – Full CAC Chair, Power Subcommittee Chair, Appointed by District 9 Supervisor (P and WW)
Moisés has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 10 years focused on LGBT youth empowerment, providing healthcare and mental health services to under-served communities.
Currently, he works as an independent consultant specializing in community and economic development as well as nonprofit administration. Prior to consulting, he was the manager of the Latino Cultural District where 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. He currently serves as legislative chair of the Castro Queer Cultural District which is in the process of being designated a cultural district. 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.
Steven Lee – Appointed by District 10 Supervisor
Bio forthcoming.
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 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.
Andrea Baker– Appointed by the President of the Board of Supervisors, representing Small Businesses
Andrea has provided community development and outreach services to both for profit and nonprofit projects in the Bay Area. Her work is informed by a deep commitment to ensuring that communities have a voice in changes that impact their vision for neighborhoods that they call ‘home’. Recently, her work has included conducting outreach for San Francisco Unified District where she facilitated discussions for the proposed $40 Million Bond fund modernization of Buena Vista Horace Mann, the Waterfront Resilience Program for the Port of San Francisco, and leading the outreach and engagement for University of California, San Francisco’s $1.5 Billion build for their Parnassus Campus. Her work has involved the coordination of multiple parties, outreach to community residents, merchants, and other stakeholders; as well as the facilitation of group meetings in culturally diverse
neighborhoods like East Palo Alto, Bayview-Hunters Point, Fillmore, Oceanview/Merced/Ingleside, Chinatown/North Beach, and Mission communities. She has significant experience in engaging community stakeholders to facilitate productive visioning and planning discussions. This has been impactful in developing plans that incorporate and meet the needs of the community. Board Membership and Awards Andrea has served on several boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Berkeley Arts Center, and Women’s Alliance, and the Fillmore Merchants Association. She has served as the Chair of the African American Shakespeare Company and is currently a Board member of Bayview Merchants Association and Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR), and the San Francisco Disability Business Association. In 2015, Andrea received the Entrepreneurship award from the National Coalition for 100 Black Women at the 10th Annual Golden Girls "Bridging the Generations'' Hats & Gloves Tea Party. She was recently appointed to the SFPUC Citizens Advisory Committee as the Small Business representative. She has also been recognized with a Bronze Jefferson Award.
Maika Pinkston – Appointed by the Mayor, representing a Regional or Statewide Environmental Group (WW)
A Cheerful, open-minded, calm "people person". Proven people skills while working with patients in a clinical setting at UCSF, California Pacific Medical Center, Providence Foundation youth summer day camp and after-school program, transitional housing, and Armstrong Senior Housing. Providing customer service, teamwork, and leadership. Maika Pinkston is the founder of FROM THE HEART a community-based organization in Bayview Hunters Point District 10. Providing food security, community beautification and community clean-ups, environmental justice, youth employment, violence prevention, and tenant advocacy.
Maika Pinkston Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocate is known for her extensive community planning and strategic maintaining prominent relationships. She has successfully executed presentations and public testimonies to elected officials at the state and local level, regarding the needs and services for tenant/housing advocacy, community inclusion, system improvements, and racial equity. Commissioner of Environmental Justice SFPUC & Community Activist.
In 2018 she began educating the community on living a natural and healthy lifestyle. Maika educates the community by using social media and Healthy Events using sound healing, paint therapy, and providing organic healthy groceries to the community with healthy recipes. Also providing a healthy living environment for the tenants in housing redevelopments in regard to inhabitable living conditions,
unsafe, misleading, abused, creating hostile environments, stress, and neglect in our Urban Communities. She organized volunteers to distribute healthy organic groceries, healthy delicious hot meals, Personal Protective Equipment, and emergency supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. She partnered with several other nonprofits in the community such as Young Community Developers Alpha Philip Randolph Institute and YMCA. She worked closely with Shoreview Environmentalist and Environmental Justice. She was an Ambassador for CENSUS 2020 for Bayview District, Fillmore District & Chinatown. She continues to love and support urban communities. Providing youth with employment and cleaning the community streets." A clean environment is a healthy and safe environment".
Jodi Soboll – Appointed by the Mayor, representing Engineering or Finance (P) Jodi is a proud San Francisco resident and Chemical Engineer bringing over 35 years of Design, Construction, Manufacturing, and Management experience to the SFPUC CAC. She has enjoyed supporting and mentoring young women in these fields throughout her career.
During Jodi's career, she worked on the design & and installation of utilities and distribution systems for High-tech commercial buildings including Pharmaceuticals, Semiconductors, Biotech and Medical Research Labs, and Server Farms. She also worked on educational facilities and campuses including high schools, community colleges, and University of California campuses. Jodi is a proponent and practitioner of LEAN processes and Six Sigma analysis for continuous improvement programs with a focus on MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems.
With a passion for carbon neutrality, water conservation, and other environmental initiatives, Jodi's work has resulted in significant energy and water savings throughout her career. Her technical understanding of hospital, research, manufacturing, and higher education has contributed to providing resilient, efficient, and cost-effective facility and manufacturing operations. As a Team Leader, she has especially enjoyed building highly effective teams that personally and professionally thrive while having fun!
Jodi and her husband live in San Francisco and have been together for almost 40 years. They have two grown sons living in the Bay Area and are active in their community.
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.