ITEM 7A
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the DCE Board was called to order by Chair Geoff Kors, City of Palm Springs, at 10:32 a.m. via Zoom videoconferencing, pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
2. ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present.
Members Present Agency
Councilmember Geoff Kors, Chair City of Palm Springs
Mayor Pro Tem Sabby Jonathan, Vice Chair City of Palm Desert
3. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS (IF ANY)
None
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
5. BOARD MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Katie Barrows reminded the Board that they would be meeting in closed session at the end of the meeting.
She also paid tribute to both Board members, who will be departing the Board as they did not seek re-election for their respective Councils. Ms. Barrows praised their leadership in launching DCE and unveiled plaques that will be placed at the windmills in their honor.
Chair Kors provided departing remarks that lauded the experience of launching an agency from its inception. He also thanked staff and applauded Vice Chair Jonathan’s leadership.
Finally, he thanked residents for their participation in the program and making a difference for a sustainable future.
Vice Chair Jonathan also provided departing remarks and thanked staff. He expressed pride in establishing DCE, including service in Palm Springs, and disappointment that the City of Palm Desert hasn’t launched yet. He also praised Chair Kors’ leadership.
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – November 18, 2022
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR JONATHAN AND SECONDED BY CHAIR KORS TO:
A. Approve Minutes from the September 28, 2022 Board Meeting
B. Reaffirm that findings still exist, pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, and authorize continuation of remote teleconference/virtual meetings of Desert Community Energy
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Aye
Councilmember Kors Aye
.
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. DCE’s Audit for Fiscal Year 2021/22 and Related Reports – Claude Kilgore Director of Finance/ Administration Claude Kilgore provided introductory remarks to the audit report, noting the challenging conditions over the last fiscal year, and provided a preview of conditions in the current fiscal year. He introduced Shannon Ayala from Davis Farr, who provided an overview of the audit and the unmodified opinion.
Member discussion ensued, with staff answering questions on the financial statement.
Vice Chair Jonathan suggested that, in the future, DCE consider the use of an audit committee prior to Board review.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR JONATHAN AND SECONDED BY CHAIR KORS
TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022, REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING, AND THE AUDITOR’S COMMUNICATION WITH THOSE CHARGED
WITH GOVERNANCE
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Aye
Councilmember Kors Aye
8. INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
A. Attendance Record
B. Unaudited Financial Report as of September 30, 2022
C. Unaudited Year-to-Year Financial Report as of September 30, 2022 D. Update on DCE’s Distributed Energy Resources Program Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – November 18, 2022
E. Carbon Free Commercial Customer Recognition Program
Chair Kors highlighted Item 8E, pointing out the opportunities for collaboration with the regional tourism efforts to promote sustainability and clean energy, and offered to participate in any related meetings prior to his Council term ending.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE meeting will be held January 9, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom webinar.
11. CLOSED SESSION – The Board adjourned to closed session at 11:01 a.m.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of potential cases: 1
The closed session concluded at 11:25 a.m. DCE Program Manager David Freedman reported that there was no reportable action.
12. ADJOURNMENT –
On behalf of Chair Kors, Mr. Freedman adjourned the meeting at 11:26 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Erica Felci, Assistant Executive Director