ITEM 6A
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
September 26 , 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the DCE Board was called to order by Chair Middleton at 1:32 p.m. at Palm Springs City Hall’s Large Conference Room, at 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 92262.
2. ROLL CALL
Roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present.
Members Present Member Jurisdiction
Councilmember Lisa Middleton, Chair City of Palm Springs Finance Director Veronica Chavez, Vice Chair City of Palm Desert
3. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS (IF ANY)
None
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
5. BOARD MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS
DCE Program Manager David Freedman announced that Beth Vaughan, the Executive Director of California Community Choice Association (CalCCA), will attend the November DCE meeting to provide an update on statewide activities and plans for next year.
Mr. Freedman also noted that pending the Board’s approval on Item 6D, this document will be filed with the California Energy Commission (CEC) and will be sent out to all DCE customers as required. Mr. Freedman reports that DCE customers reduced greenhouse gases (GHG) in Palm Springs by 65,701 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 14, 620 gas powered vehicles from the roads.
Mr. Freedman announced that the November 20 board meeting will be held at 3 p.m. at the CVAG offices located at on the corner of Highway 111 and El Paseo.
Chair Middleton invited Megan Poage, Director of Renewable Origination and Development with NextEra, to address the Board. Ms. Poage thanked the Board on The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – September 26, 2023
behalf of NextEra, for their support on the Desert Sands Energy Storage Project and for their consideration on the contract in today’s agenda.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY FINANCE DIRECTOR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MIDDLETON TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
A. Approve Minutes from the June 27, 2023 Board Meeting B. Approve continued participation as an operational member in the California Community Choice Association for an annual membership rate of $94,944 C. Authorize the Executive Director to execute a letter of engagement with Best Best & Krieger to provide legal services
D. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-04, approving the 2022 Power Content Label for Desert Community Energy
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Councilmember Middleton Aye
Finance Director Chavez Aye
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. DCE Mid-term Reliability Procurement: Desert Sands Energy Storage Project DCE Program Manager David Freedman presented the staff report.
Ms. Poage from NextEra answered questions regarding the project’s next steps and other NextEra’s projects.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR MIDDLETON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-05, APPROVING A 15-YEAR ENERGY
STORAGE AGREEMENT WITH DESERT SANDS ENERGY STORAGE II, LLC, AND
AUTHORIZINNG THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND/OR LEGAL COUNSEL TO
MAKE MINOR MODIFICATIONS BEFORE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Councilmember Middleton Aye
Finance Director Chavez Aye
B. Investment Policy for DCE
Finance Director Claude Kilgore presented the staff report and details on cash flow. Brief member discussion ensued.
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – September 26, 2023
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR MIDDLETON TO ADOPT DCE POLICY NO. 23-03 AND ESTABLISH AN
INVESTMENT POLICY
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Councilmember Middleton Aye
Finance Director Chavez Aye
C. Presentation: DCE Financial Outlook
Jaclyn Harr, Client Services Manager with The Energy Authority, provided an in-depth presentation via Zoom videoconference that included a look at trends, key takeaways and discussion on energy hedging. This item was an informational item with no action taken.
8. INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
A) Attendance Record
B) Unaudited Year-to-Year Financial Report as of Junel 30, 2023 C) Bill Protection for Rosa Gardens Apartments Residents D) Solar Opportunities along Indian Canyon Drive
E) Demand Side Grid Support and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Programs
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
11. The October meeting is cancelled. The next DCE meeting will be held November 20, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ office, 74-19 El Paseo Drive, Suite 100, Palm Desert, 92260.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Middleton adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elysia Regalado, Management Analyst- Administration