ITEM 6A
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the DCE Board was called to order by Chair Lisa Middleton at 3:00 p.m. at Palm Springs City Hall, Large Conference Room, 300 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 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
Director of Finance Claude Kilgore highlighted the appointments to Community Advisory Committee that are part of the consent agenda. Mr. Kilgore also noted that the DCE annual audit is nearly concluded and staff anticipates bringing the financials to the next Board meeting.
He also updated the Board on the SCE billing issues and noted responses from SCE that are included in agenda item 8G.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR MIDDLETON TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
A. Approve the minutes of the January 8, 2024, Board Meeting B. Approve the minutes of the June 17, 2024, Special Board Meeting The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2024
C. Approve continued participation as an operational member of the California Community Choice Association for an annual membership rate of $87,580 D. Authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with independent consultant Don Dame to provide programmatic and operations support for an additional, not-to-exceed amount of $45,000 annually through 2027 E. Re-appoint Community Advisory Committee members Donald Barrett, Berlinda Blackburn, Noel Loughrin, Paul Murphy, and Jeremey Roos for an additional two-year term and add Erin Boyd of Palm Springs to the Community Advisory Committee through 2026
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Lisa Middleton Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
6.1 ITEMS HELD OVER FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. Presentation: Recap of Summer 2024 Trends
Jaclyn Harr with The Energy Authority joined the Board via Zoom and presented an update with market trends for summer 2024.
No action was taken as this was an informational item.
B. DCE’s Attainment of an Investment Grade Credit Rating Mr. Kilgore presented the staff report.
Brief member discussion ensued with Chair Middleton requesting a report back next meeting regarding DCE’s goals in increasing the reserves.
No further action was taken as this was an information item.
C. Amendment to Contract with Cape Generating Station 1 LLC for Cape Station Geothermal
Program Manager David Freedman presented the staff report.
Member discussion ensued.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR MIDDLETON
TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE RENEWABLE POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH CAPEE GENERATING STATION 1 LLC, ALLOWING FOR UPDATED PRICING,
ADDITIONAL ENERGY AND A REVISED COMMERICAL OPERATION DATE OF JANUARY 1, 2031
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2024
Chair Lisa Middleton Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
8. INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
A) Attendance Record
B) Virtual participation in meetings
C) Unaudited Year-to-Year Financial Report as of June 30, 2024 D) DCE’s Quarterly Investment Report through June 30, 2024 E) Renewable and Mid-Term Reliability 2024 Request for Proposals and Other Long-Term Procurement Initiatives
F) Summary of October 2024 Rate Adjustment
G) Continued advocacy to address SCE’s delayed billing issues H) Delay of Power Source Disclosure and Power Content Label I) ACCESS Indian Canyon Renewable Energy Request for Proposals
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Large Conference Room at Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 92262. Chair Middleton announced that next meeting will be her last meeting as Chair and she has enjoyed being part of DCE during her time in the Palm Springs City Council.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Middleton adjourned the meeting at 3:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elysia Regalado
Management Analyst- Administration