ITEM 6A
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the DCE Board was called to order by Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein at 3:01 p.m. at Palm Springs City Hall, Large Conference Room, 3200 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 Jeffrey Bernstein 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
Emailed public comment was received from Brad Anderson, resident of Rancho Mirage, in regards to Item 7A and his opposition to the having a Board with only two members.
5. BOARD MEMBER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Executive Director Tom Kirk highlighted the Terra-Gen signing ceremony that took place in February. He shared photos of the event and the acknowledgement for former Chair Lisa Middleton.
Mr. Kirk also introduced CVAG’s new Energy & Sustainability Director Lisa McNeilly and welcomed her to the team.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Prior to the vote, Councilmember Bernstein requested a correction to the spelling of his name in Item 6C.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS WITH AMENDMENTS:
A. Approve the minutes of the November 18, 2024, Board meeting The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2025
B. Authorize the Executive Director to execute an amended engagement letter with Best, Best & Krieger LLP to incorporate proposed regulatory compliance and filing support services into the scope of work
C. Authorize the updating of the signature cards and signatories for DCE investments and banking
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Councilmember Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
6.1 ITEMS HELD OVER FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. Election of DCE Chair
Mr. Kirk introduced the item.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER BERNSTEIN TO ELECT PALM SPRINGS COUNCILMEMER
JEFFREY BERNSTEIN AS THE CHAIR OF THE DESERT COMMUNITY ENERGY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
B. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment
Finance Director Claude Kilgore presented the staff report.
Member discussion ensued with Mr. Kilgore answering questions from the Board and addressing requests to see a 5-to-10 year projection of cash analysis in the budget.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR
BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE MID-YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2024-25.
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
C. Rate Stabilization Schedule Amendment
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2025
DCE Energy Consultant Don Dame joined the meeting via Zoom and presented the staff report.
Brief member discussion ensued with Mr. Dame answering questions from the Board members regarding the schedule.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO ADOPT DCE RESOLUTION 2025-01 APPROVING THE AMENDED RATE STABILIZATION SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2025
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
8. INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
A) Attendance Record
B) Summary of the Community Advisory Committee Activities C) Summary of February 2025 Rate Adjustment
D) Unaudited Year- to- Year Financial Report as of December 31, 2024 E) DCE’s Quarterly Investment Report through December 31, 2024
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Emailed public comment was received from Mr. Anderson regarding public comment time limits and his objections to having them at the beginning and end of the agenda.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE Board meeting will be held April 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Large Conference Room at Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 92262.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Bernstein adjourned the meeting at 3:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elysia Regalado
Management Analyst