ITEM 6A
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the DCE Board was called to order by Chair Jeffrey Bernstein at 3 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, 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/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director of Energy & Sustainability Lisa McNeilly shared an update on the Desert Saver Rates, confirming that the rates remain unchanged from the last DCE Board meeting report.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Prior to the vote, Vice Chair Chavez asked a question to staff regarding item 6B inquiring if DCE had a cyber security policy in place. Director McNeilly clarified that Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), which staffs DCE, has cyber security measures in place and staff is frequently trained on it.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approve the minutes of the March 17, 2025, Board meeting B. Receive and file the Triennial Data Privacy Audit Report for 2022-2024 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
C. Approve continued participation as an operational member of the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) for an annual membership rate of $111,870
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
6.1 ITEMS HELD OVER FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. Contractual Services for Customer Service Support
Director McNeilly presented the staff report. Brief member discussion ensued, with Director McNeilly clarifying how the services were procured.
Chair Bernstein requested an informational item be provided on a future agenda regarding the rebate process mentioned in this item.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER BERNSTEIN AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
EXECUTE A RESTATED AGREEMENT WITH CALPINE COMMUNITY ENERGY
TO PROVIDE DATA MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMER CALL CENTER
SERVICES THROUGH APRIL 2028, WITH AN OPTIONAL THREE-YEAR EXTENSION, AT A COST OF ABOUT $590,000 ANNUALLY
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
B. Revolving Line of Credit Renewal with River City Bank Finance Director Claude Kilgore presented the staff report.
Member discussion ensued with Mr. Kilgore answering questions from the Board and clarifying how the revolving line of credit operates and relates to the credit rating.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-02, APPROVING THE FOURTH
AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH RIVER CITY BANK FOR AN INCREASED TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND/OR LEGAL COUNSEL TO NEGOITATE AND
TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT AMENDMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2025
THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
C. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Preview
Mr. Kilgore presented the staff report.
Brief member discussion ensued with Mr. Kilgore answering questions from the Board regarding whether the consideration of tariffs or contingencies were being used for the budget.
No action was taken as this was an informational item only.
8. INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
A) Attendance Record
B) 2024 Annual Supplier Diversity Report
C) Conflict of Interest Guidance
D) Unaudited Year-to-Year Financial Report as of March 31, 2025 E) DCE’s Quarterly Investment Report through March 31, 2025
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Donald Ziegler, resident of Palm Desert, addressed the Board regarding his concerns about the reliability of electricity in the Coachella Valley during hot summers and urged the Board to look into a new model that replaces the existing delivery model.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE Board meeting will be held June 16, 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 3:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elysia Regalado
Management Analyst