Desert Community Energy BoardMeeting MinutesJune 16, 2025Desert Community Energy BoardMeeting MinutesJune 16, 2025 Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2025
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2025
The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.orgThe audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org
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.
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
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS (IF ANY)
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
BOARD MEMBER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director of Energy & Sustainability Lisa McNeilly shared an update on the Community Benefits Grant Program that is being launched as part of the new contract with Calpine, adding that staff will be presenting an agenda item in the fall to provide additional details.
CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR:
Approve the minutes of the May 19, 2025, Board meeting
Authorize the Executive Director to execute an agreement with MRW & Associates, LLC for a not-to-exceed amount of $51,890 through June 2027, authorizing work on the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan as required by the California Public Utilities Commission Adopt Resolution 2025-03, approving the 2024 Power Source Disclosure Annual Report, and authorizing the Executive Director to complete all actions necessary for submittal to the California Energy Commission, including attesting to its veracity Approve updates to Policy No. 18-13 related to Budget and Accounting Policies THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Bernstein Aye Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
ITEMS HELD OVER FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None
DISCUSSION / ACTION
DCE Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget
Director of Finance Claude Kilgore presented the staff report providing the Board with an overview of the upcoming fiscal year budget.
Robust member discussion ensued with Mr. Kilgore answering questions regarding budget projections and comfortability with projections given recent years’ volatility.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BERNSTEIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-04 APPROVING DESERT COMMUNITY ENERGY’S FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye DCE Mid-Term Reliability Procurement: Resource Adequacy + TB4 with Athos Storage, LLC Ms. McNeilly presented the staff report.
Brief member discussion ensued with comments from Board members.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-05, APPROVING A 15-YEAR RESOURCE ADEQUACY + TB4 AGREEMENT (RA+TB4) WITH ATHOS STORAGE, LLC, FOR ITS RIVERSIDE COUNTY BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) PROJECT NEAR DESERT CENTER AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND/OR LEGAL COUNSEL TO MAKE MINOR MODIFICATIONS BEFORE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Jeffrey Bernstein Aye Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye Presentation: Summer power supply outlook
Jaclyn Harr with The Energy Authority, joined the meeting via Zoom and provided an overview of the power supply outlook for the summer.
No action was taken as this was an informational item only.
INFORMATION
The following items were included in the agenda packet for members’ information :
Attendance Record
Summary of June 2025 Rate Adjustment
Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Meeting Calendar for Fiscal Year 2025-26
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE Board meeting will be held July 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 4:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elysia Regalado
Management Analyst
Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – June 16, 2025
ITEM 6A