ITEM 4A
Desert Community Energy Board
Meeting Minutes
September 15, 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 highlighted the update on the General Rate Case, which is included as an informational agenda item (Item 8B). Chair Bernstein thanked Director of Finance Claude Kilgore and the team for their work on this effort.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approve the minutes of the June 16, 2025, Board meeting THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 2 AYES.
Chair Bernstein Aye
Vice Chair Veronica Chavez Aye
The audio file for this meeting can be found at: http://www.desertcommunityenergy.org Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – September 15, 2025
6.1 ITEMS HELD OVER FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None
7. DISCUSSION / ACTION
A. Presentation: Calpine Community Energy’s Community Benefits Grant Program Ms. McNeilly introduced the item and the new program that was authorized when the Board approved a new contract with Calpine. Caleb Ingerson, Client Services Specialist with Calpine, joined the meeting via Zoom to give an overview of the program and timeline for rollout.
Member discussion ensued. Both Ms. McNeilly and Mr. Ingerson addressed questions from the Board and noted that there would be coordination with City staff during the program’s rollout.
No action was taken as this was an informational item only.
B. DCE Mid-Term Reliability Procurement: Resource Adequacy + TB8 with Balsam Project LLC
Ms. McNeilly presented the staff report and details of the agreement. Member discussion ensued, with staff addressing questions about Resource Adequacy and other procurement contracts.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR BERNSTEIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-06, APPROVING A 15-YEAR RESOURCE ADEQUACY + TB8 AGREEMENT (RA+TB8) WITH BALSAM
PROJECT LLC (BALSAM) FOR ITS SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY BATTERY
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) PROJECT 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
C. Establishing a New Energy Efficiency Program for DCE Customers Management Analyst Eman Nazir provided the staff report and details of the two-pronged program plan.
Member discussion ensued, with the Board inquiring about the distribution of kits, outreach coordination and opportunities to expand in the future.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR CHAVEZ AND SECONDED BY CHAIR
BERNSTEIN TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM Desert Community Energy Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – September 15, 2025
PLAN FOR DCE CUSTOMERS AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO FINALIZE AND SUBMIT AN ELECT-TO-ADMINISTER TIER 3 ADVICE LETTER TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION IN SUPPORT OF THE APPROVED PROGRAM PLAN
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) Update on General Rate Case
C) Unaudited Year-to-Year Financial Report as of June 30, 2025 D) DCE’s Quarterly Investment Report through June 30, 2025
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next DCE Board meeting will be held October 20, 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,
Erica Felci
Deputy Executive Director