Item No. 2
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Peninsula Clean Energy Authority (PCEA)
Minutes
Thursday, January 27, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Zoom Video Conference and Teleconference
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. in virtual teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Participating Remotely:
Dave Pine, San Mateo County
Rick DeGolia, Atherton, Chair
Julia Mates, Belmont
Coleen Mackin, Brisbane
Donna Colson, Burlingame, Vice Chair
Raquel Gonzalez, Colma, arrived at 6:50 p.m.
Roderick Daus-Magbual, Daly City
Carlos Romero, East Palo Alto arrived at 6:41 p.m.
Harvey Rarback, Half Moon Bay
Laurence May, Hillsborough
Tom Faria, Los Banos
Betsy Nash, Menlo Park
Anders Fung, Millbrae
Mary Bier, Pacifica
Jeff Aalfs, Portola Valley
Giselle Hale, Redwood City
Marty Medina, San Bruno
Laura Parmer-Lohan, San Carlos
Rick Bonilla, San Mateo
Flor Nicolas, South San Francisco
Jennifer Wall, Woodside
Pradeep Gupta, Director Emeritus
John Keener, Director Emeritus
Absent:
Warren Slocum, San Mateo County
Sam Hindi, Foster City
A quorum was established.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Item No. 2
Jan Pepper, CEO, asked the Board to add an item to the Agenda that came up in the last 24 hours and was not able to be included in the Agenda when it was originally published. Jan explained the proposed Agenda item was to rescind the Resolution for Agenda Item 7 passed at the December 16, 2021 Board of Directors meeting. By rescinding this Resolution the Board would continue with the employment of Andy Stern as CFO.
MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Parmer-Lohan to add to the Consent Calendar as item 2A, the inclusion of Staff’s proposed additional Agenda item entitled, “Rescind approval of the Resolution passed by the Board on December 16, 2021, identified as Agenda Item 7 on that Agenda, which will result in Andy Stern continuing as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer”.
MOTION PASSED: 19-0 (Absent: San Mateo County, Colma, East Palo Alto, Foster City)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
San Mateo County Director Slocum X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Brisbane Director Mackin X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Colma Director Gonzalez X
Daly City Director Daus-Magbual X
East Palo Alto Director Romero X
Foster City Director Hindi X
Half Moon Bay Director Rarback X
Hillsborough Director May X
Los Banos Director Faria X
Menlo Park Director Nash X
Millbrae Director Fung X
Pacifica Director Bigstyck X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
South San Francisco Director Coleman X
Woodside Director Wall X
Totals 19 4
ACTION TO SET THE AGENDA AND APPROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS MOTION: Director Mates moved, seconded by Director Hale to set the Agenda, and approve Agenda Item Numbers 1-2A.
Item No. 2
1. Adopt Finding Pursuant to AB 361 to Continue Fully Teleconferenced Committee Meetings Due to Health Risks Posed by In-Person Meetings.
2. Approval of the Minutes for the December 16, 2021 and January 18, 2022 Board of Directors Meetings.
2A. Rescind approval of the Resolution passed by the Board on December 16, 2021, identified as Agenda Item 7 on that Agenda, which will result in Andy Stern as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
MOTION PASSED: 20-0 (Absent: San Mateo County, Colma, Foster City)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
San Mateo County Director Slocum X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Brisbane Director Mackin X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Colma Director Gonzalez X
Daly City Director Daus-Magbual X
East Palo Alto Director Romero X
Foster City Director Hindi X
Half Moon Bay Director Rarback X
Hillsborough Director May X
Los Banos Director Faria X
Menlo Park Director Nash X
Millbrae Director Fung X
Pacifica Director Bigstyck X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
South San Francisco Director Coleman X
Woodside Director Wall X
Totals 20 3
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Chair Report
None
Item No. 2
4. Appointment of Ad-hoc Chair and Vice Chair Nominating Committee Chair DeGolia appointed to the ad-hoc Chair and Vice Chair Nominating Committee: Julia Mates as Chair, Jeff Aalfs and Laura Parmer-Lohan.
MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Romero to approve the three appointed Board Members to the Ad-hoc Chair and Vice Chair Nominating Committee.
MOTION PASSED: 20-0 (Absent: San Mateo County, Colma, Foster City)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
San Mateo County Director Slocum X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Brisbane Director Mackin X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Colma Director Gonzalez X
Daly City Director Daus-Magbual X
East Palo Alto Director Romero X
Foster City Director Hindi X
Half Moon Bay Director Rarback X
Hillsborough Director May X
Los Banos Director Faria X
Menlo Park Director Nash X
Millbrae Director Fung X
Pacifica Director Bigstyck X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
South San Francisco Director Coleman X
Woodside Director Wall X
Totals 20 3
5. Appointment of Ad-hoc Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Nominating Committee Kirsten Andrews-Schwind explained the role of committee members and asked for volunteers for the ad-hoc CAC Nominating Committee. Donna Colson, Marty Medina, Rick Bonilla, and Jeff Aalfs volunteered.
Item No. 2
6. CEO Report
Jan Pepper, CEO, gave an update on the search for a COO and CFO, PG&E Generation Rate and Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Rate changes, the impact of Covid-19 on Peninsula Clean Energy’s load, and Reach Code adoption.
Director Aalfs inquired about the rate change and the affects on the financial model. Jan explained that this would likely have a positive effect for Peninsula Clean Energy.
7. Citizens Advisory Committee Report
Morgan Chaknova, Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair, reported that the CAC is striving to align efforts with Peninsula Clean Energy’s Strategic Goals including 100% renewable energy on a 24/7 basis by 2025, 100% GHG free by 2045 in all sectors, and supporting efforts around Reach Codes and Electric Vehicle charging. The CAC is currently interested in reviewing financial models to support these goals. Morgan also stressed equity and diverse representation from the ad-hoc nominating committee for new CAC members.
8. Approval of the 2022 Policy Platform (Action)
Marc Hershman, Director of Government Affairs, presented the 2022 Policy Platform to identify opportunities that further Peninsula Clean Energy’s mission and strategic plan priorities.
Director Bonilla identified two proposed changes under section VII of the 2022 Policy Platform.
Creating a new Section a.i. which state “Oppose policies that are not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce”, and creating a new Section f. to read, “Assert Peninsula Clean Energy‘s Inclusive and Sustainable Workforce Policy wherever no such policy is present”.
Vice Chair Colson suggested the addition of the phrasing, “including but not limited to” under item c.
Director Aalfs suggested that Director Bonilla’s points could be added to Section a. so that it reads, “Support policies that are consistent and oppose policies that are not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce and assert Peninsula Clean Energy‘s Inclusive and Sustainable Workforce Policy wherever no such policy is present.” Marc asked for clarification on how the second addition, “assert Peninsula Clean Energy‘s Inclusive and Sustainable Workforce Policy wherever no such policy is present” would fit into this policy.
Chair DeGolia elaborated that it would not be advisable for Peninsula Clean Energy to proactively oppose any bill in the legislature that was not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce.
Public Comment: Mark Roest
Item No. 2
MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Coleman to approve and adopt the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority Policy Platform for Calendar Year 2022 with the following proposed changes:
Section VII - Local Economic Development
a. “Support policies that are consistent and oppose policies that are not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce and assert Peninsula Clean Energy‘s Inclusive and Sustainable Workforce Policy wherever no such policy is present.”
c. “Support efforts to enhance the development of local and regional sources of renewable energy, including but not limited to solar, wind, offshore wind, small hydro, and geothermal energy.”
Director Bigstyck asked for more insight on the legislative process and how this language guides Peninsula Clean Energy’s efforts. Marc explained that Policy 10 in Peninsula Clean Energy’s Policy handbook guides how we filter legislation, and that additional section may lead to an expanded portfolio of legislation Peninsula Clean Energy needs to engage with.
Jan Pepper, CEO, cautioned against asserting our policies where no such policy is present as this goes beyond Peninsula Clean Energy’s capabilities as an energy company.
Director Mackin expressed support of the language changes.
Vice Chair Colson expressed concerns with the workload involved with expanding our purview to include labor. She suggested that the focus remain on the energy sector. Director Bonilla clarified that he was only speaking to the labor within energy bills.
Director Hale suggested that the language change could be used only when evaluating legislation in energy and that this may influence those in other energy fields to move to clean energy.
Director Bonilla decided that his first amendment, to oppose policies that are not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce, could be removed from the motion.
AMENDED MOTION to remove “Assert Peninsula Clean Energy‘s Inclusive and Sustainable Workforce Policy wherever no such policy is present” from Section VII, section a.
MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Coleman to approve and adopt the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority Policy Platform for Calendar Year (CY) 2022 with the following proposed changes:
Section VII - Local Economic Development
a. “Support policies that are consistent and oppose policies that are not consistent with Peninsula Clean Energy’s commitment to a sustainable workforce.” c. “Support efforts to enhance the development of local and regional sources of renewable energy, including but not limited to solar, wind, offshore wind, small hydro, and geothermal energy.”
Item No. 2
MOTION PASSED: 21-0 (Absent: San Mateo County, Foster City)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
San Mateo County Director Slocum X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Brisbane Director Mackin X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Colma Director Gonzalez X
Daly City Director Daus-Magbual X
East Palo Alto Director Romero X
Foster City Director Hindi X
Half Moon Bay Director Rarback X
Hillsborough Director May X
Los Banos Director Faria X
Menlo Park Director Nash X
Millbrae Director Fung X
Pacifica Director Bigstyck X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
South San Francisco Director Coleman X
Woodside Director Wall X
Totals 21 2
9. Update on the California Community Power (CC Power) Long Duration Storage Project Vote on January 19, 2022 (Discussion)
Jan Pepper, CEO, gave an update on the CC Power Long Duration Storage Project including a unanimous vote by the CC Power board approving the Long Duration Storage Project at the January 19, 2022 Board Meeting. The participating CCA’s will have to bring this item to their respective boards for approval within the next 90 days; Peninsula Clean Energy completed approval of this item at the January 18, 2022 Special Meeting.
10.Approval of E-Bikes Update and Additional Budget (Action) Phillip Kobernick, Programs Manager, gave a presentation on the E-Bikes for Everyone Program including history on the program, the growth of E-Bike usage, key metrics from rebate recipients, and potential program challenges.
Director Nash asked about ways to support local bike shops and the influence of partnering with Ride Panda, which is an online retailer. Phillip explained that in-person bike shops have low Item No. 2
inventory of affordable bikes. The increase in Ride Panda is based on expectations from the first round of this program but leaves room for local purchasing options as well.
Director Mates offered her support of the program updates which includes supporting offline applications through affordable housing partnerships.
Director Daus-Magbual, Director Rarback and Director Hale offered their support of this program.
Director Romero asked for clarification on how income is certified and the reliability of mileage data.
Phillip explained that a number of options are accepted for income verification including enrollment in numerous community programs or a filed tax return. He also explained that Peninsula Clean Energy is collaborating with UC Davis, who is evaluating the effectiveness of various E-Bike rebate programs across the state, and that the survey used is a template that they provided. Data is generated from self-reporting and odometer readings.
Director Romero suggested a lottery system to pick rebate recipients since the E-Bikes for Everyone program was oversubscribed very quickly in the first round. Chair DeGolia supported slowing down the application period to allow everyone who is interested in applying for a rebate, and then selecting via a lottery system. He also supported contacting those who were not selected in the first round of this program to re-apply.
Vice Chair Colson offered suggestions on scalability including offering a smaller rebate for all who are interested, regardless of income, and offering an e-bike rental opportunity through the library system. Director Parmer-Lohan offered the suggestion of additional funding to support a local retailer program and to target communities where there are gaps in alternate transportation options.
Director Fung offered the suggestion of reaching out to local businesses for deliveries or to non-profits providing deliveries to senior citizens.
MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Daus-Magbual to approve a Resolution approving a $300,000 budget increase for the E-bikes for Everyone program and a contract increase Not-to-Exceed $450,600 with Elektra Mobility Inc. dba “RidePanda”.
MOTION PASSED: 21-0 (Absent: San Mateo County, Foster City)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
San Mateo County Director Slocum X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Brisbane Director Mackin X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Colma Director Gonzalez X
Daly City Director Daus-Magbual X
East Palo Alto Director Romero X
Foster City Director Hindi X
Half Moon Bay Director Rarback X
Hillsborough Director May X
Los Banos Director Faria X
Item No. 2
Menlo Park Director Nash X
Millbrae Director Fung X
Pacifica Director Bigstyck X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
South San Francisco Director Coleman X
Woodside Director Wall X
Totals 4
11.Report on Outreach Grants (Discussion)
Kirsten Andrews-Schwind, Senior Manager of Community Relations, gave a report on the fourth round of Community Outreach Grants including background and desired outcomes of the Outreach Grant Program.
Vanessa Shin, Community Outreach Associate, gave a report detailing the 2021 and 2022 applicants.
Chair DeGolia expressed gratitude for the presentation and suggested these community partners as potential sources of new members for the Citizens Advisory Committee.
12.Board Members’ Reports
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.