Item No. 2
Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Peninsula Clean Energy Authority (PCEA)
Minutes
Monday, February 14, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Zoom Video Conference and Teleconference
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. in virtual teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Participating Remotely:
Dave Pine, San Mateo County
Rick DeGolia, Atherton, Chair
Julia Mates, Belmont
Donna Colson, Burlingame, Vice Chair
Giselle Hale, Redwood City
Marty Medina, San Bruno
Laura Parmer-Lohan, San Carlos
Rick Bonilla, San Mateo
Jeff Aalfs, Portola Valley
Pradeep Gupta, Director Emeritus
John Keener, Director Emeritus
Absent:
A quorum was established.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ACTION TO SET AGENDA AND TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Pine to set the Agenda and approve Agenda Item Number 1-2.
1. Adopt Findings 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 January 10, 2022 Executive Committee Meeting MOTION PASSED: 9-0
Item No. 2
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-Lohan X
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Totals 9
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Chair Report
None
4. CEO Report
Jan Pepper, CEO, provided a report including a recruitment update for the COO and CFO positions, the Los Banos enrollment, and an update on the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) program.
5. Update on Work from Home Policy (Discussion)
Jan Pepper, CEO, gave an update on the proposed Work from Home Policy including information on location, equipment, in-person meetings, office use, vaccinations, and a Work from Home Policy.
Director Medina asked about the expansion of the office lease. Jan explained that we did sign a long-term lease, but that we haven’t explored if we can break that lease. Board Members Medina suggested we look into breaking that lease and report back to the Committee. Vice Chair Colson suggested to look into subleasing the space.
Director Hale asked about the proposed legislation around the Brown Act and suggested posting a letter of support. Director Hale also suggested Canada College as a partially outdoor, flexible meeting space.
Chair DeGolia asked about the costs of required meetings for out of area employees.
Jan explained the required meetings are at Peninsula Clean Energy’s cost. Andy Stern, CFO, explained that this was the reason for the 100 mile cut-off and explained that if attendance was required, Peninsula Clean Energy would cover the expenses.
6. Peninsula Clean Energy Labor Policy (Discussion)
Jan Pepper, CEO, gave a presentation on Peninsula Clean Energy’s Labor Policy including a recap of Peninsula Clean Energy Policy 10 and data for Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) offers with Project Labor Agreements (PLA) or prevailing wage.
Item No. 2
Director Bonilla asked about the budget for the Low-Income Home Upgrade Program.
Jan shared that the budget is overall $2 million with $1.3 million for work which averages to about $6000-7000 per home.
Director Colson asked for clarification on what is driving the issues Peninsula Clean Energy is facing with single family homes. Jan explained that a lot of analysis went into planning the budget for the Low-Income Home Upgrade Program and that a lack of contractors is preventing competitive pricing. Chair DeGolia shared that his understanding that there is not sufficient interest as the work is not substantial enough for union contractors. Director Colson asked if we could package these single family homes as one larger offer? Jan explained that they could talk to RHA about this option and discuss what this looks like for the homeowner as well.
Director Colson shared that perhaps Peninsula Clean Energy should look at options to support single family homeowners in getting furniture moved as needed to allow access for the contractors. She also inquired if there are ways to package multiple homes for one type of work in order to produce greater economies to attract union workers.
Director Parmer-Lohan showed support for greater market insights to understand the needs and barriers to action and making program modifications as necessary.
Director Hale commented about supply chain issues for these new technologies. She asked if Peninsula Clean Energy has a preferred vendor program to bring on contractors and create jobs and connect them to interested homeowners.
Jan explained that Peninsula Clean Energy does do this for the Heat Pump Water Heater Program and that we are working with our Low-Income Home Upgrade program administrator, RHA, to connect subcontractors and low-income homeowners.
Director Bonilla shared that it may be beneficial to hire someone to move furniture or complete other tasks that are not in the scope of work and to ask RHA to better manage customer expectations. He also noted that we use the words “best efforts” which doesn’t lock us in as to who is doing the work.
7. Administration of Menlo Park Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Incentives (Discussion) Peter Ambriel, Associate Programs Manager, gave a presentation on the administration of the proposed Menlo Park Electric Vehicle (EV) charging incentives including an overview of the EV Ready Program, background and the proposed Incentive Structure for Menlo Park, and the benefits for Peninsula Clean Energy.
Director Colson supports working on this model in Menlo Park in hopes that, if it is successful, it can be rolled out to other cities. Director Medina offered support of this program. Director Bonilla offered support of the program as it supports individual jurisdictions who may not be able to achieve this on their own.
Chair DeGolia shared that these types of partnerships with cities will become more valuable as we move towards decarbonization and offered his support of the program.
Director Emeritus Gupta asked if Peninsula Clean Energy is limited to a 50/50 contribution based on Menlo Park’s budget. Rafael Reyes, Director of Energy Programs, explained that we are not limited.
Item No. 2
8. Committee Members’ Reports
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m.