Entry No. 1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
January 19, 2023
Minutes
Heard General Administration Functions, Part I.
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in open session at 3:04 PM on January 19, 2023.
Pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e) and other applicable provisions of the Brown Act, the meeting was conducted via live streamed teleconference accessed and viewed at the following web link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/i/89967227073.
Roll Call
p A Agency Primary Member
X County of Placer Jim Holmes
X County of Placer Suzanne Jones
X City of Colfax Wes Heathcock
X City of Auburn Alice Dowdin Calvillo
X City of Lincoln Dan Karleskint
X Town of Loomis Amanda Cortez
X City of Rocklin Greg Janda
X County of El Dorado John Hidahl
X City of Placerville vacant
Town of Loomis and City of Rocklin were absent from this meeting.
Chair Dowdin Calvillo presided over the meeting.
Public Report of Closed Session
or Alternate Member
Bonnie Gore
Bonnie Gore
David Ackerman
Rachel Radell-Harris
Paul Joiner
Danny Cartwright
David Bass
Lori Parlin
Michael Saragosa
Chair Dowdin Calvillo reported that immediately prior to this meeting, the Board met in Closed Session.
In the matter of Government Code Section 54957.6, a Conference with Labor Negotiators was convened regarding the Executive Director, as an unrepresented employee.
No action was taken.
Selection of Chair and Vice Chair of the Pioneer Governing Board for 2023 Elected Director Dowdin Calvillo to serve as Chair of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board for 2023, effective immediately.
MOTION: Jones/Saragosa. Vote: 7:0:2
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint, Saragosa.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda.
Elected Director Hidahl to serve as Vice Chair of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board for 2023, effective immediately.
MOTION: Holmes/Jones. Vote: 7:0:2
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint, Saragosa.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda.
Governing Board Minutes
January 19, 2023
Agenda Review
Reviewed and revised the meeting agenda for January 19, 2023, as follows:
Item la, Approval of December 15, 2022 meeting minutes, was removed for future consideration at the February 16, 2023 meeting.
Public Comment
There were no comments from members of the public on items not listed on this agenda.
Entry No. 2
Acted on the Consent Agenda as follows:
Item la, approval of minutes of the December 15, 2022 regular meetings, was removed for future consideration.
!)Determined pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(l) that, as a result of the COVID-19 state of emergency, conducting in-person public meetings would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees at the meetings of the Board of Directors and all other legislative bodies of Pioneer Community Energy (PCE), including all the Board-appointed Committees; and 2) Directed that the meetings of the Board of Directors and all other legislative bodies of PCE be conducted by teleconferencing, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e), with an option for in-person attendance of up to five Directors.
Received Draft Financial Reports for November 2022.
Item ld, adopt Resolution approving the job description for the Community Outreach Manager position and salary range, was pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
Adopted Resolution 2023-2 to authorize the Executive Director to execute a second amendment to the Agreement between Pioneer Community Energy and Pisenti & Brinker LLP for financial audit services, extending the contract term to perform financial audit services for the Fiscal Years ending June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024 in the amount of $97,300.
Approved the Consent Agenda less Item la, approving minutes of the December 15, 2022 regular meeting; and Item ld, Adopt Resolution approving the job description for the Community Outreach Manager position and salary range.
MOTION: Saragosa/Karleskint. Vote: 7:0:2
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint, Saragosa.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda.
Entry No. 4
Discussed Item ld, Adopt Resolution approving the job description for the Community Outreach Manager position and salary range.
Adopted Resolution 2023-1 approving the job description for the Community Outreach Manager position and salary range as presented.
MOTION: Heathcock/Holmes. Vote: 7:0:2
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint, Saragosa.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda.
Governing Board Minutes
January 19, 2023
Entry No. 5
Adopt Resolutions Commending Director Thomas and Alternate Director Clark-Crets for their Dedicated Service to Pioneer Community Energy
1) Adopted Resolution 2023-3 commending Director Thomas for his dedication and outstanding service in directing Pioneer Community Energy; and 2) Adopted Resolution 2023-4 commending Alternate Director Clark-Crets for her dedication and outstanding service in directing Pioneer Community Energy.
MOTION: Holmes/Hidahl. Vote: 7:0:2
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint, Saragosa.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda.
Entry No. 6
Presentation on Biomass
Received and discussed a presentation from Pioneer Community Energy on biomass.
Alternate Saragosa excused himself from the meeting.
Entry No. 7
Legislative and Regulatory Updates
Received and discussed an update on Pioneer Community Energy's legislative and regulatory activities.
Entry No. 8
Discussion of In-Person and Teleconference Board Meetings Options Available After the End of the State of California COVID-19 State of Emergency
Discussed and provided direction to staff regarding Governing Board preferences with respect to conducting Board meetings after the end of the State of California's COVID-19 State of Emergency, which is expected to occur on February 28, 2023.
General Counsel Khalsa expressed staff concerns for additional work required and increased meeting cancellations due to AB 2449 option; and her concern regarding transparent reporting of meeting the Brown Act requirements which could invalidate financial decisions.
General Counsel recommendation is to move forward with the traditional Brown Act, instead of individual remote locations, to establish remote public locations that would not limit remote participation nor require a physical quorum of members to be present in one location.
Chair Dowdin Calvillo requested clarification regarding the process for Pioneer's Brown Act committees as well as the Board. General Counsel confirmed it to be the same process and that Pioneer's only Brown Act committee is the Audit & Finance Committee.
Director Holmes agreed with the traditional Brown Act which allows some remote participation.
Vice Chair Hidahl agreed as well stating that there would be minimal use of AB 249, the traditional Brown Act allows remote public settings and will allow for Grass Valley and Nevada City. Then, in the case of illness or emergency, the alternate members would attend.
Director Karleskint provided clarification for the traditional Brown Act, which requires a physical quorum within one jurisdiction, not in the same room.
Vice Chair Hidahl suggested that permanent remote locations be established at Pioneer, Placer County, El Dorado County.
The Board directed staff to proceed with the traditional Brown Act and to establish the remote public locations.
Governing Board Minutes
January 19, 2023
Director Karleskint requested clarification on the date of completion for the board room improvements; and how many members the room will accommodate.
Staff confirmed that the furniture would be delivered in February and the A/V will take awhile longer. The board room will accommodate up to 11 members without social distancing.
General Counsel Khalsa confirm and report the plan to the Board at the February 16, 2023 meeting.
Entry No. 9
Amendment No. 2 to the Employment Agreement for Executive Director Adopted Resolution 2023-5 approving Amendment No. 2 to the Employment Agreement for Executive Director between Pioneer Community Energy and Don Eckert.
General Counsel Khalsa provided the revised Employment Agreement No. 2 which was finalized in the Closed Session.
MOTION: Holmes/Hidahl. Vote: 6:0:3
ROLL CALL: Dowdin Calvillo, Heathcock, Hidahl, Holmes, Jones, Karleskint.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Cortez, Janda, Saragosa.
Entry No. 10
Heard General Administration Functions, Part II.
A. Board Member Communications
There were no reports.
B. Executive Director Communications
Executive Director Eckert reported that Pioneer has a favorable discount to PG&E's rates and is using strong communication efforts in that area; and, also reported that a Customer Advisory Committee, comprised of former Board Member Jeff Duncan, several members of the Community Programs Advisory Committee, and Pioneer staff, has been established regarding program ideas and implementation.
C. Informational Items
Received the Glossary of Terms.
D. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:01 PM
ATTEST:
Minutes approved as presented by a majority vote of
the Governing Board on February 16, 2023.
Teresa Willock, Board Secretary