Entry No. 1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2023
Heard General Administration Functions, Part I.
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in open session at 3:00 PM on December 14, 2023. The Members convened in person and the meeting was accessible to the public at Pioneer Community Energy, 2510 Warren Drive, Suite B, Rocklin, California 95677; remote location at Nevada City-City Hall, Wetherall Conference Room, 317 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959; and was accessible for viewer participation on the Zoom platform at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89967227073 ; and, was live streamed for viewing on the Pioneer website at: https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and-agendas/ .
Roll Call
Present: City of Auburn (Dowdin Calvillo), City of Colfax (Lomen), County of El Dorado (Hidahl), City of Grass Valley (Ivy), City of Lincoln (Andreatta), Town of Loomis (Cortez), Nevada City (Petersen), County of Placer (Holmes), County of Placer (Jones), City of Placerville (Yarbrough), and City of Rocklin (Janda).
Absent: None.
Director Petersen arrived at 3:05 PM.
Director Jones arrived at 3:28 PM.
Chair Dowd in Calvillo presided over the meeting.
Agenda Review
Reviewed and revised the meeting agenda for December 14, 2023 as follows:
Executive Director pulled Item ld from the agenda:
Adopt Resolution to approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute all documents deemed necessary to consummate the following modifications to the Line of Credit and Letter of Credit agreements with Umpqua Bank: (1) Increase existing Line of Credit limit from $20 million up to $30 million. (2) Expand the Line of Credit purpose to include Working Capital if a meaningful credit rating improvement can be realized.
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:
Approved minutes of the November 16, 2023 regular meeting.
Received Fiscal Year 2023-24 Draft Financial Reports through October 2023.
Adopted Resolution 2023-34 authorizing the Executive Director to execute a third amendment to the agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon for legal services.
December 14, 2023 - page 2
Approved the Consent Agenda less Item 1d, Adopt Resolution to approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute all documents deemed necessary to consummate the following modifications to the Line of Credit and Letter of Credit agreements with Umpqua Bank: (1) Increase existing Line of Credit limit from $20 million up to $30 million. (2) Expand the Line of Credit purpose to include Working Capital if a meaningful credit rating improvement can be realized.
MOTION: Holmes. SECOND: Hidahl. Vote: 9:0:2.
ROLL CALL: Andreatta, Cortez, Dowdin Calvillo, Hidahl, Holmes, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Yarbrough.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Jones, Petersen.
Entry No. 3
Establish a Solar Billing Plan-Net Billing Tariff and Approving the Solar Billing Plan-Net Billing Tariff Policy
Adopted Resolution 2023-35 to establish a Solar Billing Plan-Net Billing Tariff and Approving the Solar Billing Plan-Net Billing Tariff Policy.
MOTION: Holmes. SECOND: Dowdin Calvillo. Vote: 11:0:0.
ROLL CALL: Andreatta, Cortez, Dowdin Calvillo, Hidahl, Holmes, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Petersen, Yarbrough.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: None.
Entry No. 4
Public Hearing and Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Authorizing a Rate Adjustment in 2024
Conducted a Public Hearing; hearing no comments from the public, closed the public hearing.
Adopted Resolution 2023-36 approving implementation of Pioneer Community Energy's Customer Generation Rate changes effective January 1, 2024 using a new option for Balance with a 10% minimum discount.
MOTION: Dowdin Calvillo. SECOND: Hidahl. Vote: 11:0:0.
ROLL CALL: Andreatta, Cortez, Dowdin Calvillo, Hidahl, Holmes, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Petersen, Yarbrough.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: None.
Entry No. 5
Update on Assembly Bill 843 Implementation Status
Received an update on Assembly Bill 843 implementation status.
Entry No. 6
Heard General Administration Functions, Part II.
Board Member Communications
Committee Chair Janda reported that the Audit & Finance Committee met on December 6, 2023, to consider the following items:
December 14, 2023 page 3
Received an update from Pisenti & Brinker, Pioneer's independent auditors. The auditor reported that the audit for years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 financial statements is 95% complete and they expect to report to be completed by December 15th, and that there were no findings.
Received a preview of the 2024 Rate Proposal Outlook. The Committee received staff presentation of a rates overview and three proposed strategy options, then voted to recommend to the Board approval of Scenario 2 (Balance Approach), consistent with the prior two years rate setting decisions.
Received presentation overview on Internal Controls that focused on payment and revenue flow and the importance of Maher Accountancy expertise that supplements the few Pioneer finance staff in ensuring that proper internal controls are in place. Maher Accountancy provides critical support that contributes to the 'clean' audited financial reports that Pioneer has received.
Executive Director Communications
Executive Director Eckert introduced Lisa Delaby, our new Community Outreach Manager. Lisa will be leveraging her extensive background in public relations, communications, community relations, marketing, and advertising.
With more than 20 years of experience as a director of public relations and marketing in higher education, she has a strong background serving diverse, local communities. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing pickleball, RVing, and paddle boarding. Lisa holds a bachelor's degree from CSU, Chico in information and communication studies with a double major in public relations and journalism.
Executive Director Eckert announced that Pioneer will be serving the City of Grass Valley and Nevada City at the start of the new year. As of the date of this report, we have a 99% participation rate.
Executive Director Eckert informed the Board that the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) tour has been scheduled for January 31st with four Board Members confirmed; and requested for any other interested Members to contact staff.
Informational Items
Received the Glossary of Terms.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:09 PM.
ATTEST:
Minutes approved as presented by a majority vote
of the Governing Board on February 15, 2024.
Teresa Willock, Board Secretary