Entry No. 1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
October 16, 2025
MI NUTES
Heard General Administrative Functions - Part I
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in open session at 3:00 PM on October 16, 2025. 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; and, the meeting was accessible for viewer participation on the Zoom platform at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89020017279 ; and, was live streamed for viewing on the Pioneer website:
https: //pioneercom mun ityenergy. org/about-us/meeti ngs-and-agendas/.
Director Petersen participated remotely from Nevada City - City Hall, Wetherall Conference Room, 317 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959.
Roll Call
Present: City of Auburn (Dowdin Calvillo), County of El Dorado (Parlin), City of Grass Valley (Ivy), City of Lincoln (Pearl), Town of Loomis (Ring), Nevada City (Petersen), County of Placer (Jones), City of Placerville (Carter), City of Rocklin (Bass).
Absent: City of Colfax (Lomen), County of Placer (DeMattei), City of Lincoln (Janda).
Chair Dowdin Calvillo presided over the meeting.
No public comment was offered on items not on the agenda.
Agenda Review
Reviewed and made no revision to the meeting agenda for October 16, 2025.
Entry No. 2
Acted on the Consent Agenda as follows:
Approved the minutes of the September 18, 2025 special and regular meetings.
Received Fiscal Year 2025-26 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through Ju ly and August 2025.
Adopted Resolution 2025-38 approving a 3% Cost-of-Living Increase and Salary Schedule Adjustments, approving an increase in employer 401(k) contributions from 4% to 5%, and adopting an adjusted Salary Schedule reflective of triennial compensation study recommendations.
Adopted Resolution 2025-39 approving four Information Technology Policies and Procedures.
MOTION: Pearl/Ring. Vote : 8:0:3
ROLL CALL: Bass, Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Janda, Lomen, DeMattei.
October 16, 2025 - page 2
Entry No. 3
Overview of Assembly Bill 825 - the Regional Electricity Market Bill Received an overview of Assembly Bill 825 - the Regional Electricity Market Bill. Overview of Assembly Bill 825 - the Regional Electricity Market Bill.
Legislative and Regulatory Manager Lee Ewing presented an informational update on AB 825, also known as the Regional Electricity Market Bill, which authorizes the creation of a West-wide regional electricity market intended to reduce wholesale electricity prices and enhance grid reliability. Mr. Ewing summarized the structure and intent of AB 825, potential affordability, reliability, and emissions benefits associated with an expanded western market, and Pioneer's participation in supporting the bill's passage through its trade organization, CalCCA. He also reviewed the implementation timeline, noting that CAISO may join an independent regional market organization by 2028, pending CPUC and FERC approval.
Directors discussed potential impacts on grid reliability, market oversight, and tariff implications for cross-border energy imports.
No formal action was taken.
Entry No. 4
Update on Expansion and Approval of a 30-Day Notice to Amend the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
Received an update on expansion efforts and authorized issuance of a 30-day notice to amend the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement.
Director of Community Relations Gina Stassi-Vanacore and Alden Walden of Pacific Energy Advisors presented results of the Impact Assessment Study for new jurisdictions. The report followed the September 2025 approval of studies for Unincorporated Madera County, City of Chowchilla, City of Madera, and County of Colusa. Ms. Stassi-Vanacore reported that the City of Madera chose to defer participation to conduct an RFP for CCA services, and that the City of Williams, located in Colusa County, requested inclusion. Findings indicated approximately 45,000 eligible accounts representing a 12% increase in projected sales with no adverse rate impacts to existing customers.
The Expansion Ad Hoc Committee recommended moving forward with expansion to include Madera County, City of Chowchilla, County of Colusa, City of Colusa, and City of Williams, contingent upon completion of fiscal analyses for Williams and Colusa County with positive outcomes.
Authorized staff to issue a 30-day notice for a Board vote on Amendment No. 8 to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for membership expansion.
MOTION: Dowdin Calvillo/Pearl. Vote: 8:0:3
ROLL CALL: Bass, Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Janda, Lomen, DeMattei.
Entry No. 5
Receive Draft Fiscal Year 2024-25 Year-End Financial Reports Brad Koehn, Director of Finance & Administration, introduced the item and invited Senior Financial Analyst Eric Acedo to present the draft Fiscal Year 2024-25 year-end financial reports through June 30, 2025.
October 16, 2025 - page 3
Mr. Acedo provided an overview of year-end financial performance, highlighting major revenue and expenditure variances, overall budget position, and preparation for Fiscal Year 2025-26 reporting.
No formal action was taken.
Entry No. 6
Adopt Resolution Approving Artificial Intelligence Acceptable Use Policy Adopted Resolution 2025-40 approving the Artificial Intelligence Acceptable Use Policy.
Chief Executive Officer Don Eckert introduced the item and invited Information Technology Analyst Eric Ponce to present the proposed policy establishing guidelines for ethical, transparent, and secure use of artificial intelligence tools within Pioneer operations.
Board members expressed support for the framework's clarity and alignment with organizational integrity standards.
MOTION: Ring/Carter. Vote: 8:0:3
ROLL CALL: Bass, Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
No/ Abstain: None.
Absent: Janda, Lomen, DeMattei.
Entry No. 7
Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Execute a Lease Agreement with 2540 Warren LLC and to Approve Tenant Improvement Costs up to $625,969 (Contingency of 10% over preliminary cost estimate
Adopted Resolution 2025-41 authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute a lease agreement with 2540 Warren LLC and approve tenant improvement costs up to $625,969, with a 10% contingency over the preliminary cost estimate.
Director of Finance & Administration Brad Koehn provided an overview of the lease terms and the plan to accommodate anticipated organizational growth.
Directors commended staff for prudent cost management and proactive planning.
MOTION: Pearl/Ring. Vote: 8:0:3
ROLL CALL: Bass, Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: Janda, Lomen, DeMattei.
Entry No. 8
Heard General Administrative Function - Part II
Board Member Communications
Committee Chair Dowdin Calvillo reported on the October meeting of the Expansion Ad Hoc Committee, reaffirming the one-member/one-vote governance structure for the 2027 expansion and noting that governance structure will be reviewed prior to any further expansions beyond 2027.
Director Ring reported on scheduling for the Audit & Finance Committee and coordination with the independent auditor
October 16, 2025 - page 4
Chief Executive Officer Communications
Chief Executive Officer Don Eckert provided updates including introduction of Pioneer's newest team member, Braden Hendersonr, recognition of Pioneer achieving a 4-star rating for Google reviews and acknowledging the Communications Team for their work and reminded the Board of the upcoming Geysers Tour. He invited Taylor Smith to present an overview of "How to Read Your Bill" video to help ratepayers with solar understand their bill and previewed further efforts to educate ratepayers.
Items for Information
Received the Glossary of Terms.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:27 PM.
ATTEST:
Minutes approved as amended by a majority vote
of the Governing Board on November 20, 2025.
Board Secretary