MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022
8:45 A.M.
___________________________________________________________ ****AB 361****
**RE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19**
CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AB 361 WHICH SUSPENDED CERTAIN
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PARTICIPATED IN THE MAY 5, 2022, MEETING BY TELECONFERENCE.
CALL TO ORDER
(8:47 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:00:12)
Chair King called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair King, Vice Chair Fudge, and Directors Bagby, Landman, Peters, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Gjerde, and Hopkins.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs; Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning & Analytics; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing; Chris Golik, Revenue Manager; Brant Arthur, Program Manager; Carole Hakstian, Senior Risk Officer; Claudia Sisomphou, Communications and Engagement Manager; and Joshua Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(8:50 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:03)
1. Approve April 7, 2022, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Authorize Extension of SCP Resolution 2021-05 Permitting Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee Pursuant to AB 361
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve the May 5, 2022, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Bagby
Second: Director Peters
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Bagby, Landman, Peters, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
3. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(8:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:05:23)
Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer, introduced Chris Golik as SCP’s new Revenue Manager.
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, discussed recent notable visits to the Advanced Energy Center including Rep. Mike Thompson and Drew Bohan, Executive Director of the California Energy Commission. She mentioned the Energy Center hosted its first high-school field trip where students from Piner High School participated in the “Advanced Energy Center Challenge.” She discussed the 0% financing loan program which has 50 participants and has surpassed $200,000 in project loans. Director Reynolds then unveiled a SCP EverGreen banner which will be hung at Santa Rosa’s Doyle Park, home of the new baseball team, The Santa Rosa Scuba Divers.
Public Comment: None
4. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Positions on SB 852 (Dodd), SB 1020 (Laird, Atkins) and Provide Direction and Positions on Other Bills as Appropriate
(9:00 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:14:14)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, discussed wildfire mitigation plans. He mentioned that the state auditor found that PG&E has not done enough to improve safety and did not prioritize hardening the lines that are the most dangerous, and that now the state auditor is requiring these areas to be prioritized. He also discussed PG&E’s proposed rate increase.
CEO Geof Syphers gave a legislative update. He mentioned he met with Congressman Thompson and Congressman Huffman regarding the GeoZone and met with Governor Newsom regarding a Department of Commerce investigation into tariff evasion that is causing a slowdown in the U.S. solar and battery industry. He discussed SB 1393 (Archuleta) which will require specific tests for city and county reach codes to phase out natural gas, he informed the Board that a letter of opposition has been filed. He discussed SB 1158 (Becker) which would require GHG emissions be reported on a 24-hour basis instead of an annual basis and stated that the author is working with Staff and has been receptive to concerns. He then discussed SB 852 (Dodd) which would allow for climate resilience districts, and for local governments to raise funds for capital projects for climate mitigation and adaptation, and recommended support. He then discussed SB 1020 (Laird, Atkins) and recommended waiting for approval.
Director Peters inquired why Mendocino County was not mentioned in SB 852 and CEO Syphers responded it is because Mendocino County doesn’t currently have a government agency to designate as a climate resilience district.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve position on SB 852 and leave the position on SB 1020 to CEO Syphers' discretion by Director Bagby
Second: Director Rogers
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Bagby, Landman, Peters, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
5. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
(9:27 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:41:33)
Public Comment: None
6. Authorize the CEO or his Designee to Execute the First Amendment to an Agreement with the Center for Sustainable Energy to Offer Additional Incentives for Public EV Charging Infrastructure
(9:36 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:50:01)
Public Comment: None
Brant Arthur, Program Manager, discussed the proposed amendment to an agreement with the Center for Sustainable Energy to offer up to $800,000 in special customer incentives for fast EV charging. He stated that the proposed amendment will help fill gaps in funding and will focus funding on level 3 chargers. He explained that this proposal will target specific locations and will require that the stations are connected to EverGreen and be open to the public 24/7. CEO Syphers added that the total amount is already factored into the budget so approval will not require increasing rates.
Director Hopkins would like SCP to work with the EVITP training program for implementation and focus on how to create a just transition while creating jobs. CEO Syphers responded that he would talk with his team to learn more and bring back to the Board.
Motion to authorize the CEO or his designee to execute the First Amendment to an agreement with the Center for Sustainable Energy to offer additional incentives for public EV charging infrastructure by Director Peters.
Second: Director Hopkins
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Bagby, Landman, Peters, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
7. Receive Presentation on Spanish Language Focus Group Findings (9:50 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:04:40)
Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, discussed SCP’s findings from the Spanish language focus groups led by Hugo Mata from Soluna Outreach Solutions. She explained that the findings show there is low awareness in the Spanish-speaking community about SCP and it is SCP’s goal to build that awareness and leverage collaborations within that community.
Public Comment: None
10:08 a.m. Chair King called a 5-minute recess.
8. Review the Empower Action Plan
(10:13 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:27:16)
10:14 a.m. Director Elward exited the meeting.
Claudia Sisomphou, Communications and Engagement Manager, explained that the Empower Action Plan is an agency wide endeavor that is receiving positive feedback. The Plan is focused on improving outreach to customers in SCP’s service territory and organizations throughout the communities.
CEO Syphers asked the Board to help by reaching out to community partners in their jurisdictions. Chair King expanded on CEO Syphers comment by encouraging the Board to also reach out to former members of the BOD and CAC.
Public Comment: None
9. Approve a Revision to Financial Policy B.2 Financial Reserves (Staff Recommendation: Approve)
(10:28 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:49:49)
CEO Syphers explained the reason for proposing a revision to SCP’s financial policy is because the policy was created when SCP was in the early stages and had very little in assets, so building cash reserves was critical. Now that SCP is more established and has a credit rating, staff recommends simplifying the policy and aligning it better with the policies of other credit-rated power providers.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve a revision to Financial Policy B.2 Financial Reserves by Director Landman
Second: Director Rogers
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Bagby, Landman, Peters, King, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Elward
10.Review and Provide Direction on the Draft Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
(10:34 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:48:02)
COO Koszalka explained that he is asking for the Board’s input and comments on the upcoming Fiscal Year Budget, which will be reviewed by the Community Advisory Committee and then brought back to the Board for a final vote of approval. He explained that the budget requires no rate change at the start of the fiscal year. He explained that overall costs are up 4%, and staffing is comparable with similar-sized CCAs. He explained that the Advanced Energy Center and Marketing budgets have increased with the planned outreach budget, but SCP’s Customer Service budget has been reduced. COO Koszalka pointed out this budget proposal and forecast are expected to result in helping SCP reach its long-term financial reserve targets within about one year.
Director Slayter requested information regarding the terms of the lease for the Energy Center. He then asked if in-house counsel should be added to personnel and staffing. CEO Syphers responded that he is happy with SCP’s existing outside counsel and there is no recommendation by staff to add this, but it is up to the Board.
Public Comment: None
11.Receive General Order (GO) 156 Supplier Diversity Program Update regarding CPUC Approval of Revised Proposed Decision
(10:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:05:42)
CEO Syphers informed the Board that the CPUC approved changes to the supplier diversity program regarding LGBTQ and disabled owned businesses, and new reporting for small and local businesses. He thanked Carole Hakstian, Senior Risk Officer, who helped advocate for this small business reporting, noting this is a key way that governments can legally advocate for minority and women-owned business investments.
Public Comment: None
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:56 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:09:57)
Director Peters announced the Blue Economy Symposium would be taking place in Fort Bragg from May 19 to 22, 2022. He also announced that the City of Fort Brag’s lawsuit against Western Railroad succeeded.
Director Hopkins announced that Governor Gavin Newsom’s Wildfire Resilience Tour would be taking place on May 6, 2022. She also announced that there would be a zero-emission expo at Old World Winery which would exhibit electric tractors.
Chair King thanked SCP for being at Petaluma’s Butter and Egg Days event.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(11:01 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:15:10)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(11:01 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:15:44)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, J.D.
Clerk of the Board