MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________ ****AB 361****
**RE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19**
**HYBRID MEETING (IN PERSON AND REMOTE ATTENDANCE)**
CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AB 361 WHICH SUSPENDED CERTAIN
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PARTICIPATED IN THE DECEMBER 1, 2022, MEETING IN PERSON AND BY REMOTE ATTENDANCE.
CALL TO ORDER
(9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:03:41)
Chair King called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair King, Vice Chair Fudge, and Directors Bagby, Landman, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Gjerde and Hopkins.
Board Members absent: Director Peters was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning and Analytics; Erica Torgersen, Director of Customer Service; Chad Asay, Director of the Advanced Energy Center; Danielle McCants, Customer Operations Manager; Chris Golik, Revenue Manager; Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning and Analytics; Carolyn Glanton, Programs Operations Manager; Brant Arthur, Program Manager; Darin Bartow, Clerk of the Board and Joshua Nelson, Special Counsel
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:33)
1. Approve November 3, 2022, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Authorize Extension of Sonoma Clean Power Authority Resolution 2021-05 Permitting Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee Pursuant to AB 361
3. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
4. Approve Proposed Resolution 2022-04 Adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974
5. Approve Updated Board Polices and Tariffs
6. Approve Updated Terms and Conditions and CleanStart Tariff following Pilot Program
7. Approve Board of Directors Meeting Dates for 2023 Calendar Year
8. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute the Fifth Amendment to the Agreement with Your SolarMate, Increasing the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $100,000 with a Total-Not-to-Exceed Amount of $350,000 Through December 31, 2023
9. Approve the Transfer of Unclaimed Checks Pursuant to California Government Code Section 50053
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the December 1, 2022, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Rogers
Second: Director Landman
AYES: Bagby, Landman, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
10. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:07:12)
Program Manager Brant Arthur gave an update on the CALeVIP program and stated that SCP has installed 9 new fast chargers. Director of Internal Operations Stephanie Reynolds welcomed Advanced Energy Center (Center) Director Chad Asay to provide an update on the various non-profit groups and trade organizations that are utilizing the Center, along with upcoming classes for contractors and the public. To date, over 5,000 visitors have been to the Center.
She also noted the SCP headquarters was designated a top project for 2022 by the North Bay Business Journal (NBBJ) and the NBBJ spotlighted CEO Syphers in an article. Geof Syphers, CEO, discussed increased revenues and expenses due to the September heat storm.
Director Rogers thanked SCP for their sponsorship to COP27 and discussed his experience. Director Elward discussed her experiences at COP27 and believes SCP can lead the way on climate change efforts.
Director Gjerde asked if there is a way for SCP to reach out to investment managers for diversification ideas for green investment in retirement portfolios. Director Hopkins mentioned her District Director Leo Chyi also attended COP27 and she discussed reparations for underdeveloped countries. Director Slayter asked what the cost to purchase additional energy during the heat storm was and CEO Syphers responded that it was close to $15 million.
Public Comment: None
11. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:40 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:40:36)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, gave a regulatory report where he mentioned that the CPUC had released a staff proposal estimating the value of GHG-free attributes for crediting CCA customers in the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment or PCIA. He discussed the extension of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Facility, and he mentioned that the CPUC revised their Net Energy Metering (NEM) proposal to honor all current tariffs.
Public Comment: None
12. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with Sacramento Municipal Utility District through August 31, 2024, with a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $125,680 for a Residential and Commercial Community Needs Assessment
(9:50 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:50:51)
This item was heard with Item 13.
Carolyn Glanton, Programs Operations Manager, explained the Strategic Action Plan is written to help staff develop programs that are impactful, scalable, and enhance customers’ lives. Items 10 and 11 work toward these goals. As an important first step, community needs assessments need to be performed, followed by goal setting. She stated that the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) was chosen to perform community needs assessments in three categories, residential energy use, residential resiliency needs, and commercial building energy use and resiliency, because SMUD has expertise in these areas.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with Sacramento Municipal Utility District through August 31, 2024, with a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $125,680 for a Residential and Commercial Community Needs Assessment by Director Rogers
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Bagby, Landman, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters
13. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with EVNoire through December 31, 2023, with a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $110,000 for a Transportation and Mobility Community Needs Assessment
(9:50 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:50:51)
This item was heard with Item 12.
Ms. Glanton mentioned that EVNoire was chosen for the transportation and mobility needs category of the community needs assessments because of their experience and expertise in working with disadvantaged communities, along with their extensive data on attitudes towards, and benefits of, driving zero-emission vehicles.
Director Slayter asked for clarification because item 12 used a request for proposals (RFP) and item 13 used a request for qualifications (RFQ) and Ms.
Glanton clarified that both were RFQs. Director Slayter then asked how many respondents there were for the RFQ, and Ms. Glanton responded that there were 5.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with EVNoire through December 31, 2023, with a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $110,000 for a Transportation and Mobility Community Needs Assessment by Director Slayter
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Bagby, Landman, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters
14. Approve Parameters to Establish New Customer Rates for Implementation Following Changes to Customer Exit Fees on or After January 1, 2023 (10:00 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:00:37)
Chris Golik, Finance Manager, stated that PG&E will reduce the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) which allows SCP to present two options for new customer rates to the Board. The first option would set customer total bills to 5% below PG&E’s bundled service bills and allow the Reserve Balance to continue to grow. The second option would set bills 9% lower than PG&E bundled bills. He discussed SCP’s rate setting and reserve goals and how the two options would affect those goals. CEO Syphers added that Option 1 gives SCP a surplus.
Chair King mentioned he was leaning to option 1 and expressed the desire to have lower rates than PG&E and have a reserve. Director Landman asked if there was revenue being set aside for local investment and CEO Syphers answered in the affirmative. Director Slayter asked if the generation rates are significantly below Investor-Owned Utilities and CEO Syphers answered that they were. Director Slayter then asked if there was a date for the Power Charge Indifference adjustment to end and Director Reardon answered in 2052. Director Rogers asked what the difference between the two options for customers was and CEO Syphers explained that it wasn’t a huge savings.
Director Landman mentioned his desire to find a middle ground between 5% and 9% and inquired if there was a guarantee with option 1 that SCP would not have to change rates or is that a possibility with either option. CEO Syphers responded there is a possibility that we may have to change rates again with either option and he cannot make guarantees on future rate changes. Several Directors expressed their support for Option 1 to set customer bills 5% below PG&E’s bundled bills and build reserves.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve Parameters to Establish New Customer Rates for Implementation Following Changes to Customer Exit Fees on or After January 1, 2023, and accept Option 1 in the staff report by Director Slayter Second: Director Bagby
AYES: Bagby, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins NOES: Landman
ABSENT: Peters
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:38 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:37:56)
CEO Syphers congratulated Chair King, Director Landman, and Director Slayter on their retirement from the SCP Board. Chair King recognized the SCP staff for their excellence, thanked CEO Syphers for his leadership, thanked the Community Advisory Committee for their dedication, and finally thanked the Board for its very important mission. Director Slayter discussed his first meeting at SCP and Director Landman discussed his time working with SCP.
Director Landman invited the community to the Novato Fire Breakfast. Director Hopkins thanked every retiring Board Member.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:57 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:57:03)
Public Comment: Madge Strong thanked all of the retiring Board Members.
ADJOURN
(10:58 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:58:28)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board