MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________ ****AB 2449****
**RE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19**
**HYBRID MEETING (IN PERSON AND REMOTE ATTENDANCE)***
CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AB 2449, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PARTICIPATED IN THE FEBRUARY 2, 2023, MEETING IN PERSON AND BY REMOTE ATTENDANCE.
CALL TO ORDER
(9:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:15)
Vice Chair Fudge called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Fudge, Vice Chair Hopkins, and Directors Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, and Gjerde.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning and Analytics; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing; Sylvia Magallanes, Senior Customer Service Representative; Leif Christiansen, Commercial Accounts Manager; and Carter Bell, Quantitative Analyst
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
(9:06 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:06:33)
1. Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority Resolution 2023-01 Permitting Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee and Discussion of Future Remote Meetings Pursuant to AB 2449
Special Counsel Josh Nelson discussed future remote meeting rules for SCP’s Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee. He discussed different types of remote meetings including traditional public meeting rules, modified rules pursuant to AB 361, and new guidelines pursuant to AB 2449.
He stated that the rules under AB 361 would end March 1, 2023.
Director Hopkins inquired as to what the definition of a medical emergency is under AB 2449 and Counsel Nelson responded that it was not specifically defined. Director Elward mentioned that we need to be aware that one of SCP’s goal is reducing carbon emissions. Director Strong asked if there could be a quorum under multiple teleconference locations and Counsel Nelson responded, not under AB 2449.
Public Comment: Woody Hastings expressed his support for continuing to allow members of the public to attend and participate in public meetings remotely.
Motion to Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority Resolution 2023-01 Permitting Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee and Discussion of Future Remote Meetings Pursuant to AB 2449 by Director Rogers
Second: Director Hopkins
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:23 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:23:38)
2. Approve December 1, 2022, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
3. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
4. Approve Emergency Consumer Protections for Natural Disaster in Sonoma Clean Power Authority Service Territory
5. Ratify Generation Rates Effective February 1, 2023, Consistent with Prior Board Direction
Public Comment: None
Item 3 was pulled for discussion.
CEO Syphers gave an update on upcoming cooperation agreements and background for the GeoZone including Cyrq Energy’s grant application with the Federal government.
Director Rogers asked if SCP provided the only 24-hour local renewable energy in the United States and CEO Syphers answered in the affirmative.
Director Elward asked what the time frame for the Cyrq Energy grant was and CEO Syphers responded 2 to 3 weeks. Director Bagby asked about the feasibility of including Lake. Director Hopkins inquired if local tribes had been engaged and CEO Syphers stated that two have so far.
Motion to approve the February 2, 2023, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Bagby
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR (continued)
6. Nominate and Approve the Appointments of Chair and Vice Chair of the Board for One-Year Terms
(9:36 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:35:58)
Motion to Nominate and Approve Deborah Fudge as Chair of the Sonoma Clean Power Authority for a One-Year Term by Director Bagby Second: Director Rogers
Public Comment: None
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
Motion to Nominate and Approve Lynda Hopkins as Vice Chair of the Sonoma Clean Power Authority for a One-Year Term by Director Rogers Second: Director Bagby
Public Comment: None
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
7. Accept the Independent Draft Report for the Financial Statements from Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022
(9:41 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:41:12)
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations introduced Kellin Gilbert of Pisenti & Brinker to discuss the audit. Mr. Gilbert discussed the unmodified opinion including risk assessments, revenue recognition, and cash on hand.
He mentioned areas of focus being the accrued cost of electricity, liabilities, financial statements, notes of disclosure, and required government communications.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Accept the Independent Draft Report for the Financial Statements from Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022 by Director Hopkins
Second: Director Bagby
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
8. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:54 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:54:30)
Director Reynolds explained the purpose of the Internal Operations report for the benefit of new Board Members and then she discussed the Advanced Energy Center. She then introduced Sylvia Magallanes, Senior Customer Service Representative, who gave an update on SCP’s recent customer inquiries. Leif Christiansen, Commercial Accounts Manager, announced that Point Arena has become the first city in Mendocino County to upgrade to EverGreen service.
Chair Fudge noted that social media has been abuzz with complaints of high energy bills but added that SCP had been quite helpful to customers.
Director Barnacle asked if SCP could get SCP’s Customer Service Representative’s voices out to the public to demystify rates.
Then COO Koszalka discussed SCP’s financials and participation rates.
Director Ford asked if participation tables could be broken down by power delivered to jurisdictions and CEO Syphers responded that they could. COO Koszalka then discussed SCP’s Unaided Brand Awareness survey.
Director Gjerde commented on energy use in areas of high poverty and asked if CalCCA recommended legislation for energy efficient retrofitting. Director Rogers discussed local business efficiency standards and Director Bagby asked that an article regarding planning be distributed to the Board. Director Barnacle asked if customer use of SCP incentives was higher in December and CEO Syphers responded that they were, in part because SCP has shifted incentives to go directly to customers. Vice Chair Hopkins asked if there were any incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on the horizon and CEO Syphers mentioned that cleanenergy.gov and the SCP website were the best places to find updates on the IRA.
Public Comment: Ben Peters mentioned growth and inquired as to the amount of direct access customers in SCP territory and when SCP would add Lake County to its territory.
9. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(10:36 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:35:47)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, introduced and gave background on the regulatory report. He mentioned California Energy Commission (CEC) funding for zero emission vehicle infrastructure and the denial of the Diablo Canyon extension application by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He also mentioned that Karen Douglas became the newest member to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
CEO Syphers gave a legislative update and mentioned new State legislature appointments and committee assignments.
Director Barnacle asked what SCP does to encourage energy efficiency reform and Director Reardon responded that this is done at the local level through programs SCP offers. Director Barnacle then asked if SCP had sponsored any bills and CEO Syphers responded not yet this year.
Public Comment: None
10. Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Updated Legislative Platform (10:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:51:22)
CEO Syphers discussed SCP’s updated Legislative Platform by providing a summary of the Platform and discussing the two proposed changes: adding language around fast-trip shut off devices to the Energy Resilience section and adding a new Geothermal section to the Platform.
Vice Chair Hopkins asked if PG&E’s “Fast-Trip” program was their answer to undergrounding electric lines and CEO Syphers responded that it was unclear due to PG&E’s lack of communication, oversight, and discussion. Vice Chair Hopkins then asked if SCP knew where the locations of the “fast-trips” are and CEO Syphers responded that customers only find out after the fact.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Updated Legislative Platform by Director Rogers
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
11. Receive Power Procurement Update
(10:58 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:58:09)
Carter Bell, Quantitative Analyst, discussed SCP’s 30MW standalone battery project with Strata Clean Energy.
Public Comment: Ben Peters stated that he looks forward to the permitting process due to the location of the project and its possible impacts to the area’s residents.
12. Receive 2022 Annual Report
(11:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:04:12)
Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, discussed SCP’s 2022 Annual Report entitled “Powering Everyday Moments.” She pointed out the highlights including: Notes from the CEO, the Advanced Energy Center, Fast Charge For All, Power Procurement, Leadership, Financials, and Caring for Customers.
Public Comment: None
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(11:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:08:28)
Chair Fudge mentioned that the Town of Windsor was making progress in the discussion to upgrade to EverGreen and then discussed the all-electric Clearwater Senior Living Center Project.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(11:10 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:10:03)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(11:10 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:10:43)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, J.D.
Clerk of the Board