MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:01)
Chair Fudge called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Fudge, and Directors Bagby, Ford, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, and Gjerde. Directors Barnacle, Elward, and Vice Chair Hopkins were absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations and Marketing; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Brytann Busick, Marketing and Events Manager and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:23)
1. Approve July 6, 2023, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute First Amendment to Contract with Frontier Energy, Inc. to add $10,536 for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $150,179 through August 30, 2023, to Close Out Remaining Projects with On-Bill Financing Agreements
4. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with Alternative Energy Systems Consulting, Inc. through December 31, 2024, with a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $118,000 to Provide Technical Assistance for Sonoma Clean Power’s Workplace Charging Research Project
5. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO, or his Designee, to Execute a Contract with BlastPoint through June 30, 2024, with a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $176,000 for New Data-Driven Customer Insights
Director Farrar-Rivas requested a change to the draft minutes which should say, “the City of Sonoma was given a presentation regarding electrifying their fire trucks.”
Director Strong asked for a brief explanation of Item 5 and Michael Koszalka, COO, explained that BlastPoint is a company highly recommended by the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) and they will target markets for equity.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the August 3, 2023, Board of Directors Consent Calendar with the change to Item 1, the July 6, 2023, Draft Minutes by Director Bagby Second: Director Ford
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde ABSENT: Barnacle, Elward, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
6. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:08:15)
COO Koszalka introduced a video of SCP’s Hall of Flowers exhibit at the Sonoma County Fair and photos of the new Climate Corner sections of Mendocino County Libraries. Director Gjerde added that the Willits Library will be the first community building to get a battery back-up system. Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs, discussed technology, incentives, and changes to SCP’s offerings. She mentioned that California and the Federal government are coming in with more incentives in the future.
Director Ford asked what the status of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives are, and Director Simonson answered that they are expected in the beginning of 2024.
COO Koszalka then discussed SCP’s investment summaries and gave a financial update. Geof Syphers, CEO, mentioned that SCP had just sent out its Joint Rate Mailer. COO Koszalka added that the September Board of Directors meeting was cancelled.
Director Farrar-Rivas asked if Community Development Financial Institutions could be used to support environmental policies and CEO Syphers stated that SCP’s investment policy would be added to the next packet.
CEO Syphers brought everyone’s attention to a Wall Street Journal article which stated that PG&E plans to stop its enhanced vegetation management program. Director Rogers then asked if PG&E was relying on Fast-Trip in place of the vegetation management program and CEO Syphers responded that data shows Fast-Trip is largely replacing Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Public Comment: None
7. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Provide Direction and Approve Positions on Bills as Appropriate
(9:29 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:30:18)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, discussed the North Coast Resiliency Initiative and explained the issue revolves around indirect power outages, where PG&E shuts off one large region to balance the grid because another neighboring region has a fire threat. He stated that, PG&E updated its predictions regarding the frequency of events and secondly, that PG&E stated it will upgrade all of the vulnerable circuits in the next 2 years. Director Reardon then discussed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopting the new “slice-of-day” proposal to determine resource adequacy.
Director Ford asked if the diesel generator installation was beaten back in the North Coast Resiliency Initiative and Director Reardon responded that the CPUC has ordered PG&E to use cleaner energy, so they are moving away from diesel generators. Director Ford then asked if the new resource adequacy rules will make meeting compliance requirements harder and staff Director Reardon responded that it does because requirements don’t align with the existing available power products on the market. Director Bagby asked how often Cloverdale was discussed because they went without power for 5 days.
Director Reardon indicated SCP will continue to push for equity and resiliency.
Director Rogers stated that Oakmont had the same issue for Santa Rosa and CEO Syphers responded by thanking Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning and Analytics, for his help on finding a solution that has virtually eliminated the need for public safety power shutoff to the Oakmont community.
CEO Syphers stated that the Legislature was on its summer recess, and he thanked Senator McGuire for all his help with CCA legislation.
Public Comment: None
No new bill positions were presented during the discussion therefore no vote of the Board was required for this item.
8. Receive Presentation on 2023 Brand Awareness Survey Findings (10:00 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:00:37)
Brytann Busick, Marketing and Events Manager, introduced Harry Hiner of Hiner & Partners. Mr. Hiner gave the Board a presentation on the 2023 Brand Awareness Survey. Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations and Outreach mentioned she would make the presentation available to the Board.
Public Comment: None
9. Appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for the Community Advisory Committee Recruitment Process
(10:17 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:17:33)
CEO Syphers stated that every 2 years the Board needs to make appointments to the Community Advisory Committee (Committee) and asked the Board to create an Ad Hoc committee to begin the selection process. Chair Fudge stated that she would like to have the entire service territory represented in the makeup of the of the Ad Hoc and she nominated Directors Elward, Gjerde, and Rogers. Director Rogers added that there should be a rural perspective also on the Ad Hoc and he nominated Director Farrar-Rivas.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for the Community Advisory Committee Recruitment Process made up of Directors Elward, Gjerde, Rogers, and Farrar-Rivas by Director Ford
Second: Bagby
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde ABSENT: Barnacle, Elward, Hopkins
10.Approve Salary Increases, Retirement Contribution, and Annual Contract Goals for Chief Executive Officer Syphers
(10:23 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:23:08)
Debora Fudge, Chair stated that the Board had met in Closed Session and given an outstanding review to CEO Syphers, and she also gave a big thank you to SCP’s staff for all that they do. She stated that CEO Syphers had agreed to a new set of goals and Joshua Nelson, Special Counsel, added that if the Board approved the salary increase, retirement contributions, and contract goals would go into effect September 1, 2023.
Public Comment: J. Mancillas asked for information regarding commercial office buildings and CEO Syphers encouraged him to call SCP’s customer service line.
Motion to Approve Salary Increases, Retirement Contribution, and Annual Contract Goals for Chief Executive Officer Syphers by Director Bagby Second: Gjerde
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde ABSENT: Barnacle, Elward, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:31 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:31:42)
Chair Fudge announced that the Sonoma County Fair had begun. Director Strong thanked SCP for working with Willits to install the new Climate Corner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:32 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:32:43)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:33 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:33:17)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, J.D.
Clerk of the Board