MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:09:25)
Chair Fudge called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Fudge, Vice Chair Hopkins, Directors Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Gjerde, and Alternate Director Adams. Director Rogers was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Erica Torgerson, Managing Director of Customer Service; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing; Scott Lawrence, Commercial Accounts Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:12 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:14:34)
1. Approve October 5, 2023, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve the Proposed Customer Rate Reductions which would Establish Parameters Following Changes to Distribution Utility Rates and Fees on or After January 1, 2024, and Amendments to Financial Policy B.2 to allow Local Investments with Excess Reserve Funds
Director Barnacle asked for dollar amounts in Item 3.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the November 2, 2023, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Bagby
Second: Director Ford
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Adams, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Rogers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
4. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:15 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:17:34)
Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, introduced Melissa King SCP’s new Marketing Associate. Scott Lawrence, Commercial Accounts Manager, announced that the VCA’s Animal Care Center of Sonoma County in Rohnert Park is SCP’s newest EverGreen customer. Vice Chair Hopkins asked how the Board could help get the word out and Mr. Lawrence replied that staff would be working on communications and get it to the Board. Director Kelly added that the communications will be on social media and asked the Board to share SCP posts. Alternate Director Adams added that she would like to be included in any announcement regarding Rohnert Park.
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, explained the Income Graduated Fixed Charge Rate. Director Barnacle asked if SCP is taking a position and Erica Torgerson, Managing Director of Customer Service, explained that this change has already been decided and will happen. Vice Chair Hopkins then asked how this happened and CEO Syphers replied that since 2020 the California Legislature has looked for ways to improve equity quickly. Director Barnacle added that the Legislature should continue to work on this issue and Vice Chair Hopkins added that CCAs should work with social justice groups to come up with alternatives.
Director Reynolds gave an Empower update and mentioned a discussion on renewable energy was held at the Willits Public Library. Director Torgerson discussed a recent Calpine Customer Service Representative survey in which SCP’s Customer Service Representatives scored very highly among customers.
CEO Syphers announced Director Reynolds’ 10-year Anniversary.
Director Farrar-Rivas asked how Sonoma could get a Climate Corner at their library like Willits and was told staff would be in contact with her for more information.
Public Comment: None
5. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:32 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:34:15)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, discussed the CPUC’s General Rate Case and stated that the CPUC would most likely decide by the end of the year.
Chair Fudge asked if this would include Diablo Canyon and Director Reardon answered that because Diablo Canyon is a special case it is not included but funded through the Legislature, he added that the large issue here was hydropower plants. Director Farrar-Rivas asked if this includes the decommissioning of Potter Valley and Director Reardon answered that it did.
Director Gjerde asked if there is a conflict of interest because PG&E can choose the best benefit for their shareholders and not the ratepayers and Director Reardon answered that it seemed to be a conflict. Vice Chair Hopkins asked how the Board can advocate and Director Reardon answered that this is the proper venue, but it is a very slow process.
Director Barnacle suggested using income graduated rate lobbyists to engage in advocacy and Director Bagby requested research into where this advocacy would be applicable.
Public Comment: None
6. Approve the Net Billing Tariff
(9:55 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:57:37)
Director Torgerson discussed the Net Billing Tariff and the Solar Billing Plan and stated that this discussion would return to the Board within the next 6 months to continue the discussion.
Chair Fudge asked if smart meters could deal with this change and Director Torgerson answered that yes, PG&E will share the data with SCP. Director Ford asked if Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 is changing and Director Torgerson answered that it was not. Alternative Director Adams asked if rate payers knew of this deadline and Director Torgerson responded that the solar ratepayers did. Director Bagby said that this would be a good step towards knowing instant feedback. Vice Chair Hopkins asked if there was an application for this and CEO Syphers responded that this is something SCP works toward having.
Director Barnacle mentioned that this could hurt rooftop solar and would like to see alternatives, but Director Ford disagreed with him because he would like to see alternative programs to rooftop solar. Director Bagby stated that the timing of this change was terrible but necessary.
Public Comment: Ben Peters stated that he would have liked information on low-income export credits and alternatives.
Ronald Dorris comment attached.
Motion to approve the Net Billing Tariff by Director Strong Second: Director Gjerde
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Adams, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Rogers
7. Consider Approving Stipends and an Approach for Encouraging Youth Members on the Community Advisory Committee
(10:58 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:00:49)
CEO Syphers stated that this item was created at the Board’s request for an exploration of stipends for the Community Advisory Committee (Committee).
He thanked members of the Committee for their input on the item and stated that SCP staff did not have a concrete recommendation but left it up to the Board to decide.
Director Zollman thanked the Committee and the stipend policy that they recommended, and he said that a youth membership position is a great idea.
Director Bagby asked for clarification on the youth membership. Director Farrar-Rivas wanted to expand the youth membership to 24 years old. Vice Chair Hopkins said she was fully supportive and wondered if there was any discussion about giving a stipend to the Board, CEO Syphers responded that the Joint Powers Agreement for SCP does not allow it.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve a $100 per Meeting Stipend for Members of the Community Advisory Committee, Effective Immediately with the Option to Opt-Out Confidentially, and Create a Non-Voting Youth Position on the Committee with the Upper Age Limit of that Position being 24 Years Old Appointed by the Chair of the Committee for 2 Years by Director Strong Second: Vice Chair Hopkins
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Adams, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Rogers
8. Receive Nominations and Appoint Community Advisory Committee Members for the Term Beginning January 1, 2024
(11:16 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:18:16)
CEO Syphers detailed recommendations from the Committee Appointment Ad Hoc.
Public Comment: Ben Peters stated that he has attended Committee meetings and would like SCP to explore changing the culture of the Committee. Liz Hagen thanked the Board for the appointment. Spencer Lipp thanked the Board for his re-appointment.
Motion to nominate and appoint Patricia Morris, Michael Nicholls, Spencer Lipp, Elizabeth Hagen, Jana Wang, Daniel Soto, and Ali Soto Anguiano to the Community Advisory Committee for the term beginning January 1, 2024, by Vice Chair Hopkins
Second: Alternate Director Adams
AYES: Bagby, Ford, Barnacle, Adams, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Rogers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(11:33 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:35:34)
Director Zollman stated he would be interested in knowing how the Committee comes to their decisions regarding rates. Director Farrar-Rivas mentioned that she had attended an aging and disabilities seminar, that the City of Sonoma would be adopting their general plan, and that she attended the mayor’s climate meeting. Director Barnacle mentioned the heat pump water heater rebate program. Chair Fudge mentioned that the Windsor Wastewater Treatment plant would be net-zero. Director Strong thank SCP for the Climate Corner meeting at the Willits Library.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(11:39 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:41:54)
Public Comment: Kimberly Burr discussed biomass. Janis Watkins, Michael Heffler, and Larry Hanson all submitted written comments which are attached to these minutes.
CLOSED SESSION
(11:46 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:48:44)
The Board of Directors of the Sonoma Clean Power Authority will consider the following in closed session:
9. Conference With Real Property Negotiators - Property: 421 E St., Santa Rosa, Agency Negotiators: Geof Syphers, Michael Koszalka, Stephanie Reynolds; Negotiating Parties: Kevin Foster and Hope Moffett; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
No reportable action. Direction was given to counsel and staff.
ADJOURN
(11:46 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 02:48:44)
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board