MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:02 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:48)
Chair Hopkins called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Barnacle, Directors Lands, Lemus, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Ding, Strong, Fudge, and Gjerde.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs; Brytann Busick, Marketing and Events Manager; Scott Salyer, Program Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
Geof Syphers, CEO, presented a plaque to Melanie Bagby for her years of service to the Board of Directors (Board) and SCP. The Board thanked her for her service and then Ms. Bagby thanked the Board and staff for all their work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:13 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:13:27)
1. Approve February 1, 2024, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve and Delegate Authority to the Chief Executive Officer or Designee to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with ReconMR with a Not-To-Exceed amount of $115,000 for the Annual Brand Awareness Survey
4. Approve and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Execute an Option to Extend the Lease for the Advanced Energy Center an Additional 36 Months with Kushins & Langendorf
5. Approve Rescheduling the Board of Directors May 2, 2024, Meeting Time from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
6. Approve Sonoma Clean Power’s Load Management Standards Plan and Authorize Staff to Submit this Plan to the California Energy Commission with Future Updates as Required by the California Energy Commission
7. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
8. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
Chair Hopkins asked for a brief legislative update on legislation regarding power outages and CEO Syphers responded that legislation regarding power outages is a high priority for SCP and SCP would continue to work on it.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the March 7, 2024, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Vice Chair Barnacle
Second: Director Rogers
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Ding, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
9. Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Legislative Policy Platform (9:15 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:15:39)
CEO Syphers thanked Miles Horton, Legislative Policy and Community Engagement Manager, for his work on SCP’s Legislative Policy platform and explained that the primary changes to the policy could be seen in the red-lined document. CEO Syphers explained that most of the changes were clean-up, but he did point out that the emphasis on power cost was elevated and the goals of ensuring procurement were expanded along with climate solutions.
Vice Chair Barnacle and Director Zollman expressed a desire to see more of a focus on equity in the platform.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Legislative Policy Platform by Vice Chair Barnacle
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
10.Receive an Update on Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Community Support (9:21 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:21:52)
Brytann Busick, Marketing and Events Manager, gave a presentation on SCP’s Community support, the presentation is attached.
Vice Chair Barnacle asked if the Calpine scholarships had guidelines regarding how they are allocated, and Ms. Busick stated that there are earmarked monies and there will be new endowments. CEO Syphers added that the upcoming SCP Budget will show more detail in the appendix on the scale of SCP’s donations relative to other expenses. Director Gjerde asked if the Board could be reminded of upcoming due dates for scholarship applications. Director Rogers thanked SCP staff for all their representation at local events and Vice Chair Barnacle asked if SCP could focus on new technologies at events.
Director Elward stated that SCP should participate in the Petaluma Butter and Eggs Day Parade. Director Strong thanked Felicia Smith, Program Manager, for presenting at the Willits City Council meeting. CEO Syphers reminded the Board to always send requests for event attendance to SCP staff. Chair Hopkins stated that she would like to have a budget conversation dedicated to community support and added that she liked seeing outreach in Mendocino County.
Public Comment: None
11.Receive Agricultural Community Needs Assessment Final Report (9:40 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:40:18)
Program Manager, Scott Salyer, gave a presentation on the Agricultural Community Needs Assessment Final Report and informed the Board of a formatting change to the final report.
Director Elward asked how SCP conducted its community outreach to non-profit organizations and farmworkers and added that SCP should bring more visibility to these organizations. CEO Syphers responded that SCP is in touch with these organizations and researching cost saving for those organizations.
Director Fudge mentioned that a new apartment complex “Redwood View” opened in Windsor for farmworkers, and it would be a great place for SCP to do outreach. Vice Chair Barnacle stated he would like to see a holistic approach to farmworker housing and Director Lemus added La Familia Sana to the list of organizations. Chair Hopkins asked for a point person at SCP for farmworker outreach and Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs, said that all Board inquiries could be sent to her.
Public Comment: None
12.Approve the Proposed Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (9:53 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:53:38)
CEO Syphers introduced the proposed FY 23/24 Budget Adjustment and stated that it reflects the will of the Board to sustain a 7% bill savings for customers for an intended two-year period and he pointed out three-line items: significant revenues, product cost, and a capital expense to reflect the Board’s decision to purchase a building.
Vice Chair Barnacle asked what the plan is for the for the net increase of $42 million in fund balances and CEO Syphers responded that it all goes to Board uses already described, including lower customer rates, local investments intended to reduce rates over a long time period and incentive programs.
Vice Chair Barnacle then said he would like to see a local investment fund created. CEO Syphers stated that all ideas are welcome from the Board and would like to see Board input on the upcoming budget item in April. Chair Hopkins said she would like to see how equity would be incorporated in community benefits.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve the Proposed Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 by Director Rogers
Second: Vice Chair Barnacle
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Ding, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:02:54)
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:03:28)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:04:38)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board