MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:53)
Chair Hopkins called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Barnacle, Directors Lands, Lemus, Elward, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, and Gjerde. 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; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy and Community Engagement Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:04)
1. Approve June 6, 2024, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
Item 2 the Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update was pulled for a brief discussion.
Miles Horton stated that SCP would be holding a town hall on July 25, 2024, to discuss news on the GeoZone. He added that live Spanish translation would be provided, along with a remote attendance option using Zoom.
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the July 11, 2024, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Zollman
Second: Vice Chair Barnacle
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Rogers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
3. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:07:23)
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, discussed updates being made at the Customer Center and Geof Syphers, CEO, added a little more detail by giving a brief history of the Customer Center, originally the Advanced Energy Center. Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs, gave an update on SCP Programs and mentioned that equity is discussed in all decisions for those programs.
Director Zollman noted that it would be important to understand what impediments there are to focusing on equity more fully and he suggested using pop-ups in unused store fronts in local communities to get the word out.
Director Lemus stated that equity decisions needed to be more external and visible. Vice Chair Barnacle asked what level the workplace charging stations would be and Director Simonson answered that it would be level 2; then Director Barnacle asked if there would be reporting on the e-bike program and Director Simonson answered there would. Vice Chair Barnacle then asked if there would be usage requirements for SCP’s non-profit electric vehicle (EV) incentives and CEO Syphers answered it might be interesting to get odometer readings on usage. Vice Chair Barnacle then added senior centers and Meals on Wheels could be used to get energy savings boxes out. Director Zollman then requested the Board of Directors (Board) create an ad hoc committee for equity implementation. Director Gjerde echoed the idea of distributing energy savings boxes at senior centers and added that they should also be given to health clinics; Director Farrar-Rivas added that they could be given to mobile home park associations as well. Vice Chair Barnacle requested that SCP set up times to meet with each Director to discuss equity.
CEO Syphers discussed PG&E’s recent PCIA adjustment and changes to their rates beginning in August and he mentioned that SCP’s new CFO would be starting the following week.
Public Comment: None
4. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Legislative Positions, and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:55 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:55:26)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, discussed compliance filings with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC.) Miles Horton, Legislative Policy and Community Engagement Manager, stated that AB 1359 (Papan) regarding geothermal permitting was moving along and not running into any opposition. Mr. Horton discussed SB 1298 (Cortese) regarding backup generators was still be opposed by SCP even after amendments were made to it and he discussed the $10 billion climate bond which included a line item of $325 million for new transmission lines.
Director Farrar-Rivas asked if there were any federal government impacts on funding and CEO Syphers stated that SCP does not know yet, but will report when there is more information.
Public Comment: None
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:05 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:05:53)
Director Lemus announced Cotati would be holding Cotati’s Kids Day on July 13, 2024. Vice Chair Barnacle announced Petaluma would be holding its Art and Garden Festival on July 14, 2024. Chair Hopkins announced that the Gravenstein Apple Fair would be held in August. Director Elward announced that Rohnert Park would be holding their Latino Heritage Celebration at the farmer’s market on July 19, 2024.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:07:32)
Public Comment: None
CLOSED SESSION
(10:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:07:53)
The Board of Directors of the Sonoma Clean Power Authority will consider the following in closed session:
5. Conference with Labor Negotiators – Agency Designated Representatives: Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Barnacle; Unrepresented Employee: Chief Executive Officer (Gov’t Code Section 54957.6)
6. Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Chief Executive Officer (Gov’t Code Section 54957)
ADJOURN
(10:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:07:53)
The meeting was adjourned to Closed Session by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board