MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:02 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:23)
Chair Hopkins called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Barnacle and Vice Chair Elward, Directors Laskey, Lemus, Fleming, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, and Hopkins. Director Peters was absent without prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Mike Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Garth Salisbury, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager; Sean Dalton, Events Manager; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing; Chris Golik, Finance Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:03:34)
1. Approve February 6, 2025, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Approve and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer or his Designee to Execute an Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement with Keyes & Fox LLP, for Legal Services with a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $300,000 for a Term of 1 Year
3. Receive Monthly Financial Report
4. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
Chair Barnacle introduced Directors Laskey and Potter to the Board of Directors. (Board)
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve March 6, 2025, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Hopkins
Second: Director Zollman
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Laskey, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Fleming, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
5. Direct Staff to Study the Feasibility of Expanding Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Service to Clearlake, California
(9:05 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:05:37)
Geof Syphers, CEO, stated that this item was limited to directing staff to conduct a study to analyze the costs and benefits of potentially serving the City of Clearlake and potentially other jurisdictions in Lake County. CEO Syphers recommended the study of Clearlake, but he said that SCP should study all jurisdictions in Lake County as well, in anticipation that they might also make a request in the near future. He added that there was potential for the expansion of electrification in Lake County because there is no natural gas service in the area. CEO Syphers then said that Lake County had made a request for a feasibility study in the past but at the time the costs were restrictive.
Director Hopkins said that she remembered discussing adding Lake County to SCP’s service area in 2019 and she asked if SCP had received any preliminary questions, and CEO Syphers answered that SCP had not received any further questions other than the initial request. Director Hopkins then asked if the scope of the study could be expanded once it has started, and CEO Syphers answered that it could. Director Lemus asked if the Princeton study regarding transmission applies here, and CEO Syphers answered that it potentially does.
Director Haschak then asked if the costs would be spread out through SCP’s service territory and CEO Syphers answered that the study would look at the impact on current customers and rates over the service territory. CEO Syphers added that the Board’s policy states the costs of feasibility studies are paid through delaying customer programs in a new territory, though in the case of Mendocino County, the Board agreed to waive the study expenses and could choose to do so again. Director Farrar-Rivas asked if Lake County could create their own CCA and CEO Syphers answered that the County had already rejected that. Director Lemus asked if SCP had customer centers in Mendocino County and if SCP would in Lake County and CEO Syphers answered that SCP didn’t and has increased its presence at community events instead. Director Zollman asked if The County of Lake had requested an analysis yet and CEO Syphers responded that they had not.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Direct staff to study the feasibility of expanding Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s service to Clearlake, California by Director Lemus Second: Vice Chair Elward
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Laskey, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Fleming, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters
6. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Legislative Positions, and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:22 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:22:13)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, gave an update on the upcoming Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and he gave an overview of CAISO to the new Directors. Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, discussed the bills that SCP is focusing on in 2025: AB 526 (Papan) which would pave the way for offshore wind, AB 527 (Papan) which would create a permit exclusion for geothermal well drilling, and AB 531 (Rogers) which would create an opt-in process with the California Energy Commission as the sole permitting agency for geothermal. Mr. Horton discussed the March 4, 2025, lobby day in Sacramento and mentioned that SCP would be adding a second day in April. Director Lemus asked if Directors could bring anything to the Capitol in April and CEO Syphers said that there would be targeted materials.
Public Comment: None
No positions were taken, so no vote was necessary.
7. Receive an Update on Events and Community Engagement Efforts (9:31 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:31:47)
Sean Dalton, Events Manager, gave a presentation on SCP’s events and community engagement efforts.
Chair Barnacle thanked staff for attending the events. Director Lemus asked if SCP did any targeted Spanish radio ads and CEO Syphers answered that SCP did. Director Farrar-Rivas encouraged SCP to work with KSVY in the Sonoma Valley.
Public Comment: None
8. Receive an Update on Educational Partnerships and Youth Workforce Development Efforts
(9:44 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:44:06)
Mr. Dalton gave an update on SCP’s educational partnerships and youth workforce development efforts.
Director Hopkins thanked staff and discussed Sonoma County Water Agency and SCP partnerships, and she asked what access there was for Mendocino colleagues and Mr. Dalton said that getting buy-in has been difficult and he requested help from the Board in Mendocino. Vice Chair Elward asked if SCP had connected with Sonoma Avenues for training and Mr. Dalton said he would look into it. Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, mentioned that SCP was working with Schools Rule Sonoma County. Director Zollman mentioned that working with the Superintendents of Sonoma County would be another way of developing partnerships. Director Lemus asked what SCP’s career preparation was and Mr. Dalton described working with CTE through the new school model and the LIME Foundation. Director Farrar- Rivas asked if SCP worked with La Luz and Director Kelly answered that SCP was in early talks with them. Chair Barnacle asked if SCP was working with the existing workforce and CEO Syphers stated that SCP has built a contractor network and is making the customer center available for outside use.
10:10 a.m. Director Fleming exited the meeting.
Public Comment: None
9. Receive 2024 Annual Report
(10:14 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:14:34)
Director Kelly gave an overview of SCP’s 2024 Annual Report, and she mentioned that it would be available on SCP’s website.
Public Comment: None
10.Discussion of Investment Opportunity for Reducing Ratepayer Costs Over Time (10:17 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:17:29)
CEO Syphers stated that this was the beginning of a discussion for investment opportunities for SCP. He discussed the first 3 potential investment opportunities in the item: dual-use solar and grazing, single-use solar and battery and high value public benefit investments. He stated there could be a beneficial connection between SCP loaning money and rural broadband being a high value public benefit opportunity in the future. CEO Syphers then discussed the fourth opportunity of SCP making market rate loans or building leases to local non-profit organizations and he invited Hector Velasquez of the Latino Chamber of Commerce to discuss in more detail. Mr. Velasquez discussed wanting to create a business hub which would create a one stop shop to find local businesses and he pointed to the success of the “Central Community” in Okland as an example. CEO Syphers added that tying any investment to SCP’s mission is a priority and he stated that he would like to see an ad hoc committee created to discuss potential investments.
Director Zollman stated that he likes the idea of a business hub. Director Lemus said that she was excited about this idea and that she would like to serve on the ad hoc committee. Director Farrar-Lemus said that this idea would be great for small business, and she requested to be added to the ad hoc. Director Hopkins stated that she was excited about this idea and would like to be on the ad hoc. Director Elward said she would like to have the idea discussed with other local chambers of commerce and Mr. Velasquez stated that he had reached out to the Black and Asian chambers. Director Haschek said that he would like SCP to reach out to Mendocino County and Mr.
Velasquez said that he had. Member Laskey said this was a great idea and liked it because it was tied to SCP’s mission. Chair Barnacle said that he would like to look for other investments that are scalable and investments in local agriculture.
Chair Barnacle appointed Directors Farrar-Rivas, Lemus, Hopkins and Zollman to the ad hoc committee to discuss “Investment Opportunities for Reducing Ratepayer Costs Over Time,” beginning with Hector Velasquez’ opportunity.
Public Comment: None
11.Approve the Proposed Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (10:41 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:41:36)
Public Comment: None
Garth Salisbury, CFO, gave an introduction regarding SCP’s FY 24/25 Budget Adjustments and introduced Chris Golik, Finance Manager. Mr. Golik stated that this adjustment was based on the last 6 months’ information, and he stated that the adjustments fall within the rate setting parameters that the Board had agreed to.
Motion to approve the proposed budget adjustments for fiscal year 2024-2025 by Vice Chair Elward
Second: Director Hopkins
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Laskey, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins
ABSENT: Peters, Fleming
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:48 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:48:38)
Directors’ announcements: Director Zollman requested that a process for the Board to agendize items. Director Lemus announced the Climate Ready fair in Cotati would be held on March 29, 2025. Director Hopkins announced that she will be sitting on the California Air Resource Board. Director Farrar-Rivas announced that the City of Sonoma would be hosting Sonoma County’s newest EV bus. Vice Chair Elward announced that March was Women’s History Month. Josh Nelson announced new language for Board disclosures on the agenda. Vice Chair Elward disclosed that she attended a lunch paid for by the Building Trades and North Bay Business Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:53 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:53:24)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:53 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:53:44)
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board