MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:00 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:01:00)
Chair Barnacle called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Barnacle, Directors Lemus, Albin-Smith, Zollman, Potter, Haschak, and Alternate Director Stapp. Vice Chair Elward and Directors Laskey and Hopkins were absent without prior notice. Director Farrar-Rivas was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Garth Salisbury, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Felicia Smith, Director of Programs; Bryan Wolfe, Marketing Specialist; Adam Jorge, Senior Decarbonization Policy Manager; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager; Caroyln Glanton, Programs Operations Manager and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:01 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:01:47)
1. Approve June 5, 2025, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Monthly Financial Report
3. Approve Proposed Amendment to Customer Service Policy A.3 Late Payment Noticing, Transfer of Service, Pre-Collection Noticing, Collections and A.6 Emergency Consumer Protection Policy
4. Approve and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer or his Designee to Execute Task Order #2 of the Foundational Professional Agreement with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District for Debt Collection Services Effective through December 31, 2029
5. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
6. Adopt Resolution 2025-01 Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Satisfy Federal or State Regulatory Requirements for Financial Assurances Motion to approve July 10, 2025, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Haschak
Second: Zollman
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Lemus, Albin-Smith, Barnacle, Stapp, Zollman, Potter, Haschak ABSENT: Laskey, Elward, Farrar-Rivas, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
7. Receive Internal Operations Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate (9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:52)
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, introduced three new SCP staff members. Bryan Wolfe, Marketing Specialist, addressed the recent rise in door-to-door contacts involving individuals falsely claiming to represent or partner with PG&E or SCP. Mr. Wolfe clarified that neither PG&E nor SCP conducts door-to-door sales and noted SCP’s current ad campaign warning residents about similar scams and offering safety tips. Chair Barnacle asked if SCP has any legal recourse against impersonators. CEO Geof Syphers responded that while it’s difficult to identify the responsible parties, SCP prioritizes customer safety and will file complaints with authorities if specific organizations can be identified.
Director Reynolds announced that SCP received the North Bay Business Journal “Best Places to Work” award for the seventh consecutive year. CEO Syphers then introduced local artist Peter Spencer, whose artwork will be on display at SCP through October. CEO Syphers also reported on recent discussions with the Lake County Board of Supervisors regarding potential expansion. Next steps include legal consultations between SCP and Lake County attorneys, as well as SCP staff presentations at town halls. He added that supervisors inquired whether participation in the GeoZone initiative is tied to joining SCP and requested guidance on this.
Chair Barnacle asked if there are different ways that a county could participate in the GeoZone effort. CEO Syphers responded that multiple participation models may be possible, as GeoZone details are still being developed.
Public Comment: None
9:09 a.m. Vice Chair Elward entered the meeting.
8. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Legislative Positions, and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:22 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:22:26)
CEO Geof Syphers introduced Adam Jorge, Senior Decarbonization Policy Manager, who reported that allocations from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund are still being determined and that SCP is monitoring developments.
CEO Syphers added that the CPUC approved changes to the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) fee. He noted that CalCCA is currently discussing possible responses from CCAs. Chair Barnacle asked for a closed session on this matter, which Director Zollman supported.
Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, provided updates on SCP’s bills. He reported that AB 527 is in the Senate Natural Resources Committee’s suspense file and has received some pushback. He also announced that AB 531 is scheduled for review in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee next week. Chair Barnacle encouraged board members to contact their representatives in support of the bills.
CEO Syphers discussed the recent passage of HR 1. He explained that the resolution reduces support for renewables while increasing subsidies for fossil fuels. CEO Syphers noted major cuts to tax credits for wind, solar, residential energy systems, and EVs—though geothermal credits remain unaffected. He committed to providing a written report on the impacts at a future meeting.
Chair Barnacle asked whether other CCAs could help advocate for AB 527 and Mr. Horton confirmed that one CCA has agreed to reach out to the head of the committee.
Public Comment: None
There were no positions taken on legislation, so no vote was necessary.
9. Receive Update on Programs that Accelerate Building Efficiency and Electrification
(9:36 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:36:18)
Felicia Smith, Director of Programs, introduced the ongoing “Customer Programs Presentation Series” at board meetings and welcomed Carolyn Glanton, Programs Operations Manager. Ms. Glanton gave a presentation on SCP’s building efficiency and electrification programs.
Director Albin-Smith asked if Programs staff participate in outreach fairs. Ms.
Glanton confirmed that the team attends various in-person events. Chair Barnacle inquired whether the rate assistance program is part of the efficiency programs. Ms. Glanton clarified that rate assistance is handled by customer service, either in person or by phone, but Programs provides information about potential savings when customers receive electrification rebates.
Director Lemus asked how customers can get an energy box. Ms. Glanton explained that they can be ordered online and shipped directly to homes.
Chair Barnacle asked if SCP promotes energy boxes to low-income housing residents. Ms. Glanton confirmed that the Programs team conducts outreach and has distributed boxes at events held at apartment complexes. Chair Barnacle emphasized that going electric offers many benefits, including increased home value.
Public Comment: None
10.Adopt Resolution 2025-02 Authorizing Entry into a $100,000,000 Revolving Credit Agreement with Royal Bank of Canada
(9:50 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:50:44)
Garth Salisbury, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, presented a proposed three-year agreement aimed at increasing SCP’s liquidity and overall financial resilience. He noted that there is no immediate need to draw on the funds and that the agreement was selected through a competitive bidding process. CFO Salisbury explained that of the four qualified bids received, this option was the strongest, and SCP successfully negotiated even better terms.
Director Lemus asked if any Canadian tariffs affect U.S. banking. CFO Garth Salisbury confirmed there are none. Director Haschak expressed support for the agreement. Chair Barnacle asked whether the RFP prioritized banks that do not fund fossil fuels. CFO Salisbury explained that while the RFP included specific criteria, all qualifying banks do fund fossil fuels but are also financing the transition to renewable energy. Chair Barnacle requested information on the Royal Bank of Canada’s climate commitments. CFO Salisbury agreed to provide it to the board. Chair Barnacle also proposed reviewing SCP’s procurement policies to ensure RFPs align with organizational values. Director Zollman expressed support for this review.
Public Comment: None
Motion to adopt resolution 2025-02 authorizing entry into a $100,000,000 revolving credit agreement with Royal Bank of Canada by Alternate Director Stapp
Second: Director Haschak
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Lemus, Albin-Smith, Barnacle, Elward, Stapp, Zollman, Potter, Haschak ABSENT: Laskey, Farrar-Rivas, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:04:38)
Director Lemus shared that Cotati’s Kid’s Day parade will be happening on Saturday. Zollman shared that there are music events every Wednesday night in Sebastopol, with music at Peacetown Summer Concerts and at the Barlow.
Chair Barnacle mentioned that Petaluma will be hosting River Town Revival on July 18th and 19th and the Petaluma Music Festival on August 6th.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:07:23)
Public Comment: None
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
(10:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:08:33)
11.Conference With Real Property Negotiators - Property: Assessor’s Parcel Numbers: 009-054-033; 009-012-011; Agency Negotiators: Geof Syphers, Rebecca Simonson; Negotiating Parties: Allen Gloria Mae Trust; Langendorf Andrews Lisa et al.; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
12.Conference with Labor Negotiators – Agency Designated Representatives:
Chair Barnacle, Vice Chair Elward; Unrepresented Employee: Chief Executive Officer (Gov’t Code Section 54957.6)
13.Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Chief Executive Officer (Gov’t Code Section 54957)
Public Comment: None
Josh Nelson, Special Counsel, stated that if a Closed Session Report Out was necessary, it would be done at the August 7, 2025, Board of Directors meeting.
ADJOURN
(10:08 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:08:49)
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board