Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Executive Committee Meeting
Friday, May 27, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Pursuant to State of California Gov’t Code Section 54953 (e) the meeting was conducted via teleconference.
MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
Chair Tyson called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.
Roll Call
Present:
Chair George Tyson, Town of Los Altos Hills
Vice Chair Neysa Fligor, City of Los Altos
Director Liz Gibbons, City of Campbell
Director Javed Ellahie, City of Monte Sereno
Director Yvonne Martinez Beltran, City of Morgan Hill
Absent:
None.
All present committee members participated via teleconference.
Public Comment on Matters Not Listed on the Agenda
No speakers.
Consent Calendar
MOTION: Director Gibbons moved and Vice Chair Fligor seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
The motion carried unanimously by verbal roll call vote. 1) Approve Minutes of the March 25, 2022, Executive Committee Meeting Regular Calendar
2) CEO Report (Discussion)
CEO Girish Balachandran noted his updates would be covered in the items being presented on the agenda.
3) Intro to 2023 Strategic Plan (Discussion)
CEO Balachandran presented a PowerPoint presentation which included the strategic plan and budget timeline, an overview of the prior year’s strategic plan and focus areas with 21 goals and 75 measures, overview of work done by staff to begin the process for the FY 23 Strategic Plan, a summary of some of the future five-year goals identified, and next steps for the development of the SVCE Strategic Focus Areas and work plan.
CEO Balachandran responded to committee member questions and addressed comments.
Committee members provided feedback and comments on 24x7 clean energy delivery; Director Martinez Beltran requested SVCE keep the diversity/equity focus and continue incorporating it into SVCE’s work.
Chair Tyson opened public comment.
Bruce Karney commented on three points: 1) preference to see customer-facing priorities listed first rather than internal priorities, 2) the budget leverage piece is a very important part of what SVCE may be able to do over the next couple of years, and 3) the importance of talking about carbon offsets, or equivalent technologies and programs.
Chair Tyson closed public comment.
Director Gibbons noted she supported the comment made by Bruce Karney to consider using language that addresses customers and is customer facing.
4) Recommend Community Electrification Engagement and Demonstration Programs (Action) Communications Manager Pamela Leonard and Anthony Eulo, Senior Manager of Public Sector Services, presented a PowerPoint presentation with a request for the Executive Committee to support program recommendations for new community electrification engagement and demonstration programs to the Board of Directors.
Staff reviewed the proposed programs, which would be funded from 2021 PG&E carbon-free allocation savings, and budget summary below:
Staff responded to committee member questions regarding the proposed programs.
Chair Tyson opened public comment.
Bruce Karney made the following comments:
• He would like to see focus on EV purchasing, as it is a huge step in cutting the carbon footprint; • Karney suggested libraries be one of the focus areas because of the high number of customers there; • If SVCE wants to decarbonize city buildings, Karney noted he hopes one of the criteria is that the city has made a commitment to fully decarbonize its publicly owned buildings by a reasonably rapid date, like 2030 or 2045;
• He would love to see the program have low administrative overhead, and likes the idea of sticking with city and county libraries as the main focus;
• The mobile building is a great idea, but hopes there is thought given with how to connect with contractors who are committed to electrification;
• There is a building in Mountain View that is an all-electric home that anyone can visit, and Mr. Karney noted he would provide the information to staff.
Chair Tyson closed public comment.
MOTION: Director Martinez Beltran moved and Director Ellahie seconded the motion to approve program recommendations as presented by staff for board consideration at the June Board of Directors meeting.
Board Clerk Andrea Pizano confirmed with Director Martinez Beltran that the motion included the recommendation to have the item on the Consent Calendar for the Board of Directors consideration; Directors Martinez Beltran and Ellahie concurred.
The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
5) Business Process Optimization Update (Discussion)
Amrit Singh, CFO and Director of Administrative Services, and Zakary Liske, Senior Manager of Power Operations, presented a PowerPoint presentation which included an overview of the business process optimization initiative, overarching achievement of the project, review of phased implementation, the process and work completed on the project to date, and next steps.
Staff responded to committee member questions.
Chair Tyson opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Tyson closed public comment.
6) Results of the Stress Test Analyses (Discussion)
CFO and Director of Administrative Services Singh provided a PowerPoint presentation which highlighted the construction of Stress Test cases, expectation versus analyses results, and insights on drivers of biggest financial risks. CFO and Director of Administrative Services Singh responded to committee member questions.
Chair Tyson summarized discussion that there are things out of our control, but there are things we can predict; for example, one of the things that is under our control is SVCE’s reserve level.
CEO Balachandran noted the point of the presentation was to provide the Executive Committee enough information and understanding so that as we go into the budget, members are aware of the work that went into the analysis given to the budget recommendations.
Chair Tyson proposed deferring Item 7 due to time constraints, and noted if staff needed feedback he would be available to provide comments.
There were no objections from the committee to defer the item. 7) Update on Digital Engagement and Customer Awareness (Presentation) This item was not heard.
Committee/Staff Remarks
No comments.
Public Comment on Closed Session
No speakers.
The Executive Committee convened to Closed Session at 12:12 p.m.
Closed Session
THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
Consultation with: Amrit Singh, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Administrative Services, Kevin Armstrong, Deputy Director of Administrative Services
The Executive Committee returned from Closed Session at 12:36 p.m.
Report from Closed Session
Chair Tyson announced there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session and there was nothing to report.
Adjournment
Chair Tyson adjourned the meeting at 12:36 p.m.
ATTEST:
________________
Andrea Pizano, Board Secretary