Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Executive Committee Meeting
Friday, November 22, 2024
1:00 p.m.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Office
333 W El Camino Real, Suite 330
Sunnyvale, CA
MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
Prior to Roll Call, Director Meadows announced she would be participating remotely pursuant to AB 2449 due to a physical disability qualifying under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and did not have anyone present in the room with her.
Roll Call
Present:
Chair Larry Klein, City of Sunnyvale
Vice Chair Bryan Mekechuk, City of Monte Sereno
Director Sally Meadows, City of Los Altos (participated remotely) Director George Tyson, Town of Los Altos Hills
Director Yvonne Martinez Beltran, City of Morgan Hill (arrived at 1:22 pm) Director Tina Walia, City of Saratoga
Absent:
None
A quorum was present.
Public Comment on Matters Not Listed on the Agenda
No speakers.
Consent Calendar
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
MOTION: Vice Chair Mekechuk moved and Director Walia seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
The motion carried by verbal roll call vote with Director Martinez Beltran absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: DF183128-320C-451D-BB39-6978F3CD7913 1) Approve Minutes of the August 23, 2024, Executive Committee Meeting Regular Calendar
2) CEO Update (Discussion)
Director Martinez Beltran arrived at 1:22 pm during Item 2.
CEO Monica Padilla provided an update regarding the next phase of organizational realignment at Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) relating to internal staff restructuring to help improve communication with the Board and key stakeholders in the community. CEO Padilla noted further information would be provided at the December board meeting.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
3) CEO Transition Ad Hoc Committee Report (Discussion)
Director Tyson provided a verbal closing report from the CEO Transition Ad Hoc committee, which included the importance of board member attendance at meetings to avoid quorum issues, and a preference for having the Chair in person to preside over meetings. Director Tyson noted the group also discussed a stipend for attendance if there became an issue with engagement or attendance, but the ad hoc committee did not reach a conclusion or bring forth a proposal.
Vice Chair Mekechuk expressed his gratitude to CEO Padilla, staff, and the ad hoc committee members for contributing towards a successful CEO transition. Vice Chair Mekechuk shared his preference for not receiving a stipend for his service.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
Chair Klein shared his gratitude to the ad hoc committee and CEO Padilla for the transition and acknowledged the importance of achieving quorum for committee meetings.
Director Meadows acknowledged committee members for their in-person attendance to meet quorum during her inability to attend meetings in person due to reasons that fall under AB 2449. 4) SVCE Information Update on 2025 SVCE Board Elections (Information Only) Andrea Pizano, Sr. Executive Assistant and Board Clerk, presented information on the upcoming board elections for the appointment of Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Committee and other SVCE committees.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Director Walia regarding committee seats and formation of future ad hoc committees.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
Docusign Envelope ID: DF183128-320C-451D-BB39-6978F3CD7913 5) Recommend Approval of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Update (Action) Amrit Singh, CFO and Director of Administrative Services, provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Budget Update, rates, expenditures, and highlights of the budget update. The topics of discussion included:
• A recap of assumptions used in setting the adopted budget and an update on the budget forecast using recent PG&E rates forecast;
• Comparison of Adopted and Updated Budget;
• Updated Reserve Projection;
• Proposal on funding long-term strategic priorities; and • Discussion on additional uncertainty in budget projections.
Staff responded to committee member questions relating to PCIA pricing, pending CPUC decision on rates in December, and bill credits, programs, and outreach for low-income customers.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
MOTION: Vice Chair Mekechuk moved and Director Walia seconded the motion to recommend the SVCE Board of Directors approve the updated Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget.
The motion carried unanimously by verbal roll call vote. 6) Establish the Affordable Clean Community Fund (Discussion) Zoe Elizabeth, Deputy Director of Decarbonization Programs and Policy, presented a request to the Executive Committee to recommend the SVCE Board of Directors consider establishing an SVCE Affordable Clean Community Fund, and outlined the following three proposed funding priority areas:
Discount rate stabilization
Scalable support for pollution-free appliances
Local and emerging power supply technology
Staff responded to committee member questions and comments that included the following:
Availability of discount stabilization and scalable support for pollution-free appliances for all SVCE customer types, including small and medium businesses;
Affordability requirements in SVCE and other CCA service areas; Forecast of an annual number of customers who could receive heat pump water heaters based on the estimated investment cap;
Proposed priority observations;
Integration of programs for newly built housing;
Expansion of current programs to include customer bill assistance; and Partnerships with youth.
Deputy Director of Decarbonization Programs and Policy Elizabeth presented funding allocations and FY 24/25 budget estimates and responded to questions.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
Docusign Envelope ID: DF183128-320C-451D-BB39-6978F3CD7913 No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
7) Request the SVCE Executive Committee Recommend the SVCE Board of Directors Approve SVCE’s Policy Updates as Part of the Agency Policies Streamlining Project (Action) Michael Callahan, General Counsel, provided information regarding the adoption of staff’s proposed revisions to general and administrative policies, which included:
Adoption of:
G&A Vehicle and Charger Use Policy (consolidated)
G&A California Public Records Act Policy
G&A CEO Absence Policy
G&A Hybrid Meetings Policy
Retirement of:
G&A Vehicle Use Policy
G&A Charging Station Policy
General Counsel Callahan reviewed the framework for the 2024 policy refresh project, provided a status summary, and highlighted key takeaways and next steps.
Staff responded to questions and comments regarding Public Records Act requests and policy training for future staff and board members.
Chair Klein opened public comment.
No speakers.
Chair Klein closed public comment.
MOTION: Director Walia moved and Director Tyson seconded the motion to approve SVCE’s Policy Updates as Part of the Agency Policies Streamlining Project.
The motion carried unanimously by verbal roll call vote.
Committee/Staff Remarks
Vice Chair Mekechuk acknowledged Beth Trenchard, SVCE Communications Consultant, for her work on the Hourly Flex Pricing pilot.
Chair Klein acknowledged SVCE staff for supporting the EV Expo in Sunnyvale.
Adjournment
Chair Klein wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, reminded the group about the holiday mixer scheduled for December 11, 2024, and adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Andrea Pizano, Board Secretary
Docusign Envelope ID: DF183128-320C-451D-BB39-6978F3CD7913