Item 5
1 VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 5
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Alisa Lembke, Board Clerk / Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes from December 8, 2022 meeting DATE: January 19, 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Receive, review and approve the attached December 8, 2022 meeting Minutes.
VCEA Minutes December 8, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 1 of 4
MINUTES OF THE VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022
The Board of Directors of the Valley Clean Energy Alliance duly noticed their regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., to be held via Zoom webinar. Chair Jesse Loren established that there was a quorum present and began the meeting at 5:01 p.m.
Board Members Present: Jesse Loren, Tom Stallard, Don Saylor, Wade Cowan, Lucas Frerichs, *Gary Sandy, *Dan Carson, *Mayra Vega (*arrived at 5:04 p.m.) Members Absent:
Welcome Chair Loren welcomed all.
Public Comment –
General and
Consent
The Board Clerk informed those present that there are both verbal and written public comments on general and/or consent items.
Verbal Public Comment:
Christine Shewmaker summarized the written public comment letter dated December 7, 2022 she sent to the Board on the importance of setting aggressive RPS targets now for VCE.
(Gary Sandy, Dan Carson, and Mayra Vega arrived at 5:04 p.m.) Cynthia Rodriguez provided a verbal public comment that last year she was the CAC’s Vice Chair when these goals were requested and was the Chair of the Carbon Neutral Task Group. She would like this item to return to a schedule where the Board addresses aggressive RPS targets now. She thinks that stretching that goal out to be discussed in Quarter 3 of 2023 would undermine the purpose that the CAC had in writing it as soon as possible.
She recognizes how important it is to show the County and our constituents that we are striving to make these goals as swiftly as possible.
Board Clerk announced that a written public comment was received by Christine Shewmaker. It was distributed to the Board Members and will not be read into the record tonight since Ms. Shewmaker summarized her letter verbally during Public Comment. In addition, the written comment will be posted to VCE’s website tomorrow.
VCEA Minutes December 8, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 2 of 4 Approval of
Consent Agenda /
Resolutions 2022-
032 through 2022-
037
Director Carson had a question on Item 16: REACH Strategies (marketing, website and social media services) about how Staff reached their selection.
Executive Officer Mitch Sears informed those present that several proposals were received in response to VCE’s request for proposals (RFP). Proposals received were evaluated by Staff and a few CAC Members. Based on the proposer’s proposal and overall experience working with CCA’s, as well as the cost associated with their service, REACH Strategies was selected. Director of Customer Care and Marketing Rebecca Boyles informed those present that REACH Strategies had glowing references including a local CCA and larger utilities, and bringing new ideas forward seems to be a key strength while maintaining existing guidelines and style.
Motion made by Director Carson to approve the consent agenda items, seconded by Vice Chair Stallard. Motion passed. The following items were:
3. Authorized to continue remote public meetings as authorized by Assembly Bill 361;
4. Approved November 10, 2022 Board meeting Minutes;
5. Received 2022 Long Range Calendar;
6. Received financial updates October 31, 2022 (unaudited) financial statement;
7. Received November 2022 Regulatory update dated November 30, 2022 provided by Keyes & Fox;
8. Received Community Advisory Committee November 17, 2022 meeting summary;
9. Received Community Advisory Committee 2022 Year-end Task Group reports;
10. Received Net Energy Metering (NEM) update;
11. Received information on rotation of jurisdictions for Board Chair and Vice Chair;
12. Ratified Third Amendment to Green Ideals Consultant Agreement as Resolution 2022-032;
13. Approved agreement with Don Dame for energy consulting services as Resolution 2022-033;
14. Approved agreement with Jim Parks for key account, program and grant activity services as Resolution 2022-034;
15. Approved agreement with Pacific Policy Group for lobbying services as Resolution 2022-035;
16. Approved agreement with REACH Strategies for marketing, website and social media services as Resolution 2022-036; and,
17. Approved Greenhouse gas (GHG) Free Attributes for 2023 accepting large hydro and rejecting nuclear as Resolution 2022-037.
VCEA Minutes December 8, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 3 of 4 Item 18: Approve
agreement with
The Energy
Authority for
wholesale energy
services. (Action) /
Resolution 2022-
038
Mr. Sears introduced this item, and VCE Staff Gordon Samuel introduced Jeff Fuller and Jaclyn Harr of The Energy Authority (TEA). Mr. Samuel provided a summary of the agreement. There were no verbal or written public comments.
Director Frerichs made a motion to approve the wholesale energy services (WES) agreement with The Energy Authority, seconded by Director Saylor.
Motion passed as Resolution 2022-038 by the following vote:
AYES: Loren, Stallard, Saylor, Carson, Cowan, Sandy, Frerichs, Vega NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 19: Approve
2023 Operating
Budget and 2023
Customer Rates.
(Action) /
Resolution 2022-
039
Mr. Sears introduced this item and VCE Staff Edward Burnham summarized the 2023 operating budget and 2023 customer rates.
A few questions were asked by the Board on multi-year forecasting, the effects of Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA), and dividend and reserves. There were no verbal or written public comments.
Director Carson made a motion to approve 2023 Operating Budget and 2023 Customer Rates, seconded by Director Cowan. Motion passed as Resolution 2022-039 by the following vote:
AYES: Loren, Stallard, Saylor, Carson, Cowan, Sandy, Frerichs, Vega NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 20: Approve
VCE Rate
Adjustment Policy.
(Action) /
Resolution 2022-
040
Mr. Sears introduced this item. Mr. Burnham introduced Don Dame, VCE’s consultant, and summarized the proposed Rate Adjustment Policy being presented to the Board for approval.
Mr. Sears reminded the Board that the Rate Adjustment Policy is a tool to be used by Staff if circumstances warrant. The Board discussed: customer notification about rate adjustment(s) and how other CCAs notify their customers; Board rate and adjustment review process; the need for flexibility in how much the rates may be adjusted; the purpose and parameters of the policy; responding to market conditions; rate increase amortization; concerns of rate increase every few months; and, oversight of the Board on rate adjustments in accordance with this policy. There were no verbal or written public comments.
VCEA Minutes December 8, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 4 of 4 Director Saylor made a motion to approve the Rate Adjustment Policy with the added phrase “generally” to the monthly increase/decrease percentage within the policy to allow staff flexibility to administer the policy, seconded by Vice Chair Stallard. Motion passed as Resolution 2022-040 by the following vote:
AYES: Loren, Stallard, Saylor, Carson, Cowan, Sandy, Frerichs, Vega NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 22: Board
Member and Staff
Announcements
There were no Board announcements. Mr. Sears recognized the work and contributions of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to VCE and Staff, including the work done by the CAC’s Task Groups. The CAC has been a valuable resource of insight and outreach within our communities. Staff have had end-of-year meetings with some of VCE’s larger customers and discussed: their future goals and how VCE could possibly assist them in reaching their goals; energy use and efficiency; and, innovate ideas about energy production. Staff look forward to continuing these discussions and developing partnerships. Mr. Sears provided brief highlights of VCE’s activities in 2022.
Chair Loren thanked the Board for their hard work and commitment to VCE this past year.
Item 21:
Recognition of
Board Members
for their service
on the Valley
Clean Energy
Board of Directors
Chair Loren acknowledged and thanked the outgoing VCE Board Members by reading off portions of each proclamation about the service provided by Don Saylor, Dan Carson and Wade Cowan.
Announcement
and Adjournment
Chair Loren announced that the Board has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Chair Loren adjourned the regular Board meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Alisa M. Lembke
VCE Board Secretary